The University of Minnesota has made significant waves in the realm of community engagement, securing a finalist position for the prestigious W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award. This accolade, as announced by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), honors the University's exemplary initiatives through its Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). With regional victory in hand, the U of M is now in the running for the national C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award, set for revelation this November, according to a recent report from the University of Minnesota's News.
As part of the Office of Vice Provost For Public Engagement, CURA has proven to be highly collaborative, working with local community and government agencies to promote informed and equitable decision-making within the state. Their efforts have resonated throughout an expansive network, supporting an impressive 145 projects across 50 neighborhoods and cities and involving 180 students last year alone. CURA has managed to establish partnerships with 32 university departments and programs, along with 135 community and government organizations, as reported by the University of Minnesota.
As stated by the University of Minnesota's News, University President Rebecca Cunningham expressed pride in CURA's long-standing impact: “For more than 50 years, the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs has served as a nationally recognized model for University-community partnerships,” she said. “We are proud of this prestigious recognition from the APLU and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their dedication to work that benefits all of Minnesota’s diverse communities.”
The contest for the C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award will go into its final stages at the 2024 National Engagement Scholarship Conference, where the national winner will be determined. The victorious university will not only receive a sculpture as a mark of their achievement but also a $20,000 prize to support further engagement endeavors, while the other three finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize to enhance their community work.
