More information about business services at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities:
(800) 366-7380
E-mail the center
Center Hours:
7 AM-9 PM (M-F);
10 AM-3:30 PM (Sa-Su)
Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development Management Team
Michael Murphy, PhD
Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development
651-282-5516
michael.murphy@so.mnscu.edu
Michael joined Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in July 1999. As associate vice chancellor, Michael coordinates strategic partnership opportunities, system initiatives and the system's response to workforce and economic development issues. Michael oversees system initiatives for customized training, the biosciences, the health education industry partnership (HEIP), the Fire Safety/Emergency Management Services, Hazardous Waste and Anti-Terrorism Training Center, manufacturing, ISEEK and CareerOneStop.
Michael received his masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota in American Studies. From 1996-97, he was "scholar in residence" at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he and his wife have a home.
Gail O'Kane, PhD
Education-Industry Partnership Manager, Emerging Technologies
651-282-5514
gailokane@so.mnscu.edu
Gail is the education-industry partnership manager for emerging technologies for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. In this role, she coordinates systemwide initiatives related to bioscience and to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Gail also works closely with a number of business organizations. She serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota, an industry group. She coordinates the Alliance's statewide Biosciences Education-Industry Partnership Council, which includes members from K-12 education, higher education, industry, workforce development and supporting organizations. She also is active in the Minnesota High Tech Association and serves as a member of its foundation board.
Gail holds a PhD in neuroscience from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where her research involved using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study normal, healthy aging. Prior to pursuing neuroscience, she was a magazine and newspaper journalist in Massachusetts.
Mary Rothchild
Director for Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development
651-297-1585
mary.rothchild@so.mnscu.edu
Mary is the director for Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development. She is also the system's specialist for developing strategic partnerships with businesses and industries in Minnesota for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Her primary responsibility is managing education projects for the health care, manufacturing and energy industries.
Mary has a bachelors degree in political science, a masters degree in business administration and is currently completing her doctoral studies in Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota.
Richard Tvedten
System Director for Customized Training and Continuing Education
651-296-8026
richard.tvedten@so.mnscu.edu
Richard is the system director for customized training and continuing education. He coordinates college and university provision of services for employers and the incumbent workforce through funding, strategic planning and policy development. He is also the chancellor's designee to the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP).
Richard earned his bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota in American Studies and an masters degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
