River Studies and Leadership Certificate Offered at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN) has partnered with the River Management Society (RMS) to offer the River Studies and Leadership Certificate (RSLC), offering students an introduction to the multi-disciplinary aspects of careers that employ the study, protection or management of our nation’s rivers.

“We’re excited to see this program grow and to support the students who will go on to lead in river management across the country,” said Risa Shimoda, RMS Executive Director. “The RSLC introduces students to career paths they may not have known existed, connects them directly with professionals in river-related fields and offers them hands-on experience — while building the broad perspective needed to address today’s complex river challenges.”

Through the program, students can study river systems from multiple angles: life and earth sciences, policy and conservation, socio-cultural and economic perspectives, education or recreation. They are asked to take at least one geospatial information systems (GIS) class and complete a river safety requirement. They can meet river professionals at RMS’ online and in-person events and have the chance to present their own research or other capstone project to a national network.

“Situated on the Mississippi and close to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, the University of Minnesota is a natural fit for the RSLC,” said Dr. Ingrid Schneider, Professor of Forest Resources and RSLC Advisor at UMN. “From field sessions in the Boundary Waters and Itasca Biological Station to resources like the Water Resources Center and St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, our students are already immersed in rich, water-related learning experiences. The RSLC builds on these opportunities by combining academic study with field experience and direct connections to river professionals.”

Students interested in enrolling in the RSLC program at UMN should contact Dr. Ingrid Schneider at ingridss(at)umn.edu. Visit https://www.river-management.org/river-studies-leadership to learn more about this program or to inquire about offering it at your university.

The River Management Society is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to “study, protect and manage North America’s rivers.”

Published Aug. 26, 2025

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