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Growth in Cybersecurity & Health Sciences Through Fundraising | Bismarck State College

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Growth in Cybersecurity & Health Sciences Through Fundraising

health and cyber
Following a 20 percent budget reduction to the college in FY17, BSC President Larry C. Skogen is focused on navigating the college through to better times. He says that in order to continue to meet workforce needs and student expectations, BSC will be strengthening its industry partnerships and extending them into new areas of study.

“We have had tremendous support from industry over the years. Their importance to our students and the campus is highly evident in our energy programs, the National Energy Center of Excellence and the remarkable insights offered by industry experts in our program advisory groups. Now we are going to do our best to create new opportunities in some strategic growth areas.”

To that end, the BSC Foundation Board of Trustees has approved two capital campaigns that will ensure students can pursue their career goals while addressing the region’s most vital workforce needs.
Health Sciences
BSC is looking to move its in-demand health sciences programs from a rented downtown location (before the lease expires in July 2020) to a building adjacent to campus owned by the BSCFoundation. Pending State Board of Higher Education approval, a fundraising campaign would expand program capacity, increase outreach and recruitment efforts, purchase simulators, update an array of aging equipment, and add advanced certificate programs in Community Paramedics and Critical Care/Flight Paramedics.
Cybersecurity
Skogen says that North Dakota is in dire straits when it comes to the cybersecurity workforce needed in our hospitals, refineries, technology companies, power plants and more.

“Not many colleges offer the training required. We are in a great place to cover that need in collaboration with our sister institutions in the NDUS.“
Last year BSC revamped its Computer Information Systems offerings to create a Cybersecurity and Computer Networks program, and enrollment rose by nearly 10 percent in less than a year. In the fall of 2017, enrollment increased again. The goal is to raise $1.6 million for additional faculty, classroom equipment and outreach to recruit additional students into the program.