Community initiative

The Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) leads efforts to increase the diversity of students and employees at its 17 member colleges and universities through the Community Initiative Program — funded by a grant from Cargill. The program began in 2003-04. Its purpose is to foster collaborations and partnerships among communities of color, MPCC and K-12 schools, and local organizations to increase college readiness of youth.

Community Initiative goals:

• Enhance, broaden and increase visibility and reputation of our member schools in communities of color
• Increase productivity and success of MPCC and campus-based diversity programs
• Partner with corporate and community allies to increase enrollment and expand academic choice for students of color
• Provide personal development opportunities and facilitate degree completion and career placement of students of color
• Develop creative, collaborative and sustainable programming and strategic alliances to support efforts to attract and retain a diverse faculty and staff
• Increase corporate and philanthropic donors to the Minnesota Private College Fund among minority business owners and foundation leaders
• Serve as a clearinghouse resource for campus-based diversity staff. See FYI: Resources and information for diverse audiences. 

Examples of Community Initiative activities and impacts:

• Increased participation in community celebrations, career fairs, recruitment events and collaborative partnerships and alliances
• Implemented new efforts to identify and recruit faculty of color
• Increased participation in internship programs and scholarship competitions by MPCC students of color
• More advertisements by member institutions in media serving communities of color, to increase the visibility of private colleges
• Ever-expanding network of contacts and potential partners

For more information about Community Initiative activities, contact us at 651-228-9061 or colleges@mnprivatecolleges.org

• Preparing for college success
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