Program Overview
The HCRA is a paid summer assistantship that connects graduate students from the University of Minnesota with research projects proposed by Hennepin County departments focused on advancing equity and climate action. Project ideas originate from Hennepin County staff and are developed in alignment with the County’s priorities. The program is available at no cost to County departments.
Designed as a partnership, the program supports both student development and County innovation through meaningful, applied research. Participants join a multidisciplinary cohort, receiving mentoring, skill-building, and reflective learning opportunities that strengthen academic, professional, and community connections. HCRA reflects HUP’s commitment to collaborative learning, shared impact, and building stronger public systems through thoughtful relationships.
Previous Project Topics
Previous Project Topics
2025
- Ronald Smith, Law School: Explored the application of AI in government, identifying best practices that align with county values and priorities
- Ashutosh Poudel, College of Liberal Arts: Analyzed precarious housing data in Hennepin County, creating strategies to reduce homelessness risk, improve equity, and enhance real-time visibility into housing trends
- Yilin Wei, College of Education and Human Development: Identified innovative recruitment strategies to attract a more diverse workforce in corrections and law enforcement
- Leah Costik, College of Liberal Arts: Assessed affordable housing standards to inform county-funded green building projects
- Chinmay Arora, School of Public Health: Analyzed demographic and behavioral data to develop actionable insights for user-centered design and improve online accessibility
- Neamatallah Elsayed, College of Education and Human Development: Collected data on American Indian residents within the Hennepin County system, addressing disparities with an action-based strategy
2024
- Nuzhat Fatima, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: analyzed the county's Broadband and Digital Inclusion programming
- Yilin Wei, College of Education and Human Development: evaluated educational program for the county's jail system
- Ahlam Mussa, School of Social Work and Humphrey School of Public Affairs: provided input on Human Service's disparity measurement tools
- Matthew Hockert, Applied Economics: researched the effects of conservation easements
- Sophie Kasahara, College of Education and Human Development: researched opportunities for public libraries to support literacy and educational equity
- Jiwon Kim, College of Education and Human Development: studied effects of de-identified screening in child welfare systems
- Namuun Tsegmid, Mass Communications: completed review of peer counties website translation services
2023
- Anna Bokun, College of Liberal Arts: helped design an evaluation of the county’s Raise the Baseline cash assistance program
- Mahasweta Bose, College of Education and Human Development: analyzed best practices and stakeholder feedback for youth substance use prevention and supports
- Denisha Demeritte, School of Public Health: evaluated the impacts of NorthPoint’s medical clinic expansion on patient experience and internal productivity
- Jack Gramlich, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: developed a proof of concept for results-focused investment efforts across the county
- Samantha Hunt, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: worked to determine strategies for expanding resident access to weatherization programs
- Melanie Leopold, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: designed a staff engagement plan for developing a county resident access portal
- Chris Robertson, College of Liberal Arts: developed community engagement strategies for Hennepin Health’s violence intervention program
2022
- Lindsey Erdmann, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: created a statistical model that predicts time spent in homelessness based on various factors
- Channel Lowery, School of Social Work: provided guidance on implementing the county’s guaranteed basic income pilot program
- Antara Mandal, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: developed a report on current local capacity for reclaiming wood waste and how to increase it
- Siyu Samantha Ng, Humphrey School of Public Affairs: reported on the prevalence and nature of hate crimes and incidents in the county
- Vanessa Nyarko, College of Liberal Arts: produced communications strategies to advance digital equity and broadband access
- Audrey Robeson, College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Science: analyzed the impact of flood risk due to climate change on affordable housing development
- Charly Vang, School of Public Health: conducted interviews with parents and local leaders on strategies for kindergarten readiness
