The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation announced last month its selection of Saint Paul College as a recipient of the 2016 H.E.R.B.I.E award. “We are excited to honor Saint Paul College as the organizational winner of the 2016 H.E.R.B.I.E award. Saint Paul College’s exceptional reputation as one of the best community colleges in the nation and its commitment to workforce development in Saint Paul and East Metro are two of many reasons we selected it as this year’s organizational H.E.R.B.I.E recipient.” said Jim Mulrooney, Chair of the Foundation Board.

The H.E.R.B.I.E. award recognizes individuals and businesses that exemplify the traits inspired by its namesake, Herb Brooks: Humanitarian, Enterprising, Resilient, Bold, Inspiration and Ethical. Each year, two recipients are selected by the Chamber's Foundation Board.

Saint Paul College was selected as a recipient for offering comprehensive learning opportunities in both career and transfer education to enhance personal knowledge and advance economic opportunity for the benefit of a diverse population of constituents which includes students, business, industry, labor and the community. The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation noted that Saint Paul College has a long-standing and successful history in Saint Paul, and the College’s commitment to giving back to the community, through collaborations with local public, private and nonprofit partner organizations as well as having been ranked the number 1 community college in the nation twice in the past five years. The College offers programs such as The Power of YOU and Make it Count, tuition-free programs for underserved students that provides enhanced student support services and education, and TuitionMatch-MN, a private-public partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, private donors and students that helps low income students save for college by providing $3 in matching funds for each $1 the student saves for tuition.