5 Iron Range community colleges to become ‘Minnesota North College’

IRON RANGE, MN-- Five Iron Range community colleges will merge into a single accredited institution at the end of May.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities voted to approve the merger for Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College, and Vermilion Community College.

The merged institution will operate under the name “Minnesota North College.”

“Operationally merging our institutions leverages the resources, talents, and marketability that

comes with a larger, regional college yet maintains the long-cherished individual campus identities and community connections,” said Michael Raich, president of Minnesota North College.

Adding, students will benefit from a seamless educational experience expanded access to courses, programs and more.

Under a one-college model, students will have access to a wider variety of courses and career programs, accessible across all six campuses. Mesabi having campuses in Eveleth and Virginia.

“We will pilot our systems over the summer and welcome the first full cohort of Minnesota North students in fall semester of 2022,” said Raich.