March 22, 2018
Eden Prairie, Minn—Hennepin Technical College and Metropolitan State University will hold a signing event to mark the beginning of a new educational partnership that will provide a pathway for students to achieve a bachelor’s degree at the Hennepin Technical College Eden Prairie campus. The partnership joins the region’s largest provider of technical education, Hennepin Tech, with the Twin Cities’ leading resource for degree completion, Metropolitan State.
The partnership signing will take place on Thursday, March 22, at 1 p.m., in the Student Lounge at Hennepin Technical College, 13100 College View Drive, Eden Prairie. Featured speakers will include Minnesota State Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brent Glass, Hennepin Technical College President Merrill Irving, Jr. Ed.D., Metropolitan State University President Virginia "Ginny" Arthur, J.D., Hennepin Technical College Provost Carmen Coballes-Vega, Ph.D., Metropolitan State University Provost Amy Gort, Ph.D., and Hennepin Technical College student senate president Brandon Machtemes. Students, faculty, and community leaders will also be in attendance.
“This partnership will provide clear and accessible pathways to achieving a four-year degree,” said Hennepin Technical College President Dr. Merrill Irving. “High school students can begin college knowing that they can first earn their associate’s degree, and then achieve their bachelor’s degree—all on the same campus. Returning students who live in the southwest metro can complete their four-year degree without a commute.”
“Today’s launch means unprecedented access to career opportunities for residents of the southwest metro region,” says Metropolitan State University President Virginia Arthur. “Metropolitan State is excited to extend its offering of bachelor’s degree completion programs to Hennepin Technical College’s Eden Prairie campus. I applaud President Irving’s collaborative leadership, and we look forward to welcoming students to our programs and services in Eden Prairie.”
The partnership provides another Minnesota State opportunity for higher education to students in the west metro, where demand is increasing for high-quality degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Students who have obtained an associate’s degree will be able to continue their education on campus at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie. Classes will be offered evenings on campus or online, beginning in Fall 2018. Students can choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in either Organizational Studies or Individualized Studies. The new relationship provides a seamless educational transition for current and future Hennepin Technical College students.