Center Evaluation
Center for Excellence Evaluations
The 2005 Minnesota State Legislature appropriated $10 million for the 2006-07 biennium to create Centers of Excellence within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system to develop flagship programs in Minnesota’s critical industries.
In 2006, Wilder Research, an external evaluation group, began evaluating the centers on their activities, outcomes and economic impact. Key activities and accomplishments in the first year were identified and summarized by Wilder and are part of a report that went to the Minnesota State Legislature.
Evaluation reports continue to be submitted to the MnSCU Board of Trustees, governor and chairs of the higher education finance committees in the Legislature as required by authorizing legislation. Evaluation activities included site visits, document review, data analysis from the statewide record system and interviews with stakeholders from academic, industry and K-12 partners.
Wilder Research
Wilder Research gathers and interprets facts and trends in order to help families and communities thrive, get at the core of community concerns, and raise issues that are overlooked or poorly understood. We work with organizations at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Reports
Report – 2010 Evaluation of the Centers of Excellence, Wilder Research
Report – Executive Summary, 2010 Evaluation of the Centers of Excellence, Wilder Research
