Higher Education

Crossroads College

By Anna Stevens

Although Rochester has been home to Crossroads College for the last 38 of the school’s 59 years (it settled in to a new 38-acre campus in Rochester in 1971), the school has roots in Minneapolis as well as a history of other names (such as Minnesota Bible College).

Unlike most of the other higher education options in Rochester, Crossroads offers a residential campus with housing for single students and families. Unique “townhouse” style housing—with five to six bedrooms, two to three baths and communal living and kitchen areas—are furnished by the college and offer students a community setting.

The Crossroads student council plans several activities throughout the year that are open for the entire student body. Past activities have included softball and volleyball games, campus-wide games of capture the flag, campfires, banquets, bowling, winter sports such as broomball and sledding, and many more. The school aims to be Christ-centered and prepare students for lives of leadership in their local and church communities.

“What makes life at Crossroads so fun is the love we share for Christ and for each other,” says senior Music Ministry major Polly Blanshan. ”Out of this joy of sharing life together comes a spontaneous time of worship in a townhouse living room, a moment sharing a donut and conversation in the admissions office, a joke with President Kilgallin, and a hacky-sack game in the parking lot with your favorite professor.”

Blanshan, who spent her first two years at Crossroads in their Post Secondary Education program (PSEO), describes Crossroads as a college of “love and unity.” The highlight of student life for her is the relationships she has formed with both students and faculty. “It is great to live life with fellow students who are learning and growing alongside of me, encouraging me, and doing it all for the glory of God. The relationships I have with the staff and faculty are also invaluable. They care about me both academically and personally, always willing to counsel, console, listen, and encourage.”