Leadership History, 1940 to Present
Austin Junior College Est. 1940
(included vocational training classes) 1940 – 1967 Rueben I. Meland, College Dean
Austin State Junior College
- 1967 – 1969 Rueben I. Meland, College Dean
- 1969 – 1970 Rueben I. Meland, President
- 1970 – 1974 Curtis C. Mac Donald, President
Austin Community College
- 1974 – 1976 Curtis C. Mac Donald, President
- 1976 – 1982 Arlan A. Burmeister, President
- 1982 – 1984 James D. Flannery, Acting President, Dean of Instructional Services
- 1984 – 1990 James D. Flannery, President
- 1990 – 1992 Steven R. Wallace, President
- 1992 – 1996 Vicky R. Smith, President
Riverland Community College Est. 1996
(a merger of Austin Community College (established in 1940 as Austin Junior College), Riverland Technical College – Austin (established in 1951 as Austin Area Vocational School) and Owatonna campuses [sic], and South Central Technical College – Albert Lea (established in 1968 as Albert Lea Technical Education Center).
- 1996 – 1999 John J. Gedker, President
- 1999 – 2002 Gary L. Rhodes, President
- 2002 – 2003 James R. Davis, Interim President
- 2003 – 2012 Terrence Leas, President
- 2012 – 2013 Kent Hanson, Interim President
- 2013 – 2023 Adenuga Atewologun, President
- 7/1/2023 – Present Kathleen Linaker
Austin Area Vocational-Technical School Est. 1951
(established by Austin Board of Education as part of the Austin Public School system).
- 1951 – 1957 Floyd J. Lueben, Director
- 1957 – 1972 Morton A. Carney, Director
Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute
- 1972 – 1977 Morton A. Carney, Director
- 1977 – 1983 Donald C. Ingram, Director
- 1983 – 1986 Marjorie L. Kirchkoff, Director (first female Vocational Director in the state of MN)
Austin Technical Institute
- 1986 – 1989 Marjorie L. Kirchkoff, Director
Austin Technical College
- 1989 – 1991 Marjorie L. Kirchkoff, Director
Minnesota Riverland Technical College Est. 7/1/91
(a merger of Austin Technical College, Faribault Technical College, Rochester Technical College and Owatonna Technical Training Center).
- 1991 – 1995 Marlin Wacholz, President
- 1995 – 1996 Donald T. Olson, Interim President
NOTE: 1996 to Present: A merger of Austin Community College (established in 1940 as Austin Junior College), Riverland Technical College – Austin (established in 1951 as Austin Area Vocational School) and Owatonna campuses [sic], and South Central Technical College – Albert Lea (established in 1968 as Albert Lea Technical Education Center).
Please refer to the leadership of Riverland Community College for presidents.
Albert Lea Area Vocational-Technical Institute Est. 1968
- 1969 – 1984 Wayne V. Broecker, Director
- 1984 – 1989 Dave Sayre, Director
Albert Lea Technical College
- 1989 – 1992 Terry Lemer, President
Albert Lea/Mankato Technical College
- 1992 – 1993 Kenneth H. Mills, Regional President
South Central Technical College
- 1993 – 1996 Kenneth H. Mills, Regional President
Riverland Community College Est. 1996
NOTE: 1996 to Present: A merger of Austin Community College (established in 1940 as Austin Junior College), Riverland Technical College – Austin (established in 1951 as Austin Area Vocational School) and Owatonna campuses [sic], and South Central Technical College – Albert Lea (established in 1968 as Albert Lea Technical Education Center).
Please refer to the leadership of Riverland Community College for presidents.
Owatonna Extension Center (Austin State Junior College) Est. 1971
- 1971 – 1973 Frank W. Bridges, Director
Owatonna Technical Training Center Est. 1983
- 1983 – 1998 Larry Achterhoff, Custom Training Coordinator
- James Wagner, Facilities Manager
- John Gedker, Adult Education/Custom Training Director
Owatonna Higher Education Center Est. 1998
- 1998 – 1999 Rick Casey, Vice President of Advancement
- 1999 – 2002 Steve Bowron, Dean of Riverland Training and Development
Owatonna College and University Center Est. 2002
- 2002 – 2008 Peter Scheffert, Academic Dean (Management Education)
Riverland Community College (Owatonna campus) Est. 2008
NOTE: The Owatonna College and University Center (OCUC) is acquired by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities as its 54th campus and as Riverland Community College’s 3rd campus. The above leadership reflects directors who worked for the Riverland Community College president.
Please refer to the leadership of Riverland Community College for presidents.