Minot State lays out enrollment gains, workforce programs and capital needs during SB2003 hearing

Minot State University officials told the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on the hearing for Senate Bill 2003 that enrollment has edged up after COVID-related declines, key workforce programs are expanding and the campus is seeking state support for academic renovations and several capital projects.

President Shirley, Minot State University’s lead witness in the hearing, said the university’s spring enrollment is “just over 2,600” students and that enrollment is up for a third consecutive semester. He told the committee the institution’s largest majors are nursing (about 70 baccalaureate graduates annually), social work, management and elementary education, and he highlighted newer programs such as exercise science and rehabilitation, cybersecurity (a National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security designated cyber defense center of academic excellence), entrepreneurship and a new data science major.

Shirley said the university has no recent audit findings in state auditor reports and credited the business office for financial controls. Krista Lambrecht, Minot State’s…