U.S. News Continues to Rank BSU Amongst Region’s Elite

For the 15th consecutive year, Bemidji State University has been ranked among the best schools in the Midwest region by U.S. News and World Report. In the magazine’s list of America’s Best Colleges 2024, announced in September, BSU was ranked 83rd amongst all master’s universities in the Midwest region, its highest overall ranking since 2010, and tied for 26th in the region amongst public institutions. The list evaluates schools each year using hundreds of data points and more than a dozen measures of academic quality.

New-student Enrollment Exceeds Projections

BSU’s current — and future — enrollment received a significant boost when final numbers were announced in October on the 30th day of fall classes, the traditional fall census date for Minnesota State’s colleges and universities. BSU’s enrollment of new first-time freshmen was up 10% over 2023, beating projections and leading all Minnesota State universities. That growth included a 26% increase in American Indian student enrollment and significant increases in students who live within 25, 50 or 100 miles of Bemidji. Overall, BSU’s enrollment was down around 1.5%.

North Star Promise to Create Opportunities for Minnesota Students

For students entering college in the fall of 2024, Minnesota’s North Star Promise program will allow many Northern Minnesota students to attend college without worrying about tuition and fees. The North Star Promise will ensure that students from families making less than $80,000 per year will have 100% of their tuition and fees covered at Minnesota’s two-year and four-year public colleges and universities after other federal and state financial aid are applied. The North Star Promise creates an attainable pathway to education, which then leads to employment opportunities, for Minnesotans.
Learn more about the North Star Promise by visiting bemidjistate.edu.

$2.5 Million Grant Creates Opportunity for STEM Students

Students interested in majoring in one of 13 Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) disciplines at Bemidji State University can qualify for as much as $75,000 toward tuition and other unmet educational expenses related to the full cost of attending school, thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The STEM Scholars program will support around 50 students over the next six years. Qualifying majors include biology and aquatic and wildlife biology, chemistry and biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, geography, computer information systems, environmental studies, policy planning, mathematics and Indigenous sustainability studies.

Hoffman Elevated to Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

Ben Hoffman, previously BSU’s executive director of admissions and registrar, will be elevated to a new position of associate vice president for enrollment management, reporting to BSU President John L. Hoffman. Ben Hoffman’s promotion will fill BSU’s executive leadership position in enrollment management, previously held by Carola Thorson, vice president for enrollment management. Ben Hoffman joined BSU’s team in January after working as registrar and director of academic advising at Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls.

AIRC Team Expands, Adds Student Success Advisors

BSU’s American Indian Resource Center team has added two new student success advisors as part of an expansion of its team enabled by the creation and funding of the Nisidotaading Institute by the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities.

Ashley Jones joined the AIRC in July after more than a decade serving students in the Bemidji School District. Jack Warren, who served as Council of Indian Students treasurer last year, joined in August.
Additionally, Northwest Technical College now has dedicated, on-site American Indian Resource Center staff supporting its students for the first time ever. Nichole Naasz was hired into that position in July.

Outdoor Classroom Debuts

In July, BSU’s Sustainability Office and School of Technology, Art & Design completed a collaboration to create an outdoor classroom space on a lawn between Memorial Hall and the upper Hobson Memorial Union. The classroom creates an engaging space for students and others to gather outdoors, while also developing adjacent landscaping into a haven for migrating butterflies. The addition of native plants also reduces the grounds maintenance needed on campus during the summer, as these plants require little watering or weeding.

Students Receive Grant to Install Bird-safe Decals

The BSU Wildlife Society received a $1,500 grant from Beltrami Electric Cooperative to add bird-safe decals to windows at the A.C. Clark Library and at Linden and Hagg-Sauer halls. Dr. Jacob Haus, assistant professor of biology, said the project’s goal is to reduce the number of songbirds that are killed by flying into windows on campus. The decals reflect UV rays from sunlight, making the windows more visible to birds and helping them avoid crashing into windows.

100% Online Project Management Degree Earns Top 10 Ranking by Forbes

BSU’s online project management degree was awarded a top 10 ranking by Forbes Advisor. Forbes ranked 17 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities offering online project management degree programs in the U.S. based on credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. BSU was named to the list for its low student-to-faculty ratio, high retention and graduation rates and for offering in-state tuition to all students.

BSU Joins First Scholars Network for Service to First-Generation Students

BSU was announced as one of 76 new members of the First Scholars Network for 2023-24 by the Center for First-generation Student Success. BSU was chosen for its demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students. Approximately half of BSU and Northwest Technical College students are first-generation college students, meaning that their parents do not have college degrees. Membership in the network will create opportunities for BSU to access additional resources and build relationships with other schools to learn new strategies for encouraging success amongst first-generation students.

Undergrads Present Research in Wisconsin

Students and faculty representing BSU’s chemistry, business administration and marketing communications programs traveled to Eau Claire, Wis., to attend the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The annual conference, held April 13–15 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and coordinated by the Council on Undergraduate Research, brings together student presenters in all disciplines from higher education institutions across the country. Eight BSU students delivered poster and oral presentations on topics including how technology can impact a sports fan’s brand experience; prevention of sexual violence on college campuses; and the role a particular protein may play in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

BSU Receives “A” Rating for Teaching the Science of Reading

BSU’s elementary education undergraduate program was recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality for its efforts in preparing future teachers to teach reading. BSU is one of just two Minnesota universities — and one of fewer than 23% of schools nationwide — to earn the recognition. BSU was noted for its work to ensure its teacher candidates meet standards set by literacy experts for providing the most effective methods of reading instruction.

Nursing Grads Pass NCLEX Licensing Exam

SU’s nursing class of 2023 achieved a 100% pass rate on their first attempts at the NCLEX-RN national licensing exam, a first in program history. The NCLEX-RN exam is a national standardized test that every state regulatory board uses to determine if a candidate is ready to enter professional nursing practice in the United States.