In this episode of The Hidden Gem, host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast, to discuss an innovative approach to bridging the gap between students seeking affordable education and employers struggling to fill critical workforce shortages. Dr. Danielson shares the success of the Career Opportunity Program, a last-dollar tuition initiative funded by local employers to remove financial barriers for students while strengthening the regional talent pip...
In this episode of The Hidden Gem, host Maya Demishkevich sits down with Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast, to discuss an innovative approach to bridging the gap between students seeking affordable education and employers struggling to fill critical workforce shortages.
Dr. Danielson shares the success of the Career Opportunity Program, a last-dollar tuition initiative funded by local employers to remove financial barriers for students while strengthening the regional talent pipeline.
Learn how her strategic approach to engaging key business leaders turned this vision into a thriving program that benefits students, employers, and the entire community.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how the Career Opportunity Program removes financial barriers for students through a last-dollar tuition model supported by local employers.
- Discover the strategy behind securing industry funding by leveraging key influencers and turning a single partnership into a regional employer-driven initiative.
- Hear why workforce development isn’t just about recruitment, but about expanding the talent pipeline to benefit both students and local businesses.
- Find out how keeping employer partners engaged—through regular updates, student success metrics, and networking events—ensures long-term investment.
- Understand how community colleges can scale similar models and make a compelling business case for industry-backed education programs.
- Explore the impact the program has had so far, exceeding expectations in both student participation and retention rates.
This episode is a must-listen for college leaders, workforce development professionals, and anyone looking to build stronger employer partnerships to support students.
Guest Name: Dr. Marsha Danielson, President, Minnesota State College Southeast
Guest Bio: Dr. Marsha Danielson serves as the ninth president of Minnesota State College Southeast. She sees the college as a vital resource in meeting the need for qualified employees in the region and believes that its students must graduate career-ready or prepared to succeed in a university environment.
Dr. Danielson has served over 25 years in higher education. From 2007-2021, she served in several capacities at South Central College in Mankato and Faribault, MN. At Minnesota State University, Mankato she worked in several roles within University Advancement from 1996 to 2007.
Dr. Danielson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and a master’s degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She holds a Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University (MI).
View more
