Two Twin Cities area colleges in northern suburbs to realign under one president

Search for new president to begin immediately

To better serve students in the northern suburbs and the Cambridge area, Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College will realign under one president by next fall, James H. McCormick, chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, said Thursday.

A search for a new president to lead the two aligned colleges will begin immediately and will be led by Keith Stover, president of South Central College. Both Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College have interim presidents.

“After a careful review, I am convinced that aligning programs and services in Anoka and Isanti counties is in the best interests of our students,” McCormick said. “Restructuring the two colleges will create efficiencies in administration and better coordination of programs for students. Partnerships with business and industry in the area also will be enhanced.”

McCormick said this is not a merger. “The realignment means that each college will retain its own name, mission and accreditation. It is essential that the colleges retain their identity and distinct nature as they serve differing student populations,” McCormick said.

The decision follows several months of discussions with faculty, staff and community members at Anoka-Ramsey’s campuses in Coon Rapids and Cambridge and Anoka Technical College’s campus in Anoka.