The Bethel Frogtown/Summit-University Partnership

Verona Mitchell-Agbemadi, Coordinator of the Bethel Frogtown/Summit-University Partnership

Bethel University has forged a strong partnership with leaders of the urban Thomas-Dale (“Frogtown”) and University-Summit neighborhoods of St. Paul, Minnesota. Situated in one of St. Paul’s oldest neighborhoods, the cultural landscape of Frogtown/Summit-University (FSU) is composed of Southeast Asians, African-Americans, Germans, Native Americans, and East Africans. The working-class community is a mixture of residential, rental, and business properties, although many residents are economically stressed.

Working with the FSU Community Partnership, Bethel University has intentionally made its presence known through service and civic, social, and spiritual engagement
as well as reciprocal educational opportunities for community residents and Bethel students alike.

In one hands-on experience, Bethel students in a Frogtown Urban Experience anthropology/sociology class spend a semester living, studying, and serving the neighborhood. In another initiative, Bethel operates the King Family Foundation Child Development Center. There, children from the FSU community receive quality, Christ-centered care while Bethel education students gain practicum experience in their field.

As part of Bethel University's partnership with the Frogtown/Summit-University community, tuition assistance is available to qualifying students enrolled in the College of Adult & Professional Studies. Please contact Gregory Rance at 651.635.8095 to inquire.

Bethel University also opens its facilities and makes students available for a Union Gospel Mission mentoring program called SOAR (Students on a Roll), which tutors inner-city youth and fuels their interest in education.

For more information, email fsu@bethel.edu or call Frogtown/Summit-University Partnership Coordinator Verona Mitchell-Agbemadi at 638.635.8693.