Under the leadership of its first president (then director) David Schroeder, the College opened its doors to 50 students enrolled in three majors—Architectural Drafting, Auto Mechanics and Secretarial Training. The College was initially housed in the former Southview Chevrolet Building in South St. Paul. Schroeder stated that the original collegiate mission was to provide a hands-on learning environment not offered at other colleges. “Learn by Doing” was an early motto. Getting students into the workforce was the core objective. Director Schroeder researched more than 150 occupations, choosing 40 as the basis for the first academic programs at the College.
