The Upper Mississippi Center (UMC) mobilizes Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø faculty, staff, and students to collaborate with communities in addressing pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Through partnerships with local organizations, governments, and nonprofits, the UMC provides real-world opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills while creating meaningful change. Communities gain access to innovative ideas and research support, and students gain hands-on experience working on complex, interdisciplinary issues.
Since its founding in 2013, the UMC has facilitated high-impact learning across campus through community-based research, project-based coursework, internships, and service-learning. These experiences are grounded in the liberal arts and integrate perspectives from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
UMC projects are defined by:
- Community-driven challenges focused on sustainability in its broadest sense¡ªeconomic, social, and environmental.
- Action-oriented approaches that go beyond study to promote real, tangible solutions.
- Collaborative partnerships with community members and stakeholders that prioritize mutual learning and respect.
- Student engagement that fosters critical thinking, civic responsibility, and the ability to make a real difference.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Accelerator
The Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Accelerator is the cornerstone of the UMC¡¯s efforts to build learning partnerships that both enrich the liberal arts education and help communities solve pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. The model establishes a one- to two-year partnership between Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø and a community partner, aligning existing courses, independent research, internships, and other learning experiences with community-identified priorities.
