MCTC is a statewide leader in collaborating through public and private partnerships that foster professional growth of the workforce and help strengthen the local economy and our community. Partners are a key link in our efforts to reach out to employers.Business representatives, non-profits and individuals provide insight and knowledge that ensure our educational offerings meet the needs of our community, and prepare students to live and work in a democratic society within a global community.
Some of the important partnerships we have developed include:
The Power of YOU initiative is a collaboration among MCTC, Saint Paul College, Metropolitan State University, and numerous partners to increase the college participation and graduation rates of Minneapolis and St. Paul high school graduates through scholarships and enhanced support services.
With endorsements from the Minnesota Business Partnership and the City of Lakes Chamber of Commerce, we are working closely with partners that include: YCMA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, African American Family Services, NorthPoint Heath and Wellness Center, Page Education Foundation, Hospitality House Youth Directions, Circle of Discipline, Achieve!Minneapolis, Minneapolis Public Schools, St. Paul Public Schools, YMCA of Greater St. Paul, Neighborhood House, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Significant financial support from the General Mills Foundation, Medtronic Foundation, St. Paul Travelers Foundation, the Linda and Lawrence Perlman Family Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation, the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone and others has made this initiative a reality for hundreds of students.
The Institute for Computer Security and Forensics is a federally sponsored initiative to provide cyber security workforce education and investigatory training for law enforcement, justice system, and information technology professionals represented not-for-profit organizations. As a leader in Minnesota in the education and training of law enforcement officers, and with the recent selection as a Center of Excellence by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for Strategic Information Systems and Security - along with Metropolitan State University and Inver Hills Community College - MCTC is poised to train a new generation of skilled workers in information assurance and computer forensics.
Working with Bemidji State University and six other community and technical colleges, the Consortium for Manufacturing and Applied Engineering is assisting Minnesota manufacturers and K-12 educators in the development of innovative processes to enhance our manufacturing labor force to be more competitive in the global economy.
The Health Careers Partnership (HCP) has been one of the nation's largest and most successful hospital-based workforce development programs. Through this partnership with Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), North Memorial Hospital, and Project for Pride in Living (PPL) our College has enrolled nearly 1,000 students into education programs for high-vacancy health care jobs.
We are honored that this partnership has been awarded the prestigious Bellwether Award by the Community College Futures Assembly, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees Outstanding Achievement Award for Academic Innovation and Collaboration, and also was recognized as a finalist for the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Partnership Award.
Our Urban Teacher Program has partnered with the Minneapolis Public Schools to address the needs and challenges of teaching in our urban schools. An innovative grant from the Best Buy Children's Foundation has expanded this partnership to the Richfield Public Schools. Additionally, the Urban Teacher Program was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in the distinguished TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award, which recognizes exceptional programs designed to enhance undergraduate teaching and learning.
The Lake Street Center, a site for immigrant-focused entrepreneurialism training and career advancement, is an important economic development initiative with partners that include Goodwill/EasterSeals, the Neighborhood Redevelopment Center, the City of Minneapolis, Hewlett Packard Corporation and local community development centers.
Our Financial Services Institute with U.S. Bancorp provided education and career ladder opportunities for over 200 new immigrants, while also addressing the banking needs and opportunities for our newest citizens.
In coordination with the Somali Family Services organization, Minneapolis Community and Technical College has established a "sister institution" partnership with Puntland State University in Somalia. MCTC's role as home to many students from Somalia supports our effort to establish this partnership, both in terms of serving our students in Minneapolis but also extending our reach into a country reestablishing itself after years of war and social devastation. With significant financial support from MoneyGram International, MCTC has successfully raised funds to provide full scholarships for 30 students to attend Puntland State University. Additionally, MCTC faculty are collaborating to determine cross-cultural coursework opportunities for both institutions.
For information or to participate in one of these or other partnerships, please contact Reede Webster.
