Building meaningful connections beyond university walls
We believe big, important ideas find life through conversation and collaboration.
With a spirit of discovery and transformation, the College of Arts and Sciences connects faculty and students with community partners to research, provide resources and take learning outside the classroom. These nimble partnerships are fueled by creativity, grounded in our values and informed by data. Together, we rise to the needs of our community to solve problems for the common good.
Students and faculty are collaborating with St. Paul community artists to explore connections between urban art and community identity in the Midway neighborhood, which is struggling to balance economic development with the disruptions of gentrification. Throughout this project, the team is creating multimedia stories highlighting Midway's urban art.
The College of Arts and Sciences is a national network partner of Ready to Run®, a non-partisan campaign training program committed to electing more women to elective office.
Research shows that women make government more transparent, inclusive and accessible. Women bring different priorities and experiences to public life, including perspectives that have been largely absent in public policymaking. Women change the way government works, and their voices are needed around the country.
Research in Action
So many walk by street art and see vandalism or criminal activity. But the University of St. Thomas’ Urban Art Mapping Team from the College of Arts & Science sees a gallery. Academics and students are researching and preserving the art through online databases that as of fall 2021 focused on two primary areas: the George Floyd And Anti-Racist Street Art Archive, and the COVID-19 Street Art Archive. The walls are speaking, and St. Thomas is listening.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. The Department of Health and Exercise Science teamed up with the YWCA to develop a cost-effective and evidence-based fall prevention program for its members and the community. This project supports the YWCA by providing education and increased community awareness in St. Paul about fall prevention.
Supported by the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences, the Airport Foundation MSP and the ARTS@MSP program, the Voyages through Asmat Art shared 52 selections from the American Museum of Asmat Art at the University of St. Thomas with travelers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
External partnerships gives students the opportunity to jump into the real world and learn by doing, making the learning experience more engaging. Our projects explore a variety of issues, such as the impact of sustainable literacy and connections between urban art and community identity.
If you have an idea for partnership or want to get involved, contact us at: khwammer@stthomas.edu