At North Hennepin Community College, student success depends on more than what happens in the classroom. It also depends on the safety, reliability, and comfort of the spaces where students learn, connect, and build community every day.
That is why asset preservation funding is so important.
Across Minnesota State’s 33 colleges and universities, asset preservation ensures that essential infrastructure, such as roofs, heating and cooling systems, and ventilation, can be repaired or replaced without diverting operating dollars away from teaching and student support. These projects may not always be visible, but they are critical to environments where learning can thrive.
Many of NHCC’s buildings were constructed between 1969 and 1975, and maintaining them requires significant, long-term investment. Asset preservation projects depend directly on legislative appropriations, not on tuition.
One example is our campus cooling towers, which serve the entire college. NHCC had to rely on short‑term repairs to keep systems running that maintained operations, but did not extend equipment life. Replacement work began in fiscal year 2024 after funding was approved and is scheduled to be completed this spring. This experience shows why timely legislative funding matters.
Asset preservation funding also allows colleges to be responsible stewards of public resources. As Josh Blackwell, director of facilities, explains, “With predictable state support, we can avoid emergency repairs, prioritize projects thoughtfully and ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to extend the life of Minnesota’s public college campuses.”
State support also makes it possible to improve high‑use student spaces. With the most recent allocation of asset preservation funds, NHCC will begin updating the air handling unit in our campus center this May. The campus center is the heart of campus life, hosting student clubs and organizations, cultural programming, leadership development, and essential support services. Each semester, thousands of student visits occur in the building, making reliable, comfortable infrastructure essential.
“The campus center is the central hub for student engagement and community building,” said Monte Stewart, director of Student Life. “Students use this space every day for club meetings, studying, leadership development, and connecting with essential services. When the environment is comfortable and reliable, it supports students’ ability to stay engaged, build community, and succeed at NHCC.”
Students feel the difference directly.
“The campus center has always been our favorite place to gather, but the heat often made it hard to stay,” said student Moyinoluwa Beloved Oluborode. “These improvements will make a real difference in our daily experience on campus.”
This legislative session, Minnesota State’s top capital request includes $200 million for asset preservation across all 33 colleges and universities. This investment would protect public assets, support workforce development, and ensure campuses like North Hennepin remain safe and welcoming places to learn.
At NHCC, asset preservation funding allows our students, faculty, and staff to stay focused on what matters most – education, opportunity, and community. I encourage our legislators to support this critical investment in Minnesota’s future.