Congresswoman tours EMS program area, Prism Center, Immersive Sim Lab, and Food and Resource Center
Inver Hills Community College hosted a visit by U.S. Representative Angie Craig, Second District of Minnesota. The congresswoman’s office was interested in learning more about the college’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.
EMS Department Chair and Instructor Gordon Kokx, PhD, NRP, along with other EMS faculty showcased the EMS program in Heritage Hall, including the program’s state-of-the-science Anatomage Table, a 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool.
“It was a pleasure for our faculty and students to meet Representative Craig and the many leaders from our state legislature and local government,” Gordon said. “The opportunity to thank them for their continual advocacy and support of emergency medical services was a privilege.”
Gordon noted that during the tour EMS faculty were able to discuss many of the challenges faced by the EMS profession.
“We showed them tangible evidence of how their work is addressing those challenges by helping us provide the future leaders of our profession with an excellent education,” he said.
U.S. Representative Craig also visited the Immersive Simulation Lab in the Activities building as well as the Prism Center of Gender and Sexuality and the Food and Resource Center, both in the College Center.
“We really appreciate our federal, state, and local leaders coming to learn more about our EMS program,” said Michael Berndt, president of Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College, “and to discuss ways we foster inclusion and holistic support on campus. I welcome Representative Craig’s efforts to introduce more high school students to career and technical education opportunities.”
President Berndt reported that Inver Hills offers other strong career programs, including Information Technology Careers, Culturally Responsive Professional Peace Officer, and Paralegal.
“All our programs ultimately prepare students for rewarding careers,” he added. “In many cases, those careers open up when students get further education—and we provide a strong foundation for that advanced study.”
Invited tour members included:
- Mary Frances Clardy, State Representative
- John Huot, State Representative
- Mary Hamann-Roland, Dakota County Commissioner
- Joe Atkins, Dakota County Commissioner
- Liz Workman, Dakota County Commissioner
- Bill Droste, Dakota County Commissioner
- Mary Beth Schubert, Dakota County Director of Communications and Public Affairs
- Nathan Hanson, Dakota County Government Affairs
- John Murphy, IGH Councilman
- Lori Maidment, ISD 191 Guidance Counselor
- Rebecca Akersin, ISD 191 Guidance Counselor
- Molly Romano, ISD 191 Guidance Counselor
Inver Hills campus community members on hand included:
- Michael Berndt, Inver Hills and DCTC President
- Gordon Kokx, EMS Program Director/Faculty
- Elaina Bleifield, Provost & VP of Academic Affairs
- Kari Rusch-Curl, VP of Student Affairs
- JT Bealka, Interim Dean of Business, Healthcare, and Public Service
- Lisé Freking, Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications
- Clarence Fraser, EMS Faculty
- K Kain, EMS Faculty
- Libby Fahrenkamp, Interim Director of Admissions
- Heath Baumgard, Director of Admissions (DCTC)
- Peter Moua, Executive Administrative Assistant
- Karli Tennyson, EMS Student
- Dustin Brown, EMS Student
- Bill Barretto, EMS Student
U.S. Congresswoman Angie Craig Inver Hills Campus Visit February 2024 gallery
View more event photos by opening the Inver Hills Flickr album:
U.S. Congresswoman Angie Craig Inver Hills Campus Visit February 2024
Learn more about U.S. Representative Angie Craig’s campus visit by contacting:
Lisé Freking, JD
Strategic Marketing and Communications Director
Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College
lise.freking@dctc.edu
