2022-2027 Strategic Plan
Informed by collective experiences, BSC has assessed where we are as an institution and how we need to prepare for the future as North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution. BSC’s expansion to a polytechnic has been years in the making, and our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan was crafted with input from faculty, students, administrators, alumni, the community, and industry partners to keep us focused as a student-centered institution. It is a concise summary of our mission, vision, values and goals as an institution.
As we know, colleges need to remain student-centric and become increasingly nimble. We need to prepare students for the workforce or for further education. Students are changing and institutions must change with them. This plan provides the framework to serve students today and into the future. Everyone at BSC is committed to student success and we look forward to the coming years with anticipation.
We invite you to review our 5-year strategic plan.
Year 4: 2025-2026 Annual Strategic Action Plan
BSC Leadership Team Year 4 objective and action project focus
Strategic Goal #1: Student Success
Ensuring Students have the academic and career pathways and support needed to achieve their educational goals
Objective 2: Increase adult learner(s) credential attainment and degree completion
Action Project 1: Deploy an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Artificial Intelligence for the United States Naval Community College (USNCC)
Successfully deploy and deliver 3 courses within the AAS in Artificial Intelligence for USNCC
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Successfully accept USNCC 30 students into BSC
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Action Project 2: Identify and develop PLA requirement outlines for five courses to allow students to earn academic credit through demonstrated prior learning.
Develop and outline PLA requirements for 5 courses. The project will ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with BSC, NDUS and HLC standards for assessment of prior learning. PLA information will be made publicly available to promote awareness and equitable access.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Strategic Goal #2: Linking Talent with Opportunity
Creating sustainable communities through workforce development, economic development and community development
Objective 1: Create new pathways from K-12 to BAS and into the workforce
Action Project 1: CTE Dual Credit
BSC will expand dual credit opportunities in Automation, Energy, and Advanced Technologies through collaboration with Career & Technical Education Centers. The focus is to establish dual credit pathways that align with industry certifications and stackable credentials, supporting smooth transitions from secondary to postsecondary education.
Completion Goal: May 14, 2026
Action Project 2: Plus 2 to BSC BAS Degrees and Plus 2 to Education Partners Master/Doctor Degrees
BSC will establish new articulation agreements with other institutions offering AAS programs that transfer into BSC’s BAS degrees, creating seamless progression pathways. In addition, BSC will secure new articulation or partnership agreements with universities offering master’s and doctoral programs into which BSC’s BAS degrees can transfer. These partnerships will provide transparent, stackable pathways that support career advancement and lifelong learning opportunities for students.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Objective 2: Increase experiential learning opportunities through internships, externships, co-ops and apprenticeships
Action Project 1: Apprenticeship Programming Through the RADaR Grant
BSC will establish new apprenticeship programming opportunities in both credit and non-credit formats to meet evolving workforce needs. This project aims to expand apprenticeship offerings across healthcare and manufacturing targeting the launch of five new apprenticeship programs with five unique student enrollments.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Action Project 2: 197/297/397/497
BSC will expand participation in experiential learning, internship, and cooperative education courses (197/297/397/497) to strengthen career readiness and applied learning outcomes.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Strategic Goal #3: Fiscal Stability
Efficiently serving our students and public and private partners.
Objective 2: Develop a campus environment necessary to support polytechnic mission expansion.
Action Project 1: New dining options, locations, and increased hours of service
Develop new menu options and increase hours in the new and existing dining locations.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Action Project 2: Building a Broader Student Activities and Events Calendar
Established 26-27 engagement calendar with input and approval from Mystic Engagement Group.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Action Project 3: Acquire academic resources for current and new programming utilizing grants
BSC continues to strategically leverage grant funding to expand academic programming and enhance instructional resources that align with workforce needs. Secured grant funding to support new programs including Construction Management (AAS), Electrician Technician (AAS), Mechatronics Engineering Technology (BAS), Behavorial Health (BAS), Education (BAS) and Nursing (AAS). Additional funding applications totaling more than $3 million are in progress through the NSF NDSTACK, North Dakota State Energy Program, and Blue Halo subcontractor agreement, ensuring sustainable program growth and capacity-building for future student enrollment.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Strategic Goal #4: Communication
Staying connected with our students and our communities
Objective 1: Increase student input on academic and career pathways
Action Project 1: Identify options to gather student input
BSC will identify and implement mechanisms to gather student input, such as student focus groups, surveys, or advisory sessions, to inform program improvements and institutional decision-making. The initial implementation will focus on five primary industry sectors central to BSC’s polytechnic mission — Cybersecurity, Agriculture, Energy, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Findings will guide curriculum relevance, experiential learning opportunities, and student engagement strategies across academic divisions.
Completion Goal: May 16, 2026
Objective 3: Improve internal communication
Action Project 1: Implement the Workshop communication tool for internal employee communication
Workshop communication tool fully implemented for internal communication
Completion Goal: February 28, 2026
Action Project 2: Create and implement communication process documents
Create communication process documents for 5 most likely crises on campus and a timeline for creating documents for other crises.
Completion Goal: February 28, 2026
Objective 4: Foster a positive and inclusive campus culture that promotes respect, collaboration, and engagement
Action Project 1: Provide training opportunities to encourage communication and relationship building among employees
Hold one training session for supervisors at a Supervisor's Briefing session and work with staff senate to hold one training session for employees.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026
Action Project 2: Provide engagement opportunities to encourage communication, celebrate success, and create connections among employees.
Work with Staff Senate to expand Mystic Mornings to include staff and faculty; the BSC President will hold 4 Campus Conversations; and incorporate student employee recognition in the Annual Student Recognition Celebration.
Completion Goal: June 30, 2026