Dickinson State University (DSU) and Mayville State University (MSU) are proud to announce the establishment of the Border to Border Education Consortium. This innovative partnership aims to enhance educational opportunities and resources across North Dakota by combining the strengths of both institutions. The first programs to be launched under this consortium will focus on mathematics and chemistry education, with further exploration into music education programs.
Holly Gruhlke, DSU Vice President, expressed her enthusiasm for the new collaboration, stating, “This consortium represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to students across the state. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can offer programs that are both comprehensive and innovative. The collaborative efforts between our institutions will lead to a richer educational experience for our students. We are excited to begin exploring additional program opportunities."
Brian Huschle, Mayville State Vice President for Academic Affairs, highlighted the strategic importance of the consortium. “Our partnership will allow us to better serve our students and communities. Together, we can develop robust educational programs that meet the evolving needs of our region,” he said.
DSU and MSU are committed to several key principles through this partnership. Both universities agree that students are best served by a high-quality partnership between DSU and MSU. This collaboration is designed to meet the academic and teacher preparation needs of the region by providing joint programs in specified areas as well as adjacent academic disciplines.
Joan Aus, Dean of the DSU School of Education, noted the potential impact on future educators. “With the Border to Border Education Consortium, we are creating pathways for students to excel in more academic fields during a time when we need more educators. This initiative will undoubtedly strengthen our teacher preparation programs and benefit schools across North Dakota.”
Both institutions are dedicated to maintaining compliance with state and national accreditation guidelines to ensure quality. DSU’s and MSU’s Teacher Education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The partnership also requires both campuses to participate in and use the Collaborative Student Registration process as mandated by the North Dakota University System. This collaboration aims to deliver high-quality programs of study to students in a convenient, timely, and cost-effective manner.
Kelli Odden, Dean and Division Chair of Education at Mayville State, emphasized the consortium’s broader vision. “This partnership not only enhances our academic offerings but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose between our universities. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of educators and look forward to the positive outcomes this collaboration will bring,” she remarked.
The Border to Border Education Consortium is set to begin enrolling students in its initial mathematics program for the upcoming academic year, and planning for chemistry education is underway. Further details on program offerings and enrollment procedures will be announced in the coming months.