MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

March 21, 2015 

Mayville State will highlight signature programs at Legislative Showcase

 

Mayville State University will be among North Dakota’s eleven public colleges and universities present at a public showcase that will be held in the North Dakota Capitol Memorial Hall in Bismarck on Wed., March 25, 2015. Other higher education-related entities will also be represented at the event.

Each of the participating organizations will provide displays highlighting some of the high quality academic experiences and innovative new ventures taking place on the campuses, demonstrating the strengths of the each of the campuses, as well as the North Dakota University System as a whole. Mayville State’s booth will focus on what Mayville State has to offer in general, and highlight signature programs, including early childhood education, special education, the RN to BSN online nursing program, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiative.

MSU is committed to leading the state in early care and education. In doing so, the university has initiated numerous partnerships and secured a variety of funding sources to accomplish this goal, creating efficiencies with scarce resources, while providing much-needed services for the state of North Dakota.

Mayville State University is now offering a Bachelor of Science degree in special education for early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels. The program is the first undergraduate special education strategist degree available in North Dakota. All core classes within the special education area of study are available online.

Through the new RN to BSN online nursing program Mayville State is educating nurses at the baccalaureate degree level in order to equip them to better serve the health care needs of the citizens in North Dakota, where the need for nurses is great. The program is geared at accommodating the needs of working associate’s degree-level RNs who wish to continue their employment while bettering their education.

Mayville State’s P-12 STEM program addresses state and national concerns regarding the low number of students, teachers, and professionals prepared in the areas of STEM. Mayville State’s STEM program assists with these issues by implementing initiatives that impact MSU’s teacher education program, collaborative P-12 partners, and the community. Mayville State STEM sponsors STEM carnivals for pre-school to high school age students and their parents, STEM College for Kids, and STEM boot camps for educators. MSU STEM partners with UND School of Engineering and Mines, West Fargo STEM Center, and the Red River Valley Education Cooperative to provide opportunities for practicing teachers. The Educational Engineering Summer Institute is held in the summer.

Mayville State’s display at the showcase will also provide information in general about programs and opportunities available at Mayville State University. Mayville State plays a significant role in a positive future for North Dakota, and we are excited about the opportunity to showcase the great things we’re doing. Through our many collaborations and partnerships with preschool – grade 12 education, other institutions of higher education, human services and other entities; as well as distance education capabilities, we are able to have a greater impact. It is our privilege to provide services for students on our campus, and for the people in our community and area, as well as in the state of North Dakota and beyond.

Three current students will attend the showcase on behalf of Mayville State. They are Nicole Hunt from Reynolds, N.D., who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education; and Erin Olson from Grand Forks, N.D. and Kaitlynn Wilson from Greenbush, Minn., both of whom are pursuing double majors in elementary education and special education. Allison Johnson, executive director of MSU Child Development Programs and director of the grants office; Renae Bjorg, instructor in special education; and Beth Swenson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, will also represent Mayville State at the showcase. Mayville State instructor in music and science Greta Paschke will also attend the showcase, as a representative of the Council of College Faculties.

We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the great things happening at Mayville State with the legislators and others in Bismarck. We have much for which to be proud and we look forward to sharing our good news with others.