Each summer, RCP selects several graduate students as RCP Summer Scholars and hires them for a 25–50% graduate research assistantship appointment over the summer (May–August) to collaborate with local government staff and community leaders on a high-priority research project.
RCP Summer Scholar positions are highly sought after, and this year's cohort of six Scholars was chosen from nearly 100 applicants to the program. For more information about the RCP Summer Scholars program, visit https://rcp.umn.edu/students/rcp-scholars-program.
Vongrathayuth Hingphith
Vongrathayuth Hingphith is an educator, researcher, evaluator, and leadership development practitioner whose work bridges critical scholarship, cross-sector collaboration, and culturally responsive education. Originally from Cambodia, Vongrathayuth is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Comparative and International Development Education at the University of Minnesota. With dual master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Comparative and International Development Education, Vongrathayuth’s academic and professional journey spans public education, international nonprofits, philanthropic initiatives, and consulting projects. He has led and contributed to evaluation and capacity-building efforts across sectors, working with ministries of education, multilateral organizations, grassroots nonprofits, and private foundations. As an RCP Scholar, he is evaluating how well the Resilient Communities Project meets the needs of its partners as well as identifying opportunities to improve the program.
Ezgi Ozcelik
Ezgi Ozcelik is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. As an RCP Scholar, she is contributing to the evaluation of the RCP program and developing recommendations to support future program improvements. Her doctoral research broadly centers on government-business relations. Moving forward, she is particularly interested in applying her research skills to strengthen community resilience, with a particular interest in urban planning and transportation space.
Jen Behrens King
Jen Behrens King is earning her Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs with an expected graduation of May 2026. She is concentrating on Environmental Policy and Natural Resources Management. Her studies are focused on land conservation and restoration as a means to combat climate change here in Minnesota. As an RCP Scholar, she is partnering with Hennepin County, Three Rivers Parks District, and other local municipalities to research and design case studies, community profiles, model ordinance language, and toolkit resources for local natural resource managers to leverage as they work toward the upcoming comprehensive planning cycle. Prior to joining Humphrey, Jen earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Finance concentration, and worked as a management consultant for nearly a decade.
Alissa Bidwell
Alissa Bidwell (she/they) is a second year PhD Student in Theatre Historiography and Performance Studies with a Graduate minor in Heritage Studies and Public History. Their research is focused on labor and labor unionizing practices in rural Minnesota, through a performance studies lens. Currently, they are working with RCP and the City of Chaska to prepare a list of potential properties for the local Historic Nomination process.
Lifeng Ren
Lifeng Ren is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on environmental and natural resource economics, spatial economics, and climate change, with a particular emphasis on ecosystem services and the economic impacts of extreme weather events such as wildfires. He employs computational methods, including machine learning and spatial general equilibrium modeling, to analyze trade-offs between equity and efficiency in landscape management at both global and local scales. This summer, he is working as an RCP Scholar to refine and further develop an agent-based model to understand heat risk in Hennepin County for vulnerable communities during heat waves.
David Paul Thebus, AIA
David Paul Thebus is a Master’s candidate in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program with a Certificate in Metropolitan Design at the College of Design, University of Minnesota, graduating in Spring 2026. As an Empowering Small Minnesota Communities (ESMC) summer graduate research assistant, he will be facilitating the City of Centerville's revision of its Downtown Master Plan and preparing the city to revise its Comprehensive Plan. His academic focus is in Housing and Community Development, with a strong interest in urban design. As a licensed architect and former United States Marine Corps Combat Engineer, David brings a unique perspective to his work. In his free time, David enjoys canoeing and kayaking on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers in the summer and skate skiing in the winter.