A LETTER FROM THE DEAN

Greetings from Gallatin College, MSU! 

This annual report highlights our unwavering commitment to excellence in Career, Technical and Trades Education (CTE). In addition to CTE, Gallatin College also prepares students for successful transfer into bachelor’s degree programs, through Dual Enrollment, Associate of Arts and Science Degrees and Developmental Education. We’re excited to share student and faculty achievements, our latest innovative programs, and updates on our fundraising for a new state-of-the-art building bringing all Gallatin College students and programs onto MSU’s campus.   

At Gallatin College we believe everyone benefits from the power of education. Our CTE programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic job market. From cutting-edge technology courses to hands-on training in various trades, our programs are tailored to efficiently meet the needs of both students and employers. This past academic year, we expanded our offerings to include new certifications and partnerships with industry leaders, ensuring our students are well-prepared for their future careers.  

As always, our students are at the heart of everything we do. Their success stories are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our faculty and staff. This past year, we had over two hundred graduates; a majority secured employment in their chosen fields or continued their education at four-year institutions. Students were also encouraged to connect with their local and global communities through meaningful projects and the college’s first-ever study abroad opportunity. 

We are thrilled to announce our fundraising campaign for a dedicated career, technical and trades building is well underway! This new facility will provide hands-on labs and shared spaces that will greatly enhance the learning experience for students. Thanks to the generous $11.25 million dollar contribution from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, we are closer than ever to making this vision a reality. We invite you to join us in this exciting endeavor and help create a brighter future for our students who are meeting the workforce needs of Montana. 

I am inspired every day by someone I meet at Gallatin College MSU, whether a student, faculty, staff, or industry partner. Together we are connecting to the eternal value of learning something new, sharing that experience with someone else, and fulfilling potential.  

Warmest Regards,   

Stephanie Gray
Dean, Gallatin College, MSU

On the Move

With funding from the 2014 Mill Levy and the 2021 America Rescue Plan Act grant provided by Gallatin County, Gallatin College MSU moved into two additional leased spaces over summer 2023. This expansion increased student capacity in many popular programs and greatly improved the hands-on training experience. 

Our new location (previously ILX Lightwave) off of the Frontage Road now houses the CNC Machine Technologies, Carpentry, and HVAC-R programs. Carpentry students now have space to build full walls and structures up to 16 feet tall, HVAC-R students can now train in one building instead of three locations across the valley, and CNC Machine Technology students have a safer fully accessible space to complete computer renderings and utilize a wider range of machines. 

IT Network Technology, IT Cybersecurity and Drafting students moved next door to our existing East location where they have dedicated classroom spaces for lectures and more specialized hands-on labs. This move allowed Welding Technologies to move a majority of classes out of Bozeman High School and onto the East campus, cutting the program's wait list in half and increasing capacity to 48 students.  

While necessary, this expansion brings annual lease costs to approximately $700,000. College leadership continues to develop strategies to bring courses onto the MSU Bozeman campus to reduce costs as well as pursue funding for our own future building.

Studying Abroad

For the first time in the college's history, Gallatin College students had the opportunity to engage in a study abroad program. In June 2023, 14 Interior Design and Drafting and CAD Technology students had the opportunity to visit numerous destinations in France and Italy. The trip was a unique opportunity for these students to immerse themselves in the heart of design excellence and draw inspiration from the rich history and contemporary creativity of these iconic cities. Instructors provided tours, sketching sessions, and engaging lectures throughout the design student's time in Europe.

In May 2024, Interior Design students again traveled through the cultural capitals of Paris, Milan, and Florence. Students took turns capturing their daily lessons and adventures on a dedicated Gallatin College Interior Design Instagram page. The following is a post from May 25, 2024:

"Bonjour Paris! We made it! What a beautiful place. We started our journey at the Louvre, exploring the beautiful work of incredible painters from all over the world, taking in the incredible architecture and beauty of the city. We explored Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece, the Louis Vuitton Foundation, exploring the works of Matisse and seeing a beautiful skyline view of the city.  [We are] creating wonderful memories and cherishing every moment together in a new and wonderful place."

The college plans to offer a trip to Germany in May 2025 to inspire and expand the perspectives of CNC Machine Technology, Photonics, Drafting, Welding, HVAC, and Associate of Science students as they explore the world of manufacturing.  

New Opportunities

Fall 2023 marked the start of the Healthcare Administrative Professional Certificate of Applied Science program. The program includes content from a previous Medical Coding program as well as courses in accounting, legal and regulatory aspects of healthcare, human resource management, and more. Five students were enrolled in the first year with enrollment expected to grow in future years.

Another new certificate program, CNC Robotic Tending and Integration began in Spring 2024. The four course program was designed to address increased use of automation in manufacturing and a pressing need for technicians to implement and tend robotic CNC machines. Students may take one or two courses at a time and in any order to allow for ease of access for current student and incumbent workers. 

Gallatin College added new two new general education offerings for students: fully online Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees, and an Associate of Science Pre-Healthcare concentration available fully in-person or partially online.  

For the second summer in a row, the Welding program ran an industry (re)certification training course, providing 16 local professionals with the opportunity to receive a wide range of industry recognized certifications. Participants could choose to complete the training for-credit or as non-credit for ease of enrollment and were able to avoid costly industry endorsement and travel expenses. 

A full list of the college's 25 program offerings are available here. The college plans to offer Medical Lab Assistant, Law Enforcement, Behavioral Health, and Hospitality certificates in future semesters.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

La Academia Familia Latina participants pose with program completion certificates.

La Academia Familia Latina

Through the Latino Pathways Initiative for Higher Education (LPI) Gallatin College partnered with the the MSU College of Education to host La Academia Familia Latina, a program focused on building pathways for Gallatin Valley's English Language Learner (ELL) Latino students, their teachers, and their families to improve educational outcomes.

Along with an official welcome from President Waded Cruzado, this five-session program provided information on post-secondary educational opportunities, applying to higher education, financial planning, and a tour of Gallatin College.

The Academia Familia Latina program partnership directly supported ongoing access, belonging, and community goals which have become increasingly important as regional and college Latin populations continue to grow in southwest Montana and Gallatin College. Hispanic students made up Gallatin College's second largest student demographic in AY 2023-2024 at 6.4%.

Concrete Collaboration

In the spring of 2024, Gallatin College's Carpentry program students collaborated with HAVEN to provide support for survivors of domestic violence, this time through concrete pour for the facility's new animal kennels, allowing residents to bring pets with them to the shelter. 

"This was a great opportunity for our students to engage in a project that will have a long term impact," said Frank Harriman, director for Gallatin College’s Building Trades programs. "I think it was important for our students to see they have skills, that when used, can make a positive difference in someone else's life."

In the fall 2023 semester, Carpentry program students collaborated with Essential Eats Distributors, a nonprofit providing programmatic support for Tribal communities. Students constructed a sturdy snow-resistant out-building for Cedric, a young Rocky Boy rancher, to store supplies and tools that he had invested in. In a letter to the organization Cedric's father wrote,

"You have really lit a fire under [Cedric]. Maybe that's all young people need is someone to believe in them. He is out hustling his brand, securing a range unit, working with other ranchers... if a young man or woman have gumption we need to support them and watch them grow." 

Gallatin College Serves

In its second year, Gallatin College Serves brought together faculty and staff in an effort to  work together, create connection, and give back to the community. Throughout 2023-2024, Gallatin College participants contributed their time, money, and effort to support both students and the wider community.

The initiative included ten volunteer opportunities and engaged over eighty-five volunteers dedicated to making a positive impact.

• HRDC's Fork and Spoon - During five volunteer events, forty Gallatin College representatives served food at this local pay-what-you can diner.
• Unhoused High School Students - Seven representatives collected and donated snacks to local high schools for teens experiencing homelessness.
• HRDC's Warming Shelter - Eight college faculty and staff members made casseroles for Gallatin Valley's residents experiencing homelessness.
• Gallatin College Students - 12 Gallatin College faculty and staff members distributed food to students at the Gallatin College East Campus.
• Cancer Support Center - 14 college representatives made meals for cancer survivors.
• Bozeman Bike Kitchen - Four faculty members spent time working in the local free bike repair facility. 

The vision of the Gallatin College Serves initiative is that by working together, college staff and faculty will not only develop friendships but also strengthen their community.

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

Developmental Education 

• Developmental Education courses in Math, Humanities and Writing continued to be in high demand. During the 2023-2024 academic year, Gallatin College served 2,132 MSU and Gallatin College students to prepare them for college-level courses in math and writing, with around 90% being MSU four-year degree seeking students.

• In spring 2024, Kyndra Campbell, Gallatin College's chair of the Writing and Humanities department, was named a 2024 Montana University System Teaching Scholar. With this honor, Campbell will lead fellow faculty in the exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) can be stratigically and responsibly utilized to enhance the student writing process within developmental and first year writing programs.

  In her project proposal, Campbell stated:

“By shifting our thinking from a culture of fear and hesitation about the use of AI and student work to a culture of innovation and possibility, we will better prepare students to use this new technology in ethical ways that improve their writing confidence, abilities and, in turn, better prepare them for their careers."

Read more about Campbell's plans and the MUS Teaching Scholars program in an April 2024 MSU News article.

Pathways to Career & Technical Education

• In partnership with the City of Bozeman and Southwest Montana Manufacturing Partnership, Gallatin College hosted a PIR day camp for local 6th to 8th grade students in May 2024. 14 middle school students received a tour and demonstration of Gallatin College's CNC Machine Technology program followed by an afternoon at West Paw Design to learn about manufacturing and its significance in the Bozeman area.
• October 2023 marked the second year of Gallatin College's Photonic-CON high-tech info fair. The event drew over 500 regional middle and high school students and aimed to exposed them to photonics and other CTE education and career opportunities available in Montana. With approximately 30 photonics companies located in the Bozeman area, local industry representatives from this and other industries were eager to share their experiences and provide hands-on demonstrations to the upcoming generation of skilled technicians. 
• During the 2023-2024 academic year, Gallatin College served 886 (up 213 students from AY 22-23) regional high school and home school students through Dual Enrollment and Early College course offerings, allowing students to earn college credit before graduating. Six new Career and Technical Education (CTE) dual enrollment courses were offered at 16 regional high schools, including the latest addition: Townsend High School. These course credits are transferable to existing Gallatin College programs, Montana University System colleges and numerous other higher education institutions.

Gallatin College Designated as Center of Academic Excellence

Under the leadership of IT Cybersecurity Program Director Ronda Black, Gallatin College was designated by the The National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense on October 23, 2024. The designation recognizes the program's caliber and ability to prepare students to protect and advance national security and economic prosperity.

According to Gallatin College Dean Stephanie Gray, “On a national level, this designation validates our cyber security program, its rigor and the value of the curriculum for the students[...] This designation will provide more opportunities for students at a global level.”

Read the full MSU News article here. 

Gallatin College CNC Machining Program Featured in Haas/Autodesk Promotion

In the spring of 2024, CNC Machining program director, Aubrin Heinrichs, and a few of his students were featured in a documentary-style promotional video highlighting the interplay between industry machines and CNC machine technology educational curriculum. Teaming up with Haas and Autodesk, Heinrichs and students completed interviews as well as machining and design demonstrations. View the final video Gallatin College, MSU - Saving time and accelerating learning with Haas and Autodesk Fusion curriculum to get a glimpse of the Gallatin College crew in action.

JOIN US!

Instruct

Donate to Our Future Building

The college's enrollment, programs, and need for space continues to grow! With the legislative approval of House Bill5 (section 16, pg. 37) and subsequent amendment (section 14, pg. 27), Gallatin College is slated to have it's own building in the coming years. Please join us in creating a home for our students, a more vibrant community and a stronger Montana economy by donating to the facility fund. We also hope you will share the story of our students, programs and need for space with your friends and neighbors. Hear directly from our students and learn more on our building information webpage.

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