The Center for Small Towns at the University of Minnesota – Morris is excited to announce our call for
proposals for the Connecting Students and Community (CSC) program! 

We’re looking for projects that contribute to the greater community by serving nonprofit organizations and governmental units. The program has a long history of supporting projects that engage both students and small town partners.

Starting Fall 2015 CST students Brendan Stermer and Mitchell Hancock worked together through the CSC program and Pioneer Public Television to create a feature length documentary about the history of the station. CSC, a collaborative effort between CST and the Southwest and Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, helped fund their work and allowed Pioneer Public Television to make its history accessible to the public. Brendan and Mitchell were two of many students in the CSC program and their work represents just one of a diverse group of interesting projects.

CSC applications are due April 4, 2016.

The CSC program has two goals: first, to assist communities and organizations with self-identified issues and projects and second, to create opportunities for UMM undergraduate students to work with and contribute to small communities. A wide range of activities are supported through the program including data analysis, research support, direct service work, and plan-making around community and economic development. Depending on the community partner’s supervision and resource capacity, as well as the project requirements, student interns work 10-40 hours per week during the summer months (mid-May through mid-August).  Preference will be given to applicants who are able to provide a financial match to help offset the cost of student wages and travel expenses.

For more information or to request assistance with your application, contact:

Kerri Barnstuble  (320) 589-6467 or kbarnstu@morris.umn.edu.