What is the RCP Scholars Program?
The Resilient Communities Project (RCP) Scholars Program partners U of MN graduate and professional students with local government agencies in Minnesota to collaborate on research and technical assistance projects that help to advance community sustainability, equity, and resilience.
Through the program, students collaborate with local government staff and community leaders on a high-priority project. Projects are proposed by our local government partners and can cover a wide range of issues that impact community resilience—from housing, transportation, and economic development to climate adaptation, health equity, and environmental stewardship. Through the program, RCP Scholars have an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world project, and to network with professionals and community leaders in their field.
RCP Scholars are hired as graduate research assistants for a 25–50% appointment over the summer (May–August). Although students are not eligible to earn academic credit for their involvement, the experience may be able to fulfill an internship, applied practice, or other academic requirement in their degree program.
Eligibility
Applications are accepted from graduate and professional students at the Twin CIties, Duluth, and Rochester campuses from all fields and disciplines, although specific skills and training may be required for some projects (see requirements for individual projects below). RCP Scholars are selected through a competitive process, and must be
- a current University of Minnesota graduate or professional student who has completed at least one (1) semester of study in their degree program,
- enrolled for fall 2024 semester with active status and in good academic standing, and
- available to regularly work 10–20 hours per week from May to August 2024.
We are currently seeking RCP Scholars for Summer 2024 for the following projects:
Indigenous History Project for City Public Spaces (City of La Crescent)
Project Goal: Identify opportunities for the City of La Crescent to share the history and celebrate the culture of indigenous communities that have inhabited the land in and around La Crescent as they develop a plan for a new Overlook Plaza and other public spaces in the community
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with community engagement, oral histories, and/or qualitative research
Density Study to Achieve Climate and Transportation Goals (City of Edina)
Project Goal: Investigate if the City of Edina’s 2030 population density targets are adequate to meet its transportation goals, analyze how this density target aligns with the City’s current comprehensive plan, and recommend site-specific and general strategies for increasing density to meet the target goal
Preferred Qualifications: Previous urban planning coursework, GIS experience
Property Condition Scoring for Blight Mitigation (City of Duluth)
Project Goal: Help the City develop a standard metric to score properties in Duluth, and pilot the scoring system to begin identifying and mapping properties in poor condition that are at risk of deterioration and demolition, and that might benefit from City investments in infrastructure, housing assistance, and targeted services
Preferred Qualifications: Previous urban planning, public policy, or housing coursework; GIS experience helpful; may require travel to Duluth (reimbursable)
Making Duluth a “Smart City” (City of Duluth)
Project Goal: Investigate the feasibility of deploying a “smart city” network in Duluth that would allow staff to gather instant and location-based data for core city functions—including water meter reading, public safety, and emergency response—to ensure equitable access to services, and reduce energy and water use
Preferred Qualifications: GIS experience, previous STEP or urban planning coursework, may require travel to Duluth (reimbursable)
Electric Vehicle Resource Guides (Washington County and Metropolitan Council)
Project Goal: Create an easy-to-understand and well-designed resource guide to help residents, businesses, and municipalities transition to Electric Vehicles (EV) usage
Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with Adobe suite and graphic design, strong writing and communication skills, previous urban planning or transportation planning coursework
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Feasibility Study (City of Buffalo)
Project Goal: Conduct a feasibility study to evaluate community demand for electric vehicle chargers, determine where existing utility infrastructure could support charging stations, and position the city to be competitive for future federal and state funding for EV infrastructure
Preferred Qualifications: Previous STEP or urban planning coursework, electrical or utility management experience a plus
Street Light Conversion Feasibility Study (City of Buffalo)
Project Goal: Conduct a feasibility study of options for introducing energy-efficient street lighting to city streets that are environmentally friendly, require less maintenance, and are more luminescent to provide a greater sense of safety for residents
Preferred Qualifications: Civil or electrical engineering background, STEP or urban planning coursework
Pedestrian and Bike Trail Gap Analysis (Scott County)
Project Goal: Review the existing trail and sidewalk infrastructure in Scott County to understand where gaps in the system exist along County Roads, and develop a scoring system the County can use to inform decision making for future public investment by prioritizing implementation of trail segment construction
Preferred Qualifications: Strong GIS skills, transportation planning knowledge helpful
How do I apply to be an RCP Scholar?
Follow the instructions on the UMN Employment Website and submit your application materials by midnight on April 19, 2024. Interviews with selected applicants will be conducted via Zoom beginning the week of April 22, and RCP Scholars will be chosen and notified by mid-May.
Before you begin the application, familiarize yourself with the projects listed above that are available this semester. As part of your application, you will need to complete a short Google Form that indicates which projects you are interested in being considered for, as well as why these projects interest you and why you are qualified to work on them. At the end of the application form, you will also be asked to submit as PDF files your current resume or curriculum vitae, along with a cover letter explaining your interest in being an RCP Scholar and two references, so be sure to have these items prepared and ready to upload.
How can I learn more about the RCP Scholars Program?
If you have questions about the program or are unsure about your eligibility to participate, please contact RCP at [email protected].
You can also sign up to receive future notices about opportunities available through the RCP Scholars Program.