University of Minnesota Rochester Receives Insight Into Academia Magazine’s Inaugural Top Colleges for Innovation Award
The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) received the 2026 Top Colleges for Innovation Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, the nation’s longest-running publication advancing best practices in higher education.
The award recognizes colleges and universities where innovation is embedded in their vision, strategy, and measurable impact. Through creativity and transformative initiatives, award winners are reimagining teaching, learning, research, support systems, and administrative practices to better serve the evolving needs of students, employees, and the changing demands of today’s workforce.
“The University of Minnesota Rochester is honored to be recognized as a top college for innovation. This recognition reflects our collective commitment to transform the future of learning with three principles: students are at the center, research informs practice, and partners make it possible. UMR faculty are reimagining how we teach, learn and focus our research, while the whole campus links arms to support student success. Our campus community knows why we exist -- to develop human potential with deep learning, belonging and wellbeing so graduates can thrive and contribute in an ever-changing world," shared Chancellor Carrell.
Insight Into Academia magazine selected UMR for its innovative educational practices. UMR faculty lead research to improve teaching, learning and student development. Their work explores how students learn best and how education supports success in and beyond the classroom. The UMR experience includes incorporating high impact practices like community-engaged learning, first-year seminars, internships, Capstone experiences, student success coaching, JustASK faculty-student interaction center, undergraduate research experiences with our employer partner, active learning, living learning communities and uniquely-designed majors.
“The Insight Into Academia Top Colleges for Innovation Award is a prestigious national distinction honoring institutions driving the next chapter of higher education,” said Holly Mendelson, co-owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “At a time when colleges and universities are increasingly being called upon to demonstrate their value, innovation needs to be a priority in today’s ever-changing landscape. These award-winning institutions stand apart by anticipating and meeting today’s challenges, creating and activating bold ideas, and setting the standard for what excellence and forward-thinking leadership looks like across the academy.”
For more information about the 2026 Insight Into Academia Top Colleges for Innovation Award, visit insightintoacademia.com.