Minneapolis College Community,
 
As we are on the heels of Transgender Day of Remembrance, we want to take a moment to recognize and remember those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance occurs every year on November 20. The day marks an opportunity to honor transgender and non-conforming individuals who have been killed simply for existing in their gender identities. This year alone, there have been at least 32 individuals whose lives have been taken.
 

Write Like Us fellowships were awarded to four Minneapolis College BIPOC creative writing students.

Jo Gambill-Read, Kaija Long Crow, Leticia Lopez, and Lucas Mangelsdorf were selected for year-long residencies with local BIPOC writers LM Brimmer, Nicola Koh, Michael Kleber-Diggs, and Taiwana Shambley.

Minneapolis College works to anchor its decisions, programs and services around student needs, creating a climate that supports personal agency and invites participation in the college community.

Alumna Janet Metcalf was hoping for economic and job security when she received her Machine Tool Certification in 1982.

“I knew that if I had a certificate from the program (then the Minneapolis Technical Institute), my qualifications would not be questioned for jobs in the machine tool industry.” 

Bayla McDougal, M.A., L.A.D.C., a member of the Minneapolis College Addiction Counseling faculty, was awarded the 2022 Educator of the Year Award by Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH) at its annual conference Oct. 24–26 at Saint Paul RiverCentre. 

Access to affordable childcare is essential for many community college students. The U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program provides colleges with funds to run campus-based child care services or offer students grants toward off-campus options.

This fall, Xcel Energy continued its legacy of supporting Minneapolis College with a $50,000 grant—more than double their contribution from last year.

“One of the Xcel Energy Foundation’s main focus areas is to support STEM career pathways for people of color and women,” said Sam Holsen, Manager, Social Investments & Foundation. “With 40 percent of the company’s workforce eligible to retire over the next 10 years, and to achieve our 100% carbon-free strategy by 2050, it’s imperative to invest in the next generation of STEM learners.”

According to the Community College Research Center at Columbia University, Guided Pathways is a whole-college redesign model intended to help students explore, choose, plan, and complete programs aligned with their career and education goals efficiently and affordably. Hundreds of colleges throughout the nation are implementing Guided Pathways reforms to improve student completion rates, close equity gaps, and increase enrollments in today’s competitive environment.

The Power of Dreams Breakfast was held on Thursday, October 13, to honor the fall scholarship recipients, donors, community partners, business leaders, and friends. The annual event is hosted by the Minneapolis College Foundation.

This year, well over 500 students will receive more than half a million dollars in scholarships to attend Minneapolis College. The average scholarship award is $2,000 and covers roughly one-third of the total cost of tuition and fees for one year.

Fred Williamson is optimistic for future generations of tradespeople. To help ensure success for students, he established the Fred C. Williamson HVAC Workforce Development Scholarship, which will grant 10 awards of $2,500 each annually to 10 students in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) program. Scholarships will be matched by the State of Minnesota’s Workforce Development Scholarship.