Our Team.
Meet Aparna
Co Project Investigator
Aparna is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies program at UMD. With a Ph.D. focused on social entrepreneurship and design thinking, her work within the Hub centers on creating sustainable, community-owned solutions to systemic issues. She is the founder of the DCWC Nourish program, where she bridges the gap between academic research and grassroots action to help families in Duluth overcome the barriers of food deserts. Aparna is dedicated to the idea that cultural entrepreneurship and collaborative design can empower local voices, ensuring that food justice is not just a study but a lived reality for all. Learn more about Aparna here!
Meet Ella
Student Project Coordinator
Ella is an undergraduate student at UMD with an Interdisciplinary Studies major that focuses on placemaking and community co-created change, with minors in philosophy and art. She is a proud, born and raised Duluthian and is passionate about connection with the community and making things with her hands. She is grateful to have a seat at this table, making caring change.
Meet Dana
Co Project Investigator
Dana is an Associate Professor at UMD whose work sits at the intersection of language, culture, and community engagement. With a deep academic background in French Studies and the humanities, he views the Hub as a space to translate complex global challenges into local, actionable change. His expertise in interdisciplinary pedagogy helps the Hub foster "translocal" learning, connecting students and community members through shared stories and historical context. Dana is passionate about using the humanities to reimagine our relationship with the environment, helping the community co-create a more just and resilient food system. Learn more about Dana here!
What Sets Us Apart
Humanities Approach
Everything we do is built around understanding community needs and meeting them—because good things happen when we work together.
Long-Term Relationships
We’re not just here for the now. We love creating lasting relationships with our clients and growing with them over time. Our goal is to give our community work more meaning!
Community Centered
We bring structure where it counts and adaptability where it matters. Our methods are collaborative as we bring together community members, students, and University staff to identify needs and create programming.