A major goal of the Department of Family Social Science is to reach beyond the physical walls of our department to connect with the people of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, the nation, and beyond. Such connections allow our faculty and students to “translate” the important work we do into useful tools to help real families, as well as allow those families to further enrich our faculty and students.
Our outreach mission is accomplished formally through our Extension programs and faculty, but every faculty member in the department contributes to outreach efforts. Frequently these outreach missions include graduate and undergraduate students as well as faculty members. The proof of the effectiveness of these outreach activities is in the many and varied venues where department work is highlighted as well as the many awards received by outreach projects with which department faculty have been involved. In addition, department faculty members often work with community organizations, corporate boards, state and national legislators, and advocacy foundations to contribute to their organizations and the quality of life for Minnesotans.
