Great Lakes Leadership Program

About this grant

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Freshwater Lab is an initiative on the university campus that endeavors to train a new generation of Great Lakes water leaders; to conduct research on the Great Lakes basin; to communicate findings to the public; and to bring university students, researchers, elected officials, community leaders, and water professionals into productive dialogue. With previous support from the Mott Foundation, the Lab has achieved these goals by hosting summits; developing a curriculum and a digital storytelling site called Freshwater Stories; hosting speakers and events; and coordinating courses on humanities and social science approaches to freshwater issues at the university and other Big Ten schools. To continue and extend work in proven areas of strength, the Lab now hopes to grow new leadership by developing an internship program for university students to work on Great Lakes issues, particularly in urban areas along the southern end of Lake Michigan. This planning grant will enable them to explore existing programs, gaps in what currently exists, and the specific needs that can be addressed by an urban university with one of the most diverse student bodies in North America.