About Gallatin College

Gallatin College MSU is Southwest Montana’s two-year college, offering affordable programs that accelerate a student's time to graduation and the start of a successful career. Our Associate of Arts and Science and developmental education programs offer a supportive transition into college, while workforce programs provide valuable skills necessary for jobs in thriving industries such as advanced technology, business, construction trades, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and more. With small class sizes, expert instruction, and extensive student resources, we help students discover their unique talents and passions on their journey to fulfilling their potential while directly supporting our local and statewide economy.

Student Demographics

• • The first in their family to attend college
  • Working while attending classes
  • Paying for school on their own
  • Managing family responsibilities
  • Non-traditional in age (average age of 23)
  • Adults changing careers or exploring interests

Around 80% of Gallatin College MSU graduates remain in Montana making important contributions to the state's economy. Learn more about our students and impact in our communities in our Annual Report.

Need

Limited Space

As the fastest growing two-year college in Montana, a lack of dedicated space is inhibiting further enrollment growth and workforce program expansion. The college’s 25 programs often fill to capacity. Programs take place at six different locations across the valley. Three of these locations are off campus leased instructional spaces which are projected to cost Gallatin College over $700,000annually. This is money that could be used to grow program capacity and better serve our community and state economy. 

Student Support Challenges 

With programs spread across the valley, our students are often required to travel between multiple locations to attend courses and do not have access to public transportation to do so. This added travel time and expense can inhibit student attendance. It also hinders students from experiencing a sense of place and community with fellow students and faculty. Gallatin College feels that our one- and two-year workforce students warrant adequate learning and training space that encourages, rather than inhibits, their ability to complete courses with pride and enter the community and workforce in a timely manner. 

Give

Gifts at every level make a lasting difference!  Be a part of creating a space for generations of Gallatin College students to come.

Building Plans

Location

The Gallatin College MSU Career and Technical Trades facility will be located on the MSU campus where students can take advantage of campus amenities such as the library, wellness center, dorms, dining facilities, and public transportation. With this facility, there will no longer be leased space costs and programs will expand capacity and enrollment. The building will be located on the southeast side of campus.

An Innovative Career and Technical Trades Building

The building will feature large lab spaces with flexible design features including movable walls to expand and contract for instruction as needed. The majority of the building will be dedicated to lab training as lecture courses will take place in existing on-campus classrooms. This facility will be infused with virtual technology capabilities to deliver high quality training in all labs to bring in students from across the state, and region. Gallatin College MSU will serve as the hub of workforce innovation that will educate and train Montana students and provide Montana companies with incubator opportunities to use, create, and test new technologies and state-of-the-art equipment.

$46 million estimated project cost

$23.5 million appropriated by House Bill 5 (section 16, pg. 37) and subsequent amendment (section 14, pg. 27)
$22.5 million to be raised by Gallatin College MSU and the MSU Alumni Foundation

Progress

Summer 2024

--- Gallatin College, Montana State University receives a significant gift from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation ($11.5M) and contributions from additional partners ($300,000), helping the college pass the half-way mark to its fundraising goals.

February 28, 2024

--- The State of Montana budget director approves the Gallatin College Career and Technical Trades facility project plan.

Summer 2023

--- Gallatin College MSU drafts and develops a facility plan in accordance with the legislative directive HB5.  

Spring 2023

--- Legislature and Governor Gianforte approve House Bill 5 which allows for $23.5 million in construction funding after contingencies are met.  The bill establishes a September 30^th deadline for submitting a plan through the department of administration to the budget director. It also establishes a fundraising goal of $22.5 million to be raised prior to capitol project procurement, planning, or design. 

January 2022

--- MSU submits Gallatin College MSU Career Technical Building as top priority on the Long Range Building Plan which is submitted to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. 

For additional questions about the Gallatin College MSU Facility Fund, please contact the Montana State University Alumni Foundation at info@msuaf.org or call 406-994-2053.