Message from the Hennepin-University Partnership Director
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Last month, I received an email from Chinmay Arora, a University of Minnesota graduate student who recently spent two semesters working with a county team to address a question they have been thinking deeply about: as demand for online government services grows, how can digital access be equitable, intuitive, and responsive to all residents? The technical questions were real and important, but so was the larger, messier question that kept coming up: could AI and machine learning help?
With residents at the center of this work, Chinmay tackled the technical work first with community input. Then he began the unglamorous foundational work: the ethical, practical, and governance considerations for responsible AI use in digital services. The work resulted in two key outcomes: a resident segmentation model to make digital services easier to use, along with a responsible AI framework for the county to consider.
But Chinmay wasn't writing just to share his final reports. He was writing to tell us his work had grown. He'd begun collaborating with the University of Minnesota’s Technology Commercialization Office to formally protect the underlying algorithm of the model for broader government use. A talented graduate student, a dedicated county team, and a model that could improve digital services not just for Hennepin County, but beyond.
Chinmay’s work with the county team was just one of many bright spots for HUP this year.
County departments deployed $771K+ in research and technical assistance funding, and one project team leveraged their initial seed funding to secure an additional $333K externally. HUP’s webinar series grew by 690+ registrants across thirteen presentations.
Our first Policy Huddle produced a funded summer graduate research assistantship focused on adult literacy. And every student surveyed through our new impact evaluation survey reported their HUP assistantship experience helped them build career skills and deepen their commitment to public service and applied research. A reminder that this work shapes not just policies and programs, but people.
We are proud of what was built together during a tough year for communities, local governments, and academic institutions. We hope you feel the same.
Warmly,
Amy Delahanty, HUP Director
Connect with HUP
April – Inequality and Longevity: Understanding Black/White Differences in How Long People Live
Priority Area: Health, Justice
Dr. Elizabeth Wrigley-Field presented insights from her research on racial inequality and longevity, examining why profound differences persist in how long Black and white Americans live. Her work showed that racial disparities in mortality were not confined to moments of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, but were a long-standing and systemic feature of U.S. society.
October – Policing, Racial Trauma, and Accelerated Aging: New Evidence from Youth Epigenetics
Priority Area: Justice
Dr. Juan Del Toro presented findings from emerging research at the University of Minnesota examining how negative interactions with police can accelerate biological aging in youth, particularly in Black communities. His study showed that police encounters, some occurring as early as age 8, were associated with epigenetic age acceleration, a measurable biological process linked to poorer long-term health outcomes.
December – Understanding Trends in Asylum-Seekers’ Use of Hennepin County’s Emergency Shelter System
Priority Area: Justice, Housing
Dr. Ryan Allen presented findings from research examining family shelter use in Hennepin County, one of the few counties nationally with a “shelter-all” policy providing space for families upon request. From 2023 to early 2025, the county experienced an increase in families using emergency shelter. The research explored challenges faced by families seeking asylum, who often could not quickly transition to permanent housing, and how these dynamics affected the shelter system.
Partnership Projects by Priority Area
Climate
NRPC and Resilient Communities Project:
Supporting Hennepin County communities in the 2050 comprehensive planning cycle, this partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project advances natural systems planning by documenting best practices, developing model plan and ordinance language, and centering environmental justice and equity.
Heat Resiliency Assessment
Addressing climate vulnerability in Hennepin County, this partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project develops a heat-risk mapping tool to identify high-risk neighborhoods
Geo-design and Analysis of Cross-Organization Opportunities in Natural Resources
Advancing conservation planning in Hennepin County, the Natural Resources Partnership Coalition convenes cross-sector partners through mapping workshops, shared tools, and a conservation prioritization model to support collaborative resource protection and long-term planning.
Local Government Considerations for AI Use
Exploring the social impacts of artificial intelligence, this project examined governance frameworks and best practices to help Hennepin County navigate the risks and opportunities of AI in local government.
AIS Detectors Course 2025
Safeguarding Hennepin County’s lakes, this program builds community capacity by introducing aquatic invasive species science and surveillance through hands-on education, training, and local stewardship.
Preserving Open Space Through Conservation Easements
Evaluating the impacts of conservation easements, this project uses GIS and economic analysis to assess fiscal outcomes, inform equitable access to protected natural areas, and guide policy and incentive strategies that balance conservation goals with municipal needs.
Education
2025 Be@ School Conference
Supporting youth-centered systems, this project delivers an annual summer conference with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Education and Human Development, convening educators, child protection professionals, community organizations, law enforcement, and legal practitioners working with youth.
Plantmobile Visits to HCLIB
Expanding summer learning opportunities, this program delivers hands-on plant and pollinator education for elementary-aged youth through interactive sessions at Hennepin County Library branches, in partnership with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Plantmobile.
Webber Park 4H STEAM Club
Extending STEAM learning beyond the school year, this collaboration with Hennepin County 4-H delivers hands-on science and engineering programs for middle and high school youth at Webber Park, supporting engagement, skill-building, and access to low-cost summer learning opportunities.
Assessing and Reducing Data Literacy Gaps of Newer Hennepin County Leaders
Strengthening data-informed leadership, this project assesses data literacy among newer county leaders to identify skill gaps, barriers, and training needs, informing targeted learning strategies that support equitable decision-making and a stronger data culture.
Health
2025 Urban Agriculture
Advancing food access and community well-being, the Hennepin–University Urban Agriculture Initiative transforms vacant lots into neighborhood gardens that support hands-on learning, youth leadership, cultural knowledge, and food justice.
UMNX Super Shelf Cohort
Strengthening equitable food access, this partnership with UMN Extension supports food security providers through a peer-based cohort model that advances SuperShelf best practices, promotes shopper choice, and upholds dignified food distribution.
Libraries as Community Spaces to Promote Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Evaluating Hennepin County Library's Drop-In Spaces
Supporting youth mental health and wellbeing, this evaluation examines how Hennepin County Library drop-in spaces serve young people, using mixed-methods research to inform staff tools, program improvements, and mission-aligned strategies.
Assessing American Indian Residents’ Experiences within the Hennepin County System
Centering community voices, this project conducted a needs assessment of the Urban American Indian community in Hennepin County to inform data-driven policy, planning, and efforts to address disparities.
African American Survivor Services (AASS), Opioid Service Delivery
Addressing the opioid crisis through community partnership, this project engages Carlson School of Management students to develop a strategic plan that strengthens and expands African American Survivor Services’ response and impact.
Indigenous Peoples Task Force (IPTF), Opioid Service Delivery
Supporting community-led responses to the opioid crisis, this project engages Carlson School of Management students to develop a strategic plan that strengthens and expands the Indigenous Peoples Task Force’s impact and services.
Alliance Wellness Center (AWC), Opioid Service Delivery:
Advancing community-based responses to the opioid crisis, this project engages Carlson School of Management students to develop a strategic plan that strengthens and expands Alliance Wellness Center’s services and impact.
Employment
Career Opportunities for Underestimated Populations
Advancing workforce diversity in corrections and law enforcement, this project reviewed peer practices and outreach models to inform recruitment strategies that strengthen representation and equity across Hennepin County public safety roles.
Multi-Priority Area Projects
Plantmobile Visits to HCLIB
Priority Area: Education, Climate
Expanding summer learning opportunities, this program delivers hands-on plant and pollinator education for elementary-aged youth through interactive sessions at Hennepin County Library branches, in partnership with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Plantmobile.
Career Opportunities for Underestimated Populations
Priority Area: Employment, Climate
Advancing workforce diversity in corrections and law enforcement, this project reviewed peer practices and outreach models to inform recruitment strategies that strengthen representation and equity across Hennepin County public safety roles.
2025 Urban Agriculture
Priority Area: Health, Climate
Advancing food access and community well-being, the Hennepin–University Urban Agriculture Initiative transforms vacant lots into neighborhood gardens that support hands-on learning, youth leadership, cultural knowledge, and food justice.
Assessing American Indian Residents’ Experiences within the Hennepin County System
Priority Area: Health, Climate
Centering community voices, this project conducted a needs assessment of the Urban American Indian community in Hennepin County to inform data-driven policy, planning, and efforts to address disparities.
Building Reuse Consulting
Priority Area: Housing, Climate
Advancing building material reuse, this project provides education, technical assistance, and business development support to integrate reclaimed materials into commercial construction and expand reuse-focused enterprises.
Precarious Housing Research
Priority Area: Housing, Climate
Partnering with a student researcher to analyze data and lived experiences of precarious housing, this project helped Hennepin County identify disparities and inform equitable strategies to prevent homelessness.
Sustainability Standards for Affordable Housing
Priority Area: Housing, Climate
Partnering with a student researcher to evaluate green building standards, this project helped Hennepin County assess existing requirements, explore feasible enhancements, and understand potential impacts on developers and staff.
T IMR Mental Health Training
Priority Area: Housing, Health
Partnering with the University of Minnesota to deliver Illness Management and Recovery (IMR-T) training, this project strengthened Rapid Rehousing services by equipping nonprofit providers with ongoing coaching, technical assistance, and tools adapted to local needs.
Customer Experience in Hennepin County
Priority Area: Connectivity, Climate
This project supported the Digital Experience department’s efforts to improve online accessibility and usability by developing community segments and journey maps to inform more inclusive digital service design.
Housing
Building Reuse Consulting
Advancing building material reuse, this project provides education, technical assistance, and business development support to integrate reclaimed materials into commercial construction and expand reuse-focused enterprises.
Precarious Housing Research
Partnering with a student researcher to analyze data and lived experiences of precarious housing, this project helped Hennepin County identify disparities and inform equitable strategies to prevent homelessness.
Sustainability standards for affordable housing
Partnering with a student researcher to evaluate green building standards, this project helped Hennepin County assess existing requirements, explore feasible enhancements, and understand potential impacts on developers and staff.
T IMR Mental Health Training
Partnering with the University of Minnesota to deliver Illness Management and Recovery (IMR-T) training, this project strengthened Rapid Rehousing services by equipping nonprofit providers with ongoing coaching, technical assistance, and tools adapted to local needs.
Connectivity
UMN Transit Impact Research Project Workforce Development
Through partnerships with regional transit agencies, the project is evaluating workforce co-design strategies and producing practical tools to improve hiring practices, strengthen retention, and expand leadership pathways in transit.
Strategies for Promoting Rider Connections to Suburban Transitway Stations
In collaboration with planners and transit agencies, the project aims to generate implementable strategies and guiding principles that strengthen station access and inform rider-centered service design across the Twin Cities region.
DX Customer Experience in Hennepin County
Partnering with a graduate research assistant, this project implemented AI-driven methods and strengthened data integration workflows to refine community segmentation models.
Customer Experience in Hennepin County
This project supported the Digital Experience department’s efforts to improve online accessibility and usability by developing community segments and journey maps to inform more inclusive digital service design.