Welcome to Northland Community & Technical College! As you begin your journey as a Pioneer, my wish for you this year is that you make lifelong connections with your peers, your instructors and your community as you work to achieve your academic and career goals. I am excited for your future and thrilled to be on this journey with you.
Northland graduates leave this place with more than a degree, diploma or certificate. They leave here with advanced training, real-world experience and the confidence to become leaders in their chosen field. Our focus is student achievement, giving you the tools and resources you need for lifelong success.
Northland has a long history of serving the needs of students and employers. Beginning in 1949, the Minnesota State Board of Education approved a vocational school — Thief River Falls Area Vocational Institute — to help meet the local workforce needs. A junior college opened in 1965, when the Thief River Falls State Junior College held its first classes. The names of each institution changed throughout the following years before merging to form Northland Community & Technical College in 1995.
Meanwhile, in East Grand Forks, another vocational school opened in 1971. The East Grand Forks Area Vocational Technical Institute went through three different name changes before consolidating with five more area technical colleges in 1992 to become Northwest Technical College.
Finally, in 2003, Northwest Technical College in East Grand Forks merged with Northland Community & Technical College in Thief River Falls. Through these many name changes and consolidations, our tiny but mighty college steadily expanded into today’s two-campus learning institution with a truly global reach and opportunities for all.
Your time here will go fast. Embrace the challenge and push yourself. I encourage you to take advantage of Northland’s supportive atmosphere, to reach out when you have questions, and to ask for help when you need it. You will quickly discover that everyone working here is here to help you succeed.
Sincerely,
Shari Olson, PhD
Interim President