Tag Archives: higher education

Give Kids a Smile day provides nearly $11,000 in free dental care

Posted on by

Give Kids a Smile®day at the North Dakota State College of Science provided free dental care worth nearly $11,000 to 40 area youth in early February at the NDSCS Wahpeton Campus.

Local and regional dentists, hygienists and assistants spent the day with NDSCS Allied Dental Education faculty and students to help provide services to area children in need. Services included dental exams, radiographs, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and fillings.

“It was an exciting, productive day in our dental clinic.  The event is a great educational experience for our students and we are so thankful for the help and support of area volunteers.  Their time, talent and supplies were critical to the success of this event and we are very fortunate to have their support and assistance,” said Lucinda Johnson, NDSCS GKAS Program Coordinator.

Local and regional volunteers teamed up with 40 students and five faculty and staff members from the NDSCS Dental Education team to ensure each child received a high level of dental care.

Volunteers included: dentists: Dr. Steven Diekman of West Fargo, N.D., Dr. Travis Olson of Fargo, N.D., Dr. Francis Zeck, Jr. of Lisbon, N.D., and Dr. Kenneth Weidman of Breckenridge, Minn.; hygienists: Barb Nelson and Brittany Summerville of Breckenridge, Minn., Judy McDougall and Kirsten Lathrop of Wahpeton, N.D., and Kimberly Yineman of Bismarck, N.D.  Donations were received from ADA/Henry Schein, Patterson Dental, North Dakota Dental Foundation, the participating dentists and the NDSCS Dental Department.

The total service value was estimated at $10,988.

NDSCS graduates report 99 percent placement

Posted on by

70 percent of NDSCS graduates find employment in North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science 2011 graduates are benefitting from the strong North Dakota economy.  According to information recently compiled by the NDSCS career services department, the majority of NDSCS career and technical education graduates are getting jobs and staying in North Dakota following the completion of their designated programs at the college.

According to the NDSCS 2011 Graduate Placement Report, 99 percent of 2011 graduates available for employment are employed or continuing their education with 67 percent in a field related to their training or education.  Seventy-five percent have accepted employment or are pursuing additional degrees in North Dakota.  More specifically, 2011 graduates are now employed within 32 of the 52 North Dakota counties. The survey reported 3.5 jobs for each NDSCS graduate.

Out of the 30 programs reporting, 27 programs recorded 100 percent placement. The highest paid graduate on record receives over $90,000 annually with a North Dakota employer; the annual average salary of 2011 graduates is $33,216.

“NDSCS graduates are finding excellent career opportunities right here in North Dakota and the College is privileged to offer programs for those high-demand careers, such as welding, nursing, agriculture, diesel and computer information systems,” said Dr. John Richman, NDSCS president.  “The College is dedicated to serving the workforce needs of North Dakota business and industry employers.”

The Graduate Placement Report is compiled each year by the NDSCS Career Services department.  Statistics for the 2011 Graduate Placement Report are based on information from 532 registered graduates.

A detailed report can be found at ndscs.edu/placement.

 

NDSCS enrollment surpasses 25-year high

Posted on by

North Dakota State College of Science, the two-year public college on North Dakota’s eastern border, is celebrating enrollment numbers similar to those last attained in the early 1980s.  Fall enrollment at the College has reached a 28-year high of 3,127 students, a 10.4 increase over fall 2010.  The College last saw student enrollment numbers over 3,000 in 1983.

“NDSCS has strived to make a two-year public education more accessible and attainable for traditional and non-traditional students throughout the region by offering classes in Wahpeton, in Fargo at NDSCS-Fargo and online,” said Dr. John Richman, NDSCS president. “Today’s enrollment numbers reflect the growing number of students who are becoming aware of and taking advantage of the new and diverse class formats.”

Enrollment has been increasing steadily for the last four years. 2011 fall enrollment is 294 students over last fall’s headcount of 2,833 students. Since 2007, enrollment has grown by nearly 30 percent (710 students).

“Students are looking for recession-proof careers and NDSCS offers these specific, employable degrees,” said Karen Reilly, executive director of enrollment services.  “As salaries rise with a two-year education, so does enrollment.”

“Our graduates are able to start their careers with well-paying salaries, and numerous job and advancement opportunities.  Others seek out NDSCS to benefit from small class sizes and individual attention, as they transition from high school to college,” said Richman.

On-campus housing has also experienced a boom, as students living at the Wahpeton campus increased 8.5 percent to 993 this year. This is the third consecutive year more students have chosen to live on campus.  One reason for the increase is the popular Stay & Save program that offers current students the ability to lock in housing and dining rates in the spring to avoid annual price increases for the following academic year.

“Living on campus plays an integral role in the academic achievements and personal development of our students,” commented Melissa Johnson, executive director of residence life. “As we continue to experience growth, we remain committed to providing a safe and affordable environment for each student.”

The 2011 student body includes 1,791 full-time students and 1,336 part-time students. The number of women enrolled at NDSCS continues to rise, with 1,340 enrolled this fall, roughly 43% of the total enrollment.

The enrollment data shows NDSCS continues to do an exemplary job serving North Dakota students.  NDSCS has registered students from 51 of the state’s 53 counties. The total number of students from North Dakota (2,166) comprises more than 69 percent of the student body.

Representation from neighboring states includes:  Minnesota, 22 percent; South Dakota, 2.5 percent; and Montana, 2 percent. NDSCS has students enrolled from 37 states other than North Dakota, two Canadian provinces, and nine foreign countries.

NDSCS launches NDSCS Mobile app for Android™

Posted on by

NDSCS today announced the launch of NDSCS Mobile for Android users. NDSCS Mobile lets the NDSCS community stay connected to campus whenever, wherever.

The Android app, now part of the NDSCS mobile suite that also includes apps for the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad®, offers instant mobile access to campus maps, the latest news, event calendars and more. In addition, NDSCS Mobile for the Android includes widgets, an Android-specific feature that gives users the ability to access important content directly from their phone’s home screen without even opening the app.

“With the popularity of Android devices on campus, having a native Android app is an extremely important asset for improving student engagement,” said Barbara Spaeth-Baum, executive director of College Relations and Marketing. “Now, with Android, we can reach even more of our campus community.”

NDSCS Mobile is available free on the Android, iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad® at www.ndscs.edu/mobile. You can also download NDSCS Mobile from the Android Market directly to your Android smart device.

Manufacturing jobs are in high demand

Posted on by

by Valley News Live

Area Jobs in High Demand Video

Kyle Young has known what he’s wanted to do for a long time.

Young says, “I was always very interested in manufacturing. I was interested in mostly cars and the assembly line process.”

But little did he know, his manufacturing job would be in high demand.

Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation President, Kevin McKinnon, says, “Those employers, that they have grown and that they do have the demand for their products.”

It’s a good problem with a bad reputation. At North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, one of the manufacturing program is only half full.

One reason people don’t choose manufacturing jobs is the stigmas against it where people think they’ll sit at a conveyor belt and tighten a bolt all day, but technology has changed that.

McKinnon says, “You are not manually doing heavy lifting yourself. You’re actually operating machines.”

Most jobs only take two years of school. And if all that isn’t enough to persuade you, how about around 50 thousand dollars starting pay? And with a high placement rate, you can almost guarantee yourself a high tech and stable job.

In the region, Caterpillar is expanding its plant and adding 250 new jobs in the next few years, so that means demand will be even higher. But manufacturers aren’t employer’s only hot commodity. There is also a shortage in IT, engineering and healthcare.

NDSCS launches free mobile application

Posted on by

North Dakota State College of Science has launched NDSCS Mobile, a suite of smartphone applications that gives students, staff, faculty and visitors the ability to tour the NDSCS campus, browse event calendars, get the latest news, view campus photos and more.

NDSCS developed the mobile app in partnership with Blackboard Mobile™, a division of Blackboard, Inc. Currently, NDSCS Mobile is available only for Apple® devices. An Android® version will be available in the Android Market in the very near future, followed by a version for Blackberry® users.

“We wanted to offer our students and members of our community the best in technology and access, and that means making NDSCS services and information available to mobile users,” said Dana Anderson, interactive media manager. “With NDSCS Mobile, users get on-demand access to campus information when and where they need it.”

Depending on the capabilities of the device and services available, NDSCS Mobile allows users to:

  • Search for campus buildings by name and view the relative location on GPS-enabled devices.
  • Take a virtual tour of campus from anywhere, with rich media describing campus landmarks.
  •  Browse the NDSCS calendar of events and add events directly to your personal calendar.
  •  Stream the latest NDSCS videos.
  • See NDSCS’s top campus news.
  • Browse images from NDSCS.
  • Look up campus emergency phone numbers.
  • Connect to the mobile version of the College’s learning management system.

Following the initial launch, NDSCS plans to make continual improvements to the app. A mid-year upgrade will include added apps and capabilities, such as a searchable directory and expanded interactive map features.

NDSCS Mobile can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and is compatible with the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad®.

For those who do not use a smart device, a mobile web version with much of the same information will soon be available at m.ndscs.edu. For more information on the app, visit www.ndscs.edu/mobile.

NDSCS begins 109th academic year on August 22

Posted on by

New students to participate in technology rich orientation

North Dakota State College of Science fall semester classes will begin Monday, August 22 at 4 p.m. Earlier in the day, new and transfer students will participate in orientation activities featuring a high-tech scavenger hunt of campus, using an iPod® touch and quick response (QR) codes on the Wahpeton campus.

New student orientation, an annual event held to introduce students to campus, begins with a welcome message at 9 a.m. at Frank Vertin Athletic Field. Students will break into academic divisions and attend two sessions: department orientation and the new scavenger hunt. During the scavenger hunt, students will get the opportunity to tour campus, interact with other new students and learn a few fun facts about NDSCS, using only an iPod touch and quick response (QR) codes. When the code is scanned with the iPod, students receive a clue about their next destination. Students have 90 minutes to make as many stops on the scavenger hunt as possible. Prizes will be distributed for winners and participants throughout the day.

“Our interactive, digital scavenger hunt will allow students to explore NDSCS in an exciting new way,” said Taya Spelhaug, orientation co-chair and director of student success and career services. “Potentially, we could provide over 700 students the opportunity to orient themselves to campus and learn about student services using the traditional concept of a scavenger hunt, but with a fun new twist.”

Students will get a chance to visit with area businesses during the business expo held on The Oval during the lunch hour. Orientation will conclude with a pizza party on The Oval, beginning at 5 p.m. Classes resume regular hours on Tuesday, August 23.

Any student who is not already registered for classes can do so either online or in person at NDSCS’ Enrollment Services – 800 6th St. N, Wahpeton, N.D., 58075. NDSCS offers open registration. For more information, contact Enrollment Services at 701-671-2521 or go to ndscs.edu/apply.

Three former NDSCS football players head to NFL

Posted on by

Eric Peterson | inForum.com

North Dakota State College of Science head football coach Chuck Parsons may have to add an NFL section to his office.

Three former Wildcats agreed to deals with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this week.

“It would be nice to start a wall up for the guys that are in the NFL,” Parsons said.

Parsons already hangs pictures on his office walls of players who have moved on from the junior college in Wahpeton, N.D., to four-year schools.

“I’ve been smiling from ear-to-ear all day because those guys have this opportunity now,” Parsons said. “We can use that to our advantage and as an example for our program for all the kids that come through here.”

Cornerback Josh Gatlin, who played at North Dakota State after NDSCS, offensive lineman Ricky Henry, who moved on to Nebraska, and defensive lineman Jarrett Crittenton, who moved on to Middle Tennessee State, all found NFL homes.

Gatlin signed with the New Orleans Saints, Henry with the Chicago Bears and Crittenton with the Seattle Seahawks.

“My excitement level is through the roof just because I know how hard these guys have worked from where they came from just to even have an opportunity,” Parsons said.

Parsons, who has been NDSCS head coach since 2007, said this is the first time any of his former players have signed with NFL teams.

Parsons said according to his research a handful of former Wildcats have went on to play in the NFL. Kicker Errol Mann had the most notable career, playing in the NFL from 1967-78. Mann spent his final year in the league with the Oakland Raiders. He was part of the 1976 Raiders team that won the Super Bowl in January of 1977.

NDSCS had four players off last year’s team sign with Division I programs – offensive linemen Jacob Fahrenkrug (Florida State) and Matt Williams (California), wide receiver Cecil Doe (Hawaii) and tight end Colby Kratch (Toledo).

“You just like to see your guys leave here and go on to be successful,” Parsons said. “That’s what you want for all the kids that come through here.”

Read the article at inforum.com.