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Part 9 of 9

The Minnesota Institute of Technology at SCSU brings together a wide range of disciplines.

"We're very excited that The Minnesota Institute of Technology at St. Cloud State is taking shape," said Dr. Robbyn Wacker, president of SCSU, noting that it will help students have a cutting edge, innovative educational experience.

The Minnesota Institute of Technology, the first program of its kind in the state, gives focus and momentum to collaborative work involving industry experts, students and faculty from all disciplines at St. Cloud State.

"I think students today have a very entrepreneurial spirit about their education and about their future," said Dr. Wacker. "They have the energy and the curiosity and certainly the comfort with technology to jump into this innovative space. As they move into the workforce they'll be able to say 'I know how to solve this problem by using technology in creative ways'."

Building on the Success of ISELF

The Minnesota Institute of Technology builds on the legacy of successful partnerships at the Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility (ISELF) at SCSU. The 100,000 square foot ISELF building, filled with labs and shared workspaces, was designed to foster collaboration.

"Over the years, I would say about 100 industrial partners worked with our faculty and staff at ISELF and produced more than 150 publications, projects and products," said Dr. Adel Ali, dean of the College of Science and Engineering.

 

We have a role to play in this state to drive innovation and to meet industry needs and workforce demands… That is why we wanted to bring TMIT to fruition."


 

By extending that capability to all industries and students, Dr. Ali said, "The Minnesota Institute of Technology is a conduit between our legacy and our vision. You can think of it as the lens that will gather our rays of excellence into a laser beam."

Dr. Ali said there are three important ways TMIT advances St. Cloud State: First, by emphasizing the importance of technology in all fields; second, by better preparing all students for the multidisciplinary demands of 21st century careers; and third, by helping Minnesota industries engage in joint projects to advance the economic development of the state.

TMIT Embraces New Approaches and Multiple Points of View

Dr. Shonda Craft, dean of the College of Health and Wellness Professions, recalls attending back-to-back conferences in 2019 that drove home the link between technology and healthcare. "Conference participants were talking about how they were using technology to help seniors age in place in their homes. Then a couple of days later, we were talking all about telemedicine and what the industry standards were."

Now Dr. Craft's college has a project researching the future of geriatric medicine, and another exploring deploying psychiatric care via telemedicine.

Dr. Mark Springer, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and School of Arts, is excited by the tech-driven projects his students and faculty are engaging in. "Some of our Art faculty have been working on not only designing and delivering visualization, but applying it within science and technology realms," exploring what it might mean to "see" music or learn by interacting with virtual ecosystems.

Dr. Springer also sees TMIT as a place students can gain perspective on the consequences of technology in their fields. "The rush toward opportunity and innovation … also has a wake that we have to think about," he said. "What does it mean for communities who have access, who may not have access, and everything in between?"

The SCSU Mission: Preparing Students and the State for What's Next

Collaborations like these are also occurring or coming in education, business, physical sciences, and other fields. And the biggest beneficiaries will be the SCSU students, who will graduate with rare experiences and capabilities under their belt.

 

The Minnesota Institute of Technology is a conduit between our legacy and our vision. You can think of it as the lens that will gather our rays of excellence into a laser beam."


 

By providing that, TMIT makes a major contribution to realizing St. Cloud State's It's Time initiative, which seeks to redefine the role of a public learning institution in the lives of its students and its community.

"We have a role to play in this state to drive innovation and to meet industry needs and workforce demands," said Dr. Wacker. "That is why we wanted to bring The Minnesota Institute of Technology to fruition, to say this is where we belong and this is our mission. This is really a stake in the ground that says St. Cloud State is a university that can make a difference."

 

Read more It's Time

Discover more stories about how St. Cloud State is redefining what it means to be a university.

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It's Time

The world has changed. In higher education, It's Time for a new approach. At St. Cloud State, we've reimagined higher education and have redefined what it means to be a state university. It's Time to meet St. Cloud State.

With an enhanced focus on students and their success, we're providing a world-class education to ensure they graduate prepared for a career on day one. Students are at the heart of St. Cloud State experience and work closely with professors, even conducting academic research.

It's Time emphasizes fields that are important to our state, its citizens and its businesses. This has led St. Cloud State to focus on excelling in the fields of engineering and applied science, holistic health and wellness, education and leadership.

As University President Robbyn Wacker says, "It's Time recognizes and builds upon our institutional strengths, forward-thinking research, and academic excellence as we identify new and innovative ways to serve our students and state."

More about It's Time

Being a Husky is about belonging and contributing to something greater.

With relevant, real-world academic experiences in a vibrant, inclusive and diverse campus community, our students are having an impact.

Learn about Our Husky Experience

Rediscover St. Cloud State University

95% graduates employed within their field within one year of graduation

Top 10 most military friendly® schools in the nation

20:1 Student to Faculty ratio with 95% of classes taught by professors

At St. Cloud State, we're on a mission to unleash ideas, imagination, purpose, drive and passion. We're on a mission to unleash all that's within you.

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Protect the Pack safety protocols were employed based on community safety conditions and the rate of transmission of Covid during the filming of the stories in this series.