06/04/2026
Rooted in purpose, growing opportunity. 🌱 This morning, Metro State welcomed community and employer partners to campus for a breakfast celebrating the power of collaboration and its impact on student success, workforce development, and economic mobility.
Metro State graduate Kevin Day, a cybersecurity professional, shared his journey as a powerful example of economic mobility in action.
Leah Henrikson of Securian Financial and Metro State graduate Brittany Ondo shared how apprenticeship programs bridge the gap between education and employment. Their story demonstrated how intentional partnerships can create opportunity while building talent pipelines for the future.
Julia Miller of Hennepin County highlighted how academic partnerships can support working adults as they build new skills, advance their careers, and strengthen the communities they serve through public service.
To close the event, partners added leaves to our Rooted in Purpose: Elevating Mobility Commitment Trees, sharing commitments to internships, apprenticeships, mentorship, workforce development, and other opportunities that help students thrive.
Every leaf on the tree represents a commitment. Together, they reflect something bigger: a shared belief that talent is everywhere, and opportunity should be too!
At Metro State, we're committed to removing barriers, expanding opportunity, and creating pathways to economic and social mobility for every learner we serve.
The work continues, and there's always room for more partners at the table. Together, we can help create stronger pathways to opportunity, a more inclusive economy, and a brighter future for Minnesota's workforce.
Learn more at https://www.metrostate.edu/
