Fall enrollment at North Dakota State College of Science has surpassed 3,000 students for the sixth consecutive year, with enrollment at the College’s Wahpeton campus showing a 2.6% increase over 2015. This year’s enrollment data shows 1,349 students in Wahpeton, up from 1,315 one year ago. Overall, fall enrollment for Wahpeton, Fargo, online and early entry students totals 3,003, a negligible decrease from fall 2015 when enrollment was 3,123.

“Our strategic approach to growing enrollment at the Wahpeton campus remains a priority for the College,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “Thanks to the planning and efforts of our faculty, staff, and business partners, NDSCS is becoming part of the personal success story for many more students.”

At NDSCS-Wahpeton, the number of students living on campus increased by 4% over one year ago. There are 1,027 students living in campus residence halls, family housing or apartments.

The 2016 student body is comprised of 1,982 freshmen and 1,021 sophomores. The number of students enrolled full time at NDSCS has grown by 3.5% from 1,694 in 2015 to 1,753 in 2016.
There are 2,056 students from North Dakota, with 48 of the state’s 53 counties represented.

There are 431 students taking at least one class at the NDSCS-Fargo location, a 2% increase over 2015. A breakdown of the total enrollment shows 280 students taking classes only at NDSCS-Fargo and 207 taking classes exclusively online. There are 483 students taking classes at multiple NDSCS locations, or through a combination of in-person and online instruction. The number of high school students taking Early Entry classes through NDSCS has decreased to 684 from 825 in 2015.

“While we are seeing fewer high school students enrolled in our Early Entry classes this fall, traditional students are recognizing the value of a two-year education—including the 99 percent placement rate of our graduates,” said Richman.

North Dakota State College of Science has been notified that its accredited status by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has been continued. The Institutional Actions Council of the HLC notified the College of this action, which is the result of an ongoing accreditation process. This process included a comprehensive quality review campus visit that was conducted by five peer evaluators from different institutions in April 2016.

“This reaffirmation indicates the College’s continued commitment to quality and success, both inside and outside the classroom,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “I want to thank all NDSCS employees for their efforts leading up to and during the comprehensive quality review. Our accreditation is vital for NDSCS to continue to achieve our mission to train and educate the workforce of North Dakota and the region."

Accreditation is the process of ensuring and reviewing the quality of higher education institutions. NDSCS maintains its accreditation with the HLC through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Pathway, which is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement, with an added emphasis on helping institutions achieve continuous quality improvement. This pathway follows an eight-year cycle with institutional review including regular monitoring, annual action projects, strategy forums, systems portfolios and appraisals, and a comprehensive quality review.

The next reaffirmation of accreditation for NDSCS is scheduled to take place in or before 2025-26.

The North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates to 67 Wahpeton, Fargo, N.D., and online graduates.

The graduates include:

Colorado:
Aurora: Meghan Meyer, A.A.S., Dental Assisting

Louisiana:
Fort Polk: Gorvill Tirao, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician

Maryland:
Baltimore: Darren Kelley, A.A., Liberal Arts

Minnesota:
Anoka: Chelsea Russell, A.A., Liberal Arts
Brainerd: Benjamin Nelson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Breckenridge: Jiawei Deng, A.A.S., Precision Machining Technology; Tierza Engen, A.S., Liberal Arts; Alicia Holzbauer, A.S., Liberal Arts
Breezy Point: Benjamin Tiedemann, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Buffalo: Breanda Bursheim, A.A., Liberal Arts
Coon Rapids: Yei Browne, A.A., Liberal Arts
East Grand Forks: KateLynn Kowalski, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Glyndon: Jesse Ingebretson, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Grand Rapids: Mitchel Johnson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Granite Falls: Nissa Washburn, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Long Prairie: James Ruby, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Parkers Prairie: Shelby Westad, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Pelican Rapids: Dee Haiby, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Roseau: Jacob Hasson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Sebeka: Renee Miller, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
St. Cloud: Allen Skochenski, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Underwood: Michael Kugler, A.S., Liberal Arts
Vergas: Abe Johannes, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Wadena: Jennifer Shreves, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Wheaton: Megan Wilt, Certificate, Dental Assisting

North Dakota:
Almont: Brittany Heid, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Belfield: Ashlee Wolf, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Bismarck: Samantha Baumgartner, A.A., Liberal Arts; Keith Hapip, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Mikaela Lynch, A.A.S., Dental Assisting; Sara Olufson, A.A.S., Dental Assisting
Casselton: LaCrisha Meyer, A.A., Liberal Arts
Christine: Ellie Krupich, A.A., Liberal Arts
Cooperstown: Annie Dewald, A.A.S., Health Information
Des Lacs: Chase Johnson, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Dickinson: Brooklyn Decker, A.A.S., Dental Assisting; Stephanie Scherr, A.A.S., Dental Assisting
Dwight: Kaitlyn Woytassek, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Fargo: Kyle Anderson, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Kayla Carlson, A.A.S., Business Management; Ashley Christlieb, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Kailey Christlieb, Certificate, Paramedic (EMT) Technology; Jessyca Macklin, A.A., Liberal Arts; Kalisa Ndikubwimana, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician; April Shone, A.A.S., Occupational Therapy Assistant; Joshua Zetocha, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Fessenden: Kylie Ravnaas, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Fingal: MacKensie Pfaff, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Finley: Sarah Braaten, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
Glenburn: Payton Schumann, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Grand Forks: Brittney Moe, A.A.S., Occupational Therapy Assistant
Gwinner: Chelci Shirrell, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician
Jamestown: Corey Gilge, A.A.S., Information and Communications Technology
Minot: Brianna Feehan, Certificate, Dental Assisting; Brittany Heidrich, Certificate, Dental Assisting
Mooreton: Carly Eback, A.A., Liberal Arts; Adam Marohl, A.A., Liberal Arts
Napoleon: Arron Marquart, A.A.S., John Deere Tech
Steele: Sadie Rohrich, A.A.S., Dental Assisting
Wahpeton: Joshua Deike, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
West Fargo: James Seefeldt, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology
York: McKenzie Silliman, A.S., Liberal Arts

Ohio:
Willowick: Kirk Hartung, A.A.S., Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology

Rhode Island:
Providence: Joseph Putu, A.A., Liberal Arts

South Dakota:
Redfield: Autumn Jungwirth, A.A., Liberal Arts
Wilmot: Macey Ebben, A.A.S., Pharmacy Technician

Wisconsin:
Madison: Matthew Schell, A.A.S., Paramedic (EMT) Technology

Tony Grindberg has been named Vice President of Workforce Affairs at the North Dakota State College of Science. Grindberg, who led the development and launched the initial operations of NDSCS-Fargo, will oversee the restructuring of the College’s Division of Workforce Development and expansion efforts in Cass County and the surrounding region. He will direct activities relating to the generation of revenue to support college-wide initiatives, strategic engagement with business and industry, oversee the management of TrainND in the southeast region of North Dakota and guide efforts to strengthen education partnership with K-12 education.

“Tony’s expertise, experience and passion make him the best person to help move NDSCS workforce strategic initiatives forward,” said Dr. John Richman, NDSCS President. “Tony will play a critical role in shaping the future of how NDSCS will educate and train the workforce for North Dakota and this region.”

In 1997, Grindberg’s leadership helped secure $2 million of private sector financial support to open the doors of the current home of NDSCS-Fargo, which has served more than 30,000 workforce and college students. Author of the Workforce Environmental Assessment, Grindberg notes that “the Fargo-Moorhead region has in the past and will continue to experience workforce shortages with occupations across all industry sectors.” Grindberg’s work at NDSCS will include highlighting the workforce shortage issue in the region and developing solutions to address the growing demand of skilled workers that will include enhanced partnership with K-12 education to align associate degree attainment as a first step in providing high school graduates with a life-long career pathway to success.

“Solving our region’s workforce challenges is vital to our long term economic growth. I am excited for the opportunity to lead NDSCS workforce initiatives and implement solutions to meet our region’s growth projections,” said Grindberg.

“Tony Grindberg’s results-driven track record and his experience in economic and workforce development, both as a state senator and economic development professional, is exactly what our region requires to advance workforce strategy. On behalf of The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber, we welcome Tony’s leadership to advance workforce development initiatives for our region,” said Craig Whitney, President & CEO.

A reorganization of the NDSCS Workforce Affairs Division, that has spanned six months, has enabled the Vice President of Workforce Affairs position to be created without tapping into additional state appropriated funds. This position is funded through a combination of state appropriated funds previously earmarked for the Division and revenue generated by that Division.

A Fargo City Commissioner, Grindberg represented south Fargo in the North Dakota Legislature for 22 years before not seeking another term in 2014. He was head of the NDSU Technology and Research Park and also worked for an aerospace company. He’s been consulting businesses since January 2016.

Grindberg earned his A.S. from North Dakota State College of Science and B.S. from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

The North Dakota State College of Science has named six students from its Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician program to its summer semester 2016 President’s Honor List.

The Honor List recognizes students who have achieved grade point averages of 3.5 or higher while taking at least 12 credit hours.

The honorees include:
• Cody Carter; Warwick, N.D.
• Jared Hirning; Dickinson, N.D.
• Cort Johnson; Wilton, N.D.
• Tanner Larson; Bismarck, N.D.
• Collin Lawler; Menoken, N.D.
• Nicholas Tieszen; New England, N.D.

North Dakota State College of Science students recently earned top honors at the national SkillsUSA Championships.

Ryan Iverson, a Precision Machining Technology student from Grand Forks, N.D., earned a gold medal in the CNC Milling Specialist category. The CNC Milling Specialist contest evaluates preparation for employment in Computer Numeric Control Milling by assessing the ability to write CNC milling programs, interpret prints and measure/gage parts.

Ethan Fettig of Bismarck, N.D., and Chantel Hamann of Moorhead, Minn. each secured a bronze medal at the competition. Fettig, a Diesel Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Diesel Equipment Technology category while Hamann, a Powersports Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Power Equipment Technology category.

The SkillsUSA Championships were held in Louisville, Ky., in June during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. More than 6,000 students competed for national recognition in the 52nd annual SkillsUSA Championships in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as electronics, precision machining, public speaking and culinary arts. Contests tested competencies set by industry, and were run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations.