Campus News
McKnight Foundation Invests in Teacher Prep Partnership
6/21/19
The McKnight Foundation has awarded a $600,000 grant over two years to support the Southwest Minnesota Teacher Preparation Partnership, a unique career pathway model created by Worthington Public School District, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University and Southwest Initiative Foundation.
This partnership aims to increase the diverse pool of quality teacher candidates in the region. It is also focused on what it takes to support students who want to teach, especially students of color who aren’t often seeing teachers who look like them in their classrooms. According to the Worthington Public School District, more than 68 percent of its high school students are from one of over 40 cultures in the area. And more than 78 percent of elementary students in the district are students of color. Only about 7 percent of their teachers are people of color.
According to the 2019 Biennial Minnesota Teacher Supply and Demand Report from Wilder Research, a similar diversity gap appears across the state, where students of color make up 34 percent and teachers of color make up 4 percent of Minnesota schools. The report also notes teacher shortages are a problem. Nearly 90 percent of school districts reported fewer teachers are available compared to five years ago.
“Greater Minnesota needs more diverse teachers and better pathways for them—and this effort shows that the most forward-thinking school districts can work together to better prepare their students for a global economy,” said Debby Landesman, McKnight Foundation board chair.
Previous grants from McKnight Foundation and Southwest Initiative Foundation supported planning efforts and the launch of a Future Teachers of America Club at Worthington High School. About 40 students participated in the 2018-2019 school year.
“Part of what the club offers is that exposure students need in connection with the profession. This is not just a fantasy, but a dream they can achieve by watching others, by being involved, by participating,” said club advisor Perla Banegas, who is a Worthington graduate and now teaches in the district. “Our goal is to encourage students to build relationships around the district, so they are able to ask questions and hopefully have a better understanding of what teaching involves.”
McKnight’s new investment will allow the partnership to implement a place-based pathway to teaching for current Worthington high school students, paraprofessional staff or anyone interested in pursuing a teaching career. Participants will have opportunities to complete all their coursework to earn credits toward a degree in teaching without leaving Worthington. The partnership is also providing intercultural competency training to current teachers and faculty, as well as establishing a community advisory committee that includes educators, families and residents to ensure perspectives of Worthington’s racially and culturally diverse community members help shape the program’s future.
“At the heart of it, the partnership is an opportunity to lead people on a career path that will provide higher earning potential for their families, address the teacher shortage in rural communities, and have a positive impact on students who will finally see their reflection at the front of the classroom,” says Nancy Fasching, community impact director at Southwest Initiative Foundation. “All the partners are devoted to making this happen. We see what a difference this will make in the lives of students and future educators. It’s bigger than all of us, and a look to the long term.”
A complete story is available in the McKnight Foundation’s quarterly update at mcknight.org
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $78 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs. Learn more at swifoundation.org
Campus News
Williamson To Serve as Interim President of NHCC
06/19/19
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Jeffery Williamson to serve as interim president of North Hennepin Community College. The appointment becomes effective August 5 and is for a one-year term.
“Jeff Williamson comes to North Hennepin Community College with strong academic credentials, expertise, and extensive experience leading community and technical colleges,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “I am confident that he will make immense contributions to the well-being, continuity, and stability of NHCC, and I look forward to working closely with him as we continue building momentum at NHCC and accomplishing its shared vision and strategic goals.”
Williamson is a transformative leader with over 25 years’ experience in higher education leadership advocating for student success and comprehensive financial management. Since 1993, he has served Minnesota West Community and Technical College (Minnesota West), one of the colleges of Minnesota State, with campuses in Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone, and Worthington, as well as centers in Luverne and Marshall. In his current role as provost/chief academic and student affairs officer, which he has held since 2010, he is responsible for managing all credit and non-credit courses and programs, as well as student services. Previously, he served Minnesota West from 1998 to 2010 as vice president of instruction and CEO/dean of liberal arts and sciences, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Worthington campus, as well as student services and academic affairs. He also served as the lead instructor of agriculture education for Minnesota West from 1993 to 1998. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from South Dakota State University, and a doctorate from the University of South Dakota.
Williamson will succeed Barbara McDonald, who has served as president of North Hennepin Community College since 2015 and was recently named to serve as president of The College of St. Scholastica. A search for a permanent president will be launched this fall.
Campus News
Online Administrative Support Program Ranked Fifth
6/14/19
Minnesota West's Online Administrative Support Program has been selected as one of the top programs for 2019 by BestColleges.com. The Minnesota West Program has been ranked fifth out of 700+ national programs.
According to BestColleges.com, “program rankings are created annually based on a combination of factors including academic quality, affordability, and online competency.”
An entire list of program rakings can be found at https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/top-online-associate-in-administrative-assistant-programs/.
For additional information visit www.mnwest.edu or call 800-658-2330.
Campus News
Medical Coding Specialist Approved
6/8/19
Minnesota West is proud to announce that the Medical Coding Specialist Diploma program has been approved by the AHIMA Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP) Council. According to AHIMA, "Coding certificate programs which have earned formal approval under AHIMA’s Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP) adhere to quality standards in programming, instruction and curriculum for non-degree granting academic coding certificate programs. PCAP approved coding certificate programs offer a comprehensive curriculum which meets or exceeds rigorous PCAP coding competencies and have been evaluated for compliance with faculty qualifications for coding education and program standards."
Terri Petersen, Medical Coding Specialist Director and Instructor stated, “Our goal is to provide our students with a top quality education in the Medical Coding Specialist Program with all the tools that students will need to pass their national certification exam and become certified medical coders. At Minnesota West we strive to meet all our students needs so that they will be prepared to find a job in their area of study.”
Elaina Nichols, Health Information Technology Director & Instructor stated, “Being approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to teach coding is a huge asset to the communities we serve. Continued accreditation by the Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP), shows unrelenting dedication to excellence and quality education in our Medical Coding Specialist diploma. Each assignment is created to meet the rigorous standards, preparing our students for practical application after graduation. Students can continue their education with our Health Information Technology A.A.S. degree. Many of the courses are cored between the programs; saving our students time and money, while diversifying their skills and marketability within the Health Information field.”
Medical Coding Specialists work closely with other health care professionals in coding diagnosis and procedures on patient medical records, analyzing medical records for completeness of documentation, working with insurance companies, and reimbursement procedures. Medical Coding Specialist Diploma program is a three semester 34 credit program offered at the Luverne Campus. For additional information visit www.mnwest.edu or call 800-658-2330.
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