Yellowstone Times

Gallatin College Montana State University recently held its inaugural Career and Technical Education Night at Belgrade High School. The event aimed to introduce high school and middle school students, along with their parents, to the college's programs and career pathways.

The evening featured a variety of activities, including hands-on experiences in cybersecurity and culinary arts. Attendees also participated in entrepreneurial exercises like running a mock lemonade stand. Approximately 150 individuals engaged with program directors to learn about dual enrollment opportunities and the college's one- and two-year programs.

Jessi Cannaday, Gallatin College MSU's enrollment manager, expressed optimism about the event's potential impact on students' educational trajectories. “It feels great knowing one event we planned might change the course of their educational future,” she stated.

Currently, around 200 students from Belgrade High School are enrolled in dual enrollment courses through Gallatin College MSU. This spring saw a 10.7% increase in dual enrollment participation compared to the previous year, with 763 students taking part. These credits are recognized by Gallatin College MSU and other institutions within the Montana University System.

Randy Radke, head of Belgrade High School’s career and technical education department, initiated CTE Night to highlight trade careers as viable options for students. “There’s nothing wrong with being a blue-collar worker,” he remarked. “Matter of fact, we’re going to need more and more as our workforce gets older and starts retiring.”

Dual enrollment offers students the advantage of earning college credits while still in high school, which can reduce both time and cost when pursuing further education. Cannaday noted that many dual enrollment students secure well-paying jobs locally in sectors such as hospitality and healthcare.

One family attending CTE Night discovered Gallatin College MSU for the first time during an information session led by Cannaday. They later registered for an upcoming campus tour event known as MSU Friday.

Cannaday highlighted the importance of direct interaction between students, parents, and faculty in fostering enthusiasm for local educational opportunities. She also hopes future CTE Nights will expand to include more activities for younger students and encourage other Montana schools to adopt similar dual enrollment initiatives.

Reflecting on the evening’s success, Cannaday said she was inspired by seeing students consider new career possibilities: “I hope this sparked a call of action for them to take the next step.”