2020-21 RCTC CALENDAR REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
RCTC ANNUAL REPORT RCTC’S CALENDAR REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY IS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY FOR MEMBERS OF THE ROCHESTER AND RCTC COMMUNITIES.
Normally our annual reports are filled with photos of students, activities, and all the exciting things going on around campus during the year. However, 2020-2021 was far from a normal year here at RCTC. The pandemic changed not only our way of life, but also our way of learning. Through all the uncertainty, we often failed to stop and see that while many things were changing, others stayed the same. The seasons changed. Flowers still bloomed. And the sun continued to shine on our truly spectacular campus. We invite you to enjoy the beauty of our campus seen in the photographs throughout this annual report calendar.
PUBLICATION STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS NATE STOLTMAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER JENEE MCGURREN MARKETING SPECIALIST/COPYWRITER MICHELLE MESSENGER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS KODI HOSCHEIT LOUIS LIVINGSTON-GARCIA JENEE MCGURREN ALLISON PASSON NATE STOLTMAN KATE WALLACE CONTENT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE RCTC COLLEGE RELATIONS OFFICE. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS CAN BE SENT TO:
COLLEGERELATIONS@RCTC.EDU
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It is with great excitement that we share our 2020-21 Annual Report highlighting our many great accomplishments this past year. They include: •
Reaffirming our accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
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Increasing our concurrent enrollment offerings, currently serving over 200 students.
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Increasing our students of color enrollment, currently reflecting about 33% of our student population.
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Garnering a $120,000 Minnesota State grant to administer our Legacy Scholars Program.
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Securing a $2.25 million federal grant to continue our TRIO/Student Support Services Program for an additional five years.
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Allocating millions of dollars of federal relief funds to students to financially assist them with unexpected expenses during the pandemic.
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Receiving a $75,000 commitment to fund scholarships over the next three years from the Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust, of which $30,000 will be awarded this summer for students with high financial needs.
In addition, 100% of our associate degree (AD) nursing candidates and 100% of our practical nursing candidates passed their national exams on their first attempt. RCTC was one of five AD nursing programs in the state to achieve the perfect pass rate, and the practical nursing program was one of seven. In athletics, our wrestling team repeated as non-scholarship national champions in junior college wrestling. These are just a few of the many great things happening at Rochester Community and Technical College. I encourage you to flip the pages of this annual report calendar to learn more. Also, stop out to campus to see first-hand the great opportunities that await you, should you decide to embark on your own educational journey. On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff, thank you for your support and consider joining us in writing new success stories in the coming year! Sincerely,
A member of Minnesota State R C T C I S A N E Q U A L O P P OR TUNI TY E M P L O Y E R A N D E D U CATO R. ALT E R N AT I V E F O R M AT S O F THI S D OC U M E N T A R E AVAI LA B LE B Y CO N TA C T I N G D I S AB I LI TY SU P P O R T AT 5 0 7 - 2 8 0 - 2 9 6 8 .
Jeffery S. Boyd, Ed.D. President
STRATEGIC PLAN: 2024 | PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS
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GOAL
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STUDENT SUCCESS
INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
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.
CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 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.
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RCTC in partnership with WSU-Rochester received a $120,000 grant to administer the Legacy Scholars Program. The program will serve 25 at-risk young adults of color who require access to education assistance, mental health services, basic needs, addiction services, and case management. The program will be housed at RCTC to ensure easy access to services.
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RCTC’s TRIO Student Support Services program was awarded a $2.25 million grant to fund an additional five years of service to students. This program has served students for more than 35 years — each year assisting 250 students who are first-generation college students, students who come from a low-income experience, or students with disabilities.
RCTC FOUNDATON SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY
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RCTC student Taylor Dabrowski was selected to receive the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award and Scholarship. Taylor has experienced many different cultures and countries during his travel and sees the interconnected nature of people. He is studying to be a paramedic and use his empathy to help, comfort, and be an advocate for all no matter of race and religion.
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100 percent of RCTC’s associate degree (Registered Nurse) candidates passed the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) exam on their first try during the time period of October to December 2020. In addition, 100 percent of RCTC’s practical nurse candidates passed the national NCLEX-PN exam on their first attempt during this same time period.
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* SPRING PAYMENT INFO: Tuition and fees must be paid in full or an approved deferment in place by Friday, December 10, 2021. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration. January 7, 2022 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 21, 2022.
507-285-7557 | RCTC.EDU
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Additional emergency funding was made available to RCTC students through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). $1,152,550 was distributed to 1,842 students. In addition to the direct grants, $162,200 was available via application-based grants as CRRSAA Student Emergency Fund (SEF) awards.
SPRING 2022 APPLICATION DEADLINE
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RCTC said goodbye and thank you to a total of 23 faculty and staff retiring in 2020-2021. Individual years of service ranged from 10 years to 36 years. Total years of service for these 23 long-term employees was 554 years. We are grateful for their years of service to our students.
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RCTC’s wrestling team won its second consecutive non-scholarship national title in 2021 and its fourth national title since 2014. Head Coach Travis Rutt was named the NJCAA and NWCA Non-scholarship Coach of the Year.
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RCTC and the RCTC Foundation announced the Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust has committed $75,000 for scholarships over the next three years. The Trust has given $30,000 for students with high financial need, who are enrolled at RCTC for the 2021-2022 academic year. The Skaaren Trust also pledges $25,000 and $20,000 for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 respectively.
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COMMENCEMENT
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The 2020-2021 academic year has been a year like no other before it! RCTC’s commitment to its students and their success throughout the pandemic was inspiring and resulted in 816 candidates for Fall, Spring, and Summer graduation. Of those graduates, 133 completed with honors and 177 with high honors!
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* SUMMER PAYMENT INFO: Tuition and fees must be paid in full or an approved deferment in place by Monday, May 9, 2022. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration. June 6, 2022 is the last day to set up a FACTS/NELNET payment plan.
507-285-7557 | RCTC.EDU
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RCTC alumna Sarah Brakebill-Hacke was Student President in 2017-18 and went on to enroll and graduate from Yale University. She is now pursuing her master’s degree at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
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DID YOU KNOW... Rebekah Novinger, a Racine, MN native and former RCTC student, is currently based in Boston where she studies at Berklee College of Music. Novinger’s latest full-length album is about a “big adventure” in Boston. Listen to “14 Hours 15 Minutes” on Spotify or YouTube.
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RCTC began renovations in July 2021 to East Hall for the new P-TECH High School. P-TECH 535 is a partnership between RCTC, Rochester Public Schools, Mayo Clinic, and IBM that offers pathways in nursing and Information Technology (IT). RCTC was excited to welcome approximately 70 new students to this innovative program in the fall of 2021.
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* FALL PAYMENT INFO: Tuition and fees must be paid in full or an approved deferment in place by Friday, August 5, 2022. After this date, payment is due at the time of registration. August 19, 2022 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, 2022.
507-285-7557 | RCTC.EDU
PAST YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS •
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RCTC, in partnership with Winona State University-Rochester (WSU-R) and Project Legacy, received a $120,000 grant from the Minnesota State system to administer the Legacy Scholars Program. The program serves 25 at-risk young adults of color who require access to education assistance, mental health services, basic needs, addiction services, and case management. While open to both RCTC and WSU-R students, the program is housed on the RCTC campus to ensure that students have easy access to the provided services. RCTC’s Practical Nursing program was ranked #1 in Minnesota by PracticalNursing.org, a resource created to guide those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.
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Kimberly Peters and Scott McCullough were presented with a Patriotic Employer Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve agency of the Department of Defense. They were both nominated by Carroll Harrod, former RCTC Security Officer, who serves as a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the United States Reserves. This award recognizes supervisors nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for their support.
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The RCTC TRIO Student Support Services program was awarded a $2.25 million grant to fund an additional five years of service to students. TRIO is a federal outreach and student retention program funded through a grant competition and is committed to helping students develop the skills to earn a college education. RCTC's TRIO program serves 250 students each year who are first-generation college students, students who come from a low-income experience, or students with documented disabilities. RCTC’s TRIO Program has served students for more than 35 years.
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RCTC’s Center for Business and Workforce Education (BWE) was granted Approved Provider Status with Distinction by the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) Continuing Education Approval Program (CEAP) for the second time. Approval with Distinction recognizes approved provider units that demonstrate exemplary adherence to ANCC accreditation program criteria. RCTC’s BWE has been developing and offering efficient and effective online homecare and hospice courses for training and continuing education purposes for more than 19 years.
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RCTC's College Relations staff earned two gold, two silver, and two bronze awards in the National Council for Marketing and Public Relation’s (NCMPR) District 5 Medallion awards contest. RCTC was a finalist in the following categories: Poster (single or series); Electronic Newsletter; Logo Design; Digital Ad; and Outdoor Media (single or series). RCTC won gold in the categories of Outdoor Media and Digital Ad; silver in Logo Design and Digital Ad; and bronze in the categories of Poster (single or series), and Electronic Newsletter.
507-285-7557 | RCTC.EDU
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RCTC was ranked #12 in the nation by OnlineU for best return on investment (ROI) for online associate degrees. With full-time tuition at approximately $5,800 per year, RCTC's ROI was calculated at 91.3%. OnlineU also ranked RCTC #6 Best Online Community College in Minnesota in May of 2020.
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Taylor Dabrowski, RCTC student, was selected to receive the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award and Scholarship. Mr. Dabrowski was one of 25 students from the Minnesota State system selected to receive this honor and $500 scholarship. Taylor has experienced many different cultures and countries during his travel and sees the interconnected nature of people. He is studying to be a paramedic and use his empathy to help, comfort, and be an advocate for all people no matter their race and religion. Mr. Dabrowski was nominated for this award by Annie Clement, RCTC Communication Studies instructor.
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RCTC announced that 100% of its associate degree candidates passed the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) exam on their first try during the time period of October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. In addition, 100% of RCTC’s practical nurse candidates passed the national NCLEX-PN exam on their first attempt during this same time period.
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During two giving campaigns, the RCTC Foundation, through the generosity of employees, retirees, families/friends, alumni, and community, raised $6,510 for the Yellowjacket Emergency Support (YES) Fund. These donations will provide 13 students with one-time emergency grants up to $500 each. These grants can help students with food, utilities, rent, medical/dental care, transportation, and possible loss of income during the pandemic.
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RCTC was voted Best of the Best in Higher Education in the Post Bulletin’s annual reader's choice awards. This year marks the fourth time in a row that RCTC was awarded the top spot! In November 2020, RCTC hosted a Higher Learning Commission (HLC) review team for its Standard Pathway Comprehensive Evaluation (Year 4). The HLC team met virtually with RCTC faculty, staff, students, and administration in several zoom meetings. RCTC learned in January 2021 The Higher Learning Commission determined that RCTC met each of the five criteria for accreditation. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this very important achievement.
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Minnesota artist Randy Walker and his "Pathways" sculpture concept was awarded the RCTC Plaza-Memorial Hall Project Percent for the Arts Commission. Pathways is a multi-colored sculpture constructed of 70 steel pipes. It will be located in the southwest corner of the Plaza Courtyard. The OAKS Scholarship Celebration was held virtually on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Attendees celebrated four students who overcame adversity and are on a path to personal and academic success. Representing Rochester and the surrounding communities, one local high school senior, Brynn Fritsche, and three first-year Rochester Community and Technical College students, Nicole Beyer, Bryan Chase, and Kamron Harris, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to either begin or continue their education at RCTC.
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Additional emergency funding was made available to RCTC students through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). RCTC distributed relief grants directly to students with demonstrated need according to their completed 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (add registered mark). $1,152,550 was distributed to 1,842 students. In addition to the direct grants, $162,200 was available via application-based grants as CRRSAA Student Emergency Fund (SEF) awards. Per CRRSAA guidelines, the awards will be prioritized to serve students with exceptional needs related to the cost of attendance at the College (tuition, food, housing, health care, and childcare).
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English Instructor Pam Whitfield’s poem, “Nest,” was selected for the 20th-annual Poet-Artist Collaborative by Red Wing Arts. Pam’s poem will be made public as an audio recording and a regional artist will create a piece inspired by the poem.
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RCTC’s wrestling team won its second consecutive non-scholarship national title in 2021 and its fourth national title since 2014. Former Head Coach Travis Rutt was named the NJCAA and NWCA Nonscholarship Coach of the Year.
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RCTC Athletics and the RCTC Foundation held the 26th-annual Yellowjacket Golf Classic on June 7 at Willow Creek Golf Course in Rochester, Minnesota. This event raises funds for student athletics and scholarships.
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RCTC and the RCTC Foundation announced the Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust has committed $75,000 to RCTC for scholarships over the next three years. This gift is intended to help make a college education more accessible and affordable for high-need students, especially those who have traditionally faced barriers to receiving an education such as students of color and single parents. The Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust has given $30,000 to be awarded for the 2021-2022 school year for students with high financial need. The Skaaren Trust also pledges $25,000 and $20,000 for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 respectively. The Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust is named for Warren Skaaren, a Rochesternative and 1966 alumnus of Rochester Community College (RCC—predecessor of RCTC) who went on to earn Hollywood notoriety as a screenwriter and executive producer. After successful work with
Paramount Pictures on the film Fire with Fire (1985), Skaaren became known in Hollywood as a "script doctor." Skaaren worked on well-known films including Top Gun (1986), Beetlejuice (1987), Beverly Hills Cop II (1988), and Batman (1989). During this time, Skaaren maintained a connection with his longtime mentor, Robert (Bob) Wise, Associate Dean of Students at RCC. Skaaren passed away in 1990, and the Trust he created supports causes and institutions that mattered to him. The $75,000 gift will fund scholarships for students facing significant need. Specifically, eligible students include students of color (BIPOC), and single parents. Research shows students in these groups often have reduced access to higher education. These scholarships will lessen or eliminate the financial barrier to affording a college education. Thanks to the generosity of the Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust, the RCTC Foundation will award $30,000 in scholarships in 2021-22 for students with financial need, with the neediest students receiving scholarships to cover all tuition and fees for an academic year.
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In order to accommodate the new P-TECH 535 High School, RCTC renovated two classrooms and three offices in East Hall. P-TECH 535 is a partnership between RCTC, Rochester Public Schools, Mayo Clinic, and IBM to offer pathways in nursing and information technology. Students have the opportunity to earn both their high school diploma and a diploma in practical nursing or an associate of applied science in information technology. Students will receive workplace experiences through job shadows, mentors, and a paid internship. RCTC is excited to welcome approximately 70 new students to this innovative program for Fall Semester 2021.
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RCTC celebrated 816 candidates for Fall, Spring, and Summer graduation. Of those graduates, 133 completed with honors and 177 with high honors. The 2020-2021 academic year was a year like no other before it. The commitment that RCTC faculty and staff have demonstrated to students and their success throughout the pandemic was truly inspiring.
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RCTC said goodbye and thank you to a total of 23 faculty and staff retiring in 2020-2021. Individual years of service ranged from 10 years to 36 years. Total years of service for these 23 long-term employees was 554 years.
Simona Baias, Reading Faculty (11) Warren Beighley, Facility and Service Technology Faculty (33) Keith Brown, General Maintenance Worker (26) Dave Carr, Technologies Installation and Repair Technician (22) Cathy DesLauriers, Adjunct Veterinary Technician Faculty (16) Mark Erickson, Adjunct Law Enforcement Faculty (23) Cara Fox, Cashier (10) Barbara Fritz, Biology Faculty (17) Michael Froisland, General Maintenance Worker (34) Dera Hanson, Admissions/Records Office & Admin Specialist (21) Steve Herrick, General Maintenance Worker (13) Anne High, Dental Hygiene Faculty (31) Paul Kinion, Math Faculty (27) Martin Leonard, Plant Maintenance Engineer (29) David MacLeod, Auto Mechanics Faculty (21) Diane Pollock, Librarian (16) Roxy Roadway, Administrative Assistant 31 years/GMW 3 years (34) Priscilla Ruemping, Math Faculty (22) Glen Saponari, Veterans/International Student Advisor (36) Eric Sime, Advisor (29) Thomas Soltau, Facility and Service Technology Faculty (24) Rachelle Splittstoesser, Curriculum Coordinator (27) Patrick Williamson, Plant Maintenance Engineer (32)
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The following RCTC employees were recognized as Shining Stars during All Employee Development Days in 2020-21 for going above and beyond:
Tawny Amos, Dave Atwood, Robert Banker, Jon Benson, Matt Bissonette, Jason Bonde, Jeffery Boyd, Teresa Brown, Jen Bruce, John Buchl, Melanie Callister, Dave Carr, Annie Clement, Jennifer Dahle, Crist Dahle, Mary Dennison, Beth Diekmann, Mark Erickson, Mark Faas, Bonnie Flaig Prinsen, Brenda Frame, Robin Fruth-Dugstad, Bret Fuller, Jake Griggs, Matt Haack, Lori Halverson-Wente, Guy Hamernik, Anna Hanson, Beth Heim de Bera, Steve Herrick, Darin Hoffman, Jean Hoth, Simon Huelsbeck, Chad Israelson, Shayn Jensson, Jamie Johnson, Judy Kingsbury, Renea Kispert, Cheryl Klingsporn Morgan, Brooke Kosok, Mike Lester, Jim Ma, Katrina Maass, Kristin Mannix, Scannell McCormick, Scott McCullough, Heather McEldowney, Trepp Meyer, Tolga Misirli, Jennifer Monsos, Mike Mutschelknaus, Chao Mwatela, Craig Narveson, Dennis Olson, Allison Passon, Becca Peine, Kimberly Peters, Amanda Proper, Kelly Pyfferoen, Michelle Pyfferoen, Mir Qader, Travis Rutt, Kerry Schad, Steve Schmall, John Sievers, Heather Sklenicka, Kim Stanton, Katie Swegarden, Amanda Swintek, Suzanne Szucs, Jaime Tjossem, Beth Torgerud, Cuong Tran, Taresa Tweeten, Deb Vang, MJ Wagenson, Todd Weidler, Jonathan Wetenkamp, Joshua Whalen, Pam Whitfield, Gayla Winslow, Diane Witzig, Karin Wright, Peter Wruck, Stacey York, Alicia Zeone, Amber Zitzow, and members of the following teams: Advising/Counseling, Business Office, BWE, Carpentry, College Relations, Commencement Planning Committee, Dental Assisting, FAST, Financial Aid, FOT Faculty, Healthcare Office Professionals, Human Services, IT, Nursing, President’s Cabinet, Sports Center, Student Affairs Division, TRIO/SSSP, and Words of Affirmation Participants.
Information contained in this publication is accurate as of date of printing. For the most current information, visit www.rctc.edu.
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