April 20, 2012
Candidate Spectar Withdraws from Consideration for Winona State University Presidency
Contact:
Melinda Voss, (651) 201-1804, melinda.voss@so.mnscu.edu
ST. PAUL, Minn., April 20, 2012 – Earl Potter, president of St. Cloud State University and chair of the presidential Search Advisory Committee for Winona State University, announced that late this afternoon Jem Spectar withdrew as a candidate for the presidency.
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The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system includes 24 two-year community and technical colleges and seven state universities. It is the fifth largest higher education system of its kind in the United States. Each year, more than 420,000 students from all walks of life attend MnSCU colleges and universities for undergraduate and graduate degree, certificate and diploma programs, training and retraining classes and courses to enrich their lives. MnSCU educates:
- 63 percent of Minnesota’s undergraduates;
- 49 percent of the state’s new teaching graduates;
- More than 80 percent of new nursing, construction trades, law enforcement and mechanics graduates; and
- 9,000 firefighters and emergency first responders each year.
These are recent high school graduates, adult learners, workers and professionals retooling to meet the current and future needs of Minnesota’s businesses. More than 80 percent of MnSCU graduates stay in Minnesota to work or continue their education. Nearly 86 percent of MnSCU graduates get jobs related to their field of study. In addition, MnSCU partners with 6,000 employers throughout the state to provide customized training to 122,000 employees, helping to ensure that these Minnesota companies remain competitive. MnSCU delivers the most affordable and cost effective higher education option in Minnesota.
Minnesota's 31 state community and technical colleges, and universities serve more than 420,000 students across the state.
