DEED grant delivered college-level training cost free to DCR Chamber members
Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) and the Dakota County Regional (DCR) Chamber of Commerce partnered to secure a grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to provide best-in-class Multicultural Leadership training to DCR Chamber members free of cost. Participants could complete the college’s entire Multicultural Supervision 17-credit certificate program, a $4,200 value per participant.
Harold Torrence, EdD, serves as business management faculty at DCTC. In 2007, Harold and Scott Gunderson, also business management faculty, received an institutional grant to develop and launch the Multicultural Leadership program, which combines the Multicultural Supervision and Supervisory Leadership certificate programs.
Harold Torrence, EdD
“As business leaders, we know that our world is becoming more interconnected daily,” Harold said. “The ability to navigate diverse cultural landscapes is no longer just an asset—it’s a necessity for success in the modern marketplace. Our program aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, equipping participants with the skills they need to thrive in multicultural settings.”
Harold added that Multicultural Supervision training offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience. Business managers and supervisors had the opportunity to learn how to function at their best in a multicultural workplace. They developed multicultural supervisory competencies while acquiring new multicultural awareness and conflict resolution knowledge, skills, and abilities. The program focused on delivering a positive personal, team, and organizational impact by applying diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices.
“The college’s Business programs offer accelerated courses in eight weeks via both online and HyFlex delivery,” Harold said. “HyFlex, which combines ‘hybrid’ and ‘flexible,’ gives learners three approaches for completing a course—attending class in person or online synchronously or online asynchronously.”
Harold noted that students can complete the Multicultural Supervision certificate in one year. They can combine this certificate with either the Supervisory Leadership certificate, the Human Resources Management certificate, or the Quality Improvement certificate to obtain a diploma. Harold added that a DCTC/DCR Chamber DEED grant extension is in the works for fall semester 2025 and spring semester 2026.
Multicultural Supervision 17-credit certificate curriculum
BUSN 1300: Multicultural Mentorship I: 2 credits
BUSN 1310: Multicultural Mentorship II: 1 credit
BUSN 1320: Managing Diversity: 3 credits
BUSN 1330: Leading a Multicultural Workforce: 3 credits
BUSN 1340: International Business: 3 credits
BUSN 1350: Multicultural Conflict Resolution: 2 credits
General Education (any MnTC Goal Area): 3 creditsLEARN MORE…
DCR Chamber member perspectives
“As a longtime Chamber member, I saw this grant program as a means to support our businesses with insights into managing a multicultural workforce,” said Mark Lofthus, DCR Chamber consultant and grant writer. “We realized that wasn’t necessarily a skill set they possessed when they assumed supervisory roles in a business or organization—but skills that can equip them to be more competitive in the workplace we have today. This can help them draw on the talents of every individual in our community.”
Paige Berland, MA, LPCC, BCBA, serves as president of clinical operations with Minnesota Behavioral Specialists. Paige participated in the program and was impressed by the training experience.
“The Multicultural Supervision certification program was more than I ever could have imagined,” she said. “It opened up my eyes to how I see the world based upon my experiences in life and how I can change my views. I feel like this experience has not only helped me be a better supervisor at work, but also a better person in life. I am so grateful for everything I learned, and I look forward to passing this knowledge off to others. I would highly recommend that anyone, regardless of your place in life, look into this program.”
More participant testimonials
“This program is a great hands-on experience with other learners and leaders. You will gain a deeper understanding of how different perspectives based on sex, race, cultural background, and more, informs our automatic reactions to work and social cues. The program will make you a more well-rounded person for life and an asset to any company’s culture.”
— Garret Roach
“If I had one word to express my learning experience while completing my Multicultural Certificate at DCTC, it would be FUN. With each class, I gained more and more knowledge of how different—and yet alike—we all are. Harold’s enthusiasm made the classes exciting and interesting. The knowledge I gained from this program I use daily in my career.”
— Renee Bellland-Wenda, LALD
“This program was an instrumental piece of my personal growth as a leader and organizational contributor. I learned how to identify unconscious bias, misguided perspectives and multicultural barriers that directly impact the workplace. The mentorship component, along with the courses, helped me to recognize how I can encourage a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment through communication, celebrating differences, and prioritizing acceptance.”
— Nina Langer
Learn more about the DCTC and DCR Chamber DEED grant partnership to deliver Multicultural Leadership training by contacting:
Harold Torrence, EdD
Business Management Faculty
Dakota County Technical College
harold.torrence@dctc.edu
651-423-8606
Andrea Kielb
DCR Chamber
akielb@dcrchamber.com
612-464-4479
Learn more about the college’s Business department programs by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
