The Gene Haas Foundation (GHF) has awarded a $36,000 grant to support the Precision Machining Technology department at the North Dakota State College of Science. The funds will be used to award scholarships to current and future NDSCS Precision Machining Technology students. Representatives from Productivity, Inc. visited to present the check on behalf of the Gene Haas Foundation. 

An additional $18,000 was received as a result of the North Dakota 1:2 Challenge Grant - that will be awarded to incoming students ($2,000 each to 9 students) in the fall of 2022. 

This year's grant follows a tradition of giving from the Gene Haas Foundation. From 2018-2020, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded $100,000 with 64 students benefiting from these scholarships. 

The purpose of the Gene Haas Foundation is to build skills in the machining industry by providing scholarships for CNC Machine Technology students and NIMS Credentials. The Gene Haas Foundation was founded in 1999 by Gene Haas, the owner of Haas Automation, Inc., America's leading builder of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tools. 

NDSCS became one of the first Haas Technology Education Center's (HTEC) in the United States. The Gene Haas Foundation has consistently provided scholarships to NDSCS for over 10 years. Interim President Harvey Link says, "This is a result of excellent teaching, dedication to the industry and company partnerships."

Students in the NDSCS Precision Machining Technology program learn about CNC programming, CNC set-up and operation, production machining, mold-making, die-making, toolmaking and automated manufacturing. Additional, information about the NDSCS Precision Machining Technology program can be found online at ndscs.edu/machining.

The North Dakota State College of Science has named 413 students to its fall semester 2021 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 credits with letter grades. The honorees are listed in alphabetical order below:

A

Owen Aakre, Agriculture
Tyler Adam, Electrical Technology
Bailey Adams, Business Management
Ty Alber, Agriculture
Gracee Albertson, Registered Nursing
Chad Alfson, Plumbing
Alyssa Allen, John Deere Tech
Dane Alvarico, Liberal Arts
Madison Anderson, Agriculture
Sebastian Anderson, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Tiffany Arndt, Occupational Therapy
Audrey Ashbach, Liberal Arts
Bruce Aufderhaar, Electrical Technology
Hudson Awender, Automotive Technology

B

Lily Baldwin, Liberal Arts
Taylor Balsdon, Practical Nursing
Gavin Balvitsch, Agriculture
Holly Bandemer, Dental Hygiene
Jacob Barbot, Diesel Technology
Tyler Barnhardt, Emergency Medical Services
Christopher Baumann, Diesel Technology
Katie Baumann, Business Management
Nicole Bayer, Health Information
Colby Beaton, Liberal Arts
Torie Beaver, Business Management
Kolby Becker, Agriculture
Ronald Becker, Business Management
Chase Beernaert, Diesel Technology
Kyra Bellew, Dental Hygiene
Eli Belschner, Emergency Medical Services
Jacob Bense, Auto Body Repair & Refinishing
Brayden Berg, Diesel Technology
Tanielle Berg, Dental Hygiene
Matthew Bergh, Powersports Technology
Austin Berlinger, John Deere Tech
Joseph Best, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Seth Bettenhausen, Diesel Technology
Sabrena Bhandari, Liberal Arts
Justin Bickler, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Emily Bina, Dental Assisting
Mattea Binstock, Liberal Arts
Rebekah Blazek, Business Management
Madeleine Bleess, Registered Nursing
Cole Bonn, Welding Technology
Jacob Boots, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Jacy Bopp, Agriculture
Katlin Borgen, Emergency Medical Services
Takudzwa Bosha, Liberal Arts
Chase Braun, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Jacob Bredeson, Welding Technology
Nathan Brekel, Diesel Technology
Joseph Brezina, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Colby Briggs, John Deere Tech
Christopher Broeren, Liberal Arts
Melanie Brown, Registered Nursing
Phoenix Brown, Dental Assisting
Jacob Brown Jr, Welding Technology
Matthew Brummund, John Deere Tech
Seth Brunelle, Electrical Technology
Dylan Bruner, Construction Management Technology
Dylan Brusseau, Auto Body Repair & Refinishing
Peter Bryn, Agriculture
Andrew Buchholz, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Cole Buffington, Diesel Technology
Josie Buhr, Liberal Arts
Jacob Burch, Welding Technology
Saraya Burgeson, Dental Hygiene
Shadera Burian, Welding Technology

C

Abram Carlson, Robotic Auto Mechatronics Tech
Andrew Carlson, Welding Technology
Austin Carlson, Agriculture
Brady Carlson, Agriculture
Ethan Carruth, Diesel Technology
Jayden Carter, Automotive Technology
Tiffany Caspers, Liberal Arts
Cole Chapin, Electrical Technology
Casey Chonko, Diesel Technology
Jonah Christensen, Agriculture
Abby Christofferson, Dental Hygiene
Jenkins Cloud, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Zachary Colemer, Construction Management Technology
Marc Collins, Agriculture
Zachary Condon, Diesel Technology
Joseph Connelly, Welding Technology
Kelsey Cook, Practical Nursing
Aiden Copeland, Welding Technology
Laurie Cren, Liberal Arts
Calyn Crockett, Liberal Arts
Taylor Crohn, Powersports Technology
Nicholas Crommett, John Deere Tech
Noah Cunningham, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Ethan Curtis, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology

D

Tracey Danielson, Registered Nursing
Kylie Davis, Occupational Therapy
Paige De La Hunt, Dental Hygiene
Eric Dehler, Welding Technology
Emily Demme, Dental Hygiene
Micah Demmer, Plumbing
Hunter Denault, John Deere Tech
Ruari Devlin, Precision Machining Technology
Emily Devries, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Dalton Deyonge, John Deere Tech
Mikael Dickens, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Karson Dobmeier, Agriculture
Holden Droog, Precision Machining Technology

E

Austin Eastman, Plumbing
Amanda Edwards, Registered Nursing
Thea Eklund, Liberal Arts
Luke Elkins, John Deere Tech
Kaitlyn Emmil, Dental Hygiene
Jackson Enevoldsen, Electrical Technology
Mckenzie Ensrud, Practical Nursing
Jacy Entzi, Dental Hygiene
Wyatt Erdmann, Agriculture
Glen Erickson, Building Construction Technology
Hailey Espe, Practical Nursing
Annah Evavold, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Jason Everett, Diesel Technology

F

Cole Felchle, Diesel Technology
Tristyn Ferguson, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Dominick Finnearty, Robotic Auto Mechatronics Tech
Danielle Fitzner, Dental Hygiene
August Fleck, Electrical Technology
Conner Flemmer, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Jennifer Flemmer, Pharmacy Technician
Noelle Forstner, Liberal Arts
Duncan Foss, Liberal Arts
Chase Fossum, Agriculture
Grace Foster, Liberal Arts
Jolene Fradette, Dental Hygiene
Colton Frankl, Liberal Arts
Landon Frederick, Electrical Technology
Courtney Fredrickson, Business Management
Faith Fredrickson, Business Management
Tate Freeberg, Electrical Technology
Josiah Frei, Automotive Technology
Mckenna Freier, Dental Hygiene
Carly Froshaug, Agriculture

G

Marcos Garcia, Agriculture
Dalton Gartner, Diesel Technology
Ashley Gilbertson, Occupational Therapy
Jeric Giwoyna, Electrical Technology
Kazanne Gjermundson, Dental Hygiene
Mackenzie Gleason, Business Management
Brook Glynn, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Amy Gonzalez, Liberal Arts
Kole Graber, Agriculture
Hunter Gronneberg, Agriculture
Judson Guericke, Precision Machining Technology
Mason Gustafson, Electrical Technology
Jayden Gylsen, John Deere Tech

H

Thomas Hagge, Electrical Technology
Brittney Hall, Occupational Therapy
Matthew Hanel, John Deere Tech
Andrew Hansen, Liberal Arts
Kylie Hanson, Practical Nursing
Rachel Haycraft, Health Information
Benjamin Heger, Agriculture
Robert Heinrich Jr., Powersports Technology
Jacob Henderson, John Deere Tech
Garen Hendrickson, John Deere Tech
David Henry, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Mason Herbranson,  Agriculture
Andrea Herman, Liberal Arts
Sean Hermes, Liberal Arts
Camden Hett, Unmanned Air Systems
Jayden Hicks, Welding Technology
Amanda Hiner, Liberal Arts
Madison Hoehne, Liberal Arts
Lianna Hoffer, Dental Hygiene
Shayne Hoffman, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Garret Honkomp, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Tyler Hook, Welding Technology
Sean Huber, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Ben Hulm, Liberal Arts
Nikolas Hunchak, Business Management

I

Nicholas Ill, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Marcus Iverson, Diesel Technology

J

Daniel Iwerks-Johnson, Welding Technology
Loren Jacobson, Business Management
Morgan Jacobson, Practical Nursing
Kylee Jansen, Liberal Arts
Myah Jelinek, Business Management
Grant Jensen, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Lianna Jepson, Electrical Technology
Ethan John, Liberal Arts
Allison Johnson, Dental Hygiene
Andrew Johnson, Robotic Auto Mechatronics Tech
Isaac Johnson, Liberal Arts
Mckenzie Johnson, Occupational Therapy
Megan Johnson, Liberal Arts
Trevor Johnson, Welding Technology
Carter Johnson Sr., Emergency Medical Services
Parker Jones, Liberal Arts
Gideon Joos, Agriculture
Troy Jorgenson, Agriculture

K

Taylalyn Kaczmar, Emergency Medical Services
Drew Kallock, Diesel Technology
Megan Kardell, Registered Nursing
Cole Kautzman, Agriculture
Ethan Kelley, Registered Nursing
Jordan Kellington, Diesel Technology
Cade Kelsen, Robotic Auto Mechatronics Tech
Michael Kent, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Makena Kenyon, Agriculture
Lucas Kies, Auto Body Repair & Refinishing
James Killian, Diesel Technology
Wyatt Klavon, Mechanical Systems
Alison Koenen, Dental Hygiene
Kasey Kolden, Powersports Technology
Kristy Kollman, Agriculture
Ambah Kowcun, Liberal Arts
Dalton Kral, John Deere Tech
Brooklyn Kranz, Dental Hygiene
Casey Kremke, Construction Management Technology
Lauren Krieger, Dental Assisting
Brady Kroll, Plumbing
Jaiden Kruse, Dental Hygiene
Jesse Kruse, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Amanda Kuchar, Occupational Therapy
Kiley Kuehl, Dental Hygiene
Darren Kunkel, Diesel Technology

L

Logan Ladwig, Powersports Technology
Zachary Lahlum, Powersports Technology
Wyatt Lako, Robotic Auto Mechatronics Tech
Grace Lamberson, Culinary Arts
Anna Lapka, Dental Hygiene
Chance Larson, Electrical Technology
Sara Larson, Dental Hygiene
Sterling Larson, Diesel Technology
Aidan Lebrija, John Deere Tech
Anne Liebl, Agriculture
Jeremy Liljenquist, Diesel Technology
Wyatt Lockwood, Diesel Technology
Juan Lodu, Liberal Arts
Josiah Loegering, Diesel Technology
Brooke Longnecker, Dental Hygiene
Riley Lorenz, Occupational Therapy
Thomas Lund, Electrical Technology
Brett Lunde, Precision Machining Technology
Bret Lysne, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology

M

Bodey Macisaac, Diesel Technology
Joseph Mailey, Emergency Medical Services
Emily Maki, Culinary Arts
Kwaje Malula, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Logan Mammenga, Business Management
Dylan Mandt, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Aaron Marchand, Registered Nursing
Cody Marohl, Diesel Technology
Megan Marriage, Dental Hygiene
Austin Martell, Diesel Technology
Pablo Martinez III, Precision Machining Technology
Brett Massie, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Bo Massner, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Bridger Mathern, Plumbing
Carson Mattern, Electrical Technology
Gavin Mautz, Agriculture
Dylan McArthur, Culinary Arts
Nickolas McDonnell, John Deere Tech
Aaron Medenwaldt, Unmanned Air Systems
Bree Meehl, Registered Nursing
Casara Messner, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Levi Metcalf, Agriculture
Haley Middendorf, Liberal Arts
Ryan Miller, Agriculture
Allison Mitteness, Registered Nursing
Bryce Moe, Construction Management Technology
Payton Moe, John Deere Tech
Derrick Morasko, Electrical Technology
Hunter Moreland, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Alex Moritz, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Mya Mosolf Siek, Liberal Arts
Cale Mouser, Diesel Technology
Grant Mundahl, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Logan Myers, Liberal Arts

N

Kya Navratil, Liberal Arts
Emma Nelson, Liberal Arts
Logan Nelson, Electrical Technology
Lucas Nelson, Welding Technology
Anna Ness, Liberal Arts
Robert Nies, Welding Technology
Elijah Noel, Emergency Medical Services
Jessica Novotny, Dental Assisting
Hannah Nyland, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology

O

Libby O'Neil, Dental Hygiene
Steven Obregon, Liberal Arts
Spencer Oen, Emergency Medical Services
Megan Offerdahl,  Automotive Technology
Harrison Ogidi, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Morgan Olson, Registered Nursing
Kwabena Oppong, Electrical Technology
Nkemdirim Orjinta, Emergency Medical Services
Bailee Otterness, Dental Hygiene
Carter Oxton, Electrical Technology

P

Shailyn Pachel, Business Management
Andrew Palan, Automotive Technology
Ryland Pauly, Welding Technology
Kaden Percel-Klein, Diesel Technology
Brooke Peters, Liberal Arts
Kacey Peterson, Liberal Arts
Quintin Peterson, Electrical Technology
Sean Peterson, Business Management
Zachary Peterson, Diesel Technology
Wesley Peyerl, Electrical Technology
Jake Pfaff, Automotive Technology
Dustin Portales, Technical Studies
Lita Prellwitz, Diesel Technology
Logan Prochnow, Building Construction Technology

R

Carly Raap, Dental Hygiene
Stella Raser, Registered Nursing
Grace Reep, Liberal Arts
Tristan Reff, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology
James Rehbein, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Nicholas Richter, Agriculture
Tabitha Roberson, Associate in Science in Nursing
Samuel Roehl, Electrical Technology
McKenna Rolland, Practical Nursing
Allison Roorda, Liberal Arts
Kristian Roth, John Deere Tech
Timothy Runnoe, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology

S

Daven Russell, Welding Technology
Ashton Sagaser, Dental Assisting
Christian Sallade, Electrical Technology
Kayla Sautner, Dental Hygiene
Dylan Schaaf, Diesel Technology
Wendy Schaefer, Health Information
Jordan Schaper, Diesel Technology
Slade Schatz, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Micah Scherer, Electrical Technology
Mac Scheuble, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Shawna Scheurer, Liberal Arts
Morgan Schlosser, Pharmacy Technician
Breanne Schmidt, Dental Hygiene
Jacob Schmidt, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Thomas Schmiedeberg, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Ellie Schmitz, Business Management
Grant Schneider, John Deere Tech
Everett Schubert, John Deere Tech
Lane Schuler, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Ellie Schumacher, Liberal Arts
Marlee Schweitzer, Dental Hygiene
Jacob Seelye, Diesel Technology
Ellie Seidler, Registered Nursing
Benjamin Shook, Building Construction Technology
Andrew Sip, Agriculture
Adam Skalsky, Welding Technology
Asaiah Smith, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Dawson Smith, Agriculture
Lance Smith, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology
Gabrielle Snell, Dental Hygiene
Tiann Snell, Dental Hygiene
Jessica St. Martin, Agriculture
David Stamm, John Deere Tech
Will Steffes, Agriculture
Jonathan Steinbach, Architectural Drafting & Estimating Technology
Nora Stevens, Plumbing
Sarah Stoen, Robotic Auto Mechatronics Tech
Gentry Stotler Dorwart, Plumbing
Faith Stowers, Dental Hygiene
Wade Strande, Agriculture
Katelyn Strauss, Building Construction Technology
Parker Strege, Liberal Arts
Grace Stumpf, Culinary Arts
Aaron Sullivan, Caterpillar Dealer Service
Eric Susa, Diesel Technology
Brianna Switzler, Practical Nursing
Nathanael Syverson, Diesel Technology

T

Ivane Tensaie, Liberal Arts
Clark Thielges, Electrical Technology
Luke Thompson, Welding Technology
Tyler Tollefson, Agriculture
Blake Torfin, Liberal Arts
Mackenna Toyne, Agriculture
Jennie Tran, Liberal Arts
Luke Trebil, Business Management
Jared Tritz, Automotive Technology
Jacob Trout, Welding Technology
Shea Truesdell, Diesel Technology

U

Eric Ullrich, Diesel Technology
Jack Unruh, Welding Technology

V

Destiny Vadnie,  Dental Hygiene
Cora Vagle, Liberal Arts
Quentin Van Beck, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology
Kristopher Vandemark, Diesel Technology
Brady Volk, John Deere Tech
Sonya Voll, Health Information
Morgan Vosberg, Practical Nursing

W

Alexander Wallin, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Isabel Wedell, Emergency Medical Services
Ty Weller, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology
Jacob Welter, Diesel Technology
Braydn Wensloff, Diesel Technology
Karter Wensmann, Electrical Technology
Gracie Whitlock, Business Management
Jayden Wiertzema, Liberal Arts
Katie Willprecht, Practical Nursing
Lindsey Wilz, Dental Hygiene
Cameron Winstead, Building Construction Technology
Adrianna Winter, Business Management
Ethan Witt, Automotive Technology
Cassie Witte, Registered Nursing
Alex Wolfe, Diesel Technology
Adam Wolff, Building Construction Technology
Jochum Wollmuth, John Deere Tech
Alexander Woytassek, Electrical Technology
Timothy Wright, Automotive & Diesel Master Technology
Zachary Wulfekuhle, Land Surveying & Civil Engineering Technology

Y

Preston Yohnke, Liberal Arts
Nathan Young, Electrical Technology
Walker Young, Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics Technology

Z

Joseph Zaharia, Agriculture
Audrey Zenzen, Dental Hygiene
Karsyn Zilmer, Diesel Technology

Grant is part of more than $62.5 million given to first responder organizations across the U.S. by Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

The past year and a half have been difficult for many, impacting first responders and communities across the country. As we continue to battle health crises and natural disasters, front-line heroes constantly expose themselves to dangerous situations, creating a need for updated lifesaving equipment.

Recognizing this need, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation® continues to be a valuable resource for first responders across the nation and recently provided a $32,722 grant to North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) Alumni Foundation for NDSCS Police. The funding will be applied toward the purchase of eight portable radios and accessories which will be used to ensure greater lifesaving capabilities for first responders in the community.

“We are grateful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in Fargo for awarding us this grant,” said Whitney Link, Lieutenant at NDSCS. “By providing these state-of-the-art portable radios and accessories, our police officers will be able to better communicate with partnering agencies and help the people of Wahpeton during emergency situations, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

During the most recent grant cycle, the Foundation awarded 126 grants to public safety organizations nationwide. The 126 grants totaling nearly $2.7 million were given to organizations in need of critical lifesaving equipment and resources.

To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) honored numerous employees at the State of the College Address on September 21, 2021. Faculty and staff members were named recipients of the College’s Excellence in Teaching Award and Excellence in Service Award as well as the College’s LIFE and Steeple awards.

The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes instructors who, among other outstanding characteristics, stimulate present and continuing interest in the subject matter, present courses so that the topics are clear, suitable and well-integrated, and demand rigorous thought and generate enthusiastic responses from the students while achieving course objectives. The honorees include:

• Vance Harthun: Associate Professor, Welding Technology
• Mike Redding: Associate Professor, Diesel Technology
• Amy Medhaug: Instructor, Nursing
• J. Whitmore: Instructor, Culinary Arts

The Excellence in Service Award recognizes employees who consistently go above and beyond every day and exemplify the College’s values of learning, integrity, flexibility and excellence. All NDSCS staff members are eligible to be nominated. The honorees include:

• Nick Kraft: HVAC Systems Lead, Facilities Management
• Dean Kappes: Building Services Technician, Facilities Management
• Rhonda Dehmlow: Dining Services Worker, Auxiliary Services
• Lisa Braun: Business Specialist, Information Technology Services

This year’s LIFE award recognized the NDSCS Human Resources department. The recipients included Sandi Gilbertson, Executive Director of Human Resources, Amy Keller, Human Resources Manager and Shirley Fox-Trydahl, Human Resource Administrative Assistant. The award stands for “Bringing LIFE to NDSCS” and is presented to an individual, employee group or committee that exemplifies the NDSCS LIFE (Leadership, Integrity, Flexibility and Excellence) values by demonstrating and practicing the NDSCS Quality Standards. This can be done with an event, project or activity that reflects these areas.

Gilbertson and her team had to exhibit a high level of flexibility in order to deal with the challenges of COVID-19, including multiple new human resource situations caused by the unprecedented COVID pandemic. The NDSCS Human Resources department effectively communicated college-wide essential information, while delivering remarkable customer service.

This year’s Steeple award was presented to staff within the NDSCS Facilities Management department. The recipients included Facilities Management staff Kari Hasbargen, Brenda Korinek and Dawn Jirak. The Steeple award stands for “Climbing New Heights” and is presented to an individual, employee group or committee for new and innovative methods to accomplish their role on campus. Hasbargen, Korinek and Jirak received this award for their involvement in three different projects: enhancement of employee on-boarding process, adoption of a simplified process for tool inventory, and identifying practices to effectively reduce warehouse inventory.

Fall enrollment numbers are now official at the North Dakota State College of Science. Total student enrollment is 2,802, which includes Wahpeton, Fargo, Online and Early Entry students.

The College saw an increase in the total number of credits in which students are enrolled, while the official headcount is a decrease of about 1% when compared to the fall 2020 enrollment of 2,829.

“We continue to see students coming to us because of the full college experience we offer,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “NDSCS continuously makes adjustments to fulfill our mission by providing our students the opportunity to learn in the mode that best fits their needs – including while in high school.”

New students to NDSCS (part-time, full-time, transfer) students increased 2.8% from Fall 2020. There was a slight decrease in the number of students taking classes face-to-face at the NDSCS Wahpeton location; however, the percentage of students living on campus increased 3.6% with 869 students living in a residence hall or campus apartment.

The enrollment data shows 907 students taking early entry courses, a 4.9% increase over 2020. An additional 462 students are taking classes at multiple NDSCS locations, or through a combination of in-person and online instruction, a 1.9% increase from 2020.

Students from North Dakota comprise 70% of NDSCS enrollment, with 47 of the state’s 53 counties represented.

The NDSCS Division for Workforce Affairs, in conjunction with TrainND Southeast, has partnered with Microsoft to offer UpskillingND to support job seekers looking to build their skills for in-demand careers. UpskillingND utilizes self-paced virtual curriculum to learn new technology skills for in-demand jobs and earn certifications. This program provides a flexible learning experience for individuals looking to change their career path or want to enhance their skills, including individuals who have been displaced or are facing barriers to employment due to COVID-19. The five-week program is available at no cost to participants and starts October 18, 2021 and ends November 23, 2021.

UpskillingND participants work at their own pace through the five-week curriculum. In addition to the virtual training sessions, group and individual meetings with mentors are provided, and customized workshops with industry experts are offered. Participants will have access to the following: self-paced virtual curriculum from LinkedIn Learning to gain skills enabling participants to earn certifications and badges; one-on-one support from experienced coaches, support with interview skills and resumé writing; support from a network of peers; connections to local companies seeking employees with these skills.

“UpskillingND is an opportunity for individuals to better themselves,” said UpskillingND Coach Sanchez-Dekarske. “I would encourage anyone, at any facet in their career, to consider this program. It can be a new beginning to refresh on things you already know and learn new skills to open up your world.”

“Often times people feel this program is too good to be true, says TrainND Program Manager Mary Beth Burns. “Due to generous donations from our business partners, this program is offered to participants at no cost.”

Interested individuals must complete a brief online application by Friday, October 15. The application form and additional information is available online at NDSCS.edu/UpskillingND.

Dr. Lisa Karch will join NDSCS in October 2021

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) President Dr. John Richman announced this week that Lisa Karch, Ph.D. will assume the Vice President for Instruction position on October 4, 2021.

Dr. Karch replaces Harvey Link, who retired from NDSCS mid-July after 43 years serving in various capacities at the College, with the last 16 years in a Vice President capacity. In this new position, Dr. Karch will be responsible for all academic functions of the College, technology support and infrastructure, and non-credit workforce education and training.  “Dr. Karch’s wealth of experience and strong leadership will help NDSCS continue the tradition of being one of the best two-year colleges in the United States,” said President Richman.

Most recently Dr. Karch has been a part of the Minnesota State University-Moorhead (MSUM) academic leadership team. Since 2009, she has held positions with increasing responsibility at MSUM from classroom teaching, student advising, and internship supervision as an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, to her current role as the Interim Dean of Graduate and Extended Learning. Dr. Karch has working knowledge and experience within the K-12 educational environment, both as a licensed school counselor and teacher. She holds a Ph.D. from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Human Development and Education (emphasis: counselor education and supervision), Master’s Degree in Education – School Counseling from NDSU, a K-12 Principal Licensure (Specialist Certificate) from MSUM, and Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College – Moorhead in Secondary Health Education.