In September, BSC received a $100,000 grant from the USDA to purchase a roving simulation lab for BSC students who are training to be nurses in medical centers in Hazen, Harvey, Ashley, Garrison and Hettinger. Nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations in the US. According to the U.S. Bureau Labors Statistics, there will be more than 1 million nursing vacancies by 2024.
 
In May, Governor Doug Burgum signed legislation approving $8.9 million to expand Bismarck State College’s Health Science programs, and relocate the programs to campus. The funding allowed the college to remodel the former Unisys building adjacent to campus to create a 30,000 square foot virtual hospital training facility. With an ambulance bay, exam rooms, simulation labs and surgical suites, the facility offers a hospital-like setting providing state-of-the-art training to students in BSC’s six healthcare programs. 

• Nursing
• Surgical Technology
• Paramedic Technology
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Medical Laboratory Technician (moving in Spring 2020)

In July 2018, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley and Bismarck State College (BSC) President Dr. Larry Skogen announce an educational collaboration with Palo Alto Networks that grew BSC’s Cybersecurity and Computer Networks Program. 
 
Thanks to that partnership as well as support from NISC, Great River Energy and Midco, BSC has been able to scale online and classroom cybersecurity offerings, and launch a new bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree in Fall 2019. BSC cyber enrollment increased 84%. 
 
In March 2019, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designated Bismarck State College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through academic year 2024. The two federal organizations stated that BSC’s ability to meet the increasing demands of program criteria will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.

In a national report regarding 2017 high school graduates in central North Dakota, BSC ranks as the graduates’ first choice for a college. This is true both for all students and for students who are the first generation in their families to pursue a college education. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and ACT, Inc., conducted the study. 
 
BSC had more first-time freshmen from North Dakota enrolled than any other institution in the state in the fall of 2018. BSC had 806 first-time freshmen from North Dakota in the fall of 2018 -- 93.3% of the 2018 first-time freshmen class. The total freshmen class of 2018 numbered 1,995.

BSC was been named one of the top associate degree-granting institutions in the nation in the “Best Instructional Bang for the GI Bill Buck” rankings released by advocacy group Veterans Education Success.

According to the report, spending on instruction often correlates with the likelihood of students earning a degree and finding meaningful employment.  Veterans who graduate from BSC overwhelmingly earn more than the average high school graduate. Additionally, the college spends 156.6% of gross tuition and fees on instruction – the best in the nation.