Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

All Minnesota State colleges and universities provide resources to ensure equal access to all aspects of the educational experience both inside and outside the classroom.  Accessibility resources, sometimes also known as disability student services, work with students and faculty to define and attain reasonable accommodations that make classroom content and/or out of class experiences accessible to students with disabilities.  Accessibility resources staff are well versed in the relevant law defining the responsibilities of college and universities related to accessibility and provide individualized support to students with disabilities to foster student learning and success.

Are you an accessibility resources staff member at a Minnesota State college or university?

Connect with colleagues and receive information about professional development opportunities by signing up for the accessibility resources listserv. Contact Cindy Schaekel-Byholm to be added to the listserv.

Pathway to 18

Due to clarifications for minimum faculty qualifications from our state’s regional accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, many concurrent enrollment teachers may need to enroll in graduate-level coursework in their discipline. 

All seven Minnesota State universities offer graduate programs and courses needed to meet HLC concurrent enrollment guidelines. Learn more about Pathway to 18.

What is Concurrent Enrollment?

Concurrent enrollment is a program that provides opportunities for students to earn dual credit by taking college courses on their high school campus taught by qualified and mentored high school teachers.  Under concurrent enrollment models, colleges and universities enter into contractual agreements with school districts to offer this opportunity in their high schools.

Minnesota State is committed to supporting high quality, sustainable concurrent enrollment opportunities for all Minnesota students, as it makes a college education more accessible, more affordable, and decreases time to degree completion.

Currently, 30 of our 33 colleges and universities have concurrent enrollment programs in place. The colleges and universities of Minnesota State currently provide over 80% of all concurrent enrollment credits offered across the state of Minnesota.

Not only do concurrent enrollment programs strengthen the partnership between secondary and postsecondary, they also provide significant benefits for students, families, and Minnesota communities.  Earning college credits while in high school, students enter college better prepared and familiar with college expectations.  In addition, because students and families do not pay tuition and fees for the college courses, concurrent enrollment makes college more affordable.

Research on concurrent enrollment programs have shown their positive impacts on students, both short-term and long-term. Students who participate in dual credit opportunities are more likely to enroll in and attend college, persist in college, and complete their college degree programs. Students who complete concurrent enrollment courses while in high school also shorten their time to degree completion.

Within Minnesota State:

• Three-fourths of concurrent enrollment students enroll in postsecondary institutions within two years after high school.
• In addition, concurrent enrollment students who have enrolled at our colleges and universities after high school have substantially higher persistence rates and completion rates than students who did not take concurrent enrollment courses.

National Accreditation

• The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) is the sole accrediting body for concurrent enrollment programs. By 2020-2021 all concurrent enrollment programs in Minnesota will be accredited by NACEP. As of 2017, one-third of our concurrent enrollment programs have achieved accreditation.

Minnesota State Concurrent Enrollment Providers

• Alexandria Technical and Community College
• Anoka-Ramsey Community College
• Bemidji State University
• Central Lakes College*
• Century College
• Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
• Inver Hills Community College
• Lake Superior College
• Minneapolis College
• Minnesota North College
• Minnesota State Community and Technical College*
• Minnesota State College-Southeast*
• Minnesota State University- Mankato*
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College*
• Normandale Community College
• North Hennepin Community College
• Northland Community and Technical College*
• Northwest Technical College
• Ridgewater College*
• Riverland Community College*
• Rochester Community and Technical College
• Saint Paul College
• Southwest Minnesota State University*
• South Central College
• St. Cloud State University*
• St. Cloud Technical and Community College

*Accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)

Minnesota State recognizes students have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work, and community-based experiences. That’s why our colleges and universities offer opportunities to earn academic credit for the knowledge they already possess. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or formal learning outside of the classroom. Students may have learning evaluated for academic credit, saving them time and money towards earning degrees. CPL also increases enrollment and student retention. 

Students can learn more at MinnState.edu/CPL. 

Faculty and Staff Resources 

• Board of Trustees Policy 3.35 Credit for Prior Learning
• CPL Essentials newsletter – a newsletter published every two months focusing on CPL.
• CPL Community on ASA Connect – a professional development tool.
• Join CPL Community Chat to communicate in real-time with colleagues.
• Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Network – C-PLAN is a network of Minnesota State faculty and staff that supports and serves the 26 colleges and 7 universities at Minnesota State to implement, sustain, continually improve, and innovate credit for prior learning policy and practice.

In Development 

My Credit for Prior Learning at Minnesota State (MyCPL), a new online CPL student success technology that is being rolled out in phases.

International student services advisors are critical resources assisting international students navigate the process of enrolling at Minnesota State colleges and universities and providing ongoing support for international students throughout their time in the United States.  International student services advisors are well versed in United States immigration policies and advise students, faculty, and staff on the requirements necessary for international student enrollment.  Minnesota State colleges and universities benefit significantly by the presence of international students adding to the diversity of the campus community and preparing students to succeed in a globally interdependent environment.

Contact
Paul Shepherd
Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Paul.Shepherd@MinnState.edu

Are you an international student services advisor at a Minnesota State college or university?

Connect with colleagues and receive information about professional development opportunities by signing up for the international student services listserv. Contact Cindy Schaekel-Byholm to be added to the listserv.

Minnesota State Registrars work to implement successful course registration, transcript, and academic record keeping processes.  Registrars are deeply involved in process improvement efforts and policy related discussions to develop best practices and ensure compliance with Minnesota State Board Policy 5.12: Tuition and Fee Due Dates, Refunds, Withdrawals, and Waivers and a variety of state and federal laws.

Contact:
Christopher Halling
System Director for Financial Aid
christopher.halling@minnstate.edu

Are you a Registrar at a Minnesota State college or university?

Connect with colleagues and receive information about professional development opportunities by signing up for the registrars' listserv. Contact Cindy Schaekel-Byholm to be added to the listserv.

Paul Shepherd
Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Paul.Shepherd@MinnState.edu

Shawn Anderson
Interim System Director for Student Development and Success
Shawn.Anderson@MinnState.edu

Christopher Halling
System Director for Financial Aid
Christopher.Halling@MinnState.edu

Gary Hunter
System Director for Policy, Procedure, and Intellectual Property
Gary.Hunter@MinnState.edu

Kate Noelke 
Director for Student Mental Health and Wellness
Kate.Noelke@MinnState.edu

Ali Pickens-Opoku
System Director for Strategic Enrollment Management
Ali.Pickens-Opoku@MinnState.edu

Gina Sobania
Director of Military, Veteran, and Adult Learner Services
Gina.Sobania@MinnState.edu

Cindy Schaekel-Byholm
Administrative Assistant
Cindy.Byholm@MinnState.edu 

Student government advisors provide assistance and support to elected student leaders at all Minnesota State colleges and universities.  Student government organizations exist at all Minnesota State colleges and universities. Student leaders play a crucial role in college and university decision making in accordance with Minnesota State Board Policy 2.3: Student Involvement in Decision Making.  Advisors serve as important links between student government leaders, college and university administration, state-wide student associations, and Minnesota State system office personnel. 

Contact
Paul Shepherd
Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Paul.Shepherd@MinnState.edu

Are you a student government advisor at a Minnesota State college or university?

Connect with colleagues and receive information about professional development opportunities by signing up for the student government advisors listserv. Contact Cindy Schaekel-Byholm to be added to the listserv.

Involvement in experiences outside of the classroom, such as participation in student organizations, campus events, and service opportunities, has been found to increase academic performance and persistence to degree completion.  Student Life professionals at Minnesota State colleges and universities create experiences designed to foster learning and the development of skills helpful in preparing for a career after graduation.  Student Life experiences vary by campus; however, each Minnesota State college and university offers a Student Life program consistent with Minnesota State Board Policy 2.8: Student Life. 

Contact:
Paul Shepherd
Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Paul.Shepherd@MinnState.edu

Are you a student life staff member at a Minnesota State college or university?

Connect with colleagues and receive information about professional development opportunities by signing up for the student life listserv. Contact Cindy Schaekel-Byholm to be added to the listserv.