The Center for Language Minority Education and Research (CLMER) engages in a wide range of services, projects and research initiatives to promote equity, excellence and justice in schools and society, with a focus on traditionally underserved and underrepresented children, families and communities. Our services, projects and research initiatives align with our vision for an inclusive, democratic society and promote evidence- and research-based approaches to relevant human, organizational and educational change.

In 1993, Latino Education Task force of university faculty/staff and community leaders initially called upon the university to create the Center. After a national search the university recruited nationally-known researcher J. David Ramirez, Ph.D. as the Center's founding Executive Director.

Dr. Ramirez began the process of building CLMER programs and funding the Center's projects and initiatives through federal and foundation grants, as well as service contracts with schools, district, state departments of education, federal and naitonal agencies, and others. Bringing a wide range of expertise and experience, Dr. Ramirez recruited talented colleagues and partners who share an ecological view of the interrelated strengths and needs of diverse communities and who share a broader vision of promoting an inclusive, creative, democratic society. During the 2003-2004 academic year, Dr. Ramirez left CLMER to pursue other professional opportunities. Dr. Leslie Reese, a professor in the College of Education, now serves as Executive Director of CLMER.

CLMER initiatives and projects are local, statewide, regional, national and international in scope, supporting program development, professional development, evaluation, research, and policy in areas that include:

• multilingual, multicultural pre-k to adult education
• national education reform
• comprehensive services for children, youth and families
• community technology access and use
• workforce development
• civil rights
• social and economic development

CLMER's initiatives and projects focus on the well-being of language minority individuals and communities, as well as other traditionally underserved groups and their wider communities.

The CLMER staff is linguistically, racially and culturally diverse with extensive experience in multilingual, multicultural and anti-racist approaches to education change, community development, research and policy. CLMER staff also share histories and lived experiences with traditionally underserved communities including low-income, immigrant and migrant communities. A key strategy of CLMER is to work in positive partnership with individuals and organizations from these same target communities and all relevant others, drawing on collective lived experiences, wisdom, knowledge and strength in developing proactive solutions to persistent problems and challenges, and building proactive visions, services, projects and programs.