Centers, Institutes and Collaborations

Center for Community and Educational Leadership

The Center for Community and Educational Leadership is a comprehensive resource for training, consultation and information on community and educational leadership programs. The center offers workshops, seminars, conferences and on-site technical assistance to community and educational leadership professionals and volunteers throughout the region. Through these and other programs, the center seeks to improve understanding of leadership, enhance skills for effective program administration and strengthen communities by expanding leadership skills and knowledge. For more information, call (651) 962-4885 or 1 (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4885, or send e-mail to education@stthomas.edu.

Charter School Sponsorship

The University of St. Thomas sponsors three charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of their host school district and are founded upon a guiding mission, purpose and/or instructional strategy. As sponsor, the University of St. Thomas provides oversight and accountability and develops a mutually beneficial partnership between the charter schools and the university community, especially the School of Education. For more information, call (651) 962-4844 or 1 (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4844, or send e-mail to education@stthomas.edu.

Collaborative Urban Educator

Collaborative Urban Educator (CUE) programs prepare carefully selected persons with baccalaureate (B.A., or B.S.) degrees from underrepresented populations as elementary teachers for grades K-8 and secondary teachers for math and science. The CUE Special Education Program prepares already licensed teachers for work with EBD and LD student populations. CUE licensure programs are jointly designed and implemented by the Saint Paul and Minneapolis public school districts and the University of St. Thomas. Several suburban school districts also have sponsored CUE participants. Programs and program benefits are offered pending legislative, university and district funding. Sponsoring districts make the commitment to urban educators that upon completion of the program they will be the first people hired by the districts (pending job openings). Participants agree to work with the sponsoring district for at least four years. There are four CUE programs leading to licensure:

1. The Alternative Licensure Program (CUE) is a one-year, full-time program leading to an initial license in elementary grades K-8.

2. The CUE Expansion Programs (CUE EX) is a part-time, 18-month program leading to an initial license in grades K-8.

3. The CUE Expansion Secondary Math and Science Licensure Program (CUE EX MATH/SCIENCE) is a part-time, 18-month program leading to an initial license in either secondary math or science. Participants must have a B.A. or B.S. degree with an emphasis in math or science.

4. The CUE Special Education Program leads to licensure in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders; students will have the option to pursue a license in learning disabilities.

Contact the CUE Office for information on financial support, (651) 962-4939 or send e-mail to education@stthomas.edu. Visit the CUE home page for more information.

Literacy Training Network

The Literacy Training Network (LTN) is a federally funded program housed in the School of Education. The LTN’s goal is to improve the quality and appropriateness of learning opportunities offered to adults who participate in Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs. The network offers training programs for ABE staff from across Minnesota, promotes statewide coordination among and between literacy training providers, disseminates resource materials and provides assistance in improving ABE programs and delivery systems. For more information, contact the Literacy Training Network at (651) 962-4441 or 1 (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4441, or send e-mail to education@stthomas.edu.

Murray Institute

The Murray Institute provides the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis with an integrated approach to the professional and spiritual development of archdiocesan educators. The institute’s degree and non-degree programs promote a deeper understanding of the educational mission of the Catholic Church and support those who have been called to carry out this mission. The institute’s endowment supports cohorts of educators involved in educational ministries of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis by providing financial assistance to participate in institute-sponsored programs. Cohorts of Murray Institute students study for graduate education degrees or continuing education programs at low or no cost. The institute’s activities further leadership, foster spiritual development of personnel and strengthen curriculum content, design and teaching methodologies in religious education as well as in other disciplines. The Murray Institute also offers programs in regions outside of the archdiocese where the Catholic church seeks educational assistance. For more information, call (651) 962-4883 or 1 (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4883; send e-mail to education@stthomas.edu; or visit the Murray Institute's home page.