Challenging life experiences including dropping out of high school twice, housing insecurity, and low wage jobs fueled alum Carolyn Parker’s strong desire to achieve success both academically and in her career. So, in January 2012, when she was hit by a van as she crossed the street heading to her first day of classes at Minneapolis College, she moved gracefully through the unexpected setback, persevering through health challenges, ultimately finishing the semester that set her on an amazing journey.

Miki Huntington, political science faculty, and Jonathan “Doc” Lofgren, Addiction Counseling faculty, were named 2025 Outstanding Educators by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. 

These awards are conferred annually to college and university teaching faculty and university administrative service faculty to acknowledge and provide systemwide recognition for consistently superior commitment to student learning and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence at the colleges and universities of Minnesota State.

Career and technical education (CTE) students from across Minnesota brought home medals and honors from the 2025 SkillsUSA Minnesota State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC), held April 4–5, 2025.

This annual state championship event highlighted the talents of Minnesota's top CTE students. A total of 555 student members from 25 schools competed in 57 trade, technical, and leadership contests. 

There's a renewed excitement for basketball on the Minneapolis College campus, thanks to the rechartered Student Basketball Club, which returned in the fall of 2023. With a dedicated ten-member team, the club has brought talent, energy, and enthusiasm back to the Bowman Gymnasium and beyond.

In addition to their participation in two Student vs. Staff games, where they dominated the employee and alumni teams in 2023 and 2024, the team has also emerged victorious in two Metro League tournaments!

ReUp Education, a national leader in reenrolling college stopouts, has launched a new partnership with Minneapolis College, Saint Paul College, and Metropolitan State University to help adult learners in the Twin Cities return to college, complete their degrees, and unlock new career opportunities. 

Kristen McCoy has been an upcycler for 29 years, and is equal parts designer, upcycler, tailor, and problem-solver. She is of the belief that vintage is the most glamorous form of eco-friendly clothing and if something in your closet is too small, damaged, or out of date, it can be repurposed into a creative piece you’ll be proud to show.

Imagine being in the middle of a critical, time-intensive project and you need a large industrial machining provider. Depending on the scope of the work, you may consider having it done offsite, but that isn’t always practical, possible, or efficient. 

The Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Fund is known throughout Minneapolis College for helping students meet basic needs such as one-time emergency expenses, transportation costs, food, and fees related to taking certification exams after graduation.

Recognizing the importance of providing emergency grants and seeing first-hand how a financial hardship impacted some of the dedicated students in the Nursing Program where he was teaching, faculty member Paul Bernstein encouraged the start of a RAK Fund designated for Nursing students. 

Minneapolis College is pleased to announce that WCCO reporter Reg Chapman will serve as the emcee for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony on May 19 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

A Gulf War veteran, Chapman earned his Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting, multiple Associated Press awards, and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists. Additionally, the YMCA has recognized him as a Black Achiever.

Minneapolis College is known as a place where students can map out their future and earn an education designed to take them to the places they want to go in life. It offers affordable pathways to high-quality degrees, diplomas, certificates, and more.