The City of Minneapolis has rolled out the red carpet for the latest class of Urban Scholars, celebrating the achievements of 41 college and graduate students who recently completed the program. In ceremonies graced by Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Member Jason Chavez, the 2024 Urban Scholars were lauded for their contributions to the city's ongoing projects and their potential as future leaders. According to an article published by the City of Minneapolis, Mayor Frey praised the scholars for being "great leaders of tomorrow" but also for their "really helpful contributors" to the city's current endeavors.
Jason Chavez, who is also an alum of the program, underscored the significance of Urban Scholars in shaping a new cadre of community leaders. "I am constantly inspired by the incredible individuals who come through this program," Chavez explained in the statement released by the City of Minneapolis. "They make up a new generation of leaders ready to push boundaries and drive change." His sentiment echoes a collective recognition that these interns are more than students; they are agents of transformation hedging the future of civic leadership.
The 2024 cohort of Urban Scholars, which marks the thirteenth since the program's inception, received more than 250 applications, and resulted in over 100 interviews, before settling on the final 41 participants. This year's program, as indicated by a news release from the city, partnered with Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, the State of Minnesota, and The APi Group to offer over 50 project sites for the scholars' engagement.
Michelle Phillips, Director of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department, emphasized the value of nurturing potential through the program. "During our summer with the Urban Scholars, we can see the future leaders of America, learn and grow right in front of us," she said, according to a press release. The program not only showcases a plethora of career possibilities for the interns but actively assists them in chiseling a pathway to their professional achievements, a pivotal step in the construction of their legacies.
Urban Scholars operates as a 12-week paid internship with an emphasis on leadership and professional development, interweaving practical work experiences with enriching educational sessions. Founded in 2012 to combat employment disparities among diverse racial and ethnic groups, the program also serves as a conduit, funneling talented young individuals into public service. Notably, approximately 34 percent of Urban Scholars alumni have gained employment with the City of Minneapolis, fortifying the city's commitment to building an equitable and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich mosaic of its population.
