A first step in the future academic and possible administrative collaboration of Southwest Minnesota State University and Minnesota West Community and Technical College was taken Friday when the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system released the Higher Education Needs of Southwest Minnesota Study that was conducted following the announced retirement of SMSU President David Danahar.
SMSU interim President Ronald Wood, who took office Friday, said the study offered another set of eyes to issue of melding areas of the two institutions together to better serve its students and the region.
"As with anything there are pieces we will take out of there and use - somethings the institution (SMSU) is already doing and moving forward on, either that President Danahar was looking at or myself. There are useful pieces in there."
The study, conducted by MGT of America, a higher education consulting firm, at the request of MnSCU Chancellor James McCormick, concludes that Southwest Minnesota State University and Minnesota West Community and Technical College should collaborate on offering more applied academic programs to help attract and retain a skilled and educated workforce in the 19-county region.
Other recommendations from the study include:
Expand baccalaureate programs beyond the main campus in Marshall to more locations in the region and gradually rebalance the curriculum mix;
Strengthen participation and partnerships in economic development initiatives, cultural and civic events, and encourage collaboration in specialty areas of research by providing technical expertise; and
Share operational and support functions with Minnesota West Community and Technical College, which has campuses in Jackson, Worthington,
Pipestone, Canby and Granite Falls, and other system institutions.
"I think the fact that it's moving in stages is probably a very healthy and reasonable way to do it," Wood said. "They're looking at doing collaboration for academic programs, looking at what parts of the operation are we able to do together. And as it become appropriate there will be a time in which you will be looking at an administration alignment."
The consultants said that Southwest Minnesota State University has established a solid foundation for expanding programs in such areas as the agriculture, food sciences, environmental sciences, health sciences, hard sciences and business management. Programs also could be developed in such areas as wind energy and manufacturing. A "rebalancing" of the curriculum mix over time is a reasonable and practical approach that establishes or sustains community and business connections, the consultants noted.
The study was prompted by changing demographics and economics in the region; Danahar's retirement, which was effective Thursday, and the need for improved alignment between the University and Minnesota West Community and Technical College.
"President Danahar and his leadership team have accomplished a lot and set the stage for the next president to focus on continued improvement and growth," McCormick said in a news release. "Changing conditions in this geographic area, as well as elsewhere in the state, will require repositioning and rethinking program offerings."
The consultants stopped short of recommending that the two institutions be aligned under one president but noted that an alignment of the college and university may be appropriate at a later date.
"Most important is the recommendation that we need to take our time before making a rapid institutional leadership change," Wood said. "I think that would probably be a shock to both institutions if they were suddenly pulled together."
The study focused on the 19 Minnesota counties of Southwest Minnesota. The assessment of institutional mission, programs and capacity focused on Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall and Minnesota West with five campuses in Canby, Granite Falls, Jackson, Pipestone, and Worthington and four small learning centers in Fairmont, Luverne, Marshall, and Redwood Falls.
The consultants analyzed demographic and economic data about the area; held focus groups on each campus; conducted in-person and telephone interviews; and did online surveys of businesses and current students.
The conclusions of the report can be viewed at www.smsu.edu/Administration/President/SouthwestMinnesotaHigherEdStudy