Ken Melrose Technology Lab Unveiled!

Melrose Tech Lab Header Image of Students

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School unveiled it's new, state-of-the-art Ken Melrose Technology Lab (M-Lab) on October 7, 2021.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School unveiled it's new, state-of-the-art Ken Melrose Technology Lab (M-Lab) on October 7, 2021.

The lab was named after Kendrick B. Melrose, philanthropist and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Toro Company. A long-time supporter of Cristo Rey Jesuit, Ken strongly believed in the importance of education and the transformative impact of education on the lives of students and their families. He was excited to support the Technology Lab to give Cristo Rey Jesuit’s students access to current technology and to be competitive in an ever-changing environment. The lab is the first in the neighborhood and represents a $1.7M investment in our students and the community.

The Ken Melrose Technology Lab provides space and equipment for Cristo Rey Jesuit to incorporate coding, computer aided design (CAD), circuitry, audio/visual editing, and social media marketing, all through the use of high-tech equipment such as a laser cutter, CNC router, 3D printers, drones, robots, video and photography software and other industry related equipment.

The Ken Melrose Technology Lab will maximize our students’ preparation for future careers by removing barriers and enhancing access to STEM opportunities.

KSTP-TV and a small group of guests joined us at our Grand Opening of the Ken Melrose Technology Lab last week.

WATCH CLIP

A March 2019 article in the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal stated, “75% of our labor growth in the next 25 years is going to come from people of color." With an estimated 75,000 tech jobs needing to be filled in the state over the next decade, Cristo Rey hopes to increase the number of people of color prepared to enter these roles. Providing additional technical skills training to our students for them to immediately practice, reinforce and use in their work places will help to diminish these gaps.

Cristo Rey Network students earn college degrees at two times the national average for low-income students. These students then enter the workforce adding value to companies around the Twin Cities. The Ken Melrose Technology Lab will prepare our 500 students per year for higher skilled in-demand jobs; the addition of technical skills training to our curriculum will help to meet the increase in Minnesota industry demand for software developers, analysts, and employees in computer and IT roles. Due to the tremendous gaps for people of color in technical industries, preparing students of color for these roles creates a pipeline for companies, eventually narrowing the gaps.

Our College-Preparatory Academics, Corporate Work Study, and Graduate Support programs remove financial and societal barriers to success and prepare students for college and careers, thereby enhancing educational equity and diminishing the achievement gap.

The Ken Melrose Technology Lab will do the same: remove barriers and enhance access and opportunity.

Support Cristo Rey's Resilience

The Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) is the cornerstone of what makes a Cristo Rey school unique. Due to the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic and its impact on CWSP, we anticipate a revenue shortfall over the next year.

How you can help:

Hire a student or team of students. Contact us at jobs@cristoreytc.org to get started!
Make a gift to Cristo Rey’s Resilience Fund. Visit the Resilience Fund page for more details about this important campaign effort and to donate.

Your support and belief in us and our mission is crucial as we adapt to the new realities and needs of students, families and Corporate Work Study Partners in an increasingly virtual and technical world.

SUPPORT STUDENTS

FOLLOW + SHARE

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School provides access to a Catholic, Jesuit, college and career preparatory education to unlock the potential of students of any culture, faith, or creed to transform our communities.

We are guided by faith, prepared for life, and always serving others.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

2924 4th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

(612) 545-9700

www.cristoreytc.org