Campus News

Minnesota State Day at the Capitol

3/20/19

On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, Minnesota State Day at the Capitol was held in St. Paul, Minnesota. As one of 37 Minnesota State institutions,

Minnesota West was represented and helped to celebrate all of our campuses and students!

Minnesota State Day at the Capitol featured student success posters from each of our 37 Minnesota State institutions, along with economic impact banners and Minnesota State Campus displays in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building.

Minnesota State trustees, presidents, students, faculty and staff from across the state joined legislators and other government officials at the Capitol for the day.

Minnesota West Student, Melinda Kassandra Lopez, was selected to represent Minnesota West on a poster to showcase our student talent as well as the educational values of our Minnesota State system. Melinda is a student who strongly represents Minnesota West's mission and purpose.

Melinda's story:
I am Melinda Kassandra Lopez and by the age of four, I knew my passion was centered around the medical field. Minnesota West Community & Technical College has been dedicated to helping me achieve my goals while providing the resources that allow me to start making a difference now.

I started PSEO as a sophomore in high school and recently graduated from the practical nursing program (May 2018) at the age of 17. Currently, I am in my last semester of nursing school before graduating in May 2019 with my associate of science degree in nursing. In June, I will be graduating from high school and taking the registered nursing NCLEX. This will make me the first high school student to graduate as a registered nurse in the state of Minnesota.

On campus, I am currently serving my second term as Student Senate President and am the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter President as a member of the All-USA academic team. I look forward to exploring my passions during my undergraduate years as I strive towards medical school.

This will make me the first nursing student to graduate from Minnesota West with my Associates Degree in Nursing at the same time as my high school diploma.