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Students had their first chance to get to know St. Cloud State at Plymouth this January with the start of spring semester.
“The facility is quite impressive,” said Komal Trishala, a first-year Master of Engineering Management student. “It’s very well designed. It has well-equipped classrooms, secure Wi-Fi, breakout space, discussion rooms and all that is needed for completing the program successfully.”
Located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 169 and Rockford Road, St. Cloud State at Plymouth is home to graduate programs in business administration, engineering management, educational administration, applied clinical research, regulatory affairs and services and medical technology quality. These programs focus on the in-demand industries and are designed to get students the education they need to further their careers.
The facility opened Jan. 9 following the closing of the Twin Cities Graduate Center in Maple Grove.
Trishala finds the Plymouth location to be accessible and well equipped for her program in close proximity to Twin Cities-area companies with the jobs and internships she’s interested in pursuing.
She chose St. Cloud State for her program because of its affordability and for its American Society of Engineering Management certification.
“When I was getting a highly-recognized program at such affordable course fees I did not want to miss this opportunity,” she said. “… I am looking forward to gaining engineering managerial expertise, and I believe this program will help me lay the foundation for the same.”
The layout is improved and St. Cloud State at Plymouth offers new technology including cameras that could be used for teleconferencing, said Peter Anderson, a second year MBA student and aftermarket sales manager at Crown Equipment Corporation in St. Paul.
Komal Trishala listens to her professor during an engineering course at St. Cloud State at Plymouth.
He chose St. Cloud State because of its accreditation, courses that fit in his schedule and affordability.
The transition has taken some getting used to, but it’s been a boon to students as an opportunity to experience navigating new situations and surroundings, which is a valuable lesson for people looking to become leaders and managers, Anderson said.
Students are still getting used to the technology, classroom arrangement and floor-to-ceiling windows at Plymouth, but they are looking forward to see how the new classroom technology will be incorporated.
The MBA program has given Anderson the chance to form relationships with his classmates in his cohort.
Having a cohort gives you the opportunity to learn from others about their real-world experiences and gives students the opportunity to support one another as they seek to balance work, life and studies, he said.
St. Cloud State at Plymouth offers students access to nearby businesses in a city that is home to insurance, medical device and light manufacturing, high-tech research, and printing and publishing industries.
The facility includes five classrooms, two of which can serve as professional training rooms, a conference room, breakout rooms, student lounge and additional spaces that will encourage collaboration and enable integration of technology.
Each classroom includes movable tables and chairs to facilitate collaborative learning and a technology station.
