Polytechnic Mission Expansion Timeline | Bismarck State College

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Polytechnic Mission Expansion Timeline

November 2022

  • On November 29, 2022, BSC broke ground on North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution's Polytechnic Education Center. View the ceremony.

October 2022

  • BSC receives final approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the following new programs:
    • Agribusiness, Associate of Applied Science

June 2022

May 2022

April 2022

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.

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.
  • 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. 
  • BSC received final approval from the ND State Board of Higher Education Academic and Student Affairs Committee for the following new programs:

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.