Campus News

Blue to Brown Connection Program Announced

6/5/17

Minnesota West Community & Technical College and Southwest Minnesota State University are pleased to announce the Blue to Brown Connection Program to students.

The two institutions have partnered to create a program designed to allow students the opportunity to start with Minnesota West courses and complete their bachelor’s degree with SMSU while living on SMSU campus. 

Students can directly enroll at Minnesota West to earn an eventual bachelor’s degree awarded by SMSU. Students will transfer from Minnesota West to SMSU after successful completion of 24 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum credits in 2-3 semesters.  

The students will take Minnesota West course work at SMSU and live on campus at SMSU. The program is an opportunity for students who do not initially qualify for admission to SMSU to enroll at Minnesota West to gain sufficient academic standing to qualify for acceptance at SMSU.

SMSU President Connie J. Gores comments, “SMSU is delighted to partner with Minnesota West on this exciting program that will give students a jump-start on their educational goals and provide a residential living experience in a student-focused environment. It’s a benefit to students and our entire region.”

Dr. Terry Gaalswyk, Minnesota West President notes, “As our region’s college and university, this collaboration of Minnesota West and SMSU focuses each of our institution’s resources and talents to advance our collective mission - student success. As the state’s #1 community college, students enrolled in the Blue to Brown program will be advantaged in studying with gifted Minnesota West faculty and our proven instructional practices evidenced in our ‘best in class’ persistence and graduation rates.” 

Minnesota West & SMSU will be hosting an event for students who are interested in the Blue to Brown Program on Monday, June 26 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at SMSU.  

For more information contact Matt Suby at 507-537-7145 or matthew.suby@smsu.edu