The membership of the Minnesota Private College Council has expanded to 18 institutions with the addition of University of Northwestern – St. Paul.

The Council’s board, which includes presidents of all member institutions, recently invited University of Northwestern – St. Paul to join our membership, effective July 1. The addition strengthens the Council’s representation of private nonprofit colleges and universities. Almost one-third of the bachelor’s degrees in the state — 31 percent — are earned at one of our 18 member institutions.

“Northwestern is pleased to accept the invitation from the Minnesota Private College Council to become a full members in their organization,” stated President Alan Cureton, Ph.D. He continued, “We look forward to joining other private colleges and universities in Minnesota as we, together, advocate for our students, both at the state capitol and throughout the state. The quality of private higher education in Minnesota is exceptional. We are delighted to add to the voices of support for private higher education.”

“The Minnesota Private College Council and our member institutions are glad to welcome the University of Northwestern – St. Paul into our membership,” Council President Paul Cerkvenik said. “We look forward to Northwestern’s engagement in our public policy advocacy and in the many ways our private nonprofit institutions collaborate for the benefit of our students, our member institutions, and our state.”

University of Northwestern – St. Paul is a nondenominational Christian university that offers more than 75 areas of undergraduate study, seven master’s degrees, and online and early college programs. The university has about 3,500 students on campus, with about 1,500 being traditional undergraduates. Unique aspects of the university include the strength of its PSEO program and Northwestern Media, a ministry of the university that owns and operates 23 Christian radio stations in the Midwest. Visit https://unwsp.edu/about-us for more about Northwestern.

The Council’s mission is to serve the shared needs of our member institutions and advocate for public policy that meets the needs of students and enhances private higher education in ways that strengthen the economic and civic fabric of our state. Government relations is a primary focus of our work; in particular we prioritize advocacy for need-based financial aid for college students, which Minnesota provides through the State Grant program. The Council also focuses on admission outreach to students and families research and other collaborative projects for our member institutions.

The Council’s original 14 members came together in 1948. Others have joined over time, most recently Bethany Lutheran College in 2001.

• Augsburg University
• Bethany Lutheran College
• Bethel University
• Carleton College
• College of Saint Benedict
• The College of St. Scholastica
• Concordia College
• Concordia University, St Paul
• Gustavus Adolphus College
• Hamline University 
• Macalester College
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design
• Saint John’s University
• Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
• St. Catherine University
• St. Olaf College
• University of Northwestern – St. Paul 
• University of St. Thomas