Bottineau, ND – April 29, 2025 – Dakota College Downtown, located in downtown Minot, is celebrating the completion of its first academic year. Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) currently offers a one-year Dental Assisting program at this location. In addition, Allied Health and Computer Information Systems coursework is also being provided on-site. Dental Hygiene will be added to the program list this fall.

The Dental Assisting program enrolled eight students this year. Even though they have summer internships to complete, students will participate in the DCB spring graduation on May 16 in Bottineau. The first-year Dental Assisting cohort has demonstrated outstanding dedication and growth throughout the program. From mastering foundational clinical skills to excelling in patient care and professionalism, the students demonstrated remarkable progress. They successfully completed clinical rotations with high praise from their supervising dentists and staff, showcasing their readiness to transition into the dental field. Their ability to adapt, collaborate, and maintain a strong work ethic has contributed to their individual success and strengthened the reputation of the program. Ricki Hill, Dental Assisting Faculty, recently underscored this success, saying, “It's been inspiring to witness their transformation into confident and capable future dental professionals”.

Specific program offerings in Computer Information Systems include Webmaster, Web Design, and Cybersecurity. Classes supporting these programs have collectively enrolled 83 students this year.  Some students attend these courses virtually through the Microsoft Teams classroom located in the building.

Allied Health courses are also offered via Microsoft Teams. These courses are essential for degree programs such as Medical Coding, Medical Assisting, and Medical Administrative Assisting, and serve as prerequisites for programs like Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Paramedicine. While enrollment in these courses is not yet at the goal level, DCB is actively working to increase awareness and interest through targeted marketing.

Looking ahead to the fall, DCB is excited to add a selection of pre-requisite and general education courses required for programs offered at DCB Downtown, along with the newly accredited Dental Hygiene program. Applications for Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs are currently open until May 15. The program is limited to accepting 12 Dental Assisting students and 10 Dental Hygiene students.

Maggie Backen, Minot Programs Director, shares, “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from the community. It has made a meaningful impact on both our team and our students.” One of the greatest challenges DCB encountered in its first year was recruiting qualified faculty and staff. Technical fields often offer significantly higher earning potential, which can make it difficult to attract qualified instructors. “However, with both of our recent accreditation site visits going exceptionally well, we remain confident and optimistic. We feel these programs are not only growing in strength but will also prove to be valuable assets to the Minot community and the state of North Dakota as a whole.”