2019-20
CALENDAR REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
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• Relaunching a successful lecture series as a way to feature RCTC faculty sharing their expertise and experiences in an array of topics from music to public service. • Being designated a hunger free campus by the LeadMN (Minnesota’s state-wide two-year college student association) for actively taking strides to reduce food insecurities faced by our students.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The year 2020 could possibly be declared the “Year Things Didn’t Happen.” The 2020 Olympics, March Madness, and Wimbledon didn’t happen. But, even with schedules disrupted, a lot did happen at RCTC, and I’m excited to share with you some of those success stories in our 2019-20 Annual Report. They include such things as:
OUR CITY OUR COLLEGE
• Reaffirming our accreditation for such programs as Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene. • Opening our new Memorial Hall building, an initiative 10-years in the making. • Being a recipient of a $50,000 grant from Minnesota State system to help with our Mental Health Initiative on campus.
• Expanding our summer online offerings, including offering Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II completely online for the first time. • Opening an Equity and Inclusion Resource Center as a way to bring community resources to campus for our students. This year has definitely affected all of us, but not at the cost of a quality education for our students. During an unprecedented pandemic, RCTC’s faculty and staff showed their ability to be agile by effectively and efficiently migrating both instruction and support services to alternative delivery modes. They truly are an extraordinary team of professionals committed to improving people’s lives through learning. For more than 100 years, RCTC has been preparing students for leadership, service, and the workforce; and we look forward to building upon our successes from the
past to ensure the best opportunities await our students in the future. On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff, thank you for your support to our College. I invite you to join us in writing new success stories in the upcoming year! Sincerely,
Jeffery S. Boyd, Ed.D. President
STRATEGIC PLAN: 2024 Pathways to Success
GOAL ONE
GOAL TWO
GOAL THREE
GOAL FOUR
STUDENT SUCCESS
INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Improve student retention and completion by increasing access to learning opportunities, leveraging educational technology, enhancing support services and resources, and strengthening pedagogy and curriculum.
Ensure the College’s offerings, functions, and processes are sustainable and responsive to the evolving needs of internal and external stakeholders.
Promote equity and inclusion across the institution by increasing cultural competency, culturally responsive pedagogy and service, and partnering with community organizations.
Strategy 1 STUDENT SUCCESS PLANNING Create processes, structures, and opportunities for students to successfully plan and achieve their educational goals in a timely manner.
Strategy 1 ADVANCE A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Institution-wide commitment to foster systematic processes for assessing, evaluating, measuring, and communicating RCTC improvement efforts.
Strategy 1 FOSTER A CULTURE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION Implement a dynamic equity and inclusion plan that integrates equity-minded strategies across all institutional divisions.
Strategy 2 FLEXIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION Expand access through high-quality online learning, flexible scheduling, and alternative pathways to fit the needs of students. Strategy 3 SUPPORTING LEARNING Implement integrated institutional practices, technology, and services aimed at supporting student learning and improving student outcomes. Strategy 4 ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING Further cultivate a culture of assessment to better understand how students learn and use assessment results to improve teaching and learning inside and outside of the classroom.
Strategy 2 BOLSTER AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAM OF EMPLOYEES Recruit talent and further develop staff and faculty to meet the changing needs of students and stakeholders. Strategy 3 EFFECTIVE PLANNING AND ALIGNMENT Realize RCTC’s mission through a meaningful planning process that aligns resources with the College’s strategic priorities. Strategy 4 ENSURE INSTITUTIONAL CONTINUITY Establish structures and processes that ensure continuity of services and processes that impact the ability to serve students and constituents.
Strategy 2 EQUITY IN STUDENT OUTCOMES Ensure equity in student experience and success by applying the lens of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to institutional academic and non-academic services and functions. Strategy 3 FURTHER DIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT Expand resources, opportunities, and infrastructure to better understand and engage diversity, in efforts to impact the experiences of students and employees.
Promote campus and community engagement that fosters collaborative relationships which mutually benefit the College, our students, partnering organizations, and the economic vitality of the region. Strategy 1 GROW EXTERNAL COLLABORATIONS Establish collaborations and relationships with external partners that bring value to the College and favorably impact the experiences of students, faculty, and staff. Strategy 2 GROW INTERNAL COLLABORATIONS Establish internal collaborations that build collegial relationships in order to better serve the needs of students and employees. Strategy 3 PARTNER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STAKEHOLDERS Ensure the College’s educational offerings serve the best interests of students and needs of the community through engagement of external constituents. Strategy 4 ADVANCE THE COLLEGE’S SERVICE TO, AND PRESENCE IN, THE COMMUNITY Active engagement of faculty, staff, and students in the community.
SEPTEMBER
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RCTC
GOODBYE PLAZA HALL AND OLD MEMORIAL HALL
MOON PHASES
The demolition of Plaza Hall and old Memorial Hall was completed the first week of April 2020 as part of the third and final phase of the Memorial Hall project. Phase three also includes the complete renovation of the Plaza to incorporate new green space, learning spaces, and recreation spaces.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
9/2
9 10
FR IDAY
9 23
9/17
SATUR DAY
FALL FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENT BEGINS
30
31
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
7
3 STUDENT SENATE INTENT TO RUN DEADLINE
4
5
PATRIOT DAY
8
9
10
11
12
15
16
17
18
19
STUDENT SUCCESS DAY NON-CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITIES
RCTC FOUNDER’S DAY STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS ON D2L
13
2
CLUB DAY
LABOR DAY NO CLASSES
6
1
LAST DAY FOR ALL BOOK RETURNS
STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS ON D2L
14 FALL EQUINOX
NOTES:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2020 OCTOBER
2020 AUGUST SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
1
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
30
31
OCTOBER
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RCTC
RCTC 2019-2020 OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS
MOON PHASES
RCTC is proud of all its talented educators. This year Gayla Winslow, Nursing instructor; Karin Wright, Communication Studies instructor; and Mark Erickson, Law Enforcement Skills adjunct instructor, were recognized as RCTC Outstanding Educators for 2019-2020.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
10/1
10 9
FR IDAY
10/16
10 23
10/31
SATUR DAY
2021-2022 FAFSA APP. OPENS
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
6
7
8
9
10
FALL GRADUATION APPLICATION DEADLINE
4
5
EDUCATION MN CONF. NO CLASSES
COLUMBUS DAY
EDUCATION MN CONF. NO CLASSES BOSS’S DAY
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 HALLOWEEN
NOTES:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2020 NOVEMBER
2020 SEPTEMBER SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
27
28
29
30
NOVEMBER
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RCTC
RCTC WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
MOON PHASES
RCTC was the host campus for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women’s Division III Volleyball Championships in November 2019. The RCTC Yellowjacket Volleyball team finished fourth in the nation. At the conclusion of the national tournament, Yellowjackets Brekkin McCready and Carrie Rutledge were named to the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
DAYLIGHT SAVING ENDS
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
11 8
FR IDAY
11/30
11 21
11/14
SATUR DAY
ELECTION DAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
VETERANS DAY NO CLASSES
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
THANKSGIVING MEAL - MAIN CAMPUS
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES
THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY BREAK NO CLASSES
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BREAK NO CLASSES
THANKSGIVING MEAL - HEINTZ CENTER
NOTES:
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
2020 DECEMBER
2020 OCTOBER SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
27
28
29
30
31
DECEMBER
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RCTC
FIRST ANNUAL HIVE SUPPLY HOLIDAY STOCKING CHALLENGE
MOON PHASES
RCTC held its first annual Hive Supply Holiday Stocking Challenge in December 2019. RCTC faculty, staff, and administration donated 1,819 pounds of food to help stock the Hive Supply, the College’s food pantry. Donations also included 623 rolls of toilet paper and enough laundry detergent for students to do 1,500 loads of laundry!
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
29
TUESDAY
30
WEDNESDAY
1
THUR SDAY
2
12 7
FR IDAY
12/29
SATUR DAY
3
PEARL HARBOR DAY
12 21
10/14
4
5
11
12
18
19
SPRING TUITION DUE *
STUDENT LIFE END OF SEMESTER CELEBRATION 12/7-12/10
6
7
8
9
10 FALL SEMESTER ENDS BOOK RENTAL RETURN
13
14
15
16
17
WINTER SOLSTICE
CHRISTMAS DAY
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
NOTES:
* SPRING PAYMENT INFO: Tuition and fees must be paid in full or an approved deferment in place by Friday, December 11, 2020. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration. January 8, 2021 is the last day to set up a FACTS/NELNET payment plan. To avoid late fees, account balances need to be paid in full by March 22, 2021.
2020 NOVEMBER
2021 JANUARY
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
3
4
5
6
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
10
11
12
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
17
18
29
30
24
25
31
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
7
8
9
13
14
15
16
19
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
30
JANUARY
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RCTC
RCTC LAUNCHES NEW FACULTY LECTURE SERIES
MOON PHASES
RCTC launched its new lecture series in January 2020. The initial four lectures featured RCTC faculty sharing their expertise and experiences in topics from music to public service. The full lecture series will resume in fall 2020. All series events are free and open to the public.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
1 6
1 20
1/12
FR IDAY
1/28
SATUR DAY
NEW YEAR’S DAY
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
15
16
SPRING NEW STUDENT APPLICATION DEADLINE (FAST PASS DAY) SCHOLARSHIP PORTAL OPENS
3 SPRING SEMESTER STARTS
10
LAST DAY TO DROP FULL-TERM COURSES
11 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY NO CLASSES
17
STUDENT LIFE WELCOME BACK WEEK ACTIVITIES 1/18-22
12 CLUB DAY
18
14
CAMPUS CONNECTION FAIR
SPRING FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENT BEGINS
19
20
21
22
23
STUDENT SUCCESS DAY NON-CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITIES
LAST DAY FOR ALL BOOK RETURNS
NOTES:
13
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
2020 DECEMBER SUN
MON
2021 FEBRUARY
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
27
28
29
30
31
28
FEBRUARY
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RCTC
MOON PHASES
RCTC WRESTLING TEAM WINS EIGHTH STRAIGHT MCAC TITLE The Yellowjacket wrestling team proved to be the best in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, winning its eighth straight conference title. With the win, nine RCTC wrestlers qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
31
TUESDAY
1
WEDNESDAY
2
THUR SDAY
3
24
2 19
2/11
FR IDAY
2/27
SATUR DAY
4
5
6
SCHOLARSHIP PORTAL CLOSES
7 VALENTINE’S DAY
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
26
27
PRESIDENTS’ DAY NO CLASSES
14
MN PRECINCT CAUCUS NO CLASSES AFTER 6PM
NOTES:
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT DAY NO CLASSES
SPRING GRADUATION APPLICATION DEADLINE
SPRING GRADUATION APPLICATION DEADLINE
21
22
23
24
25
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
2021 JANUARY SUN
MON
TUE
WED
EBONY NIGHT
2021 MARCH THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
6
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
28
29
30
31
31
MARCH
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RCTC
RCTC MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
28
TUESDAY
1 SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES
7
WEDNESDAY
2 SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES
8
THUR SDAY
3 10
14
15 STUDENT GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER ELECTIONS ON D2L
3/28
SATUR DAY
5
6
12
13
SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES
11 STUDENT GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER ELECTIONS - INTENT TO RUN DEADLINE
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
3 21
3/13
FR IDAY
SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES
9
35
4
SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES
DAYLIGHT SAVING BEGINS
NOTES:
MOON PHASES
RCTC was once again the host campus for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men’s Division III Basketball Championships in March 2020. The RCTC Yellowjacket men’s basketball team qualified for the consolation game. Due to increasing COVID concerns throughout the nation, the consolation game to determine the third-place winner was not held.
SPRING EQUINOX
16
17
18
19
20
STUDENT GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER ELECTIONS ON D2L
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2021 FEBRUARY SUN
2021 APRIL
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
4
5
6
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
11
12
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
18 25
28
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
13
14
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
30
APRIL
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RCTC
MOON PHASES
RCTC WINS BEST OF THE BEST FOR THIRD YEAR RCTC was voted Best of the Best in Higher Education in the Post Bulletin’s annual readers’ choice poll. This is the College’s third win in a row in the higher education category.
FAST FACT
44
4 20
4/11
4/26 SUPER MOON
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
FR IDAY
SATUR DAY
APRIL FOOL’S DAY
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
16
17
22
23
24
TAX DAY
11
12 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES
18
13 EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT DAY NO CLASSES
19
14 ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
EARTH DAY
20
21
SUMMER TUITION DUE *
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
NOTES:
* SPRING PAYMENT INFO: Tuition and fees must be paid in full or an approved deferment in place by Friday, April 30, 2021. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration. June 8, 2021 is the last day to set up a FACTS/ NELNET payment plan.
2021 MARCH SUN
2021 MAY
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
28
29
30
31
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
MAY
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RCTC
RCTC’S SBDC RECEIVES GRANT FROM MAYO CLINIC
MOON PHASES
Mayo Clinic donated $15,000 toward the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted at Rochester Community and Technical College. RCTC is seeking support for the SBDC to ensure that business plan development, capital and loan packaging, financial analysis, and succession planning services can continue for small businesses within our region.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
25
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
53
5 19
5/11
5/26 SUPER MOON
FR IDAY
SATUR DAY
26
27
28
29
30
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
STUDENT LIFE END OF SEMESTER CELEBRATION 5/3 - 5/7
2
SPRING SEMESTER ENDS
MOTHER’S DAY
COMMENCEMENT
ARMED FORCES DAY
BOOK RENTAL RETURN
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
1
2
3
4
5
MEMORIAL DAY
30 NOTES:
2021 APRIL SUN
MON
TUE
2021 JUNE WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
25
26
27
28
29
30
27
28
29
30
JUNE
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RCTC
RCTC DESIGNATED LEADMN HUNGER FREE CAMPUS
MOON PHASES
RCTC is one of 16 Minnesota State community and technical colleges recognized for its work to reduce food insecurity on campus. Minnesota State colleges are continuing to make efforts to address hunger amongst college students with the passage of the Hunger Free Campus Act approved by the Minnesota legislature in 2019.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
62
6 17
6/10
FR IDAY
6/24
SATUR DAY
SUMMER SESSION STARTS LAST DAY TO DROP FULL SESSION COURSES
30
31
6
PARENTS’ DAY
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
FLAG DAY
FATHER’S DAY SUMMER SOLSTICE
NOTES:
2021 MAY SUN
MON
2021 JULY
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
1
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
30
31
JULY
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RCTC
RCTC COLLEGE RELATIONS AND MARKETING WINS NATIONAL AWARD The RCTC College Relations and Marketing team was awarded a Silver Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) for the Spring 2019 edition of the RCTC Magazine. NCMPR is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges.
FAST FACT SUNDAY
MONDAY
27 INDEPENDENCE DAY
NOTES:
TUESDAY
28
WEDNESDAY
THUR SDAY
MOON PHASES 71
7/9
FR IDAY
7 17
7/23
7 31
SATUR DAY
29
30
1
2
3
INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED NO CLASSES
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2021 JUNE SUN
MON
2021 AUGUST
TUE
WED
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AUGUST
A member of Minnesota State | www.rctc.edu
RCTC
RCTC RECEIVES $50,000 MINNESOTA STATE MENTAL HEALTH GRANT
MOON PHASES
As part of the 2019 Legislative session, an appropriation was made to provide funding for up to five Minnesota State colleges to contract with one or more independent mental health organizations to provide mental health care on campus. RCTC is one of the colleges which received $50,000 (over the biennium) in grant funding to support students through a partnership with Zumbro Valley Health Center.
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SUMMER SESSION ENDS FALL TUITION DUE *
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FALL SEMESTER STARTS WELCOME WEEK 8/23-8/27
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* FALL PAYMENT INFO: Tuition and fees must be paid in full or an approved deferment in place by Friday, August 6, 20210. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration. August 20, 2021 is the last day to set up a FACTS/ NELNET payment plan. To avoid late fees, account balances need to be paid in full by October 25, 2021.
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HIGHLIGHTS RCTC MEMORIAL HALL GRAND OPENING RCTC celebrated the new Memorial Hall Grand Opening on Thursday, January 23, 2020. Minnesota State Chancellor Malhotra, legislators, faculty, staff, RCTC retirees, and students attended the standing room only event. The new Memorial Hall also includes a new installation honoring retired faculty and staff. The entire project consisted of three phases: construction, renovation, and demolition. The construction phase included the New Memorial Hall with new offices, academic flex-space, and a large, versatile classroom which occupies the two-story addition that wraps around Endicott Hall, Coffman Center, and Singley Hall on the west side of Main campus. The existing maintenance garage and childcare center were torn down and a new building entrance and drop-off lane were constructed.
GRAND OPENING OF RCTC’S NEW EQUITY AND INCLUSION RESOURCE CENTER The new Equity and Inclusion Resource Center located next to The Hive Student Center serves as a bridge to community resources available to RCTC students, staff, and faculty. These resources include food insecurity, housing, healthy relationships, financial planning, scholarships, workforce opportunities, religious and ethnic affiliation groups, English language learners support, and social justice. The resources are available both in paper form as well as ‘living’ form. Representatives from community organizations are available to answer questions.
To maximize space utilization amongst existing square footage, spaces in Endicott, Singley, College Center, and Science and Technology buildings were upgraded, and renovations included moving walls, upgrading technology, updating furniture, and making the spaces more learner-friendly. Construction, renovation, and remodeling will conclude in fall 2020.
RCTC NEW INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT PLAN: THE VIRTUOUS CIRCLE RCTC officially approved its new Institutional Assessment Plan (IAP). This is RCTC’s second IAP, which will be in place until 2022. RCTC’s first IAP guided college assessment efforts for the past three years. The first IAP helped build a culture of assessment. The new IAP builds on RCTC’s culture of assessment by creating virtuous circles.
RCTC HOLDS VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT RCTC celebrated commencement virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Online graduation cards with photos were created and shared on RCTC social media to celebrate our graduates. Faculty and staff also shared their online congratulations during commencement week. A total of 764 students graduated. 157 students graduated; with High Honors and an additional 138 students graduated with Honors.
HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP EVENTS The RCTC Foundation hosted their annual scholarship event as well as the OAKS scholarship event. The Foundation provides scholarship awards each year to incoming, returning, and graduating/ transferring RCTC students. Scholarship awards range in value from $200 to $5,000 and are available for full-time and part-time students. More than 140 scholarships are offered in almost every major. Additional OAKS (Overcoming Adversity Keeping Strong) scholarships are awarded to incoming and returning RCTC students who have overcome tremendous odds to become successful both personally and academically. Workforce Development scholarships are also available to students majoring in jobs deemed critical to the state’s economy.
SHARKTANK RCTC WINS SHARK TANK COMPETITION The RCTC Student Government was awarded $500 for winning the LeadMN 2020 Shark Tank competition at the January Leadership Conference. The conference was themed to support student advocacy around hunger and food insecurity among college students.
ECHO NAMED BEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR RCTC’s Echo was named the best college newspaper for the second consecutive year at the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. The Echo’s first place finish in General Excellence category is a noteworthy achievement because it competes against student newspapers from four-year universities throughout Minnesota. Three Echo staff members placed in individual categories. Hawa Sheikh-Adam placed second for arts and entertainment reporting for her story about an exhibition by artist Jennifer Onofrio Fornes. Photo Editor Nathan Hoover placed second in feature photography for his image of RCTC Band Director Michael Mangan leading students during rehearsal. Breanna Shen placed third in column writing for her column headlined "Ivy League doesn't guarantee success." This is the fourth consecutive year that The Echo placed in General Excellence in the MNA’s Better Newspaper Contest. It placed first in 2019, second in 2018 and third in 2017.
Members of student government attended a workshop in the morning on #RealEquipped: A Playbook to Win at Food Insecurity Programming. At the workshop, they learned from a national expert to develop new ideas and an implementation plan to support innovative programs related to addressing meal gaps among our students. RCTC students presented their plan to a panel of "sharks" and competed against seven other Minnesota State colleges. RCTC was represented by student leaders: Fadumasahra Farah, Ali Abdi, Roberts Hoenisch, Hannah McMillan, Mohamud Mohamed, and Fatima Mohamed. The $500 award will be used to support the development of a Campus Community Food Resource Guide that includes information on where to access hot meals within Rochester, food shelves, student discount opportunities, cultural food stores, and information on SNAP and other public assistance programs. In addition, the award will support the creation of "Mini Hives" that can be housed in individual offices to increase accessibility of services and promote the Hive Supply. RCTC Student Government also wants to ensure that current food offerings are inclusive of diverse student needs and that items stocked in the Hive Supply are clearly labeled to reflect cultural and dietary restrictions.
HIGHLIGHTS RCTC ANNOUNCED VICE PRESIDENT APPOINTMENTS RCTC announced the permanent appointment of Michelle Pyfferoen to the role of Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Teresa Brown as the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. Both appointments were effective October 30, 2019. RCTC STUDENTS AWARDED MARK W. WELTER WORLD CITIZEN AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP RCTC student Oyindamola Baruwa was selected to receive the Mark W. Welter World Citizen Award and Scholarship for fall semester 2019. Ms. Baruwa was one of 20 students from Minnesota State selected to receive this honor. She has gone above and beyond in participating in equity and educational programming as well as interviewing students to get their perspectives on campus. Ms. Baruwa was nominated for this award by RCTC Multicultural Advisor, Chao Mwatela. RCTC student Nhung Nguyen was selected to receive the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award and Scholarship for spring semester 2020. Ms. Nguyen was one of 20 students from Minnesota State selected to receive this honor. Since emigrating from Vietnam in 2005, Nguyen has been active in volunteerism in the community, including having taught Vietnamese to young children in Rochester for several years. Ms. Nguyen continues to face the many challenges in her life with perseverance and optimism. Ms. Nguyen was nominated for this award by Sandy Aaby, a library technician at RCTC’s Goddard Library. Through the generosity of Dr. Mark Welter, this award provides an annual tribute to Minnesota State students who exemplify an understanding of the interconnected nature of the world, its nations and all people; are in good academic standing; and who demonstrate financial need.
Michelle Pyfferoen
RCTC AWARDED ROTARY GRANT RCTC’s Collaboration Among Rochester Educators (CARE) Summer Bridge program received a $2,000 grant from the Rotary Clubs of Rochester. The grant helped fund transportation, supplies, and snacks for approximately 50 graduating seniors from Rochester Public Schools participating in RCTC’s Summer Bridge program. RCTC’s CARE Summer Bridge program is an eight-week program designed to help John Marshall, Mayo, and Century High School seniors’ transition from high school to college. The primary focus of the Summer Bridge program is to help students develop the skills necessary to complete college-level coursework before they begin college.
Teresa Brown
Ms. Pyfferoen has been with the College for over 25 years, serving in such roles as Director of Business and Workforce Education, Dean of Career and Technical Education, and most recently, serving as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs. In the announcement of her appointment, President Boyd is quoted as saying, “Michelle has done an outstanding job in the interim role. She is well known and respected with community leaders. Her 25+ year history with RCTC provides stable leadership in this position.” Dr. Teresa Brown has also been with the College for more than 22 years, most currently serving as Interim Dean of Sciences and Health Professions. Prior to the interim appointment, Dr. Brown was a Chemistry Instructor for the College, and served in several faculty leadership roles, including taking the lead for Assessment of Student Learning, Chair of the Science Division, and Chair of the Academic Affairs and Standards Council. Dr. Boyd is quoted as saying, “Her understanding and work with academic pathways will help Student Affairs finalize our new pathway advising model.”
RCTC SIGNS AVIATION ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO RCTC signed an Aviation Articulation Agreement with Minnesota State University, Mankato on December 11, 2019 at the RCTC Aviation Training Center located at the Rochester International Airport. The articulation agreement enables a seamless transition for aviation students to complete a bachelor’s degree at Minnesota State Mankato after completing their associate degree at RCTC. The agreement specifies admission and graduation requirements of each institution’s program as well as course and credit requirements in each of the two programs.
HIGHLIGHTS
RCTC WRESTLING TEAM WINS DIVISION III NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP The Yellowjackets finished second in the NJCAA National Duals, won the MCAC Duals going 40-0 in matches during the dual tournament, and rolled to the North District Championship. RCTC Coach Randy Rager was also named NWCA Non-Scholarship National Coach of the Year before the start of the National Tournament. RCTC competes as an NJCAA Division III college in all sports which means no athletic scholarships are permitted. At the NJCAA Wrestling Championships however, all teams (scholarship and non-scholarship) compete together. The Yellowjacket wrestlers finished the tournament with six All-Americans, a third place overall finish and a Division III National Championship.
ACCREDITATION REAFFIRMATION RECEIVED FOR THE DENTAL ASSISTING AND DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAMS AT RCTC RCTC’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs’ accreditation have both been reaffirmed by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Both the RCTC Dental Assisting program and the Dental Hygiene program were awarded the “accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements.” No additional information is requested from either program at this time. The next site visit for each program is scheduled for 2026.
RCTC HLC ACCREDITATION UPDATE RCTC is in the process of completing a large self-study in support of our continued accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. A cross-functional team of dozens of stakeholders from across the College have been hard at work during the academic year getting our narrative and evidence ready for review. The College will be visited by peer reviewers from institutions across the country on November 9-10, 2020. Following this visit, the College will receive an official action on the part of the Commission. This mid-point checkin during our 10-year accreditation cycle will in part guide our continuous quality improvement efforts in support of our next full reaffirmation of accreditation in 2027.
SHINING STARS The following RCTC employees were recognized as Shining Stars during All-Employee Development Days in 2019-20 for going above and beyond: Dale Amy, Jerry Becker, Tiffany Betcher, Mary Bisbee, Jeffery Boyd, Kristin Buck, Jerry Casper, Ruth Casper, Shelah Christensen, Steve Cole, Jennifer Dahle, Shelly Danielson, Beth Diekmann, Lisa Eckhoff, Terry Eich, Laura Engelman, Jennifer Erwin, Greg Frana, Cheri Fritz, Mike Froisland, Bret Fuller, Kim Glarner, Matt Haack, Ben Hain, Guy Hamernik, Mike Harding, Carroll Harrod, Jennifer Haug, Beth Heim de Bera, Anne High, Teri Hill, Chad Israelson, John Jimenez, Jamie Johnson, Tom Kacir, Judy Kingsbury, Paul Kinion, Cheryl Klingsporn-Morgan, Brooke Kosok, Jennifer Krieger, Rebecca Kruetzfeldt, Jesse Krusmark, Tammy Lee, Mike Lester, Katrina Maass, Dave MacLeod, Jamie Mahlberg, Molly Matusiewicz, Scannell McCormick, Scott McCullough, Heather McEldowney, Jenee McGurren, Jason Meier, Michelle Messenger, Brittany Meyer, Trepp Meyer, Tonya Miller, Mike Mutschelknaus, Chao Mwatela, Dennis Olson, Becca Peine, Mona Permann, Deb Pesch, Kimberly Peters, Julie Peterson, Janelle Peterson, Chrisanne Pieper, Kelly Pyfferoen, Mir Qader, Randy Rager, Cassie Ray, Kathie Richie, Katie Ristau, Kimberly Rowley, Nikki Rud, Travis Rutt, Connie Sabotta, Glen Saponari, Steve Schmall, Carol Schultz, Aaron Shannon, Tom Soltau, Cathy Sparks, Brian Steele, Nate Stoltman, Suzanne Szucs, Ramona Taylor, Paula Theisen, Paula Titus, Jaime Tjossem, Beth Torgerud, Deb Vang, Pam Whitfield, Jeanne Wilson, Anne Wobschall, Gregg Wright, Alicia Zeone, and Amber Zitzow. In addition to these individual, Shining Star designations were also given to members of Advising/Counseling, the ASL Committee, Facilities Division, Math Department, Financial Aid, Finance Division, HLC Steering Team, IT Division, and Student Affairs Division.
2019-20 BEST BEES The following RCTC employees/departments were recognized as Best Bees for demonstrating the RCTC values of Excellence, Innovation, Learner-Centered, Teamwork, Respect, and Fun: • • • • •
Heather McEldowney (October 2019) Cathy Ellstrom (November 2019) Stacey York (December 2019) Information Technology and Facilities Staff (February 2020) Ruth Casper (March 2020)
2019-20 RETIREES The following faculty and staff retired during the 2019-20 year: Kevin Dobbe, Renee Engelmeyer, Catherine Egenberger, Suzy Finck, Scott Gresbrink, Julie Hager, Debbie Knaup, Joe Schlichenmeyer, James Scott, Shirley Wilson, Gregg Wright, and Dan Ziebell
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