Centers of Excellence

Access and Opportunity Center of Excellence

Thanks to a 1.2 million Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Access and Opportunity grant, Inver Hills continues to increase college awareness and readiness for junior and senior high students in the Twin Cities east metro. The college has received invaluable input from K–12 guidance counselors and instructors regarding program offerings and design as well as support service needs for high school students, recent high school graduates and first-year college students.

An intensive in-reach effort with 10 schools provides college-credit courses for 11th graders and new graduates through programs directed at underrepresented low-income, first-generation and students of color that are less likely to attend college.

HealthForce Minnesota

Inver Hills is part of HealthForce Minnesota, a collaborative partnership of education, industry and community with the mission to:

• Increase the number and expand the diversity of healthcare workers
• Integrate health science education practices and research
• Build collaboration capacity for education and industry to enhance patient care

HealthForce Minnesota works with a number of healthcare and educational partners to meet current and future needs for trained, educated staff in the healthcare workforce. A number of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institutions participate in this partnership led by Winona State University. 

The I.T. Center of Excellence

The Minnesota State I.T. Center of Excellence's mission is centered on engaging employers, educators and learners to develop a more robust IT workforce in Minnesota in the following ways:

• Works to raise awareness and interest in high school students about IT academic programs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
• Helps current college students get real-world experience, in-demand soft skills and rewarding employment
• Collaborates with employers and faculty to create timely, relevant learning opportunities