Driving Minnesota’s Transportation Future

As I reflect on my first two months as Executive Director of the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence, I am both energized and optimistic about the opportunities ahead. In this short time, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with faculty, students, and industry leaders across the state. What I’ve seen is clear: Minnesota is home to exceptional talent and strong partnerships that position us to lead during one of the most transformative periods in transportation. 

The transportation landscape is evolving rapidly. Advances in electric vehicles, connected and autonomous technologies, and artificial intelligence are reshaping how we teach, learn, and work. Our responsibility is not only to keep pace with these shifts but to prepare students and educators to thrive in them. That means creating new opportunities for hands-on learning, aligning programs with industry needs, and building collaborations that connect real-world expertise with classroom innovation. 

Looking forward, my vision is for the Center to serve as a catalyst for growth across all transportation domains—automotive, collision repair, heavy-duty/diesel, trucking, marine and powersports, and aviation—while also exploring emerging areas such as maritime and other critical transportation sectors. By remaining focused on supporting all transportation domains and building new partnerships, we can strengthen pathways for today’s learners while anticipating the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. 

Together, we can expand opportunities, spark innovation, and ensure Minnesota continues to set the standard for transportation education and workforce leadership. 

• Shawn Haag, Executive Director