Page 11 - CEGE Magazine Fall 2022

or a purely policy solution. We need people who can work in both of those spaces to find the innovative solutions.”
Bonnie Keeler, a co-PI from the Hum- phrey School of Public Affairs, sees this as an “exceptional opportunity for stu- dents. Policy students, engineers, and artists are uncommon collaborators, and yet the complexity of our current sustainability challenges necessitates new approaches.”
The funding from NSF will provide fel- lowships to about 30 graduate students to participate in the program. Other students (undergraduate and graduate) across the University will also be able to participate in classes and training experi- ences. The University of Minnesota team expects that about 300 students will participate in the program in some form.
A comprehensive educational program will be developed with a combination of internships, research opportunities, new coursework, and community interac-
tions. The program will also partner with an artist-in-residence, who will co-teach classes and help students consider
how their work impacts and can be shaped by the communities around them through community engagement ses- sions facilitated by the artist-in-residence.
"Artists are experts at navigating the intersections...Their creative work [is] always in conversation with audience need and response," said Alejandra Peña, director of the Weisman Art Museum. "This collaboration [will] help train those outside the arts sector in thinking strategically and thoughtfully about the long-term, human impacts of their work, and open exciting oppor- tunities for further knowledge-sharing across fields of study outside the arts."
Bonnie Keeler noted some further features of the program. “The interdis- ciplinary aspects of the program are unique, and to be able to apply those perspectives to real world challenges in sustainability makes for a pretty excep-
tional opportunity for students. I’m excited to see how this program affects and changes all who participate.”
These trainees represent a new gen- eration of professionals prepared to connect research, industry, art, and communities. The hope is that this integrated research and education traineeship will result, ultimately, in greater sustainability of Earth’s precious resources.
University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering | DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEO- ENGINEERING 11
The Circularity team will begin devel- oping the program in fall 2022, with the first cohort of graduate students likely beginning classes and training in spring 2023.
If you are interested in hosting a circularity-trained intern, contact
Paige Novak (novak010@umn.edu) or Bill Arnold (arnol032@umn.edu).
OPEN HOUSE @ THE COURTYARD
Spreading the word about the fantastic careers open to students with a degree in one of our three majors!
Our second annual event to reach out to first- and second-year undergraduate students featured sandwiches, T-shirt giveaways, games, and interactions with current students, faculty, and employers. The event, held September 12, was generously sponsored by Braun Intertec and Alliant, IDOM, MnDOT, and Stantec.
If you/your company would like to help spread the word about our programs contact
Michelle Anderson
Industry & Pre-Major Coordinator and04707@umn.edu