Polytechnic Mission Expansion Timeline | Bismarck State College

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Polytechnic Mission Expansion Timeline

January 2025

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:
The polytechnic building project comes to completion and the BSC Advanced Technology Center is first celebrated with an employee preview event. A community open house is planned for late March 2025. Programs begin holding labs in the two new flex labs and classes begin using the other state-of-the-art learning spaces. Students are taking advantage of the new collaboration and study spaces. 
 

December 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

November 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

October 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

September 2024

BSC celebrates another milestone this fall with 4,206 students enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester, marking a 3.5% increase over last year and the fifth consecutive semester of growth. This year’s enrollment is the highest the college has seen since enrollment peaked in 2011 with 4,392 students and signals a strong, ongoing demand for BSC’s polytechnic-focused education model.

August 2024

On August 1, 2024, BSC held a kick-off event on campus to launch the BSC Office of Workforce and Economic Development and Grand Energy to address the acute workforce shortages in industries critical to North Dakota's success, beginning with the Energy sector. BSC is selected as one of 18 nationwide recipients to join the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), a major workforce education initiative launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands (AWMH) and the American Association of Community College (AACC) to support career and technical education programs at community colleges. This designation comes with a generous $75,000 grant to make education and training more accessible by lessening the financial burden for students enrolling in the BSC Welding or Mechanical Maintenance Technology programs.

July 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

June 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

March 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs: On March 28, 2024, U.S. Senator John Hoeven holds a press conference at Bismarck State College to announce that he has secured $8.3 million in federal funding for defense technology research and development for global defense engineering company BlueHalo to create a space engineering and manufacturing hub in Bismarck, and for BSC to educate the engineers and train the technicians needed for this work.

February 2024

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security has designated Bismarck State College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through academic year 2029. This designation qualifies BSC graduates with cyber degrees for federal jobs in the cyber field. BSC initially received the five-year designation in 2019. The initial designation was through academic year 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

January 2024

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs: BSC reports continued enrollment growth for the spring 2024 semester with 4,183 students enrolled in more than 100 career pathways – a 6% increase over the spring semester in 2023 and the most students enrolled at BSC since fall 2011. This is the second consecutive year BSC had more students enrolled in the spring than in the fall of the same academic year. BSC credit hours increased by more than 8%, with students enrolled in approximately 39,000 credits this semester.

On Jan. 31, 2024, BSC celebrates a construction milestone with a steel-topping event for the region's only state-of-the-art polytechnic advanced technology center being built on the BSC campus. This event holds GREAT significance, as the beam signed by BSC students and employees, business and industry partners, and numerous supporters of our polytechnic mission will remain visible in our new facility, and the names will become a permanent piece of our polytechnic history. In line with its dedication to workforce development and student accessibility, BSC unveils its Great Plains Promise, a groundbreaking initiative offering free tuition for eligible BSC first-year and transfer students enrolling for Fall 2024. The waiver program aims to remove financial barriers and empower students to pursue higher education to acquire the skills necessary to thrive in the workforce.

BSC announces the creation of the Office of Workforce and Economic Development. Designed to create speed-to-market and innovative educational solutions, this division serves students, industries and communities by accelerating talent acquisition through multiple pathways into the workforce.

October 2023

The Aspen Institute names BSC one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. This is the third consecutive cycle BSC has been chosen as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College.

September 2023

BSC receives the student body stamp of approval on a plan to build a multipurpose student and athletic facility on campus. On September 27, 2023, more than 82% of BSC students voted in favor of building the Bavendick Center – an 80,000-square-foot that will be home to Mystics collegiate sports, recreational activities and campus events. A generous lead gift from the Frank and Joanne Bavendick family, coupled with student fees and additional donations, will provide the funds to construct the new $40 million facility.

BSC partners with Goldman Sachs Foundation and Goldman Sachs to offer the no-cost Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses practical business training program and personalized support services to 25 North Dakota entrepreneurs. On Sept. 28, 2023, BSC hosts Goldman Sachs Foundation President Asahi Pompey, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. John Hoeven, Rep. Kelly Armstrong and the first cohort of North Dakota business owners on our campus for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses kick-off event.

August 2023

Only five years after its designation as North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution, BSC has recorded its highest enrollment in 10 years with 4,065 students enrolled for the Fall 2023 semester – a nearly 8% increase over Fall 2022. BSC credit hours went up more than 5%, with students enrolled in nearly 39,000 credits. The most significant increase was in freshman enrollment, up more than 9% over last year. Of the 11 NDUS institutions, BSC has the largest freshman class – 2,433 students enrolled in their first year of college – which is also a historic high for BSC.

July 2023

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs: BSC is awarded $121,274 in grant funding from the National Security Agency to support cybersecurity education through the BSC 2024 Gen-Cyber Summer Camp for students in grades 6-8.


The polytechnic building project is in full swing! Despite a few minor rain delays early on, the majority of the foundation will be in place before school starts in August. In addition to foundation work, a stormwater detention pond is being built on the south side of the NECE, similar to the one on the east side of the building. Construction progress is tracked with updated time-lapse videos "From the Ground Up"

June 2023

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visits the BSC National Energy Center of Excellence and holds a round-table discussion with BSC President Doug Jensen and representatives from BSC's K-12, career/tech education, industry and government partners to learn about how these entities are working together to identify, address and meet workforce needs through education in ND and how this can be applied to education throughout the U.S. While on campus, Secretary Cardona also requested to tour the BSC Energy program labs.
 
   
 
  


BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

May 2023

Progress on North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution's Polytechnic Education Center is slowed due to an early winter and late spring that produced near-record snowfall. Crews get back up to speed in mid-May. Construction progress is tracked with updated time-lapse videos "From the Ground Up"

April 2023

BSC receives $9,960,000 in funding from the ND Legislature to cover increased building costs due to inflation for North Dakota Polytechnic Institution's Polytechnic Education Center.


BSC is awarded a $20,553 technical skills training grant from the N.D. Department of Commerce to expand the Heavy Equipment Operators training program to meet workforce demands.


BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new program: BSC receives final approval from the ND State Board of Higher Education Academic to offer the following new program:

March 2023

BSC is awarded $295,000 in grant funding from the Griffiss Institute as a sub-award through NDSU to enhance cybersecurity labs to support armed forces who pursue training.


BSC is awarded a $100,000 technical skills training grant from the N.D. Department of Commerce to establish a 3-D Printing training program to meet manufacturing workforce demands.

February 2023

BSC is awarded a $100,000 technical skills training grant from the N.D. Department of Commerce to establish a Heavy Equipment Operators training program to meet workforce demands.


BSC is awarded an $8,500 technical skills training grant from the N.D. Department of Commerce to create curriculum for expansion of the Security Operations Center training needs.

January 2023

BSC enrollment is up 20.19% for Spring 2023 – the highest increase in the North Dakota University System. For the first time in 10+ years, BSC has more students enrolled in the spring semester than in the fall of the same academic year. “This certainly goes against the enrollment trends we are seeing in higher education, both in North Dakota and across the country,” says BSC President Doug Jensen. “I believe this is the result of both an increased need for a skilled workforce and the way our polytechnic model offers career pathways and flexible education options.”

The BSC Foundation is awarded $315,447 in grant funding from the N.D. Department of Commerce to support a scholarship program for students impacted by COVID to pursue in-demand career pathways.

November 2022

On November 29, 2022, BSC breaks ground on North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution's Polytechnic Education Center.
BSC is awarded $130,500 in grant funding from the N.D. Department of Commerce to establish a Security Operations Center to enhance cyber education and training.


BSC is awarded $15,000 in a technical skills training grant from the N.D. Department of Commerce to establish an Unmanned Aeriel Systems (UAS) training program to meet workforce demands.

October 2022

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:
BSC is awarded $2,249,840 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support student success initiatives to increase retention and successful completion of training programs.

September 2022

BSC is awarded a $1.6 million Department of Labor Strengthening Community Colleges grant to establish apprenticeships to specifically address workforce shortages and equity gaps in the healthcare, manufacturing, and automation sectors. The BSC Registered Apprenticeships Done Right (RADaR) project recruits diverse, underserved populations for in-demand careers by establishing career pathways and using registered apprenticeships as the proven vehicle to meet both industry and student needs.

BSC is awarded $95,566 in grant funding from the National Security Agency to support cybersecurity education through the BSC 2023 Gen-Cyber Summer Camp for students in grades 6-8.


BSC is awarded $195,500 in technical skills training grants from the N.D. Department of Commerce:
  • $100,000 to support oil and gas training for students pursuing roustabout or petroleum pump operator careers
  • $27,500 to fund scholarships for K-12 teachers seeking cybersecurity training for credentials
  • $50,000 to support regional and statewide incumbent workers pursuing training in automation and PLC training
  • $18,000 to establish a Certified Medical Assistant training program to meet workforce demands

August 2022

BSC sees a 6.26% enrollment increase from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 – the highest increase of the 11 North Dakota University System institutions. “These enrollment numbers are exciting,” says BSC President Doug Jensen. “This shows us that more students are seeing the value of our polytechnic education model. High-demand career pathways, hands-on learning, great faculty, affordable tuition and new degree programs mean BSC students have more options now than ever before.”

July 2022

BSC is awarded $96,000 in National Science Foundation grant funding as a sub-award through Indian River State College (Florida) to participate in the National Electric Vehicle Consortium (NEVC). The NEVC is a collaboration of education and industry partners working to identify needs and train the future workforce for electric vehicles and EV infrastructure.


BSC is awarded $1,871,312 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce EDA to purchase equipment for polytechnic training programs to meet workforce needs.

June 2022

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

May 2022

Crews begin soil testing between the NECE and the tennis courts to determine the bearing capacity of the ground for the polytechnic education facility.


BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

April 2022

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:
  • Sport and Fitness Pedagogy, Certificate (starts Fall 2022)
  • Sport and Fitness Technology, Certificate (starts Fall 2022)

BSC is awarded $131,163 in grant funding from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to support scholarships for students to pursue careers in the nuclear industry.

March 2022

Work begins with Icon Architectural Group to design, develop and implement plans to expand the infrastructure that exists in the National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) building for the polytechnic education facility. The goal is to enhance without duplicating existing space.


BSC selects Kraus-Anderson as the Construction Manager at Risk.

February 2022

BSC selects Icon Architectural Group as the architect for the polytechnic education facility and begins the process of hiring the Construction Manager at Risk.


BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:

January 2022

The ND State Board of Higher Education authorizes the $38M spend on the BSC polytechnic education facility.



BSC receives authorization to extend the current in-state tuition rate to 12 designated states and provinces located within the area of impact that is underserved by our academic programming.


BSC is awarded $1,368,264 in grant funding from the National Science Foundation to establish the AIM (Accomplish Innovate Motivate) Scholars Program and fund scholarships for low-income, talented, domestic students to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields.


In response to an industry need for medical laboratory technicians, BSC receives approval from the ND State Board of Higher Education Academic and Student Affairs Committee to change the Medical Laboratory Technician program from an Associate in Science (AS) degree to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The program will transition from a higher-credit-load AS to an equally challenging AAS with fewer credits to make it more affordable and to get graduates into the workforce sooner.

December 2021

BSC along with legislative, industry, community and educational partners, holds a press conference to outline the expanded polytechnic mission and the plans for a polytechnic education facility on the BSC campus.


BSC President Doug Jensen announces that the college will break ground in 2022 on the region’s only polytechnic education facility. The state-of-the-art polytechnic center will feature project-based learning and nontraditional, hands-on collaborative working environments; flex labs where business and industry can partner on developing projects and ideas, and space for operating and building new programming and equipment and advancing applied research.


North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum praises the project’s concept of equipping students with workplace-ready skills, credentials and degrees driven by local demand for customized career pathways. He also commended BSC’s leadership for embracing a polytechnic focus that is responsive to the unstoppable forces of demographics, economics, technology and culture that are creating challenges for higher education institutions across the country.

November 2021

SB2345 passes the ND House and Senate and ND Governor Doug Burgum signs it granting BSC $38 million to advance its expanded mission as North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution – $35 million for a polytechnic education facility and $3 million for start-up costs and programming.

June 2021

  • BSC receives Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Substantive Change request approval. BSC can now offer all degrees at the baccalaureate level.

March – April 2021

  • BSC delivers numerous presentations to public/private stakeholders and governmental leaders on the value proposition for the implementation of the North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution mission and the impact this initiative will have on the talent demands to build the economy in North Dakota.

March 2021

  • The ND State Budget Process begins for 2021-to-2023.
  • BSC delivers the budget and polytechnic presentations to the ND House and Senate Appropriation Committees.
  • BSC delivers the polytechnic presentation to the Interim Committee for Higher Education.
  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Substance of Change request and documentation is submitted.

December 2020

  • The National Coalition of Advance Technology Centers (NCATC)report is finalized and provides guidance for the design, development and implementation of the BSC polytechnic mission.

October 2020

  • BSC commissions a study with Gray’s Associates to determine the skills, technical talent and degree programs needed in high-priority occupations to impact economic growth.
  • BSC commissions a study with National Coalition of Advance Technology Centers (NCATC) to determine the public/private sector stakeholder needs and the infrastructure required to deliver the expanded polytechnic mission.
  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Substance of Change request and documentation begins.

July 2020

  • Dr. Douglas Jensen joins BSC as Bismarck State College's 7th president and is tasked with the college's mission expansion as a polytechnic institution.

September 2018-June 2020

  • BSC President Larry Skogen retires and the North Dakota University System and Bismarck State College conduct a presidential search.

September 2018

  • The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approves a new charter for Bismarck State College to become North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution.