Business Partnership Awarded Funds to MSUM Literacy Labs

The Minnesota Business Partnership granted $50,000 to support teacher training and student reading in Moorhead.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stack of wooden blocks with a green sprout emerging from the top, symbolizing educational growth. — The Minnesota Business Partnership awarded a $50,000 grant to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Literacy Labs program to support teacher training and student reading initiatives. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Minnesota Business Partnership has awarded $50,000 to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Nibbe School of Teaching and Learning. The grant recognizes the department for its efforts in training future teachers while helping local elementary students improve their reading skills.

Why it matters

The funding supports the Literacy Labs program, which integrates hands-on field experience into teacher education. This initiative simultaneously prepares the next generation of educators and provides essential one-on-one literacy support to Moorhead children.

The grant provides $50,000 in funding for future literacy work. Currently, 35 university students are participating in hands-on field experiences through the program.

The players

Minnesota Business Partnership

This organization is a collective of Minnesota business leaders focused on economic and educational growth within the state.

Minnesota State University Moorhead

This is a public university located in Moorhead that serves students through various undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Nibbe School of Teaching and Learning

This academic department at MSUM is responsible for preparing students for careers in the education sector.

The details

University students participating in the Literacy Labs program work one-on-one with Moorhead elementary students who require extra reading support. The program is designed to provide future educators with practical, classroom-ready experience while bolstering early literacy in the area.

Fall 2026: 35 students are participating in Literacy Labs field experiences.

Culture Shift

This investment highlights a broader shift toward public-private partnerships in education where corporations fund specific instructional programs. By prioritizing direct classroom intervention, the grant reflects an increasing focus on workforce readiness in teacher preparation.

Elementary students in Moorhead will continue to receive specialized one-on-one reading instruction from university teacher candidates. This initiative ensures that local children have access to extra academic support while college students gain valuable practical experience.

The takeaway

This award reinforces the importance of integrating field experience into professional development for educators. Students and observers can support similar literacy efforts by volunteering for reading mentorship programs at local elementary schools.