NDSCS Alumni Foundation will celebrate Alumni and friends in Rapid City, S.D.

NDSCS Old Main in the Fall
09-05-2023

You’re Invited! The North Dakota State College of Science Alumni Foundation announces their 2023 Rapid City, S.D. Meet & Greet, which will be held at the Dahl Arts Center, located at 713 7th St. in Downtown Rapid City on Thursday, September 21 at 5:00 p.m. (MDT).

Come catch up with other alumni, hear about what has been going on at North Dakota State College of Science and in the Alumni Foundation, enjoy a meal and be immersed at the premier western South Dakota arts center for contemporary visual arts, arts education and performing arts. Cost is $20/person for the event. If you are an alum of NDSCS, we’d LOVE to have you join us! Not an alum, but have ties to the college? You’re invited too!

The North Dakota State College of Science Alumni Foundation’s mission is to support and assist those activities that develop and strengthen North Dakota State College of Science. It is our goal to make sure every individual has the opportunity to attend NDSCS to reach his or her potential. The role of the Alumni Foundation is building relationships and discovering what is important to our Alumni and friends. We are the professional fundraising arm of NDSCS that helps our career and technical college yield BIG RESULTS!

The Alumni/Foundation invites you to “Grow with Us”.  Whether it be through Homecoming activities, reunions, Meet & Greets, recruiting new students, scholarship donations, endowments for programs, the annual DREAMS Auction (our largest fundraising event) or the Alumni Review, — our goal is to help you stay connected.

We hope you can join us Thursday, September 21 from 5-7 p.m. MDT, at the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City, S.D.! Pre-registration is appreciated for this event — Go online to NDSCSalumni.com/Events/Meet-Greets or call 701-671-2247 to register.

“Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!”

NDSCS Adds Women’s Soccer Beginning in 2024, Launches Search for Head Coach

Wildcat head
08-28-2023

To bolster the growth of an already-successful athletics program, NDSCS announces the launch of its brand-new Women's Soccer Program–set to kick off in Fall, 2024. This addition showcases the college’s commitment to expanding opportunities for female athletes and underscores its belief in the transformative power of sports. Women’s Soccer joins a growing list of championship-quality athletic programs offered by the college, located in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

"Soccer has always been more than just a game. It embodies teamwork, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence–all things we take pride in teaching here at NDSCS," said Dr. Rod Flanigan, President of NDSCS. "We're incredibly excited to provide our talented women another way to showcase these values both on and off the field."

Program Highlights:

      The program is currently seeking a head coach and assistant coach. That search will begin immediately and inquiries should go to Athletic Director Stu Engen.

      A state-of-the-art turf field is currently in the planning stages. The plan is for a shared, multi-purpose turf field to be used by both NDSCS and Wahpeton High School–located on the NDSCS Wahpeton campus.

      NDSCS has already agreed to join the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). The MCAC currently has four women’s soccer members. They are: Rochester CTC; Lake Superior College; Anoka-Ramsey CC; and Alexandria Technical & Community College. The conference competes at NJCAA Division III level.

      More information can be found here: MCAC Conference

      The Women’s Soccer season will begin in August and run through October each year. 

      The team will roster 16-22 players each season.

      The program will soon have an informational web page located on the NDSCS Athletics website.

Community support for soccer has been overwhelming. “NDSCS Athletics had a stellar year in 2022-2023. We are excited to add another sport that will expand our presence, grow our profile, and welcome new athletes to be part of our successful program–helping female athletes continue their soccer careers and their education,” shared NDSCS Athletic Director Stu Engen.

Soccer is the world's most popular sport, with millions of fans across every continent. It is also the #1-played sport throughout North Dakota. This reach will bring in new audiences and add to the diverse student population at NDSCS.

NDSCS to Begin 121st Academic Year August 21

block party social graphic
08-11-2023

Opening weekend events at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton will kick off on Saturday, August 19 when residence halls open for student move-in at 10 a.m. NDSCS has some exciting updates and events to share with students and the community:

Welcome Week, an annual series of events designed to help students connect to the College community and establish positive and healthy habits, will take place from August 19-25 and will include outdoor evening activities for new and returning students.

Some of these events will include:

  • Saturday, August 19
    • 12 – 8 p.m. Move-in Music on The Oval
    • 9 - 11 p.m. Outdoor Movie on The Oval
  • Sunday, August 20
    • 4:30 – 7 p.m. Community Block Party (The Wahpeton-Breckenridge and surrounding community is invited! Register your business/organization to be involved and learn more at NDSCS.edu/Block-Party)
      • Due to road construction around the NDSCS campus, guests will be able to find parking for the Block Party in Lot 2, North of the Old Main building. All parking for the event will be free.
    • 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. Street Dance in Lot 2 north of Old Main with music provided by a D.J.
  • Monday, August 21
    • 7:30 - 10 p.m. Party on The Oval with music provided by a D.J.
  • Wednesday, August 23
    • 8 – 10 p.m. Karaoke and Open Mic Night on The Oval
  • Thursday, August 24
    • 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. Street Dance in Lot 2 north of Old Main with music provided by a D.J.
  • Friday, August 25
    • 7 – 9 p.m. Mini Golf on The Oval

(Please forgive us for any loud noise that comes from the NDSCS Wahpeton campus that week — we are welcoming students and helping them make memories!)

In addition to student move-in and events, NDSCS Dining Services is excited to share their recent updates with students — The Wildcat Express has added a taco/burrito restaurant and a burger restaurant, and the Wildcat Dining Room has developed a whole new layout, adding a pasta bar (that includes their delicious homemade Mac ‘N Cheese!), and various other food stations. The Den has also experienced updates over the summer to make it even better for our students to hang out and grab a snack at the new c-store.

North Dakota State College of Science fall semester classes will begin Monday, August 21 at 4 p.m. for all students in Wahpeton, Fargo and Online. Students who are not yet enrolled for fall semester can still do so by contacting the Office of Admission at 701-671-2521 or online at NDSCS.edu/Apply.

NDSCS Launches New Practical Nursing Diploma and Accelerated RN Program to Address Industry Needs and Boost Career Opportunities

Nursing department
08-24-2023

North Dakota State College of Science, a leading educational institution committed to providing exceptional healthcare programs, is pleased to announce the launch of its new Practical Nursing Diploma starting in the spring of 2024. This three-semester program has been specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry and prepare students for a successful career in practical nursing.

Recognizing the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the nursing field, NDSCS is also introducing an accelerated Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Registered Nurse (RN) Program. This two-semester program is tailored for graduates of a diploma Practical Nursing (PN) program, offering an efficient pathway for further career advancement.

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of our new Practical Nursing Diploma and the accelerated RN program," says Dr. Lisa Karch, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. "These programs reflect our commitment to meeting the industry's requirements and providing our students with the best education and career opportunities."

Students pursuing the Practical Nursing Diploma will complete general education courses, laboratory instruction, and clinical instruction at local health care facilities. Throughout the diploma program, students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge through clinical rotations and coursework that covers a wide range of healthcare topics.

The introduction of the accelerated RN program enables diploma PN graduates to seamlessly transition into the AAS RN program. This program will equip students with the essential skills and expertise required to excel in the field of nursing at an accelerated pace, allowing them to take advantage of the growing opportunities and demands within the healthcare industry.

"We understand the importance of supporting our students' career aspirations," says Debra Smith, Director of Nursing Programs at NDSCS. "The accelerated RN program allows diploma PN graduates to build upon their foundation and quickly become registered nurses, contributing to the healthcare workforce more efficiently."

NDSCS takes pride in its dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art facilities that provide an immersive learning environment for aspiring healthcare professionals. With a strong emphasis on practical experience and comprehensive curriculum, students can be confident in their ability to succeed in the nursing field upon completion of these programs.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the NDSCS website at NDSCS.edu/Nursing for more information on admission requirements, application procedures, and program details.

NDSCS Nursing program graduates achieve notable success

Nursing checking patient's eyes
08-02-2023

NDSCS is excited to announce that the Spring 2023 two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Registered Nurse graduating cohort achieved a 100% first time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses).

This achievement is even more remarkable when considering that this year’s NCLEX featured the new test format known at the Next Generation NCLEX. The new Next Gen NCLEX had significant changes to the exam. The exam format changed to include case study-based questions. Each case study presented a patient scenario accompanied by six questions. The questions build on each other, requiring students to carefully consider the information provided before selecting the correct response. The new Next Gen NCLEX requires a deeper understanding of the disease process and the ability to apply knowledge effectively in relation to patient care.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The LPN to RN Nursing program is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education and become a Registered Nurse.

Visit the NDSCS Nursing website at NDSCS.edu/Nursing to learn more!

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets.