The winter season has just begun and the Minneapolis College community is stepping up in significant ways to ensure students have what they need to succeed. Whether it’s a holiday food drive, a gift of warm winter clothing, a generous monetary donation, or the beautiful bolts of fabric for students enrolled in the Apparel Technologies program, our friends and neighbors are enhancing the student experience at Minneapolis College and adding light to the season. This article is our way of sharing a few of the ways our community gives back.

Minneapolis College partners with businesses, community organizations, school districts, and individuals on workforce development, service, philanthropy, and more to promote student success and advance its mission to provide access to the transformative power of education.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing $14.5 million in the inaugural set of awards through its Innovation in Two-Year College in STEM Education (ITYC) program. 

The program aims to support potentially transformative projects that will advance innovative, evidence-based practices at two-year colleges nationwide in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

To ensure they have the supports they need to succeed, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has awarded \$5.3 million in Student Parent Support Initiative Grants to 13 organizations, including \$916,930 to Minneapolis College.

Once received, the funds will be used to support the academic goals, health, and well-being of student parents. Information about how to apply for funding will be available in the coming months.

An essay by student Berni Sarazine 

Three years ago, I moved with my son to a new neighborhood. We had a nice view from our windows. I began noticing many college students heading toward Minneapolis College for classes. I reminded myself that I had promised “younger me” that I would return to school as “older me” if I still didn’t have a degree. 

In the spring of 2025, Keilan Crawford will graduate from Minneapolis College’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) Program with solid skills to diagnose problems, perform repairs, and conduct maintenance on residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. And regardless of the state of the economy, his employment will remain secure because homeowners and businesses always need trained HVACR technicians.

A Vocal Performance by Sarah M. Greer 

Minneapolis College music faculty member Sarah M. Greer will perform Heap Cull Gather Sow, at Pillsbury House + Theatre’s Naked Stages 2024 Performances Nov. 21 and 23 at 7 p.m. 

As we approach the final weeks before the election, I want to take a moment to share some thoughts that have been on my mind during this campaign season.

This year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. For those of us who are eligible, voting is a civic responsibility. I hope if you haven’t already, that each of you will embrace this responsibility. While most people are focused on the upcoming presidential election, your vote is also important in deciding who will run our state and local government.

Elizabeth Collins Moore was part of the fabric of Minneapolis College, serving as director of Black Student Support in the 1980s, where she engaged in its mission to develop and create pathways for the educational success of students of color. Through intentional programming, she supported students in developing their leadership capacity through mentoring and increased involvement in the college community, society, nation and the world.  

Founded by Lisa Clemons in 2014 and located in North Minneapolis, A Mothers’ Love Initiative addresses gun violence and domestic violence affecting African American communities through mentoring and empowering African American women, men, and children.

Throughout the year, Clemons, alongside her staff, mentors youth and provides summer employment. In the summer, youth serve the community working at different jobs sites whether it be lawncare and sorting food at food shelves.