Hotline // October 7, 2026

VCSU, VCPS Partner with Fargo Schools on $2.48 Million Grant

Valley City State University (VCSU) and Valley City Public Schools (VCPS) are partnering with Fargo Public Schools on a $2.48 million grant program to bolster the pipeline for future K-12 educators.

Led by Fargo Public Schools, the Educator Workforce Innovation Partnership (EWIP) is a 5-year initiative that will build the future education workforce locally. Officials from Fargo Public Schools, West Fargo Public Schools, VCPS, VCSU, Concordia College and Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce initiative announced the partnership on Thursday, Oct. 1, during a press conference in Fargo.

Fargo Public Schools received a $2,483,300 U.S. Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership Program grant to launch the EWIP. The five-year project has a total approved cost of $3,483,300. Federal funds will cover 71.29% of the cost. The remaining $1,000,000, or 28.71%, will be provided as nonfederal governmental matching support. The EWIP will create a comprehensive educator workforce pipeline to strengthen North Dakota’s teacher workforce. The partnership is one of seven grant awardees in the nation.

“This grant will fund a collaboration between higher education and K-12 education that demonstrates the power of what can happen when organizations work together to create the next great generation of educators,” Dr. Cory Steiner, superintendent of the Fargo Public Schools, said. “Education is the foundation of our society and these partnerships will not only lift up the profession, but also create viable, relevant, and authentic pathways to becoming an educator.”

The partnership pairs the three K-12 school districts with three partner institutions of higher education — Concordia College, Valley City State University and Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce initiative. Concordia College and Valley City State University will provide a redesigned, literacy-rich teacher preparation program aligned with North Dakota’s Science of Reading requirements.

The partnership will recruit paraprofessionals, high school students, college students, and career-changers who are already connected to the communities and schools they will serve.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to recruit and prepare high-quality teachers for our schools and communities,” said Dr. Allen Burgad, interim president of VCSU. “We are committed to our role in providing additional support and a stronger career pathway for teacher candidates, while addressing the growing need for educators.”

Keep reading at https://www.vcsu.edu/vcsu-vcps-partner-with-fargo-schools-on-2-48-million-grant/.

Jagger Dickman’s Senior Exhibition Opens Oct. 12 at VCSU Gallery

Valley City State University digital design student Jagger Wayne Dickman presents his senior exhibition “Life Through the Lens” at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery this month.

Jagger’s work will be on display inside the gallery from October 12-26. A live artist talk and reception will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. Jagger’s artist talk will be streamed live on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube page.

“My work is about finding the beauty and the defining moments in life, whether that be the beauty in a chunk of land that a farmer works on in the daily life,” said Dickman. “Additionally, this could include that defining moment in a football game that changes the complexion of the game, or even an old dusty whisky bottle that no one has touched for a period of time. Finding the beauty in those moments and things is what Life Through the Lens is all about.”

After graduation, Jagger plans to head back home to Minot, N.D. He plans to work and start his own photography business in the future, exploring all sorts of photography that will create memories for those who choose to book with him.

Jagger would first like to thank his family for being there and supporting him through his time here at Valley City State University. Secondly, he would like to thank Professor Ekow Ephrim, Professor Angela Mirscov, and Professor Gratia Brown guiding him through his time here in the art program. Last, but most certainly not least, he would like to thank his father John Dickman for getting him into the art of photography.

Mircsov attends National Council of Arts Administrators Conference

Angela Mircsov, M.F.A., associate professor for art, attended the National Council of Arts Administrators Conference, Shifting Grounds, in Fayetteville, Ark., from Sept. 23-25. The conference theme covered the evolving landscape of higher education and the arts, and how we can be sustainable and provide access in our communities. Mircsov aims to bring what she learned back to her department and the broader VCSU community.

CSSE Faculty and Students Attend CyberCon 2026 in Bismarck

Computer Systems and Software Engineering faculty Susan Pfeifer and Xin Wang led four students to CyberCon 2026 in Bismarck on Sept. 29-30. CyberCon is an annual conference that brings together cybersecurity and critical infrastructure professionals to share knowledge, discuss emerging challenges, and explore innovative solutions.

As part of the conference, Pfeifer delivered a presentation focused on cybersecurity and AI education. The presentation highlighted current initiatives, challenges, successes, and approaches to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The CSSE Department has encouraged and supported student participation in CyberCon for many years to connect academic learning with industry practice. Faculty members also gained insights into current industry developments and practical applications that can help strengthen and update course materials for future classes.

Anderson attends Central Mountains and Plains Section of The Wildlife Society meeting

Bob Anderson, Ph.D., professor for fisheries and wildlife science, attended the Central Mountains and Plains Section of The Wildlife Society meeting Sept. 9-11 in Medora, N.D. The meeting was held at the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Numerous research presentations and networking opportunities with wildlife professionals from seven states provided valuable professional development and opportunities to exchange ideas relevant to wildlife management and his teaching at VCSU.

Viking Sports Update

Volleyball
Valley City State secured a home victory against Bismarck State in a highly competitive five-set match. Trailing in the final set, VCSU rallied to win eight of the last nine points to clinch the win. The team carried this momentum into their subsequent match, achieving a decisive sweep over Dickinson State. Although concluded in three sets, the match was closely contested, highlighted by a hard-fought 35-33 set two victory.

Football
Valley City State football narrowly lost a closely contested road game at Herb Klindt Field in the final minute. Despite facing an early 20-3 deficit, the Vikings mounted a strong rally fueled by a third-quarter defensive shutout and an efficient performance from quarterback Brayden Medeiros, who threw for 324 yards without an interception.

Cross Country
A short staffed VCSU cross country team faced the demanding Parkhurst course in Jamestown. Kole Albers highlighted the day with a strong 14th-place finish, while Jadeyn Lura used her previous experience on the course to clock her fastest time of the year. The team now looks to carry this positive momentum into the second half of the season.

Golf
Riding the momentum of a two day tournament in Bismarck, the Valley City State golf teams quickly returned to the course with impressive results. Sadie Neustel continued her stellar play by claiming another individual title, and the men’s team capped off the MinDak College Invite by taking home the team championship. Valley City State University golf closed its fall season with two historic performances at the Carroll College Classic, as Sadie Neustel set the women’s 18-hole program record scoring a 74 (+2) on Monday and Nick Meisch secured the men’s 54-hole school record Tuesday with a 217 (+1). Competing Oct. 5–6 at Bill Roberts Golf Course, the Vikings finished their final tournament of the fall with Neustel placing sixth and Meisch tying for 14th against Frontier Conference competition.

Frontier Conference Recognition
Kole Albers earned Frontier Conference Runner of the Week honors following his October 2 performance at the Jimmie Invite. Albers placed 14th among 65 runners with an 8K time of 26:46, being one of two men who secured a course personal best on the Parkhurst terrain.

Upcoming Events
Oct. 9 Volleyball vs. Montana Tech, 6 p.m. (Butte, Mont.)

Oct. 10 Volleyball vs. Montana Western, (Dillon, Mont.)

Oct. 10: Football vs. Mayville State, 1:00 p.m. (Jerome Berg Field, Mayville, N.D.)

Oct. 10: Women’s Basketball- Scrimmage, 1:00 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, Valley City, N.D.)

Oct. 10: Men’s Basketball- Cardinal and Black Scrimmage, 4:00 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, Valley City, N.D.)

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

October 9
7 p.m. Fall Choral Concert, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

October 16 & 17
Viking Visit Day

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/