Patrick Opatz Named Interim President of Century College

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 17, 2015 – The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities today appointed Patrick Opatz to serve as interim president of Century College. Opatz is currently the vice president of finance and administration at Century, and will assume the role of interim president while a search is conducted for a permanent president. Current president Ron Anderson has been named MnSCU vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. Both appointments become effective July 1, 2015.

Patrick Opatz

“Century College is at a critical juncture,” said Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, “and Patrick Opatz has the knowledge, trust, and experience needed to step in 14 days from now to serve as interim president. He has worked closely with President Anderson over the past four years on the major issues facing Century College, including the development of a new strategic plan. Dr. Opatz will work with students, faculty, staff, and community leaders to keep Century College on the road to success.”

Opatz has served as vice president of finance and administration at Century College since 2010. Previous roles in higher education include director of Minnesota Online and system budget director at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; assistant vice president for business and finance, and planning and budget director at St. Norbert College; and research associate in the Office of Planning and Analysis, and program assistant, finance and operations at the University of Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Minnesota, and a master’s and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

Century College, located in White Bear Lake, MN is one of the largest community and technical colleges in Minnesota serving over 18,000 credit and non-credit students. Century College offers a variety of high-quality career and transfer degrees, diplomas and certificates developed to lead to employment or transfer to a four-year university. With a commitment to student success, Century College provides many innovative student support services designed to help students achieve their educational goals. Through a wide range of student life opportunities, and a vibrant, diverse campus community, students gain leadership skills and make connections.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities include 24 two-year community, technical, and comprehensive colleges and seven state universities serving more than 410,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.

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