Although it has finally gotten cold and wintry outside, things are lively within Northland Community and Technical College! In this update, I will cover:
- Thief River Falls Open House – Feb. 1
- East Grand Forks Scholarship Ceremony
- Invitation to Alumni
- Perkins Monitoring Visit
- MnSCU Board of Trustees Adopts New Strategic Framework
Thief River Falls Open House – Feb. 1
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Thief River Falls Campus will be open for inspection! During the day, many regional high school students will come to campus to experience the life of a college student. We have heard that Lincoln High School will send more than 140 juniors for this post-secondary exploration.
Students can either spend time in technical program labs or attend liberal arts classes. A special session is scheduled for students who want to take classes or earn an associate’s degree with the intention to transfer to a college or university for a bachelor’s degree. There is also a session that will share information regarding the college application process, career choice, financial aid, and learning services. The NCTC choir will perform and the Aviation programs will have an information booth set up in the Gunderson Commons so that interested students can talk to program representatives without having to go to the aviation site at the TRF Airport.
In the late afternoon and evening (4-7 pm), the campus will be open to the community. This time is considered an “Open house/open office” time. A number of faculty and staff members will be available to visit with community members about the college, liberal arts and technical programs, student services, and financial aid. College classrooms, labs, and shops will be open for tours. The Northland Jazz band will perform in the Gunderson Commons. Athletic coaches will be on hand to talk with students and their parents.
This is a great time to come out and see the campus.
East Grand Forks Scholarship Ceremony
On January 17, the NCTC Foundation held a scholarship ceremony for students on the East Grand Forks campus. This was another wonderful event celebrating the accomplishments of our students. Over $12,000 was awarded to 26 students. Students who received fall semester scholarships were also recognized.
In total, the NCTC Foundation has awarded nearly $150,000 to Northland students this academic year. This makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. Often the scholarship makes the difference in allowing students to stay in college.
Invitation to Alumni
Perhaps you have noticed Northland alumni in our communities wearing a new “Alum” pin with the Northland logo? The pin was designed to recognize our alumni and allow them to demonstrate their pride in having graduated from the college. This is an invitation to all alumni to register with the NCTC Foundation. We really want to get back in touch with you. In the next few months, the Foundation will increase its efforts to communicate and build an alumni association. Go to the Northland website (www.northlandcollege.edu), select the “Foundation & Alumni” tab, select the “Alumni” tab. A registration form will appear for you to fill out. In response, you will receive a Northland “Alum” pin and a decal with the Northland logo.
Perkins Monitoring Visit
Periodically, institutions that receive federal Perkins funding undergo monitoring visits to assure that the investment is being appropriately used. Northland teams up with Pine to Prairie Cooperative, in a consortium made up of 28 secondary schools in our region, to provide workforce education.
The Northland / Pine to Prairie Consortium will have a visit from state staff and Perkins Consortium leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Dean Dalen, the college’s Learning Services Coordinator has pulled together the schedule and all of the documents that will be reviewed by the team. We anticipate a positive review.
MnSCU Board of Trustees Adopts New Strategic Framework
Last week the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees formally adopted the new Strategic Framework for the system that had been proposed by Chancellor Steven Rosenstone. The one-page framework is available for review at:
http://www.mnscu.edu/board/summary/2012/summary-january.pdf
In brief, the framework commits to:
- Ensure access to an extraordinary education for all Minnesotans
- Be the partner of choice to meet Minnesota’s workforce and community needs
- Deliver to students, employers, communities and taxpayers the highest value / most affordable option
In the weeks and months to come, I will address how Northland is contributing to these goals.
Upcoming College Events
Jan. 27- Pioneer Basketball at Itasca Community College – 6 & 8 p.m.
Jan. 28 – Pioneer Basketball at Fond du Lac Community College – 1 & 3 p.m.
Feb. 1 – TRF Campus Open House
Feb. 4 – Pioneer Basketball Alumni Week-end
My schedule for this week:
Mon., Jan. 23 – TRF – NCTC Foundation Board Meeting
Tues., Jan. 24 – TRF – Perkins Site Visit
Wed., Jan. 25 – TRF – Perkins Site Visit/Exit Meeting
Thurs., Jan. 26 – EGF
Fri., Jan. 27 – TRF – Community Housing Task Group meeting
Have a wonderful week.
