Discussion Leaders Sought for Veterans’ Services Grant

Minnesota Humanities Center will hire paid discussion leaders for $100k grant project, “Examining Military Service from the Margins.”

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for a five-week discussion series, “Examining Military Service from the Margins.” U.S. Army veteran and Minneapolis College faculty member Miki Huntington is co-director of the project along with MHC Humanities Officer Karen Sieber.

The spring 2024 series will bring together veterans and civilians throughout Minnesota to examine the experiences of female, Black, Native American, LGBTQ, and immigrant service members, focusing on the complicated dynamics behind serving a country that has limited the freedoms of those groups.

Facilitated by pairs of discussion leaders, each week in the series will examine a different veteran group’s experience, using oral histories, narratives, film, legal documents, poetry, comics, and other resources from throughout U.S. history including the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War, and the post-9/11 era.

The MHC will select two discussion leaders for each of three locations: Minnesota State University, Mankato; Winona County Historical Society, Winona; and the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), Minneapolis. Those selected, six in total, will attend a mandatory training retreat Oct. 20–22 along with military scholars at the Minnesota Humanities Event Center in St. Paul, and will receive further training and resources throughout the fall and winter months.

Apply to be a discussion leader now through Sept. 25.  Applicants with military experience, teaching or facilitation experience, and/or representing diverse backgrounds and voices are especially encouraged to apply.

Huntington would like to see representation by Minneapolis College at the discussion series, whether by veterans or civilians.

“In my experience over 25 years in uniform, as a female helicopter pilot and a person of color, I didn't see many folks who looked like me. So, I recognize the responsibility now to make sure those who are most marginalized in our military service have their voices amplified,” Huntington said.

For more information, visit the Minnesota Humanities Center website  or contact Miki Huntington or call 612-200-5288.

For information on services and resources available to veterans at Minneapolis College, explore Veterans Services online or visit the Veterans Welcome Center, T.3406, or call 612-659-6580.