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M State celebrates 40 years of helping high school students get ahead

A number 40 decoration on top of a brick half wall surrounding the celebration area

Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) marks the 40th anniversary of its Concurrent Enrollment Program this month – a milestone that highlights decades of academic partnership and achievement. 

The college commemorated the occasion on October 1 with a celebration at the Fergus Falls campus, where the M State program first began in 1985, the same year Minnesota statute established concurrent enrollment statewide. M State also has campuses in Detroit Lakes, Moorhead and Wadena.

Through concurrent enrollment, high school students can earn college credit by taking college courses in their high schools, taught by credentialed instructors. Per state law, students do not pay for tuition or textbooks. The impact on students and families is substantial: In the past decade alone, more than 52,800 high school students have taken M State concurrent enrollment courses, earning over 318,000 college credits and saving an estimated $27.7 million in tuition. Many students graduate high school having already completed their first two years of college – without incurring the typical costs. 

“For 40 years, concurrent enrollment at M State has opened doors for students, families and schools across our region,” says Megan Adamczyk, Director of Dual Enrollment and K12 Partnerships at M State. “We’re proud to be among the state’s pioneers, and even prouder of how the program has grown to serve thousands of students each year. Concurrent enrollment has become a cornerstone of opportunity and achievement. Students graduate ready for college, families save thousands on college tuition, and our communities benefit from a better-prepared workforce. We look forward to building on this legacy for years to come.” 

M State Associate Registrar Krista Price, Associate Director of Dual Enrollment Erin Warren, and Director of Dual Enrollment and K12 Partnerships Megan Adamcyzk, at the 40th Anniversary celebration of M State's Concurrent Enrollment Program at the Fergus Falls campus on Oct. 1.
From left are: M State Associate Registrar Krista Price, Associate Director of Dual Enrollment Erin Warren, and Director of Dual Enrollment and K12 Partnerships Megan Adamcyzk, at the 40th Anniversary celebration of M State's Concurrent Enrollment Program, October 1, 2025 at the Fergus Falls campus. 

M State was among the first colleges in Minnesota to introduce concurrent enrollment, beginning with foundational courses in English and math. Today, the program offers more than 50 courses across a wide range of disciplines, from accounting and physics to sociology and business. Over 30 M State faculty members collaborate with 110 high school instructors from 38 partner high schools, serving students throughout M State’s four-campus region in west central Minnesota. 

Alumni surveys underscore the program’s value: 94% of respondents rate their M State concurrent enrollment experience as “good” or “excellent,” and 99% would recommend M State courses to current high school students. Participants report feeling better prepared academically, more confident in their ability to succeed in college, and more skilled in time management and study habits. Credit transfer rates are high, with 96% of alumni successfully transferring credits to their chosen college or university. 

M State’s Concurrent Enrollment Program has earned accreditation twice from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, first in 2016 and again in 2023, reflecting the college’s ongoing commitment to quality and continuous improvement. The program continues to evolve, with new strategic initiatives and technology enhancements planned for the future.