An Urban Vision for the 21st Century: The Urban Research and

Outreach/Engagement Center & the University Northside Partnership

Senior Vice President Robert J. JonesAssociate Vice President & Executive Director of UROC

Irma McClaurin

Original Presentation to University of Minnesota Board of Regents, Educational Planning and Policy Committee, July 9, 2008; Updated, October 15, 2008

Overview

• An Urban Vision for the 21st Century

• The University Northside Partnership (UNP)

• The Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC)

VISION: Improve the human condition through the advancement of knowledge

MISSION: Dynamic public engagement

ESSENTIAL COMMITMENT: Address critical needs of state, nation, world

• Majority of world’s population lives in cities

• 60% of Minnesota residents live in the Twin Cities commuting area

• Minnesota is mosaic of cities (Rochester, St. Cloud, Duluth)

• Urban/rural interface (Worthington, Willmar)

Why An Urban Vision?

The Need for Action

Close the Gap: The Case for Change - Premieres April 6th at 6pm on tpt.This new documentary series produced in partnership with The Itasca Project examines the widening gaps between Minnesotans. 

The Minnesota Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity 2007

Areas of Focus for the University’s Urban Vision

• Strengthening Community – economic development, job skills, reduce poverty

• Building Human Capital – education, early childhood development

• Improving Health – eliminate health disparities, provide evidence-based mental health services for children and families, emphasize nutrition and healthy lifestyles

The University Northside Partnership

Creating an authentic partnership with residents, community groups, local governments, and the philanthropy and business sectors.

UNP University Northside Partnership

Convening mechanism for

partner organizationsNorthPoint Health & Wellness Center･

City of Minneapolis･

The Coalition of Black Churches/African

American Leadership Summit･

Hennepin County･

Northside Residents Redevelopment Council･

Northway Community Trust･

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center

Anchoring our Presence

Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC)

Coordination & delivery mechanism for outreach, research and engagement programs & activities in the community

Physical presence/facility for those programs

Progress to Date

Continued work to establish the Child and Family Center (Dr. Dante Cicchetti)

Received $750,000 three-year grant from the Foundation for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FISPE)

Received $300,000 two-year grant from City of MPLS Empowerment Zone for the Center for Innovation and Economic Development

Hired liaisons to facilitate Community/University collaborations Purchased a facility to anchor our presence in the North

Minneapolis community Hired an Executive Director for UROC

Accomplishments

• Programmatic– UNP Work Groups– FIPSE-UROC Work Groups

Synergy I

Synergy II

Synergy III

UROC SPACE-The Facility

Strategic Planning

Holistic Evaluation

Next Steps

• Sustainable Partnership Development– Fellowships for community leaders – Community awards – Community Opportunity Grants (modeled on the

Northside Seed Grant Program administered by CURA)– Community-University conversation salons and social

events

Next Steps (cont)

– First Interdisciplinary National Community Partners conference

– Action Research Workshops– Curricula development grants to integrate

local urban issues & action research– Governance Structure for UNP & UROC

Looking Towards the Future

• 2020 Vision

A 21st Century Engaged Urban University

“Driven to discover solutions to complex issues facing urban communities ”

+

Community

Partners=

Success

A 21st Century Destination

• Through UNP & UROC, the University is forging a new path of urban community engagement.