Stories
![Crystal Prose](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2024-01/Crystal%20Prose.jpeg?itok=Qk7G7nK0)
Crystal Prose
I was looking for a local college that supports veterans and has a better student-per-instructor ratio than some of the larger universities. Minnesota State Community and Technical College was the perfect fit.
![Chris Osowski](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2023-12/Chris%20Osowski.jpg?itok=evbKZa7V)
Chris Osowski
Getting my degree from M State in 2021 opened up career opportunities that would have otherwise been much harder to pursue.
![2012 M State Accounting graduate Jessica Tolifson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2023-11/2012_Jessica%20Tolifson.jpg?itok=kEGmBx6l)
Jessica Tolifson
I was a nontraditional student in that I didn't start until my mid-twenties and did the online program. I worked full-time while I did the program, and I needed the flexibility to be able to do both.
Josh Hansen
When I made my decision to enroll, I went from a lost man to determined due to the passing of my older brother. My fiancee is an M State alum, and I wanted to be better for the love of my life, for my brother's memory, and for myself.
![Heidi Peterson, 2018 M State Nursing grad](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2023-08/Heidi%20Peterson_0.jpg?itok=GcDQfcPC)
Heidi Peterson
Struggles with drug and alcohol addiction prevented me from following through on my first two attempts at college, but I went to treatment and got sober in 2012, and things changed for me.
![Nathan Onstad](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2023-07/Nathan%20Onstad.jpg?itok=UKnQ8TWR)
Nathan Onstad
M State gave me the strong academic start I needed to continue on and earn my bachelor’s degree at North Dakota State University, where I finished top of my class in mechanical engineering.
![Austin Olds](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2022-12/Austin%20Olds.jpg?itok=kViTazjw)
Austin Olds
M State directly jump-started my professional career. The college's program options and flexibility allowed me to gain relevant full-time work experience while still in school and also put me on a path to obtain my four-year degree.
![M State Engineering grad Mohammed Mohammed, at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2022-11/Mohammed%20Mohammed.jpg?itok=PjRScqzV)
Mohammed Mohammed
I finished the Engineering program at M State in 2020, went on to North Dakota State University to finish my bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and now I’m a master’s degree student in the GeoSystems program at the University of California, Berkeley.
![Jolee Soma](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2022-10/Jolee%20Soma.jpg?itok=JOrtDtY3)
Jolee Soma
I like M State because it’s a smaller school with smaller class sizes but the education is just as valuable as at bigger schools. My instructors have real-world experience, and I have a lot of opportunities to get involved at the school and in the community.
![Matt Grommesh](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-07/Matthew%20Grommesh.jpg?h=61597149&itok=bOAkld1t)
Matt Grommesh
I wandered around in different jobs, trying to find what I was good at. After I took a job in a pool and hot tub store, I learned how to repair them and fix leaks.
![Autumn Spaeth](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-05/Autumn.jpg?h=76896d07&itok=WgFeuSsc)
Autumn Spaeth
In my first year of college, I attended a big university, but I did not enjoy it. I had a lot of free time, so I started to teach myself to code since that was something that had always interested me.
![April Damlo](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-05/April%20Damlo%20pic.jpg?itok=vhcboss8)
April Damlo
Like many high school seniors, I started college and then had to drop out because life threw a few too many curve balls. I tried to go back on a few different occasions, but something always came up.
![Michael Brunette](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-03/MikeBrunette_21AddySilver_0.jpg?itok=JLGBWg4W)
Michael Brunette
My wife was the one who pushed me to go back to school and told me all about M State! I have been a working musician here in Fargo Moorhead and a music teacher for extra income.
![Tony Doll](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-02/Tony%20Doll%20edited.jpg?itok=xhcI9Ynx)
Tony Doll
I work full time for a trucking company in Fargo as a driver recruiter. There’s a significant need for human resources professionals in the trucking industry, which is a very unique industry with all kinds of challenges you won’t find in a regular siloed company setting.
![Dana Haugen](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-02/Dana%20Haugen.jpg?itok=nf1k7JIY)
Dana Haugen
My experience with M State was a positive one, and I would recommend it to anyone. I had been a medical transcriptionist since 1990, but it was clear that my profession was becoming extinct.
![Ryan Brown](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2023-01/Ryan%20Brown%20Recropped.jpg?itok=JUadDxCi)
Ryan Brown
I knew this was the school for me when I went to check out the college and met Jeff Nelson, the Criminal Justice coordinator. He is very knowledgeable about law enforcement topics, and he works with you if you don’t understand something.
![Katharine Strom Rozanas](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-01/Katharine%20Strom%20Rozanas.jpg?itok=XOj_p5uL)
Katie Strom Rozanas
![Molly Stanley](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-01/Molly%20Stanley.jpg?itok=wQ9a0KDE)
Molly Stanley
I wanted a place to start my college career that had a strong focus on student success and engagement.
![Erin Nissen](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2021-01/Erin%20Nissen.jpg?itok=giZeQkHO)
Erin Nissen
I realized that what I was previously going to college for was just not a good match with the future lifestyle I desire. I work in the radiology department at the main Sanford hospital in Fargo.
![Shawna Davenport](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-12/pic.jpg?itok=p-O3vQ1P)
Shawna Davenport
M State allowed me to achieve a goal that did not seem possible for a large portion of my life. I was a single mom, working full time, trying to make ends meet. The ability to earn my degree online on my own schedule made this all possible for me.
![Alicia Tribble](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-12/Alicia%20Tribble_0.jpg?itok=QrwmkrX7)
Alicia Tribble
Everyone is so inviting and helpful at M State, and that’s what I love the most about going here.
![Emily Canning](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-10/Emily%20Canning%20testimonial.jpg?itok=nrwx1yNR)
Emily Canning
I attended the Massage Therapy program at M State in 2010 and had always been interested in adding into my career in the Cosmetology program.
![Angela Morris](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-10/Angela%20Morris.jpg?itok=3qKUoMXR)
Angela Morris
I was a little worried about living in a remote town in Alaska and studying at M State, but it turned out to be a great experience.
![Rachael Buhr](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-08/Rachel%20Buhr.jpg?itok=Vy7am0zq)
Rachael Buhr
I chose M State because it was close to home, and I never really thought of going anywhere else. They have the Accounting program I was interested in, and I had always heard amazing things about the college.
![Shawna Christie](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-06/Shawna%20Christie%20photo%202.jpg?itok=uDGcQ2xl)
Shawna Christie
M State helped me to realize that I could be more and has opened my eyes to what the world can offer.
![Sarah LaSart](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-06/Sarah%20LaSart%20photo_2.png?itok=FkNC_CKY)
Sarah LaSart
I attended M State as a PSEO student, earning my AA degree while completing my last two years of high school.
![Abby Kimball](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-06/Abby%20Kimball.jpg?itok=2Wy5SKNv)
Abby Kimball
M State provided me with the lab experience and knowledge that gave me confidence when I went out into the early childhood field and got a job.
![Megan Yoder](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-06/Megan%20Yoder.jpeg?itok=XRgPfl-u)
Megan Yoder
Before I enrolled at M State, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for my career, but I knew that I wanted to work with children in some way.
![Ashley Devier](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-06/Ashley%20Devier%20in%20NY%20edited.jpeg?itok=klKv9asX)
Ashley Devier
At M State, the instructors want to see you succeed – you know the teachers care. That makes the program so completely different than anything I’ve experienced.
![Tanya Weets](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-05/tanya-weets.jpg?itok=KZRR_hVd)
Tanya Weets
I chose M State based on the ease of online learning, as well as the specific courses in the Web Design program. M State’s instructors and staff are incredibly helpful and responsive.
![Rhonda Swanson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-03/Rhonda%20Swanson.jpg?itok=vQ_41WVI)
Rhonda Swanson
I have always had an interest in adolescents with mental health disorders. As I was waiting to get into the nursing program at M State, I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn more about mental health.
![Keila Schmitz, wearing safety glasses, stands next to equipment](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2024-06/keila-schmitz-sm.jpg?itok=vR1npYt8)
Keila Schmitz
I planned on going into the medical field and looked into massage therapy, physician’s assistant, nursing and medical lab technician programs. The more I thought about it, I just didn’t think that would suit me.
![Tanner Jorgenson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-02/Tanner%20Jorgenson.jpg?itok=7dkWWDHc)
Tanner Jorgenson
I chose M State’s Diesel Technology program over others in part because of the location and what it has to offer, but also because of the welcome I received when I toured the facility.
![Tristan Trosvig](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-01/Tristan%20Trosvig.png?itok=UzORmsat)
Tristan Trosvig
After taking PSEO classes during high school, I started my sophomore year at M State in Fergus Falls with all but 22 credits completed. Like most AA students, I dabbled in a bit of everything in terms of subject matter.
![Matthew Benjamin](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2020-01/Matthew-Benjamin.jpg?itok=zY-OZS0t)
Matthew Benjamin
I chose M State because of the smaller class sizes. Having been out of high school for 17 years, coming back to school caused a lot of concerns for me.
![Christopher Tuinstra](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-11/Christopher%20Tuinstra.jpg?itok=InwLrPZ4)
Christopher Tuinstra
I chose M State because they have a program that fits me perfectly, and it’s within driving distance of my home. I was working in manufacturing, and I didn’t want to change fields when I’ve been in the industry for 15-plus years.
![Jack Wenglewick](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-10/Jack%20Wenglewick_0%20%282%29.jpg?itok=m5Cer90V)
Jack Wenglewick
After 25 years working in the IT industry, my employer closed their Fargo office and sent the jobs to other locations around the world. Not having a degree in my field negatively impacted my search for a new job.
![Ashley Goebel](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-10/Ashley%20Goebel%202-2.jpg?itok=kng_YzlU)
Ashley Goebel
I chose M State because I was going back to college seven years out of high school, and I appreciate that there are other people at M State doing the same thing.
![Sandrine Kouhe](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-09/Sandrine%202019%202.jpg?itok=3KZKOdzv)
Sandrine Kouhe
I grew up in Fargo with my family and chose M State in Moorhead because not only is it affordable, but they also had my program there. I really enjoyed my time there and can say that M State sent me in the right direction.
![Abdullahi Hashi](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-10/Hashi%20photo%202.jpg?itok=ykIJNxFE)
Abdullahi Hashi
After coming to the United States in 2008 and surviving that first harsh winter, I thought of higher education. M State Fergus Falls was the nearest campus and, since I had a passion for agriculture, I enrolled without thinking twice in the Sustainable Food Production program.
![Chelsie Isacson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Chelsie%20Isacson%20%28004%29_0.jpg?itok=OvDmC2Aw)
Chelsie Isacson
![Katie Mastel](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Katie%20Mastel.jpg?itok=qkSFqHD1)
Katie Mastel
![Delaney Rick](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Delaney-cropped.jpg?itok=aaHhqCOO)
Delaney Rick
Corey Knauss
![Wendy Kieffer](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Wendy%20Kieffer.jpg?itok=8c7DrzwK)
Wendy L. Kieffer
I enrolled at M State due to the list of programs available. I enjoyed being able to talk to the instructors before signing up for a program.
![Kelly Bischof](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Kelly%20photo.jpg?itok=j4P4VN9j)
Kelly Bischof
![Haroon Al Hayde](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Haroon%20Al%20Hayder.jpg?itok=wAwWiQgo)
Haroon Al Hayder
![Jamie Azure](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Jamie%20Azure.jpg?itok=y2iteHiH)
Jamie Azure
![Lydia Bradrick](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Lydia%20Bradrick.jpg?itok=0Arxnj2c)
Lydia Bradrick
![Sydney Anderson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Sydney%20Anderson.jpg?itok=hksf-fZ0)
Sydney Anderson
![Maddie Stephenson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Maddie%20Stephenson_0.jpg?itok=OCgMq4Vf)
Madelyn Stephenson
![Andrew Hanson](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Andrew%20Hanson%20work_0.jpg?itok=5txl7vZ6)
Andrew Hanson
![Jacob Kremin](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Jacob%20Kremin_0.jpg?itok=KMv7oqu8)
Jacob Kremin
![Josh](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Josh%20in%20Polaris%20shirt_0.jpg?itok=1_ueRQF2)
Josh Mickelson
![Caleb Riermann](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Caleb%20Riermann.png?itok=BUpdK6XY)
Caleb Riermann
![Ashley McDaniels](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Ashley%20McDaniels.jpg?itok=C0Qd1XoL)
Ashley McDaniels
![Joe Bessler](/sites/default/files/styles/manual_9_16/public/2019-06/Joe%20Bessler_0.jpg?itok=jjXWvTaA)