Minnesota State University, Mankato has received awards for outstanding academic and student affairs achievement in two of three program categories from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.
MSU is the only Minnesota college or university to receive a program excellence award each year since the competition started in 2003, and the only institution to capture two or more awards for two years in a row (last year MSU won all three program awards). It is one of only five colleges and universities to win in 2005.
The annual awards for excellence in curriculum programming, student affairs programming and initiatives that reflect the changing nature of education were presented at the MnSCU Trustees' meeting in May.
"These are Minnesota's top awards for higher education programming, and our programs have proven to be the best of the best," said MSU President Richard Davenport. "These awards indicate significant progress toward our key strategic priorities of diversity, academic excellence, technology and distance learning. I'm delighted about that, and very proud of our faculty and staff levels of excellence."
The MnSCU Academic and Student Affairs Awards recognize excellence in curriculum planning, academic programming innovation and collaboration at colleges and universities across the system. Forty programs and administrators from 32 colleges and universities vied for the awards.
MSU's Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program earned the Trustees' award of excellence in curriculum programming. MSU's Mavjobs.com On-Campus Recruiting Program was recognized for innovation in student affairs programming.
The curriculum award goes to programs that demonstrate a high rate of employment, transfer or enrollment in graduate school after graduation; make effective use of technology; generate extramural support or funding; involve collaboration with other college or university departments, employers or community members; and reach out to diverse subgroups.
The student affairs award is for programs that use new ideas, methods or techniques that result in improved educational or developmental activities, services or management for a college or university community; have been in operation for at least two years; and are adaptable to other institutions.
MSU's Nonprofit Leadership Certificate is a multidisciplinary, 18-credit program that can be completed online or in a classroom setting. Directed by Professor Leah Rogne and taught by MSU faculty members who draw information and experience from sociology, urban studies, recreation, parks and leisure and social work, it helps students develop skills and understanding necessary for effective nonprofit management. The program includes a newly formed Nonprofit Leadership Club - a support network for nonprofit leaders.
Mavjobs.com, created by MSU's Career Development Center, is an online recruiting system that allows students and alumni to search and apply for jobs and internships online, to make documents and resumes available online, and to investigate employers who are interviewing on campus. It also allows employers to post jobs, review resumes and receive applications online. Pam Weller-Dengel is director of the Career Development Center.
Last year MSU received awards for the College of Business' Wireless Laptop Initiative, the Student Affairs Division's Learning Communities/First-Year Experience program, and the collaborative program, Taking Steps to Better Health/Tomando Pasos Para Mejor Salud. In 2003 MSU received the award for the Student Affairs Division's innovative Health PRO (Peers Reaching Out) program.
This is the second time in 2005 that MnSCU has honored MSU for outstanding leadership and team effort. In January MSU received MnSCU finance officer awards for Excellence in Financial Management and Excellence in Facilities Management.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses.
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