Letter from the Executive Director and Board Chairs

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear friends,

Our faculty, staff, and students continue to successfully navigate a primarily online learning environment, on-campus safety protocols, and personal and professional fatigue within a landscape of continually changing community guidance. I’m so proud and grateful for their resiliency during this difficult time.

Even while managing the pandemic, our colleges have continued to move forward as aligned institutions. This fall we rolled out our new 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. Through this shared plan, we are committed to closing our educational equity gaps and increasing access to higher education and student success. We will increase access through additional outreach efforts to high schools, to historically underserved populations, and to adults looking for career advancement.

Both colleges successfully completed accreditation reviews from the Higher Learning Commission. Inver Hills passed its four-year Assurance Review, and DCTC passed its 10-year Comprehensive Evaluation with the condition that we provide an update at our next four-year review on our new processes for assessing student learning. The colleges worked very hard to prepare for these reviews, and it gave us opportunities to identify areas of strength and opportunity.

We also completed a five-year Title III grant. The grant supported work across both colleges to better serve adult students. This included the implementation of an early alert system, a new Center for Teaching and Learning, expanded course delivery options, and expanded outreach to senior citizens, CareerForce Center clients, and currently or formerly incarcerated students.

In closing, our Foundations continue to increase their engagement with the broader community. We invite you to join us in this work. Everyone’s collective experience and creativity is needed to not only achieve our strategic plan but to advance the goals of economic prosperity and equity within our communities.

Sincerely,

Michael

LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIRS

This last year presented many challenges, yet also opportunities to collectively adapt to the unfamiliar and find new ways to carry out important work. You—our steadfast advocates, dedicated partners, and loyal donors—were critical to our success. Thank you!

As we continue into the future, your partnership remains essential to help students succeed by removing obstacles, build a more equitable and resilient community, and ultimately support student persistence to graduation. As we strive to do this good work, we remain committed to the responsible stewardship of the financial resources generously entrusted to us.

Kim Shaff DCTC and Inver Hills Foundation Executive Director

On behalf of the Dakota County Technical College Foundation Board, thank you. Thank you for your dedication, engagement, and your unwavering commitment to change the lives of students and to continue to elevate DCTC as one of the best education programs in the nation. Great things were accomplished last year, education programs were improved, and students achieved great success. We are eager to accomplish more through new and existing partnerships and additional donor support. Your generosity fuels the work of creating futures and life-long growth.

Stephen Engel DCTC Foundation Board Chairperson The Inver Hills Community College Foundation Board is incredibly grateful for your partnership and shared mission to provide resources that transform the lives of students. I am excited to lead the Inver Hills Foundation Board and continue to foster the community’s enthusiasm of supporting students. While the pandemic has changed how we reach out to the community, it confirmed that support provided by generous donors puts students on the path to success.

Jake Sedlacek Inver Hills Foundation Board Chairperson