Mitchell Technical Institute
Contribution
and Commitment to Community
The mission of Mitchell Technical Institute (MTI) is to provide skills
for success in technical careers. The Higher Learning Commission
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has recently
recommended the Institute for re-accreditation through 2011. The
school offers fourteen AAS degree programs and four technical diploma
programs. Since 1968, over 11,000 individuals have graduated from
MTI. The faculty and staff of 103 are responsible for the education
of over 900 full-time students and over 1,000 industry-training clients.
Students at MTI come from South Dakota, thirty-four states and one
foreign country. A large majority of students (68%), however, claim
Mitchell and the lower James Valley region as their home. This area
stretches from north of Yankton to Huron and from Chamberlain east
to Salem. Another 25% come from other communities throughout the
state. Last year 87% of MTI students were placed in jobs related
to their field of study. Another 8% decided to further their education.
Of those graduating over the past 5 years, approximately 70% choose
to remain the in James Valley region with almost 50% of those securing
employment in Mitchell and Davison County.
The annual economic and
social contribution of Mitchell Technical Institute is significant.
At present, the school’s payroll
is almost $4,000,000 annually. MTI expenditures with Mitchell merchants
exceed $900,000 a year. Student living expenses last year were estimated
to be $3,975,000. In addition, over half of all MTI students work
part-time to supplement their income averaging 24 hours per week
per student. It is not unusual for MTI students to hold down two
or even three part-times jobs in addition to a full-time academic
schedule.
The long-term contribution of MTI graduates to the local and regional
community is more difficult to calculate but is seen as equally important
in the overall social and economic well being of the Mitchell area
and the James Valley region. Students that remain in the region become
productive citizens and add to the growth of the community. They
marry, raise children, buy homes, pay taxes, support public institutions,
run for political office, volunteer for community work and, because
they are skilled workers, elevate the overall standard of living
throughout the region. They also become the conservators of the culture
of the plains and the traditions of South Dakota.
