- U of M startup launches new tool that connects patients with doctors.
- Awards and Recognition: The Masonic Cancer Center has received $20.4 million and comprehensive cancer center status renewal by the National Cancer Institute; and more.
U of M startup launches new tool that connects patients with doctors
U of M startup Q-rounds launched a communications tool that nearly tripled family presence and involvement during doctor rounds. Q-rounds was developed by U of M researchers Michael Pitt and John Sartori to help families be better informed about their loved ones' medical care.
Awards and Recognition
The Masonic Cancer Center has received $20.4 million and comprehensive cancer center status renewal by the National Cancer Institute; four faculty have been inducted into the National Academies of Practice; Michael Lackey has been named a 2024 Obama Fellow; Samuel Myers Jr. has been named the inaugural Rebecca Blank Fellow by the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
Name change: Regents Tuition Benefit Program
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) renamed the administrative policy: Regents Scholarship Program to Regents Tuition Benefit Program. OHR has also streamlined the approval process for the benefit, created a new form to request the benefit, and provided additional guidance on the tax ramifications of the benefit. Learn about 75-100% tuition discounts available for employees taking University classes and recent updates to improve the process.
Dear Minnesota: Together we are better
Through her work and research at the U of M, Aleta has seen the effects of cancer among Minnesotans. She’s inspired, however, by the Masonic Cancer Center’s innovative approach of merging research and medical excellence to create holistic care for patients. A cancer diagnosis impacts more than just the body, and changemakers like Aleta are working to create optimistic futures. Read Aleta’s story, explore the Dear Minnesota series, and share your own story.
Recommended changes to oversight of assisted living facilities
Minnesota enacted sweeping legislation to reform the regulatory approach to senior care in 2021. While the legislation was crafted over the course of several years and incorporated input from a wide range of stakeholders, largely absent from negotiations was a key group: smaller providers that serve culturally specific communities. A study from the U of M explores differences between these smaller, culturally specific providers and larger, majority providers.
Recognizing the individual in population-based brain imaging studies
Researchers at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) have utilized precision functional mapping to establish the MIDB Precision Brain Atlas, an open resource of functional neural networks from over 9,900 individuals across ages and cohorts.
Two U of M startups included in Minnesota Energy Alley
U of M startups Carba and Aza Power Systems are included in a new initiative, Minnesota Energy Alley, which will provide $850,000 in seed funding for 10 projects facilitated by six startups focused on clean energy. Carba is developing technology for permanent carbon removal, and Aza Power Systems creates ammonia-powered, carbon-free combustion engines.
Talking happy and healthy retirement with the U of M
Though retirement brings freedom and excitement, it can also bring loneliness and stress from changes to long-standing routines and schedules. Kate Schaefers, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, answers questions about easing the transition to retirement and embracing this next stage of life. See more editions of "Talking with U of M."
Financial Literacy Month events for University employees
Get to know your Faculty Retirement Plan or the Minnesota State Retirement System pension, as well as voluntary retirement plans through Fidelity, in this series of free webinars from the Office of Human Resources.
Apr. 10 - Sandia Day at the U of M
The Research and Innovation Office will host Sandia National Laboratories during an event where participants will learn about Sandia National Laboratories and potential partnerships and projects. Sandia officials Amy Shrouf and Ken Patel will provide an overview of Sandia and its academic research programs, including postdoc and fellowship opportunities. 1-2 p.m., Laukka Conference Room, McNamara Alumni Center or online via Zoom.
May 9, 10 - Register for the Teaching for Student Well-Being Program
Ever feel like you’ve had superb training in your discipline, but little preparation for the student mental health challenges facing educators today? This two-session online program offers faculty and instructors systemwide an opportunity to discuss how course design and teaching practices affect student well-being and learning. 9-11 a.m.
Register for the Assessment Deep Dive
During the week of May 13, this five-day synchronous, Zoom-based seminar will include discussions, guest presentations, and work time to support faculty and instructors systemwide in (re)designing a comprehensive course assessment plan based on course learning aims. 9 a.m.-noon.
U of M Google Days 2024
RSVP for U of M Google Days, two half-days of presentations, discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities to help the U of M community make better use of the Google Workspace suite of tools. June 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and June 13, noon-4 p.m., online via Zoom. Full program and registration information will become available in early May.
Stewart dedicates half a century to educating future healthcare workers
Sharon Stewart has dedicated 50 years to educating future healthcare workers at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Stewart, an associate professor and department head in the Math, Science, and Technology Department, has taught close to 200 students in dietetics over the years.
Writing Center director working on his passion for aiding others
Paul Kratwell is the director of the Writing Center and a lecturer for composition and writing classes. While at the University of Oregon, Kratwell did some work at its writing center, where he realized he had a passion for aiding others with their written work. “I spent over 20 years working jobs I didn’t like,” says Kratwell. “Working at writing centers, I felt like I was finally doing something that mattered.”
Nies named chancellor of University of Minnesota Duluth
Charles Nies has been named the tenth chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth, effective July 1, pending approval by the Board of Regents. Nies currently serves as the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of California, Merced, and comes to UMD with over 25 years of experience in higher education. He holds two degrees from Washington State University—a doctorate in education administration and leadership and a master’s in counseling psychology. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
NRRI at UMD is 'catalyst' for sauna entrepreneurs
No one knows for sure how old the sauna tradition is. Some literature dates the heat and steam bathing ritual to before 7,000 BCE in Finland. But with the help of the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at UMD, two entrepreneurs are applying new materials science to this well-loved tradition by bringing wood innovations into new markets. Read more about how this collaboration is heating up in the northland.
Apr. 3-9 - Twin Ports Festival of History
The Twin Ports Festival of History will showcase authors and historians of local, regional, national, and international renown at various venues throughout the Twin Ports and in Two Harbors. The event is sponsored by the UMD Public History and Museum Studies programs and multiple local heritage organizations.
Ettinger to speak at U of M Morris commencement
Interim President Jeff Ettinger will serve as the 2024 commencement speaker at the U of M Morris on May 11. During his time as interim president, Ettinger has focused heavily on bringing forward the unique attributes of the University of Minnesota as a system of five strong and distinct campuses, highlighting the contributions that students, faculty, and staff on every campus make to improve the lives of Minnesotans.
Apr. 6 - Circle of Nations Indigenous Association Powwow
The Circle of Nations Indigenous Association will host the 39th annual contest powwow, a competitive powwow with many dances and a cash payout for different ages. Concessions will be available throughout the day. Grand entries take place at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., with a community feast from 5 to 6 p.m., Cougar Sports Center.
UMR innovation: Replacing advisors with student success coaches
U of M Rochester is taking an innovative approach to supporting undergraduate students through life coaching, health career exploration, and academic advising. Read more about how a student success coach position came to be—and how this role continues to impact students—in UMR’s alumni magazine The Kettle.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on accelerated degrees
Rooted in UMR’s vision to transform higher education, the Rochester campus continues to co-lead College-in-3, a national experiment that challenges campuses to redesign the undergraduate degree to decrease costs and increase student outcomes. UMR’s accelerated NXT GEN MED program was recently highlighted in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
A more climate-resilient Ramsey County
When Ramsey County staff needed support building climate resilience across the second-most populous and most demographically diverse Minnesota county, they turned to the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (RCP). Graduate students partnered with the county, and their recommendations ultimately led to a new Ramsey County resilience manager position, which in turn led to a partnership with RCP on an additional series of climate projects engaging over 30 graduate students.
Reptile rep
Like many girls who grew up in the St. Paul suburb of Woodbury, Emily Roberts ’12 played on a softball team. But instead of being on the lookout for pop flies and grounders, Roberts spent her time in the outfield catching toads hiding in the grass. That early enthusiasm for animals turned out to be a stepping stone to a career as a reptile expert and owner of a shop and educational zoo. Roberts also hosts the wildly popular Snake Discovery YouTube channel, which provides informative videos to over 3.1 million subscribers.
Caring for patients with paws
Janet Nelson improved on the tools and techniques she uses in her work at the U of M’s Veterinary Medical Center with new skills learned in the Health Services Management program at the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Nelson is a certified veterinary technician who supervises emergency and critical care and wards in the Lewis Small Animal Hospital at the Veterinary Medical Center.
Featured events
Through April - 2024 Earth Month events
Apr. 4 - American Indian Red Dress Day
Apr. 4 - Sustainability Coffee Chat: Climate Resilience & Infrastructure
Apr. 4 - Three Strategies that Support Student Mental Health
Apr. 11 - 2024 Noble Lecture: No Weapon Formed Against Me: The Black Intermezzi of a Vigilante State
Apr. 11 - Awesome Apples: Honeycrisp to Kudos
Apr. 12 - An Afternoon with Bill Brummel
Apr. 12 & 13 - 10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography
Apr. 13 - Cancer Survivorship Conference
Apr. 14 - The Joy of Children’s Literature: A Conversation Without a Net