MPS Community Education Wins MCEA Outstanding Project Award 2025

Minneapolis Community Education is proud to announce that we have been recognized by the Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) with an Outstanding Project Award for our Mississippi River-related Trips, Tours & Events programming.

The MCEA Outstanding Project Awards celebrate creative, impactful initiatives across Minnesota that exemplify the very best of community education. This year, our project stood out for its unique approach to connecting community members with the cultural heritage and environmental significance of the Mississippi River.

Since launching in Fall 2023, we have offered a series of cultural and environmental classes that connect participants to their community's history and natural resources. Through partnerships with Native American storytellers and artists, local historians, musicians, and city departments, the programming creates meaningful experiences that honor the river's cultural significance while celebrating its vital role in sustaining local communities.

By the numbers

• 37 classes offered across diverse topics
• Over 1,100 participants engaged with the programming
• 38% capacity rate, with more than one-third of classes reaching full enrollment
• $50,000+ in revenue generated, demonstrating strong community interest
• 83% of participants rated their experience a perfect 5 out of 5 stars

A special thank you to Kathy Bodger (Trips, Tours & Events coordinator) for bringing this vision to life, and to all our partners and participants who make our programming a success!