March 2020

News from the Institute
Multi-disciplinary study will get a better handle on the prevalence and incidence of
COVID in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has awarded $1.5 million to the Donahue Institute, the UMass Amherst Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), the UMass Amherst Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), and the Center for Public Opinion at UMass Lowell to conduct a statewide surveillance program aimed to improve understanding of the prevalence and incidence of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. IALS and Donahue are co-primary investigators.
 
To date, all known cases of COVID-19 stem from individuals opting to take a test, usually because they are either symptomatic, have been in contact with someone who has had a positive test, or need to take a test for some other reason (e.g. travel). This new study fills a gap in current surveillance efforts by randomly selecting participants to take a free test (with a small honorarium). This will allow researchers to better understand the level of outbreak in the community, including asymptomatic cases that typically would not be identified by symptomatic-only testing.
Leadership Excellence program: Now filling slots for the Fall 2021 cohort
Thanks to our sold-out Spring 2021 cohort, we are now asking for interest in our Fall 2021 program.

This is a new online certificate program designed for leaders who need new skills and tools to implement organizational change and propel their careers forward. The five-module program provides 30 hours of hands-on learning over eight weeks in an interactive online classroom. Completion of this program will earn learners a certificate from the UMass Donahue Institute and three CEUs from University Without Walls.

Learn more by watching the 2+ minute video to the right or visit the program home!
International exchange can still happen, even if it's over Zoom
A freeze on international travel to and from the United States due to the ongoing pandemic has presented significant challenges to the UMass Civic Initiative. The summer 2020 programs were postponed for 2021 and the format of this year’s programs are still unknown (virtual or in-person). However, “Civic” has rolled with the changes continued its worldwide reach.
Middle school students can benefit from financial literacy education according to new study
Newly released findings from a two-year study of the efficacy of financial education on middle school students affirm significant knowledge gain in the subject matter and advocate more such learning be provided to students in this age group.

Conducted by the Donahue Institute, the largest study of financial education efficacy on middle school students focused on FutureSmart, a digital financial education course for grades 6-8, developed by the social impact education innovator, EVERFI, and available nationwide at no cost through a grant from the MassMutual Foundation.
Fall 2021: The Leadership Excellence Certificate Program (video)
Institute In The News
Our Business Groups
Highlighted Publications
Identifying Massachusetts Area Disprortionately Impacted by Drug Prohibition: A report for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

Greater Springfield Regional Housing Analysis Report: The first in-depth scan of the region in the COVID era. Partners included Way Finders, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the Metropolitan Springfield Housing Study Advisory Committee.

Massachusetts Economic Due Diligence Report for Second Quarter 2021: For more than a decade, the State Data Center has produced the quarterly Massachusetts Economic Due Diligence report for the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office of Debt Management. This public document is available to all, prepared for credit rating agencies and investors to evaluate economic and financial conditions and prospects of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Donahue Institute
UMass Amherst
100 Venture Way, Suite 9
Hadley, MA 01035
413-545-0001
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