Iron Range Engineering

Iron Range Engineering (IRE) is a public upper-division engineering program based in Virginia, Minnesota, affiliated with Minnesota State University, Mankato. Established in 2009, the program offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering for students who have completed lower-division coursework at partner community colleges. IRE is noted for its project-based learning curriculum and focus on engineering education in rural contexts.

Iron Range Engineering

Type	Public
Established	2009
Parent institution	Minnesota State University, Mankato
Location	Virginia , Minnesota , United States
Website	ire.mnsu.edu

History

Iron Range Engineering was developed in response to regional workforce needs in northeastern Minnesota. The program launched in 2009 through a partnership between Minnesota State University, Mankato, and community colleges including Mesabi Range College and Itasca Community College.^[1]

The program was initiated by Dr. Ron Ulseth and supported by the Iron Range Higher Education Committee. Its goal was to create an ABET-accredited engineering program utilizing a project-based learning model influenced by Aalborg University in Denmark.^[2]

Program structure

IRE offers two distinct upper-division pathways leading to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering: the original Iron Range Engineering program and the Bell Program. Both follow a common curricular structure built around three components: technical instruction, design projects, and professional skill development.^[3]

Each semester centers on a 16-week team-based design project linked to external industry or community clients. Students also complete technical modules and engage in structured reflection and self-directed learning. Oral examinations, industry mentorship, and student-led course design are central features of the assessment model.^[4]

Bell Program

The Bell Program was introduced in 2019 to expand access to engineering education nationally. Students begin with an on-campus semester in Minnesota known as the Bell Academy, followed by four semesters of paid engineering placements in their home communities. Education during these semesters is delivered primarily online, allowing students to earn a salary while completing their degree.^[5]

Educational approach

Faculty guide students through technical and professional competencies, while industry engineers serve as learning coaches. Students participate in peer support networks, maintain journals, and undergo regular feedback sessions. The program’s emphasis on autonomy and lifelong learning is influenced by self-determination theory and continuous curricular refinement.^[6] The design, professional, and technical components of the curriculum are tightly integrated, with students developing customized learning plans supported by faculty advisors.^[7]

Academic recognition

IRE was accredited by ABET in 2012 and received the ABET Innovation Award in 2017. In 2021, it was awarded the Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education by the National Academy of Engineering.^[8] A 2018 study led by Dr. Ruth Graham identified IRE as one of ten emerging global leaders in engineering education.^[9]

Community and workforce impact

Many graduates remain in the Iron Range region, working in sectors such as mining, energy, and manufacturing. The program also seeks to reduce student debt by integrating employment into the final years of study. Emphasis is placed partnerships with community colleges and support for nontraditional learners.^[10]