Polytechnic Mission Expansion Timeline | Bismarck State College

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Polytechnic Mission Expansion Timeline

July 2023

BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems, Certificate of Completion
  • Medical Assistant, Program Certificate
  • Dialysis Technician, Program Certificate
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:
  • Business End User Security, Program Certificate
  • Digital Forensics and Incident Response, Program Certificate
  • IT and Cybersecurity Governance, Program Certificate
  • Security Operations, Program Certificate
  • Software Analysis, Program Certificate

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:
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) Substance of Change request approval.

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.