A Message From President Pierce

With the Derek Chauvin trial now behind us, we stand in solidarity with others in our city, state and nation who are committed to enacting change. The anguish our community has suffered since the tragic death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 cannot be erased by Chauvin’s conviction. Nor can the outcome of this trial negate the ongoing crises in our communities where systemic injustices persist.

However, this moment does serve as a launching point from which we can begin processing the emotions felt across our campus community surrounding this case and the issues it confronts. We must band together to help one another. Some in our midst may need space or time to process emotions alone or with others. Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to students to better understand the types of support that will be helpful through this time.

Together, we will persevere. We will do our best to finish Spring Semester strong and then go on to meeting our next challenges, as individuals and as a community. Never, in our 100-plus year history of serving the community has our College’s mission been more relevant to transforming lives. We remain committed to our shared commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution as we unite for equity, justice, hope and change.

Please plan to attend our Community Unity Gathering: Cultivating Seeds of Hope event which has been rescheduled for May 6. Please check our website at minneapolis.edu for additional details. 

Thank you for being a part of our campus community and for sharing your voice in the conversations that are underway and those that are yet to come on our ongoing aspiration to live our Equity Statement. Please let me know if I can be of service in any other way during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

President Sharon Pierce