The Latest
A late start to the GROW-IT season
University greenhouse project postponed due to construction costs. Trump tariffs part of the trouble.
Art in the Hollow celebrates 10th anniversary
The only art festival on St. Paul’s East Side drew 80 artists and performers on June 1. Organizers of Art in the Hollow estimate that 2,000-plus people attended the event in Swede Hollow Park, near Metro State’s St. Paul campus.
Summertime and app learnin’ is easy
New tech columnist plugs learning apps to train your brain during summer break.
Want a new pet in your life? Opt for adoption first
Student makes the case for companion animal welfare—and boycotting predatory puppy mills.
Gamers, let’s change the world
A student gamer says virtual superheroes can transform into real-world ones.
Select Slack to simplify group projects
Ghosting group members. Forgotten files. Unfair shares of the workload. Group projects can be tough to take! Tech columnist suggests the Slack app may be the key to keeping your group on task.
Alumnus Raymond Strom debuts novel ‘Northern Lights’
To promote his first novel, Metro State alumnus Raymond Strom returned to familiar ground: Minnesota. His home state provided the inspiration for the coming-of-age story in “Northern Lights.”
Signs of change: Social work students march to Minnesota Capitol
“Go further in your advocacy” was the message social work students heard as they prepared to lobby legislators on April 8.
Can candidates counter climate change? Here’s who has a chance
Student points to presidential hopefuls Inslee and Sanders as most capable to tackle the climate change crisis.
Book swap turns pages and opens minds
Metro State students dropped off, picked up—and couldn’t put down—donated books at the Great Big Book Swap on April 23.
Student philanthropy is a gift to you and me
Student challenges classmates to make Metro State a better place by funding scholarships.
Metro cyber defenders win wildcard spot for Illinois contest
Metro State cybersecurity students advance to Midwest regionals after second place finishes in a wildcard round and at the Minnesota Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.
Put it all on the page: Express yourself as a student writer
Creative writing student says we should all dare to share our stories in the pages of campus publications.
In Mexico, finding my future in film
Screenwriting student reflects on the serving on an international film festival jury and the indelible impact of Mexican cinema.
Bridging words and worlds: The role of a writer
Student says to write well, we must strive to find meaning among a million universes.
Feeling frazzled? Nursing students say self-care is solution
In the final frantic weeks of spring semester, nursing majors hope fellow Metro State students don’t forget one critical thing—their health.
What’s in a name? Building a university legacy
Student wonders what the U can do about buildings named for controversial figures—and the legacy they leave behind.
A trial run for law school
Learning law and the legal process brings new confidence to a student minoring in political science.
Q&A: Professor Ed Bok Lee powers ‘Mitochondrial Night’
The Metropolitan talked with Professor Ed Bok Lee as he launches his third book of poetry, “Mitochondrial Night.”
Brain Awareness Week fills heads with new knowledge
The Psychology Club celebrated Brain Awareness Week with a guest lecture, hands-on brain games and optical illusions.
Pride and purpose link Lavender Bridge students
LGBTQ+ students build inclusive, all-embracing, celebratory club on campus.
Graduating? You don’t get to keep your .edu email forever
Our tech columnist shows graduates what to do before their student email accounts expire.
‘Let us be amazing’: Workshop series helps students step up as leaders
“We don’t have to be CEOs to make a difference.” That was the message of Professor Raj Sethuraju at a leadership development workshop for Metro State students.
Socialism is no swear word—it means solutions
Student isn’t scared of socialism; she embraces its spirit and solutions.
Connecting past to present at the ‘Periphery’
Metro State student turns the spotlight (and his camera lens) on a community theater production that hits close to home.
Library offers open invite to Game Night
Every third Tuesday of the month, the Library gives gamers of all stripes a night to unite.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist to headline Metro State’s Career Ideas Festival
Keynote speaker will uplift liberal arts education at Metro State’s Career Ideas Festival on March 29.
Ready new major? Why Metro State should level up on game studies
Game on! Student wants to give game studies extra life and make it a major at Metro State.
Screenwriting major to jury Guadalajara International Film Festival
Student wins opportunity to join the jury of an international film festival in Mexico.
Theater department premieres play revealing racist housing policies of the past
A joint production of Metro State’s Theater Underground and MCTC puts the spotlight on the racist housing policy called redlining—and shares the playwright’s remarkable family history. “Behind the Sun” premieres Feb. 21.
Closing the circle: New creative writing professor journeys from student to staff to faculty
Suzanne Nielsen was recently appointed to what she calls her “dream job,” as an assistant professor in Metro State’s creative writing department.
Legislature’s hazy language makes legal pot look dubious
Student clears the air on likelihood of legal marijuana in Minnesota this year.
Read it and weep: Wipe out winter woes with librarian reading recommendations
Feeling weather-beaten? Metro State librarians endorse the best books to take your mind off meteorological conditions (and midterms).
STEM students discover ‘secrets’ to super scores and good grades
Metro State STEM students learned the mightiness of metacognition from an expert’s lecture. STEM Association members meet up monthly to enrich their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Counseling graduate students focus on dual diagnosis of mental illness and addiction
Graduate students in Metro State’s co-occurring disorders recovering counseling program share a common mission: to shatter the stigma of mental illness and addiction.
The M claims new museum space in downtown St. Paul
Metro State community faculty member G.E. Patterson served as guide to explorers of the new home of the Minnesota Museum of American Art in downtown St. Paul.
Requesting student conference funds is no fun
Student describes the bureaucratic hell of seeking SAFAC money.
Metro State alumni lead at the Legislature
Metro State alumni and legislators discussed common goals and the common good at a breakfast in the Minnesota Senate Building on Jan. 25, 2019. The event was organized by the Metropolitan State University Alumni Association.
Learning local history over a plate of spaghetti
Student captures scenes from an Italian restaurant for a community engagement class project.
MCTC professor brings novel discussion to Metro State
Dr. Shannon Gibney discussed her young adult novel “Dream Country” with philosophy students at Metro State on Dec. 6, 2018.
Q+A with President Arthur: This year’s priorities, prospects for new arts center
The Metropolitan met with President Ginny Arthur on Oct. 18, 2018 for an hourlong conversation about presidential priorities, strategic planning, and prospects for building a center for fine and performing arts in Brooklyn Park.
Speaker series lets students set sights on UX careers
A new speaker series is bringing user experience professionals into Metro State classrooms.
Scares, spooks and skeletons at Metro State’s scientific Halloween
Metro State made kids into mad scientists at Spooky Science Halloween on Oct. 31, 2018.
Political unity is possible in DC
Student has a hopeful, heartfelt takeaway from a conference in the nation’s capital: working across the aisle is possible.
Capturing Capitol lessons in leadership
TRIO peer mentor chooses involvement over indifference—and will vote for the first time on Election Day.
Leaders cope with challenges, choices—and crying
Student reflects on the change she sees in herself after attending Student Life’s 9th annual Transformational Leadership Retreat in October 2018.
Social media purges mean it’s time to unfriend Facebook
Value your freedom of expression online? Student says you should flee Facebook for a freer social media platform.
Students pour passion into posters at annual research conference
More than 100 graduate and undergraduate researchers shared their work at the 2018 Student Poster Conference at Metro State on November 28.
Q+A with the President: Arthur talks textbooks, tuition freezes, winter weather
The Metropolitan is catching up on past conversations with President Arthur. On April 24, 2018 she discussed legislative initiatives impacting campus. Plus other topics: spendy textbooks, the space study, tuition-setting, and Mayor Melvin Carter’s plan to jump-start every college savings for St. Paul kids.
Art Purchase Award winners will see their work on campus walls
Two alumni and a studio arts student captured the 2018 Art Purchase Awards.
Minding the digital literacy gap at Metro State
Library adds AmeriCorps member to the team to teach tech to students.
‘On Stage’ program brings live theater to college classrooms
Three Twin Cities theater professionals brought Billie Holiday’s jazz to life for a Metro State creative writing class.
Statewide candidates debate at Metro State
The senatorial, gubernatorial and attorney general candidates sparred in a forum televised from New Main Great Hall two weeks before Election Day 2018.
Metro State students spot cybersecurity careers in their futures
The 2018 MN Cyber Career Expo offered students and job candidates a chance to chat with tech company representatives.
Q+A with the President: Arthur sizes up legislative session, student enrollment, summer plans
The Metropolitan is catching up on past conversations with President Arthur. On May 18, 2018 she discussed the last days of the legislative session and what they might mean for Metro State. Plus other topics: student enrollment, the university budget and the Student Senate’s dissatisfaction with the budget process.
Casual career event aims to put Metro State students at ease
Some students are wary of traditional job fairs. So the Career Center put on a more easygoing event of informational interviews at “Meet the Employers” on May 31.
Put your portfolio online
Employers expect online—not paper—portfolios. Our tech columnist gives you all the options for creating your own portfolio website.
Combating racial stereotypes with comedy
The Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK) hosts comedic cabarets to clap back at racism and discrimination.
Bonding over books
The Dayton’s Bluff Book Club picks books by Minnesota and Midwest authors, with a particular eye to social justice. Members meet monthly in the Metro State Library.
Seeing stars at the Science Center
Cold-hardy kids and adults joined meteorologist Mike Lynch for a November night of stargazing at Metro State.
Secure your online life with password managers
Who can possibly keep track of all their passwords? Our tech columnist offers some strong solutions.
Nursing students start the school year on the ‘write’ foot
Scavenger hunt teaches students how to properly cite research in APA style.
Metro State holds its largest job fair of the year
To accommodate representatives of 48 employers—and nearly 200 students eager to meet them—the Diversity Networking and Job Fair took over the entire lower level of the Student Center on Sept. 12.
Exercise your right to vote, because others aren’t as lucky
Biology student says the right—and responsibility—to vote is a precious thing.
Level up your skills with Lynda
Want to brush up on skills and strengths before you enter the workforce? Metro State offers free acess to Lynda.com video tutorials.
Leadership learned on the tennis court
Computer science student credits the mental game of tennis for preparing him to lead in life.
Metro State students dig archaeology
First-generation college students joined an anthropologist for fieldwork in St. Paul’s Swede Hollow Park.
Millennials need to make waves
Opinion writer makes the case for millennial voting power.
Tech Tips: An appeal for an app
The Metropolitan’s Web Editor makes the case for the convenience of a college app.
Addiction counseling students win national award
Members of the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Student Association—and an alumna—make it their mission to advocate for people in recovery.
Metro State honors student leaders and clubs at annual awards
Student leaders, organizations and advisors were celebrated at the 20th annual President’s Student Leadership Awards dinner held May 9 in New Main Great Hall.
New campus organization supports students in sobriety
Peer support group will advocate for students recovering from and impacted by addiction.
Career course aims to give students a head start on job hunt
Two-credit class will offer job search advice, peer support and insight into 3M’s corporate culture.
Opioid overdose rescue kits now on campus
Narcan overdose rescue kits are now carried by campus safety officers and available in publicly accessible cabinets.
New ‘Forever GI Bill’ makes changes to student veteran benefits
Provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Act of 2017, commonly known as the Forever GI Bill, will take effect in August 2018.
Summer brings tech advances to campus
Metro State gets two big tech upgrades: the first cyber range in Minnesota, and a redesigned university website.
Too meager to meet the need?
Student is skeptical that Food for Thought’s new space is sufficient.
In the face of fake news, make facts sacred
Political science student says we can all take small steps to fight fake news.
Federal government gives Metro State money to prevent suicide
A $100K federal grant is funding campus suicide prevention efforts at Metro State.
Career Center wants students to head to Handshake
Students can log on to Handshake to register for campus job fairs and resume reviews. But Metro State’s Career Center says Handshake is much more than a transactional website.
Tech tip: Five must-have apps for every student
Tech writer says these apps are essential school supplies.
Metro Analytics Club takes second at Data Derby
Metropolitan State students took second place at the 2018 Data Derby, a statewide data science competition.
Metro State screenwriting program remakes major requirements
The screenwriting major will require an internship and completion of a feature-length screenplay.
The stress fest of college
Columnist says college students are stressed to the breaking point by cost of tuition, textbooks, housing, food. Unpaid internships add insult to injury.
Unintended consequences of $15 an hour in St. Paul
Economics professor warns that raising minimum wage may hurt workers it’s supposed to help.
The wastefulness of institutionalized misogyny
Political science student says gender double standards rob higher education and government of great leaders.
E-books on the rise at Hennepin County Library
Writing student examines the popularity of e-books in public libraries.
Professor and police officer talk peaceful protest
Freedom of assembly was the topic of conversation between a Metro State professor and a St. Paul police officer at a campus forum on April 19.
Taking a stand for students: Students United lobbies lawmakers in DC, St. Paul
Students United sent nine university students to Washington, D.C. with a lengthy legislative agenda and a mission to lobby lawmakers.
Q+A with President Arthur: New chancellor, cybersecurity, campus safety
President discusses Chancellor Devinder Malhotra, legislative funding prospects (including a potential $10 million for a cyber security center at Metro State), and campus safety in the wake of the Parkland shooting.
From page to stage: Haute Dish puts student writers in the spotlight at spring reading
Metro State’s arts and literary magazine was in the bright lights and big leagues at its annual spring reading at Open Book.
The struggle and stigma of mental illness
Student says she’s not giving up on college. “I want my degree no matter my diagnosis.”
Tech tip: Give online resume templates a try
Here are a few resources to create simple, clean and professional resumes that will appeal to potential employers.
Self-defense and moral sense
Libertarian student would never deny law-abiding citizens their natural right to self-defense.
A new view to D2L: Brightspace Pulse app
Metro State students can now browse their D2L courses through the Brightspace Pulse app using Android and iOS devices.
Students must seize their political power
Political science student wants peers to speak up on politics and policies.
Thinking caps on for Brain Awareness Week
Metropolitan State University’s Psychology Club and the Transforming Health and Empowering Minds (THEM) student organization teamed up to promote Brain Awareness Week (BAW) and educate others on how to increase their brain power.
Rebooted, rebranded, revitalized: Health and wellness club becomes THEM
Student organization gets new name and leadership.
For profit or people?
Opinion writer praises the stability of public colleges over the empty promises of for-profits.
Student Salon showcases best of undergrad art
A group show at the Gordon Parks Gallery features works created by studio arts majors at Metropolitan State University.
Metro State hosts Red Cross blood drive
Participants in Metro State’s blood drive donated 18 pints of blood—enough to help 54 adults.
Metro State samples the science of beer
Moriarty described the brewing process to about 30 people at his noon talk at the Science Education Center on March 22.
Q+A with President Arthur: Financial stress, budget and cuts
President discusses Metro State’s financial health, serving adult students and her own academic journey
Steve Simon, Minnesota’s Secretary of State
Financial Troubles in Prison
No Hope for early release for Incarcerated people in Minnesota?
Keep Doing Art
Family Ties
Get with the program
Kamala Harris at Metro State
Metro Scenes
