The Minnesota Office of Higher Education awarded $2.7 million in Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP) grants to 26 postsecondary institutions, professional organizations, and community-based organizations to support college access and outreach programs that focus on providing services to historically underserved and underrepresented college students.
Serving students in grades six through 12, ICAP intends to create a college and career pipeline for students who may not have adequate resources within their families and communities to prepare for college.
"Many of our students aren't only first-generation college students, they are often first-generation high school graduates," said Tessa Kiesow, High School Director of the Tackling Obstacles & Raising College Hopes (TORCH) program at the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative, an ICAP grantee. "ICAP provides very significant funding to staff our program, and TORCH wouldn't exist if we didn't have the staff to make these meaningful connections with the students we serve. This grant really allows us to focus on the work and provide services for our students to reach their goals."
The competitive grant program awarded grantees up to $120,000 over the course of two years to fund projects and services including mentorship, academic counseling, career awareness and exploration, financial aid counseling, and other college support services.
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 Minnesota Office of Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson joined Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach in a roundtable discussion at Ultra Machining Company (UMC), a manufacturer in Monticello, Minn., on Oct. 4.
The visit, coinciding with Minnesota's Manufacuring Month, was held for the commissioners and representatives from both agencies to hear about the company's use of the Dual Training Grant, Dual-Training Pipeline and Youth Skills Training programs. The roundtable allowed for discussion on how these programs have worked for UMC to meet its workforce needs, while hearing directly from employees who have first-hand dual training experiences.
These state-funded programs help employers build their own skilled workforce in seven high-growth industries, including advanced manufacturing. The Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline supports employers in creating competency-based programs by pairing on-the-job training with formal related instruction. The Dual Training Grant funds the related instruction component, resulting in the employee earning an industry-recognized degree, certificate or credential.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) has partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration to establish an Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center to support self-sustaining education options for students with intellectual disabilities who have the desire to earn postsecondary credentials. Funding for the development of the technical assistance center was secured in the Higher Education Omnibus Bill during the 2023 legislative session. The purpose of the center is to coordinate and facilitate statewide initiatives to expand or enhance inclusive higher education opportunities by providing technical assistance to Minnesota higher education institutions and education agencies.
The Minnesota legislature has earmarked $750,000 to fund annual competitive grants to institutions to develop new or enhance existing inclusive higher education initiatives to increase enrollment of students with an intellectual disability. OHE will oversee the competitive grant process, with a first round of requests for proposals expected in the spring of 2024, with grants awarded before July of 2024. Grants will be available for public postsecondary two-year and four-year institutions.
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Help to directly influence the future of Dual Enrollment in our state. The Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership, in tandem with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, is collaborating with Ecotone Analytics and Good Work Group to gain insights into our Dual Enrollment programs.
Survey for Concurrent Enrollment Teachers and School Counselors & College/Career Coordinators
Help spotlight opportunities to better support students and increase access, equity, and student success in Concurrent Enrollment (CE) and Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) programs.
- Your identity remains confidential. Only with your explicit permission will names be shared.
- Your invaluable feedback will support an in-depth analysis and campaign to elevate Dual Enrollment in Minnesota. Play a role in reshaping policies to benefit students, counselors, and educators!
- Spare just 5-10 minutes, and your insights could set the stage for transformative changes benefiting numerous students.
There are two different survey links:
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Current and former PSEO and Concurrent Enrollment Students (2014 to present)
We've crafted a survey for current and former dual enrollment students, and we believe your insights are crucial. Here are some reasons to participate:
- You are the experts in PSEO! Share with us what can be done to increase student access, support, and success in PSEO programs.
- Speak freely, knowing your identity stays protected. Names will only be shared if given explicit permission.
- Contribute to the analysis and initiatives aiming to elevate Dual Enrollment in Minnesota and increase access and equity for more students. Help shape policies that support students like you!
Survey link:
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