°µÍø½ûÇø has been awarded $185,864.46 by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) to support the development of its new Program for Accessible College Education (PACE) Program.
LSC was one of only three grantees statewide to receive funding from OHE's total allocation of $585,864.46. The grant will fund the first program of its kind in Northeastern Minnesota, designed to provide inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The PACE program represents a significant step forward in expanding educational opportunities for underserved populations in the region. The program will provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to continue their education, develop independence, and gain employable skills needed by regional employers.
"°µÍø½ûÇø is incredibly humbled to receive the second year of this grant," said Linda Kingston, President of °µÍø½ûÇø. "We anticipate that we will be ready for a pilot student or two in January 2026 and welcome a small cohort of students in Fall 2026. The PACE program, serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will provide a new opportunity for students in our region to continue to learn and grow, become independent, and gain employable skills needed by employers in our region. We look forward to the continued work and implementation of this program."
LSC also announced the appointment of Erin Thompson as its Coordinator of the PACE program. Thompson brings extensive experience in disability services and advocacy, having served in various roles at St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services and Access North Center for Independent Living of Northeastern Minnesota.
"I am thrilled to join °µÍø½ûÇø in developing the new PACE program," said Thompson. "I am passionate about building this program alongside students as well as faculty and staff here at LSC as we create an inclusive pathway to post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities and demonstrate that inclusive college opportunities ARE possible."
Thompson's background includes more than 20 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, including roles as Independent Living Program Manager, where she oversaw programming across nine counties and provided education, training, and advocacy on ADA access and reasonable accommodations. Most recently, she served as a Parent Support Outreach Program/Child Welfare Case Manager and Home and Community Based Waivers Case Manager at St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services.
The PACE program aligns with LSC's mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to serve the diverse needs of students in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The program will offer an inclusive college experience that prepares students for meaningful employment and independent living. The college anticipates welcoming its first pilot students in January 2026 and a small cohort of students in Fall 2026.
