Higher Education Blog

In this article, Dr. Willie Smith Chancellor of Baton Rouge Community College and Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. Senior Executive of Advisory Services for FERRILLI advocate for K-12, College leaders and US policy makers to create equitable outcomes in the Financial Aid...

In this article Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. and Dr. Tammy Robinson acknowledge the declining enrollment of Black male students nationally and notes we are not looking at the term student success with a lens of understanding and care. The authors also challenge the reader...

In the article "Our Advice for Making College Campuses Ready for Diverse Student Populations," Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., Senior Executive of Advisory Services at Ferrilli, and Dr. Patricia Benson, Campus CEO of CT State, Housatonic, emphasizes the need for colleges to...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., serving as the Associate Vice President of Continuing Education, Training & Workforce Development at Oakton Community College, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in securing substantial funding to enhance educational opportunities in...

In this insightful article, co-authored by Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., Senior Executive of Advisory Services at Ferrilli, and Dr. Jo Blondin, President of Clark State and Board Chair of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the authors delve into the pivotal role of...

I co-wrote the article "Why the words Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Matter" with Dr. Kimberly Beatty to shed light on the enduring importance of addressing historical imbalances faced by people of color, despite legislative milestones like the Civil Rights Act of...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, participated as a panelist at Delaware County Community College, engaging in a discussion about racism and policing following the murder of George Floyd. The two-hour conversation covered a range of...

The webpage featuring Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, in his leadership role within the Minnesota State Taskforce on Law Enforcement Education Reform offers a comprehensive overview of the taskforce's objectives and composition. It...

The document highlights Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, as a Higher Learning Commission regional accreditation peer reviewer for Hawkeye Community College in Iowa. In this role, Dr. Irving contributes his expertise to the accreditation...

In an article spotlighting Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, Minnesota State colleges are depicted as considering changes to police training programs with a concentrated focus on anti-racism. Dr. Irving, a key figure in this endeavor, is...

The video captures the moment when Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, is awarded the College President of the Year accolade by the Minnesota State Student Association LeadMN. The footage showcases the recognition of Dr. Irving's exemplary...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. of Hennepin Technical College initiated the creation of a Taskforce to enhance the alignment of courses and co-curricular events with HTC learner outcomes across all programs and departments. Key objectives include mapping courses to HTC Learner...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been honored with the prestigious College President of the Year award within the 2-year colleges of the Minnesota State system. This recognition celebrates Dr. Irving's exemplary leadership and...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, spearheaded collaborative efforts with both internal and external stakeholders to develop the college's inaugural annual report. Recognizing the importance of transparent communication and...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., serving as a Board member for LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, contributes to the advancement of effective leadership within post-secondary education. This organization is dedicated to supporting the professional development of LGBTQ leaders...

In response to the tragic death of George Floyd, Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College (HTC), has taken a leadership role by facilitating an open forum for campus community members to come together, share their grief, and engage in...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been invited to speak at Delaware County Community College's inaugural "Dialogues for Diversity" event, hosted by the new Center for Equity and Social Justice. The series aims to foster conversations...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. has been listed as the President of Hennepin Technical College on the statewide roster of both public and private colleges and universities. This recognition underscores Dr. Irving's leadership role within the higher education landscape of the...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been selected as one of the esteemed guests to participate in the Clark State Catalysts leadership series. This initiative, spearheaded by Clark State Community College President Jo Alice Blondin,...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been selected as a speaker to address the challenges, triumphs, and crucial role of community colleges situated in urban centers in today's social, economic, and political landscapes. Drawing upon...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, actively collaborates with other presidents within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to advocate for state funding during legislative sessions. Through coordinated efforts, Dr. Irving...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to serve on the Governor's Workforce Council for a three-year term. This appointment reflects Dr. Irving's expertise and leadership in workforce development...

As President of Hennepin Technical College (HTC), Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. played a pivotal role in honoring over 250 students through the college's annual Student Academic and Leadership recognition program. Under his leadership, HTC celebrated the outstanding...

As President of Hennepin Technical College (HTC), Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. has actively collaborated with all internal stakeholders to develop and approve new policies and procedures. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and transparency, Dr. Irving has facilitated...

A national publication, Community College Journal, published a feature article about two-year colleges that are launching innovative programs to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Merrill Irving, president of Hennepin Technical College (HTC) was interviewed...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has penned a letter of support for Dr. Belinda Miles, President of Westchester Community College, as she endeavors to become a candidate for the American Association of Community Colleges board of...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been selected as an instructor for ALIVE, a prestigious year-long program aimed at cultivating and advancing deans of color and their allies into Chief Instructional Officer (CIO) roles. Leveraging...

In his article titled "Deconstructing A Historical Construct," Dr. Merrill L. Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, explores bold approaches for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses. Dr. Irving emphasizes the importance of...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, demonstrated leadership by co-chairing the Minnesota State Taskforce on Law Enforcement Education Reform. This task force was established to provide guidance to the Minnesota State Chancellor and Board...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, was invited to participate in discussions with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar regarding policy changes aimed at bolstering Minnesota's millennial workforce. Senator Klobuchar highlighted the urgent need for...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, has been invited as a guest speaker on "Stories from the Field: The Superintendent Podcast," a platform dedicated to exploring education leadership with a focus on equity. In this podcast series, diverse...

In his article titled "A Black College President's Reflection: George Floyd, Racism, Impact, and Call for Action," Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, provides a poignant and introspective analysis of the aftermath of George Floyd's death,...

The document highlights Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, as a Board member of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and his participation in the President's Academy Summer Institute. As a member of the Board, Dr. Irving...

In a powerful and candid video, Dr. Merrill Irving Jr. addresses the pervasive issue of racism and the collective responsibility we share in confronting and dismantling systemic inequalities. Speaking with clarity and passion, Dr. Irving emphasizes, 'We all live in...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., a dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion, leads Hennepin Technical College (HTC) with a profound understanding of the transformative power of education. Born to teenage parents and raised by a single mother, Irving's journey mirrors the...

In a compelling exploration of workforce challenges and opportunities in Minnesota, Finance & Commerce's article, 'Klobuchar pushes for policy changes to recruit millennials,' sheds light on the urgent need for strategic efforts to address the state's looming...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College, extended congratulations to Diamond Doe and 26 other soon-to-be students who were recipients of Workforce Development Scholarships. This recognition underscores Dr. Irving's commitment to supporting...

The article spotlights Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., President of Hennepin Technical College (HTC), and the college's efforts to support first-generation college students. On November 13, 2019, HTC organized its Third Annual First Generation Day for students from...

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr.'s expertise in Workforce and Economic Development has garnered recognition, leading to his inclusion and quotation in David Pattinson's book, "WeTheFuture," which focuses on American youth. Dr. Irving's insights and contributions to the field...

The article discusses the prevalent labor shortage in technical careers in Minnesota and the lack of consideration among high school students, particularly those from minority backgrounds, for such lucrative job opportunities. It challenges the misconception that a...

The article highlights Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., an alumni of USC, offering his expertise to graduate students at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. Dr. Irving Jr. is involved in the annual Rossier/DSAG Leadership Conference,...