Project Highlight:
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Systems Project

The Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Teacher Center grew out of discussions between the Senior Vice Chancellor, presidents and education deans of the system’s seven state universities in late 2003.  The proposed Teacher Center’s purpose was to serve the growing needs of P-12 schools for teachers in the critical areas of professional development and graduate programs.  The state universities that endorsed the idea in early 2004 are: Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead, St. Cloud State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Winona State University. 

In a time of limited resources, the universities had to find a way to develop new partnerships with schools and teachers to improve student learning.  Through strategic planning, the group determined that pooling their academic resources was a practical solution.  Many barriers began to arise as the group began working on this collaborative initiative.  Because of the IAA’s ability to help institutions work collaboratively, they were called upon to address the issues and barriers challenging the group.

The IAA staff conducted individual telephone interviews with the presidents, provosts, deans, and campus coordinators at all seven universities in order to understand the views of the individual stakeholders in regard to the Teacher Center. The IAA staff prepared a report summarizing the interview responses and recommending next steps for the project.  A meeting was held in April 2006 for the stakeholders to discuss the report and recommendations. During that meeting, the IAA co-directors, Sue Maes and Virginia Moxley, helped the group solidify a plan to create a collaborative Teacher Center.  University deans   renewed their commitment and agreed to be personally involved in the Center development and operation.  By the end of the meeting, the group had an outline for a governing structure and a common thematic program direction in mind. 

As the chancellor’s staff, presidents, provosts, deans and campus coordinators continue to work on the Center infrastructure, the IAA will be called upon to provide additional consulting services.  Nancy Bunnett, Project Coordinator of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, stated “we think very highly of their (IAA) work and will continue to utilize them as the Teacher Center moves forward.”