Group tours select areas in Heritage Hall, Activities Building, and newly renovated Technology & Business Building
Minnesota State Representative Dave Baker (R-16B) and Minnesota State Representative Mary Frances Clardy (D-53A) joined Michael Berndt, Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College president, along with Inver Hills administrators and faculty, Citizens League staff, and local leaders on a campus tour Friday morning, August 22, 2025, as part the Citizens League Minnesota Legislative Exchange (MLE).
Tour group members visited the new Information Technology Careers (ITC) server room and IT Training Labs in the newly renovated Technology & Business Building. They toured an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) lab and learned about the Military and Veterans Lounge and the college’s Criminal Justice and Peace Officer programs in Heritage Hall. They also experienced the Immersive Sim Lab in the Activities Building.
“The Minnesota Legislative Exchange is such a terrific idea, and the conversation around improving workforce development is something we all care about, regardless of political affiliation,” President Berndt said. “We all want Minnesotans to have access to good paying jobs, and our employers need qualified workers.”
Members of the tour group included:
Jake Loesch, Citizens League Executive Director
Luna Allen-Bakerian, Citizens League Director of Public Policy
Jonathan Perman, Minnesota Legislative Exchange (MLE) Founder
Dave Bernhardson, ISD 199 Superintendent
Colleen Nocerini, Political Organizer, St. Paul Regional Labor Federation
Inver Hills/DCTC
Michael Berndt, President
Elaina Bleifield, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Anne Johnson, Vice President of Enrollment Management
JT Bealka, Dean of Business, Healthcare, and Public Service
Kim Shaff, Executive Director of Foundations and Community Relations for Inver Hills and DCTC
Leslie Palmer, Criminal Justice Faculty
Benjamin Feldkamp, EMS Director/Faculty
Diana Mancino, Nursing Faculty
Chris Hinrichs, Customized Education & Customized Training Representative
Citizens League Minnesota Legislative Exchange Inver Hills Tour gallery
View more event photos by opening the Inver Hills Flickr album:
Citizens League Minnesota Legislative Exchange Inver Hills Tour
More about Minnesota Legislative Exchange…¹
Bridging divides and building relationships, two legislators at a time
The Minnesota Legislative Exchange is a first-in-the-nation effort to build trust and bipartisan relationships in state legislatures. As Minnesota’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit focused on civic engagement and public policy solutions, Citizens League is proud to lead this important effort, intentionally forging new relationships to bridge divides and govern our state effectively.
Why?
Minnesota has a long history of divided government. In recent decades, however, political acrimony and distrust has been growing around the halls of the State Capitol and around the state as our communities and national politics have become more polarized and divisive.
How?
The MLE will pair one legislator with another from the opposite political party to visit each other’s districts, with special emphasis on identifying dissimilar districts, including geography, culture, politics, community demographics, etc.
Citizens League will work with host legislators to design itineraries that showcase unique experiences, industries, businesses and community leadership in the district. Itineraries will typically last 12-36 hours, and may include – but are not limited to – tours, roundtable conversations, and meetings with local civic and community leaders. The MLE aspires to nurture real, authentic connections and trust across differences.
LEARN MORE…
Learn more about attending Inver Hills Community College by contacting:
Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
866-576-0689
College Center
- Want more information? Fill out an inquiry form.
- Ready to apply? Fill out an application.
- Want to virtually visit campus? Check out our upcoming visit opportunities.
- Can’t make it to campus? Take our virtual tour.
Want to connect with an advisor? Check out our virtual drop-in hours or email admissions@inverhills.edu to request a campus-based or phone appointment.
¹ SOURCE: Citizen League: Minnesota Legislative Exchange (MLE)
