Posted: March 19, 2014
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
ST. PAUL, Minn., March 19, 2014 – The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities today appointed Dr. Laura Urban as president of Alexandria Technical & Community College. Her appointment becomes effective July 1, 2014.
“Dr. Laura Urban has a tremendous wealth of experience leading community and technical colleges,” said Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “She will effectively collaborate with students, faculty and staff, with K-12 school districts, with business and industry partners, and with communities across the region. Dr. Urban will lead Alex Tech in an open, inclusive and transparent way.”
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Urban has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Gateway Community and Technical College since 2010. Previously, she served at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College (WI) as chief academic officer and academic dean from 2006 to 2010, and at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College from 1997 to 2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northland College, a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Colorado State University and a doctorate in education from Capella University. Urban said, “I am very pleased to have been selected as president and have the opportunity to lead this outstanding college. The opportunities that Alexandria Technical & Community College provides through education, innovation and leadership are vital to our graduates as well as regional businesses, and I look forward to being part of its continued success.” Alexandria Technical & Community College has a rich history of excellence in instruction and high academic expectations and performance. Numerous partnerships with local, state, national and international business have led to significant business and industry financial support through the college's foundation, which awards more than $380,000 in student scholarships each year. |
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Dr. Urban succeeds Dr. Kevin Kopischke who has announced his intention to retire after serving as president of Alexandria Technical & Community College since 2004 and as vice president from 1991 until 2004.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities include 24 two-year community, technical, and comprehensive colleges and seven state universities serving more than 430,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.
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