Alumni Stories

Josh Whalen

Joshua Walen - 2018

"Riverland is a very important part of my life and is an important part of my history."

Founder of Whalen and the Willows

Rustam Zufarov - 2007

Rustam Zufarov - 2007

"You can tie all of my achievements and success stories to the first two years I spent in the U.S. to Riverland"

Assistant Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago

Wendy Rivera - 2019

Wendy Rivera - 2019

"Riverland gave me all the tools and leadership skills to prepare me for the Nurse Manager position."

RN Nurse Manager at Throne Crest Living

Justin Steinbach - 2020

Justin Steinbach - 2020

"Although I have always considered myself as one with a high mechanical aptitude, I learned many new technical things that have helped me in my daily work."

Industrial Maintenance Technician at Viracon

Dave Mullenbach

Dave Mullenbach

"Riverland is a great place to get an education in a vocation of your choice."

Retired from IBM - Remote Advanced Customer Engineer

Sonja Sigler Harris - 2020

Sonja Sigler Harris - 2020

"Having a Riverland Campus in Owatonna was extremely helpful in my securing the training that I needed for my current career. My advisor was also incredibly helpful."

Certified Nurse Assistant at Benedictine Living Community

Matt Greibrok - 1981

Matt Greibrok - 1981

Incredible real-world experience. The hands-on trade training really set Riverland apart for me.

COO Sanco Enterprises

Grace Wobbrock - 2018

Grace Wobbrock - 2018

PSEO was helpful heading to college. I was able to finish my generals with no expense to me and fast track my way through school.

Student - Viracon - Barista

Dori Etheridge

Dori Etheridge

"My Riverland Experience was invaluable and I love it."

Owner of Peppered Cow Food Truck

Ali Arteaga - 2012

Ali Arteaga - 2012

"Riverland helped me develop life skills that have proved to be immensely helpful in the workplace and as a graduate student."

U.S. Air Force - Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student

Karem Salas Ramirez - 2013

Karem Salas Ramirez - 2013

"I am grateful for the chance I had to meet so many great people who inspired, encouraged, and strengthened me at Riverland."

Community Impact Coordinator at United Way of Mower County

Daphney Maras - 1982

Daphney Maras - 1982

"The secretarial program at Riverland felt like something I could do and something I could afford when I wanted an education."

City Clerk at the City of Albert Lea

Shari Jensen - 1988

Shari Jensen - 1988

After moving away from the area, Shari returned to become Executive Director at the Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce. She believes Riverland is the answer — whether you're sure of your path or still figuring it out.

Becky Noble - 1976

Becky Noble - 1976

"All the classes combined gave me all the tools I needed to work in many different office settings throughout my career."

Executive Director at Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce

Beau Hartman - 2000

Beau Hartman - 2000

"Affordability, accessible faculty, and small class sizes were a really big deal for me at Riverland."

Lawyer and Owner at Harman Law Office & Co-Owner of The Outlet

Adam Hamberg - 2003

Adam Hamberg - 2003

"I would encourage everyone who has the desire and drive to wear the uniform to check out Riverland's Criminal Justice Program."

Patrol Sergeant for the Albert Lea Police Department


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