Northland Community and Technical College was host to the 2009 Minnesota Education Fair at the Thief River Falls campus on Tuesday, September 22nd. The NCTC College Fair is one of the largest college fairs in the state.

Second year transfer students and 785 juniors and seniors from area high schools were in attendance including Crookston, Kittson Central, Goodridge, Greenbush-Middle River, Marshall County Central, Red Lake County Central, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Win-E-Mac, Badger, Grygla, Lancaster, Waubun, Tri-County, Red Lake Falls, Roseau, Mahnomen, Red Lake and Thief River Falls.

Representatives from 56 educational institutions from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Manitoba were available to answer questions and provide important information for post-high school planning. Structured like a trade show, participants were free to browse various displays and speak with the schools, colleges, and universities. The event also benefits the participating colleges, enabling them to reach more students quicker and more cost effectively.

College fairs provide students with an opportunity to visit with colleges, universities and technical colleges and armed services at one convenient location. Northland College has hosted the Minnesota Education Fair for the past 21 years, and, according to NCTC Director of Enrollment Management Gene Klinke, the event is essential for students critiquing colleges and interested in returning to school. “The college fair also provides Northland College students the opportunity to visit with college representatives about transfer possibilities as well as learn more about job opportunities in the area. High school students can take this time to meet with college representatives to help answer their questions regarding college to help them make the first step toward continuing their education,” said Klinke.

Northland’s College Fair is sponsored by the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC), the same group that hosts the successful National College Fair each fall in Minneapolis.