President's Future Vision

Riverland Vision Statements: A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the values that support Riverland Community College's mission and represent Riverland's goals and intentions. Each value statement has a brief description illustrating how it strengthens the mission guiding our college.

"Above all else, we value people."
Riverland provides access to the entire community. The College understands and appreciates the students, alumni, and individuals that populate the communities in the region we serve. We also understand that the success our Riverland enjoys depends on an outstanding faculty and staff.

"We value learning."
Riverland is a comprehensive community college emphasizing learning for the development of basic skills, transfer to a university, employment at entry and advanced levels, and personal enrichment.

"We value personalized services, affordability, and access."
Locations in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna offer opportunities for students to complete one of more than 50 career programs or finish the first two years of a bachelor's degree. Support services can help individuals improve study skills, locate resources, address personal issues, make informed career decisions, pay for college or arrange a smooth transfer to a university.

"We value honesty, mutual respect, integrity, and personal responsibility."
The public expects these qualities, and we promote them accordingly to foster effective leadership and citizenship among our employees and students.

"We value diversity and inclusiveness."
Our communities are becoming increasingly diverse. Rather than focus only on the differences in this diversity, we concentrate on what will strengthen communities.

"We value a culture of inquiry, assessment, and collaboration."
We constantly collect and analyze data to help Riverland become more efficient and effective during times of scarce resources. We rely on partnerships to leverage resources and offer stronger services to the communities and students we serve.

"We value the provision of technology and equipment that enhances learning and the delivery of services."
State-of-the-art technology enhances education, but it is no substitute for quality instructors. We seek a balance that provides students with the best of both resources.

"We value fiscal responsibility and the development of new financial resources."
We seek alternate funding sources to lessen the financial burden on our students. Although Riverland is publicly supported, the state of Minnesota provides less than half of Riverland's operating budget. We thus must rely on our Foundation, various grants and other alternate funding sources to help enhance and expand our quality services.

"We value community, workforce, and economic development."
Riverland is a leader in providing for the area's workforce through liberal arts and career- technical programs. Education and training are keys to community and economic development and to the prosperity that a vital community enjoys. A prepared, skilled workforce attracts and retains businesses, and fuels a productive regional economy.

These values, then, guide our decision making and vision for Riverland's preferred future.