DULUTH — Last week, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham visited the University of Minnesota Duluth, just ahead of the spring semester.
Her trip included meetings with local legislators and visits to regional facilities. It all wrapped up with a forum at UMD, where Cunningham and Chancellor Charles T. Nies engaged with the campus community. They shared insights about the university’s strategic roadmap, highlighting future initiatives.
Cunningham emphasized the strengths of the five campuses: “Each serves different students and learning styles. We’re collaborating in exciting new ways.” This initiative follows their recently launched plan, “Elevating Extraordinary 2030,” which outlines their goals for the next five years.
The new strategic plan is built around five main areas: student engagement, innovative learning, community service, research advancement, and workforce investment. Nies, who co-chaired the development committee, said, “This framework not only benefits students but also furthers our mission across all campuses.”
Implementing these goals will differ from campus to campus, but the plan encourages collaboration and resource sharing. One focus area includes improving community health through enhanced medical programs.
The Duluth Campus of the UMN Medical School recently expanded to a four-year program, creating pathways for students interested in rural health and family medicine. The School of Dentistry, which trains more than 70% of Minnesota’s dentists, is also set for restructuring and renovation to better meet market demands.
However, the university’s immediate priority is resolving funding issues for the medical school. In November, UMN turned down a $1 billion deal with Fairview Health Services, citing concerns over decision-making power and involvement in negotiations.
Currently, all parties are back in discussions, aided by a mediator appointed by the Minnesota Attorney General. “I expect we’ll find common ground,” Cunningham said. “Our commitment to rural healthcare remains strong.”
This commitment is evident in the ongoing discussion about a new academic health center in downtown Duluth, a project gaining momentum since 2022. Local healthcare providers, Essentia Health and Aspirus St. Luke’s, have offered sites for a potential campus, but careful planning is crucial.
Cunningham affirmed, “We’re still interested in exploring this opportunity, and it aligns with our five-year plan.” Meanwhile, the Duluth Promise initiative is gaining traction by creating career paths in high-demand fields, particularly in healthcare. This coalition includes UMD, local public schools, and industry groups.
As Nies noted, “We’re aiming to create a continuous pathway from kindergarten to medical school right here in Duluth. With the strength of our partnerships, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
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