RESEARCH
CUMU is a leading voice and forum for current and future generations of higher education leaders grounded in urban and metropolitan communities. Our member campuses are on the leading edge of critical issues in higher education and society. The power of CUMU is that we connect and convene these campuses to explore, create and disseminate knowledge that supports our campuses and the communities they serve.
CUMU’s research agenda is led by the CUMU Research Collaborative, which identifies research priorities and opportunities across the CUMU membership, develops and oversees a Research Fellows Program, and leads collaborative research initiatives.
UPCOMING WEBINAR
“Using institutional data to understand the impacts of community engagement across the country”
September 28, 2–3 p.m. ET
Presented by Paul Kuttner, this webinar will highlight research outcomes from his 2023 CUMU-Collaboratory Research Fellowship.
Current Research Fellows
Paul Kuttner named CUMU–Collaboratory Research Fellow
During the fellowship, Dr. Kuttner, director of programs for Community Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), will leverage Collaboratory data to contribute to an understanding of current practices and inform how institutions systematically measure and increase the impact of engagement. At the time of the award, Kuttner was the associate director of University Neighborhood Partners at the University of Utah.
Josie Gatti Schafer named CUMU–Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Research Fellow
During the fellowship, Dr. Schafer, director of the Center for Public Affairs Research, University of Nebraska at Omaha, will leverage the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Anchor Economy Dashboard to explore and explain variations in the economic impact of anchor institutions, primarily higher education institutions, in their region.
Previously funded research initiatives
Research Fellow
Lina D. Dostilio, EdD, Associate Vice Chancellor, Community Engagement, University of Pittsburgh, 2019 CUMU Research Fellow
Research Team
- Mary L. Ohmer, PhD, Associate Professor, Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
- Kara McFadden, Research and Evaluation Associate, University of Pittsburgh
- Sera Mathew, PhD, Assistant Professor, Point Park University
- Carrie Finkelstein, Graduate Student Assistant, University of Pittsburgh
Funded by The Kresge Foundation
Research Lead
The Center for Community Planning & Development at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University
Lead Author
Molly Schnoke, Project Manager, Community Planning and Development and Levin College Forum Program
Funded by The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Research Lead
Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative (HRAC), Portland State University
Lead Authors
- Marisa Zapata, PhD, Associate Professor of Land-Use Planning; Director, HRAC, Portland State University
- Jacen Greene, Co-Founder and Assistant Director, HRAC, Portland State University