The Career Impact Academy (CIA) in Grand Forks is not only a beautiful new high school and adult learning center shared by school districts across the region – it’s a living testament to what happens when a community comes together with a shared vision. That vision: a place for students to receive hands-on, real-world experience in fields that lead directly to college, the workplace, or the military, in support of a thriving, generational North Dakota. In the words of Eric Ripley, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education for Grand Forks Public Schools, “The Grand Forks Career Impact Academy is a transformative force for our community. By bridging the gap between education and employment, we empower our youth, strengthen our workforce, and promote sustainable economic growth for the future.”
The journey began five years ago with a dream, and on August 13, 2025, that dream was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. The CIA now stands proudly near Gateway Drive and 42nd Street, ready to welcome students in grades 10–12 at the start of the school year. Its foundation was laid long before the first brick, with the hands and hopes of state and local educators and legislators, employers and economic development leaders, regional colleges and universities, and the public at large.
Built at an estimated cost of $30.5 million, including $10 million in matching state funds and over $11 million in private contributions from 99 organizations and individuals, the CIA was made possible by nearly 100 donors who contributed financial and in-kind support. From the halls of the North Dakota Legislature to local steering committees, the effort spanned three legislative assemblies and countless hours of collaboration. Shawn Senescall, Project Architect at JLG Architects, described the facility as “a community-built project,” noting the rapid and enthusiastic support from donors and industry partners. “From the initial inception, the community stepped up, providing more than $11 million in private donations in just 72 days,” he said.
Keith Lund, president and CEO of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp., echoed the community’s tenacity in getting it funded: “This project has been nothing short of inspiring. The tremendous support from businesses and individuals reflects both the demand for skilled workers and a deep confidence in the future of our region.”
The Career Impact Academy was designed by JLG Architects in collaboration with BNDRY Studio, with construction led by PCL Construction/Community Contractors, Inc. The building’s layout is organized around three wings connected by a central hub – a welcoming space for students, educators, business partners, and the community. Each wing culminates in two-story labs that open into flexible outdoor learning areas, supporting immersive, hands-on education.
Throughout its glassed-in halls are programs that launch futures. Designed in collaboration with the University of North Dakota, Northland Community and Technical College, Mayville State University, and Lake Region State College, the CIA prepares students for pathways toward apprenticeships, internships, military service, and two- or four-year degrees. It offers specialized learning in Automotive, Precision Technologies, Culinary Arts, Building Trades, Architecture, Engineering, Robotics, Aviation, and Information Technology. Additionally, an entire wing of the second floor is dedicated to Medical Careers, the number-one field students requested in the facility. Wayde Sick, Director of the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education, emphasized the broader significance of these programs: “The workplace is evolving quickly. The CIA is positioned to teach real-world skills in real-world settings, preparing students to step into the world with confidence and competence.”
“The Career Impact Academy is truly a ‘community-built’ project,” said Senescall. “Industry partners served on steering committees and provided input during design meetings on curriculum, equipment, and the student experience.” That input led to one of the most striking features in the building: the $650,000 culinary arts kitchen, equipped with modern appliances and a dedicated café space for students to showcase and sell their creations. Doug Darling, retired president of Lake Region State College, praised the initiative: “This is something that’s been needed for a long time. It’s wonderful that students are going to have the opportunity to explore careers.”
Courses at the CIA will be taught in three 100-minute blocks, rather than the typical seven-period school schedule, to allow for travel not just throughout Grand Forks, but beyond – because while the CIA is under the umbrella of Grand Forks Public Schools, it will be shared by school districts across the region. At Larimore, for example, a student survey found that 50 of 80 high school students were interested in learning at the CIA. Mike Wilber, associate principal at Grand Forks Central High School, noted the excitement among students and the strategic scheduling that will allow them to participate in CIA programs while remaining engaged in extracurricular activities at their home schools.
Superintendent Terry Brenner best summed up the significance of the CIA: “This is a place where dreams will be built, skills honed, and futures launched.” The Career Impact Academy is proof that when a community unites around a common goal, the results are extraordinary. It’s not just a building; it’s a beacon of opportunity, built by North Dakota, for North Dakota.
Donors at the CIA include: Acme Tools – Dan & Marilyn Kuhlman Family, Advanced Business Methods, AE2S, Alerus Bank, Altru Health System, Anderson Steel Erection & Crane Service Inc., Bergstrom Electric, Bolton & Menk, Brady Martz Associates, Bremer Bank (Old National Bank), Butler Machinery, C.L. Linfoot, Choice Bank, Cirrus Aircraft, City of Grand Forks, CMS, Construction Engineers, Core Scientific, CPS, LTD, Crary Real Estate, Custom Aire, Inc., Bears Home Solutions, Dakota Commercial, Dakota Sales Co., Inc., Badman Design, Development Homes, Dub Construction, EAPC, Philip & Patricia Gisi, Grand Forks Herald, Forx Builders Association, Fusion Automation, Hal & Kathleen Gershman Family Foundation, Harry’s Steakhouse, Grand Forks Area Career & Technology Center, Grand Forks Builders & Traders Exchange, Grand Forks Public Schools, Grand Forks Region EDC, Goodin, Grand Forks County, Greenberg Realty, Jim & Marydale Hansen, Houston Engineering, Hugo’s, Ideal Aerosmith, Indigo Signs, Industrial Contract Services, JLG Architects, Johnson Controls, JR Simplot Company, JRK Steel, Knight Foundation DAF/Community, Foundation of GF, EGF & Region, Kost Materials, Lumber Mart, Lunn Family, Lunseth Plumbing & Heating, Midco, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Nodak Electric Cooperative, North Dakota Department of Career & Technical Education, North Dakota Eye Clinic, Northern Plumbing Supply, Northern Tier, Northridge Construction, Northstar Insulation, Olympic Companies, Opp Construction LLC, PCL/Community – A Joint Venture, Pro Transport, Project Lead the Way, RDO Equipment Co., RDO Truck Centers, Janell & Jeff Regimbal, Retrax Holdings, Ripley’s Inc., RJ Zavoral & Sons Inc., Rydell Auto, Sanford Health, Simonson Station Stores, Skinner Roofing, Steffes, Sterling Carpet One, Strata, Tecta America Dakotas, Terracon, The Chamber Grand Forks – East Grand Forks, Tim Shea’s Landscaping, Traill Painting, True North Equipment, UND Alumni Association Foundation, Urban Research Park, US Bank, Valley Senior Living, Valley Petroleum, Vilandre, WFW Engineers, Widseth, Woodside Industries and Xcel Energy. For more information on the Career Impact Academy, visit cia.gfschools.org.
