We've launched a new UMass Donahue Institute website! Discover research, data, policy insights, and services that help communities and organizations make informed decisions. Explore our new online home, designed to help you find what you need faster: 🔗 https://www.umass.edu/donahue/

We've launched a new UMass Donahue Institute website! Discover research, data, policy insights, and services that help communities and organizations make informed decisions. Explore our new online home, designed to help you find what you need faster: 🔗 https://www.umass.edu/donahue/

The UMass Donahue Institute has announced updates to its executive leadership team, positioning the organization for continued growth and impact across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Meet the team and learn more: https://bit.ly/3UmvrtA

We've launched a new UMass Donahue Institute website! Discover research, data, policy insights, and services that help communities and organizations make informed decisions. Explore our new online home, designed to help you find what you need faster: 🔗 https://www.umass.edu/donahue/

Boston Magazine talks about all that's good about Massachusetts. Dr. Mark Melnik includes the resilience of our economy. Read on: https://bit.ly/4dVvGlT

Massachusetts Is the Best State! Obviously.

From schools to sports, here are 61 reasons we're awfully hard to beat.

bit.ly

We've launched a new UMass Donahue Institute website! Discover research, data, policy insights, and services that help communities and organizations make informed decisions. Explore our new online home, designed to help you find what you need faster: 🔗 https://www.umass.edu/donahue/

Looking for a short read during the long weekend? @bostonmagazine.bsky.social talks about all that's good about Massachusetts. Dr. Mark Melnik includes the resilience of our economy. Read on: https://bit.ly/4dVvGlT

Massachusetts Is the Best State! Obviously.

From schools to sports, here are 61 reasons we’re awfully hard to beat.

bostonmagazine.com

"Microtransit" does more than provide rides in rural communities; it also generates economic benefits. Our study found Hilltown Easy Ride's top uses in 2025 were shopping and medical appointments, highlighting impact across the Hilltowns. News: https://bit.ly/4jFiMMu Study: https://bit.ly/4zCLT8f

Can better student support improve STEM success? For more than a decade, we helped evaluate the STEM Starter Academy and identified case management as a key strategy for student persistence. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3J4yxwx #STEMEducation #HigherEd

Microtransit does more than provide rides in rural communities. Our research for Hilltown Community Development found Hilltown Easy Ride also generates economic benefits, with shopping and medical trips accounting for most rides. Gazette story: https://bit.ly/4jFiMMu | Study: https://bit.ly/4zCLT8f

We help communities strengthen early childhood programs through research, evaluation, and evidence-based insights. Our work supports better outcomes for children, families, and educators. https://direc.to/p4Hv #EarlyChildhood #Education

We help communities strengthen economic stability and create pathways to upward mobility through research, evaluation, and actionable insights. We help partners make informed decisions that support workforce success and econ. opportunity. https://direc.to/p4Hy #EconomicMobility #WorkforceDevelopment

Thank you, @mass.streetsblog.org, for covering today's release of our microtransit studies. Our first such study was for the Quaboag Connector in 2025: www.umass.edu/donahue/news...

StreetsblogMASS@mass.streetsblog.org · 3w ago

@umassdonahue.bsky.social Study: Rural Transit’s Economic Benefits Far Exceed Its Modest Costs mass.streetsblog.org/2026/10/01/u...

Microtransit does more than move people. Our new research highlights how it supports jobs, improves access to healthcare, reduces transportation costs, and generates strong returns on investment for communities. Read more: https://bit.ly/4iTBUpP #Microtransit #PublicTransit #Transportation

We help communities tackle housing and homelessness challenges through research, evaluation, and data-driven insights. Our work helps partners make informed decisions that improve programs, policies, and outcomes. Learn more: https://direc.to/p4Hp #Housing #Homelessness #Research

We help organizations improve health and human services through research, evaluation, and actionable insights. Our work helps partners make informed decisions that strengthen programs and improve outcomes for communities. https://direc.to/p4H9 #HealthEquity #HumanServices

We help higher education and adult learning partners turn data into action. Our research and evaluation work identifies strategies that improve student success, strengthen programs, and expand opportunities for learners. https://direc.to/p4H3 #HigherEd #StudentSuccess

We help nonprofit organizations measure impact, strengthen programs, and make data-informed decisions. Our research and evaluation work provides the insights leaders need to advance their missions and better serve their communities. https://direc.to/p4H6 #NonprofitSector #SocialImpact

We help schools and community partners use data and research to improve student outcomes and support youth success. Our work provides actionable insights that strengthen programs and expand opportunities for young people. https://direc.to/p4HY b#K12Education #YouthDevelopment

Long-time Boston-area commentator John Keller sings the praises of the #MassBenchmarks "all-stars" in his column today. Keller lists the challenges he sees for the person who holds the governor's office after Election Day. https://bit.ly/4xLAOA7

Why would you want to be governor?

Keller on the troubling questions that set up November's winner for more of a tractor pull than a victory lap

bit.ly

We help communities, industries, and organizations understand their econ. impact and identify opportunities for growth. Our research provides the evidence leaders need to make informed decisions that strengthen local and regional economies. https://direc.to/p4Hp #EconomicDevelopment #EconomicImpact

Mark Melnik, director of economic and public policy research at the UMass Donahue Institute, is interviewed about demographic trends and how they align with future workforce needs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s2fnnMPxuo&list=PLmfzHgbX9Y57Z1-a4rXY6KClRn4f0rFcs&index=7

InFocus featuring Dr. Mark Melnik (Future Job Shortage)

InFocus featuring Dr. Mark Melnik (Future Job Shortage)

youtube.com

Our Behavioral Health Workforce Study helped regional leaders better understand staffing shortages, workforce barriers, and opportunities to strengthen the pipeline of behavioral health professionals. Learn more: https://direc.to/p4HB

We provided project management support for the Large Millimeter Telescope, helping coordinate operations, budgets, risk management, and research access for one of the world's most significant astronomy projects. Learn more: https://direc.to/p4HE

For more than a decade, we've partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to create engaging online learning experiences, including School of Hard Talks, helping parents have more productive conversations with teens and young adults. https://direc.to/p4HL

See how our research, evaluation, and partnerships are making a difference. Subscribe for the latest on economic development, workforce growth, education, and community impact. https://direc.to/pc9d

We designed and led the statewide planning process behind the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan, bringing together farmers, experts, and stakeholders to shape a 25-year vision for the Commonwealth's farmland future. Learn more: https://direc.to/p4HH

Through Pyramid Plus, we help #earlychildhood professionals in Massachusetts access evidence-based strategies that strengthen children's #socialemotional development and create better outcomes for families. Learn how we support high-quality early learning: https://direc.to/p4HP

We helped Way Finders better understand Western Massachusetts' housing crisis through a mixed-methods study that identified practical solutions to improve affordability, prevent evictions, and expand housing opportunities. Learn how we turn data into action: https://direc.to/p4Hs

🎥 What happens when employers face a worker shortage while many graduates worry about finding jobs? UMass Donahue Institute researcher Dr. Mark Melnik explores the workforce trends behind this challenge in a 23-minute WWLP InFocus interview. #FutureOfWork ▶️ https://bit.ly/4xxSkbb