Reflections on CTS at 40: Dawn Hood
When I joined the Center for Transportation Studies in 1999, I expected to learn about transportation infrastructure, safety, and policy. What I didn’t anticipate was that my nearly 24 years at CTS would fundamentally reshape how I view what is possible.
At its core, CTS “cultivates improvements and innovation in transportation through research, engagement, and education,” but for me, its greatest strength is its ability to open minds to extraordinary possibilities.
That lesson started almost immediately for me. Shortly after I arrived, Professor Max Donath enthusiastically told me he was working on a self-driving truck equipped with lane-assist technology. I didn't believe him and couldn't fathom how such a thing was technically feasible. But then I experienced it firsthand, and my mind was blown.
That ride was merely the first of a long list of "unbelievable" University of Minnesota advancements I had the front-row privilege to watch unfold. It permanently flipped a switch in me: anything is possible when you approach the world with curiosity (and surround yourself with inspired and dedicated professionals).
CTS also expanded my horizons by connecting me with world-class thought leaders. This not only happened through CTS’s outreach and engagement activities, but also through the mentorship of CTS leaders. I became involved in a Transportation Research Board committee because of the invitation and encouragement of CTS former director, Laurie McGinnis. I attended the meeting with her, even though I hadn't studied the subject and wasn’t sure that I would fit in. Just like my experience with the lane-assist technology, my eyes were opened to what I could learn from, and offer to, this incredible group of international leaders. I became more involved with the committee, eventually serving as Chair. That single invitation gave me invaluable leadership experience, broadened my global perspective, and gifted me lifelong friends around the world.
The mind-opening work at CTS went beyond technical and professional skills; it nurtured the human side, too. In 2015, CTS launched "Cultures with Heart," a professional development program rooted in the work of Brené Brown. Digging into concepts like courage, vulnerability, boundaries, and empathy completely transformed my mindset. It spilled over into my personal life, followed me into my current role, and taught me how to be better to myself and those around me. I am forever grateful for this transformative experience.
CTS isn't just a research center; it’s an incubator for the extraordinary. It is where curiosity meets courage, and where human connection turns the impossible into reality. Here’s to 40 years of brilliance, and to the many more that will follow. Happy 40th anniversary, CTS!
August 2026
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