Graduate News

Summer Term — Please note: Position offers no tuition benefits for Summer. This position begins in Summer 2012, and may extend into Fall Semester 2012, dependent on availability of funds, research needs, and GRA’s work performance. Summer Term — Please note: Position offers no tuition benefits for Summer. This position begins in Summer 2012, and may extend into Fall Semester 2012, dependent on availability of funds, research needs, and GRA’s work performance.
Enrollment in a graduate program at the University of Minnesota for Fall Semester 2012, preferably Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Health, or related field; demonstrated interest in the topic of measuring urban riverfront vitality; familiarity with data collection from public and private sources; background and project experience in quantitative and qualitative research; strong interpersonal communication skills; strong quantitative research, writing, and analysis skills; ability to work independently and virtually with a multi-institutional team; demonstrated leadership abilities.

The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership is looking for a current University of Minnesota graduate student to assist with research related to measuring urban riverfront vitality. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor and the executive director of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, and in collaboration with the Minneapolis Department of Health and other partners, the research assistant will: review the draft set of indicators and summary of local and comparable indicator projects; assist in narrowing the set of indicators based on local needs, data availability, and desired impacts; initiate gathering data on the set of indicators; provide status reports and incorporate partner and community comments; develop a “snapshot” of preliminary indicators; assist in preparing communications of project results; and perform other research tasks as required.

Riverfront Vitality Indicators Project: The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership (MRP) is a public-private nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world-class Minneapolis riverfront for future generations. MRP is creating and distributing the first annual report of the Minneapolis Riverfront Vitality Indicators Project, an initiative measuring indicators of revitalization. MRP will lead a team of private and public partners to select a set of indicators, gather related riverfront data from public and private partners, and where necessary, collect original data. Proposed indicators will be vetted by community stakeholders, including our board of directors, and will reflect shared values of riverfront revitalization: healthy ecosystem; exceptional parks and trails; world-class history and culture; and vital, livable communities. In this first report and annual updates, the partnership project will inform private and public decisions affecting diverse, challenged neighborhoods of North and Northeast Minneapolis and its entire 15.5 miles of riverfront. We will show how the Mississippi River has shaped our region’s past, and can shape our region’s future. This report may provide a model for other waterfront cities facing challenging choices about public and private investments.

For more information contact: Cordelia Pierson, Executive Director, MRP – 612-465-8780 x212, cordelia.pierson@gmail.com
Please apply online via the Employment System at:
https://employment.umn.edu =/applicants/Central?quickFind=103793 Plaeas attach resume, cover letter, and three references.