Trustees endorse 'Minnesota Valley College' naming direction for merged Inver Hills and DCTC

The Academic & Student Affairs committee on Nov. 20 recommended that the Board of Trustees affirm the naming direction for the merged Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College as "Minnesota Valley College," contingent on Higher Learning Commission approval and final board action.

President Michael Bernd outlined a four‑stage naming process—discovery, stakeholder focus groups and surveying, market viability testing and cultural review—and said the recommended direction reflects stakeholder preference for a short, regional name that signals an inclusive future. "Minnesota Valley College meets the first requirement," Noel Haughton, the system’s chief marketing and communications officer, said, noting board policy requires the use of either the word "Minnesota" or "State" in a college name and that a logo treatment will be required if the college uses only "Minnesota."

Trustees asked how dropping the word "technical" would affect students' ability to find technical programs. Trustee comments echoed a widely expressed concern: how will prospective students searching for carpentry, welding or other workforce training know those offerings remain available? President Bernd and marketing staff said search engine optimization, paid keyword promotion and clear program pages will be part of the branding plan to ensure technical programs remain visible. "We can embed keywords into the website so anything someone might be searching will come up," a communications officer said.

The committee voted by roll call to forward the recommendation to the full board for placement on the consent agenda. The committee’s approval is explicitly contingent on Higher Learning Commission approval of the merger and final board approval of the combined college. Management said adopting the naming direction now would allow work on branding, websites and integrated records to continue ahead of the merger timeline.

The naming direction decision will return for final action by the full board after the Higher Learning Commission completes its institutional review and the board votes on the merger itself.