Dahlman selected as Outstanding Educator at Minnesota West

Kent Dahlman has been selected as this year’s Outstanding Educator for Minnesota West. As such, he will represent the college as a candidate for the Minnesota State Board of Trustees Educator of the year. Outstanding Educators are faculty identified at a college or university who are exemplary educators, identified through a local committee process, and nominated by the college or university president for selection as an Educator of the Year.

In September, nominations were requested from staff and faculty based on the award guidelines. After the survey closed, the college deans developed the formal nominations and the decision was reviewed by a college-wide committee. Provost Arthur Brown submitted the nominee, on Nov. 1.

The month of November gives the Minnesota State committee a review period, and in December the Board of Trustees will approve the recommendations. Award winners will be announced in January 2023. Presentation of awards to all Outstanding Educators and Educators of the Year will be made at an awards event in St. Paul, expected to be hosted in April or May 2023.

Academic division finalists for their selection and contribution to Minnesota West:

Allied Health: Stacy Christensen

Math/Science: Heidi Tarus

Trades: Shawn Berning

Humanities/Fine Arts: Kent Dahlman

Social Sciences: Anita Gaul

The Minnesota State Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes the skillful methods of teaching, attention to student learning, and faculty subject matter expertise. The primary criterion is skill in teaching that is inclusive, innovative, learning-centered, and collaborative. The award reflects the commitment to providing high-quality instruction that prepares college and university students

Minnesota West Law Enforcement Day

The Worthington campus of Minnesota West Technical and Community College is inviting potential students to explore and learn all about Minnesota West’s Law Enforcement Program. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, potential students are invited to “sit in” on classes that law enforcement students attend while in the program. Meet the instructors, tour the campus and program facilities, and receive information on the program. The event is designed for high school seniors and PSEO students that are interested in law enforcement. Students will also have time to register.

Schedule for the day will include:

• 9:15-10 a.m.: Meet in the student services area for a tour.

• 10-11:30 a.m.: Meet in the annex of the Health and Wellness Center for greeting, defensive tactics and box drill training

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Room 202, lunch and overview of the law enforcement program

• 12:30-1 p.m.: Meet with Law Enforcement faculty

RSVP online: www.mnwest.edu/worthington-law-enforcement-day

Open house Dec. 7 at Minnesota West, Worthington

Minnesota West invites the community and businesses to explore its new state-of-the-art OTA (occupational therapy assistant) lab. From 3-6 p.m. Dec. 7, Minnesota West is hosting an open house at the Worthington campus. Students and community members will be able to take a glimpse of what the program will offer, and what it is like to be a student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Throughout the event, attendees will be able to explore the campus as a whole and also the dedicated lab space and classrooms students will be learning in.

The instructors, Anna Sandager, and Amber Garcia, will be available to walk through the application process and requirements and learn more about the program. Earn your A.A.S. degree in as little as 5 semesters.

The OTA program will welcome its first class of students in May 2023, which will be followed up by the second cohort in August, 2023. Deadline to apply for the August start date is Jan. 15, 2023. Applications received after that date will be placed on a wait list.

In September of 2022, the OTA program achieved candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The faculty is working hard to ensure that a quality OTA program and career-path is available for the southwest Minnesota area. Employers in the area have supported the development of an OTA program, and this opportunity will provide the resources and knowledge for student success.

Minnesota West and Sanford Worthington partnered to host Nursing and OTA camp

Thirty-two high school sophomores, juniors and senior students will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, tours, and connect with healthcare professionals. The program is sponsored by Minnesota West and Sanford Worthington. Registration is required.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, starting at the Sanford Worthington Medical Center and will end at Minnesota West Worthington Campus.

Nursing and OTA camp is an interactive, hands-on opportunity for students to explore the many Nursing and Occupational Therapy Assistant career pathways.

Participants will connect with Sanford staff and college faculty related to nursing and the OTA program. Students will be able to participate in activities that healthcare providers do when they take care of patients. Specialized areas in the healthcare field will also be explored.

To register, visit www.mnwest.edu/rsvp. Questions can also be directed to: Linae Enockson, Linae.Enockson@sanfordhealth.org.

Tyler named to dean’s list

Marissa Tyler of Lake Benton has been named to the summer 2022 trimester dean’s list at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Main Campus in Davenport, Iowa.

Man receives degree from Georgia Tech

Shushuang Man of Marshall has earned a master of science in cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Man was among approximately 1,660 undergraduate and graduate students who earned degrees during the summer 2022 semester.