Drawing on the work of the Postsecondary Value Commission and Minnesota State Equity 2030, we believe that students experience value when provided access and support to complete high-quality, affordable credentials that lead to meaningful employment and opportunities for all Minnesotans to create a better future for themselves, for their families, and for their communities. Because we believe that measuring value matters, each of the tenants of our two strategic outcomes are paired with key performance indicators (KPIs) that we will report through a 2026 Forward strategic planning outcome dashboard. Data are disaggregated when possible to ensure we are achieving equitable outcomes.
Our North Star: Advancing Social Mobility
At the heart of our shared mission is a simple and profound goal: to transform lives through educational experiences that lead to opportunity, prosperity, and the ability to effect change. For BSU and NTC, social mobility means that every learner – regardless of and because of background, geography, and circumstance – can access, afford, succeed in, and benefit from higher education. This is our purpose and our promise to the students and communities of Northern Minnesota.
- Access & Affordability: We create clear and affordable pathways for every student with a desire and commitment to learn. Through dual enrollment and admissions, transfer partnerships, scholarships, accessible learning environments, and flexible delivery models, we expand who can attend and how they can afford to do so.
- KPIs: Disaggregated application, admission, and matriculation data; Average institutional net price
- Student Success: We deliver applied, experiential, and inclusive learning that empowers students to achieve the highest possible standards and thrive inside and outside the classroom. From hands-on technical programs to community-based projects and internships, students learn by doing and build confidence through accomplishment, finding belonging, mastery, and momentum toward their goals.
- KPIs: Disaggregated course success, retention, and graduation metrics
- Post-Completion Prosperity: We ensure that learning leads to meaningful employment, continued education, community engagement, and lifelong growth. By connecting students with employers, industry partners, and alumni, we help them translate their education into strong careers and contributions to their communities so that every graduate leaves ready to prosper, uplift others, and strengthen the North.
- KPIs: Disaggregated post-completion employment data; Economic return metrics
Our Foundation: Financial Vitality
Achieving and maintaining financial vitality is the foundation that enables BSU and NTC to fulfill our shared mission with creativity and purpose. It ensures that we can invest in our people, programs, and infrastructure while expanding equitable access and opportunity for the students we serve. A healthy financial foundation allows us to adapt quickly, innovate boldly, and deliver on our promise of social mobility.
- Net Revenue Generation. We will strengthen the financial health of both institutions by increasing revenue through sustainable enrollment, program innovation, and targeted partnerships. This includes attaining greater efficiency in educational delivery, investing in the future, developing new academic and workforce pathways, expanding customized training opportunities, and aligning resources with programs that meet student demand and regional needs.
- KPIs: Minnesota State Financial Health Indicators; Instructional cost per FYE; Annual fundraising metrics
- Facility Enhancement. Our physical spaces shape how students learn, how employees work, and how the community experiences our campuses. As institutions located within the homelands of the Ojibwe people, we will design and enhance facilities that honor Indigenous knowledge, reflect the culture and landscapes of Northern Minnesota, and align with our commitment to an environmentally sustainable future. Through careful planning and investment, we will modernize learning environments, improve energy efficiency, and create spaces that foster connection, collaboration, and pride reflecting the quality and care of the education we provide.
- KPIs: Minnesota State Physical Plant Risk Factors; Minnesota State B3 Benchmarks (energy, water, and carbon usage)
- Technology Infrastructure. Technology is central to how we teach, learn, and operate. We will invest in modern systems that support academic excellence, streamline operations, and enhance digital experiences for students and employees alike. By modernizing our infrastructure, we will empower innovation and position both BSU and NTC to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
- KPIs: Instructional Technology Accessibility and Performance Survey; Minnesota State B3 Benchmark data for energy, water, and carbon; In-person, online, and multimodal course offerings