Hotline // September 24, 2025

VCSU Sets 3rd Consecutive Fall Enrollment Record

Valley City State University has set a fall enrollment record for the third consecutive year, enrolling 1827 students this semester.

Since 2012, VCSU’s enrollment has grown by 34 percent, with the university achieving new fall enrollment records in 12 of the past 13 years. This year’s total includes 1663 undergraduates and 164 graduate students. The total headcount surpasses last fall’s previous record of 1806 students.

Retention rates also reached historic highs this fall. The first-time, full-time student retention rate increased to 77 percent, a 6-point jump from last year and the highest in VCSU history. The overall retention rate rose to 73 percent, up 3 points from the previous year.

“This is a testament to the incredible work of our faculty, staff and the community,” said Dr. Alan LaFave, President of VCSU. “Increasing enrollment and retention rates reflect the growing confidence that students and families have in our quality programs and the positive experiences we offer on campus.”

VCSU’s fall enrollment includes students from 37 different states and 8 countries, with 74 percent coming from North Dakota.

The university’s continued growth is driven by strategic investments in campus improvements, strong institutional partnerships, and a reputation for providing quality education at a great value. VCSU’s scholarship program awards nearly $2 million in student aid annually, and the Forward Together Capital Campaign is transforming the campus through major facility upgrades.

This fall, VCSU reopened McCarthy Hall following a $13.5 million renovation. It now serves as the home of VCSU’s nationally acclaimed School of Education. The university also broke ground on the Tharaldson Family Athletic Center—a major expansion of the athletic facilities—which is on track for completion next fall.

In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, VCSU was named the Top Public Regional College in North Dakota and was ranked No. 2 in the Midwest.

“We’ve seen tremendous momentum over the last 5 years,” said LaFave. “Our commitment to providing quality student experiences remains evident through our on-campus improvements and educational offerings. In fact, 98 percent of students surveyed last year said a VCSU education was worth the investment.”

During the 2024-25 academic year, VCSU conferred a record 537 degrees and certificates. That included 295 undergraduate bachelor’s degrees – the highest number awarded since 2018-19.

Graduate School Enrollment Increases

VCSU’s graduate school also announced a fall enrollment record with 164 students, which is up 6% from last year and 30% since 2023. The graduate programs, which primarily serve K-12 educators, have been offered since 2005.

“We’re proud to see educators choosing to advance their knowledge and skills in our graduate programs,” said James Boe, Dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning. “Their commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth strengthens their classrooms and benefits their students.”

VCSU 2025 Fall Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 1827 (Fall Record)
  • Undergraduate Students: 1663 (Fall Record)
  • Graduate Students: 164 (Fall Record)
• New Full-Time Undergraduate Students: 288
  • First-Year Students: 175
  • Transfer Students: 113
• Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 1178

VCSU 2025 Fall Retention

• First-Time Full-Time Students: 76.83% (Record; up from 70.86%)
• Overall Retention: 73.25% (Record, up from 70.45%)

VCSU Alumni Association Announces Homecoming Honorees

Photo, from left: Trent Kosel, Ashley (Smette) Krinke, Jessica (Hintz) Stoen and Bruce Babcock.

Nine Viking Alumni will be honored at the Valley City State University Alumni Association Honors Breakfast during Homecoming Week.

The VCSU Alumni Association announced that five alumni will receive the Certificate of Merit award, three alumni are being honored with the Young Alumni Achievement award, and Bruce Babcock will be recognized with the Alumni Service Award.

The Alumni Honors Breakfast will be held at the VCSU Student Center on Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 each and will be available at the door or by calling the VCSU Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.

Certificate of Merit Award

The Certificate of Merit award was adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni for accomplishments, service or other noteworthy honors. This year’s recipients include Kalyn (Utt) Botz ‘00, Valley City; Nate Soulis ‘19, Grand Forks; Chad Slyter ‘95, Fargo; Alan Webster ’74 and Kimberley (Nudell) Webster ‘73, Custer, SD.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

The Young Alumni Achievement award was established to recognize VCSU’s more recent, outstanding alumni as they embark on their chosen paths and strive for greatness. The award is presented to recognize future leaders under the age of 40. Trent Kosel ‘11, Fargo; Ashley (Smette) Krinke ‘08, Fargo; and Jessica (Hintz) Stoen ‘10, Gardner will each receive the Young Alumni Achievement award this year.

Alumni Service Award

The Alumni Service Award was adopted by the VCSU Alumni Association to recognize alumni or university friends who have attained exceptional achievement in their careers and have made significant contributions to the University through dedicated service, promotion, financial support or other efforts. This year’s recipient is Bruce Babcock ’78 from Groton, S.D.

The Valley City State University Alumni Association is sponsoring additional events to celebrate Homecoming 2025, which runs Sept. 22-27. For a complete schedule and more information visit www.vcsualumni.org or call the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.

VCSU Establishes AI Institute for Teaching and Learning

Valley City State University has launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute for Teaching and Learning, positioning itself at the forefront of shaping North Dakota’s K–12 education future through the integration of AI.

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education provided final approval for the AI Institute for Teaching and Learning on Sept. 23, and VCSU will now move quickly forward to provide resources and AI training for teachers across the state. The institute is a statewide collaboration of several North Dakota institutions led by VCSU.

A core priority of the AI Institute is equipping K-12 teachers with the knowledge and skills to use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically in the classroom. Drawing on the leadership and expertise of VCSU faculty along with the partner institutions, the Institute will provide comprehensive, standardized professional development for K–12 educators and administrators. These programs are designed to ensure participants develop the competencies needed to work effectively with AI technologies while helping students navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI-enabled learning.

“With VCSU’s long and distinguished history of preparing teachers and leading in innovation, this is a perfect fit for our university,” said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of VCSU. “We are excited to lead this initiative and join forces with several other North Dakota universities and agencies. AI is evolving so quickly and by working together we will help North Dakota teachers adopt and expand new practices more quickly.”

The AI Institute received a $1 million grant from the North Dakota Workforce Education Innovation Fund (WEIF), which provides funding to NDUS institutions for creating and improving educational programs that address the state’s workforce needs. The fund was established by the North Dakota Legislature in 2023.

Two other early areas of focus for the AI institute include preparing career-ready graduates who are well-versed in AI, and the use of AI to create and improve personalized learning pathways for students.

Educators and school administrators interested in learning more can visit the VCSU AI Institute website or contact Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks, larry.brooks@vcsu.edu, or Chief Information Officer Joe Tykwinski, joe.tykwinski@vcsu.edu.

Tomorrow's Teachers Days at VCSU

REGISTER FOR TOMORROW’S TEACHERS DAYS

Valley City State University’s nationally recognized School of Education is hosting a pair of Tomorrow’s Teachers Days this fall, giving high school students an inside look at VCSU’s teacher education programs.

High school juniors and seniors who are considering a career in education are invited to attend the day-long events on either Wednesday, Oct. 22, or Wednesday, Nov. 5. The events run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day.

Students who are interested in elementary education and secondary education careers can attend education classes with current VCSU students, tour VCSU’s campus and the newly renovated School of Education, and visit with current students enrolled in VCSU’s education programs. Lunch at the Student Center will also be provided.

“During this visitation, students will connect with current VCSU teacher education majors, gain an authentic, hands-on perspective of the teaching profession, and experience the joys and rewards of the classroom as they consider education as a future career pathway,” said Allen Burgad, Dean for the VCSU School of Education.

Students interested in attending one of the Tomorrow’s Teachers events are asked to pre-register on VCSU’s website.

VCSU will donate a $500 scholarship to the school district sending the highest number of students to the event.

VCSU was recently ranked the Best College for Teacher Education in North Dakota by Niche.com and is also ranked among the Top 40 in the entire country. VCSU’s teacher education degrees are available both on campus and online. The elementary education program can also be completed at North Dakota State University through a cooperative agreement between the two schools.

Valley City State is a regional leader in teacher education and awards more bachelor’s degrees in education than any other university in the state. At latest count, there are more than 1500 VCSU alumni working as teachers or administrators in 340+ North Dakota schools.

VCSU’s McCarthy Hall reopened this fall after a $13.5 million renovation. It is the new home for VCSU’s School of Education with modern classrooms, labs, and the latest technology needed to train future teachers.

For questions about Tomorrow’s Teachers Visit Days, please contact Rachel Bopp in the School of Education at rachel.n.bopp@vcsu.edu.

VCSU to Host Spanish Day for High School Students, Oct. 8

Valley City State University invites area high school students and classes to its annual Spanish Day on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Hosted by VCSU’s Language and Literature Department, the event immerses students in the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries through engaging, hands-on activities. Participants will:

• Explore contemporary slang from across the Spanish-speaking world
• Learn about diverse cultural traditions
• Hear music from popular Hispanic artists
• Create imaginative, culture-inspired crafts

Students will also have opportunities to learn more about VCSU and its academic offerings in Spanish. VCSU offers majors in Spanish and Spanish Education, as well as a Spanish minor and a Spanish certificate.

Students interested in attending Spanish Day can sign up through VCSU’s website.

Area high school teachers looking to bring a class to Spanish Day can contact VCSU faculty Luis Betancur at luis.betancur@vcsu.edu.

Viking Sports Update

Football
The Vikings made the long trek to La Grande, Oregon to take on Eastern Oregon University. Behind a strong defensive showing, the Vikings came away with a 3-0 win. Vikings blank Eastern Oregon. It’s homecoming week and the Vikings face Simpson University of Redding, California on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Lokken Stadium.

Volleyball
The Viking volleyball team wrapped up its week-long stay in Montana by splitting the last two matches on the trip. The Vikings defeated Rocky Mountain College 3-1 and lost to Carroll College 3-0. Vikings down Rocky Mountain in four sets. Vikings close out trip with loss to Carroll College. The Vikings have two homecoming matches this week. Bismarck State College on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Dickinson State University on Friday at 7 p.m. Both matches are at The Bubble. Tailgating Thursday at 5 p.m. in the NW Corner of the Bubble parking lot.

Cross Country
The Viking harriers were in Medora for the Blue Hawk Invite. Barrera takes third at the Blue Hawk Invitational. The Cross-Country team is off until next week when they travel to Jamestown for the Jimmie Invitational on Friday, October 3.

Golf
The Viking golf team was off this week. They will back on the course for the Beartooth Invitational in Laurel, Mont. This is the second Frontier Conference Fall Meet of the season.

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

August 18 – October 23
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Do You Feel What I Feel art exhibit, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery

September 22-27
VCSU Homecoming
View the homecoming schedule here.

September 26
1 p.m. McCarthy Hall Ribbon Cutting

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/