Every institution of higher education is facing two major changes right now: Automation and artificial intelligence are universally transforming every sector of our economy (including the training required) - from healthcare to manufacturing, agriculture to education. Meanwhile, changing demographics and attitudes toward education are impacting enrollment rates and colleges' strategic focus.

In the midst of these changes, Dr. Kat Linaker has taken the helm of Minnesota's Riverland Community College. She comes with a passion for technical education and an enthusiasm for embracing these imminent changes in a way that will empower her students and impact Riverland's community.

In this episode, hear how Dr. Linaker plans to address these two major changes at Riverland. There are tons of insights you can implement in your own organization!

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Riverland Community College begins its 2023-2024 theatre season with the hilarious comedy Urinetown, The Musical.

Riverland Community College has named Matt Bissonette as the new Dean of Academics and Customized Training.

Bissonnette holds an education doctorate in Career & Technical Education from UW-Stout, a Masters in Transformational Leadership from Bethel in St. Paul and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Iowa. He has been an academic dean in the Minnesota State system for nine years at multiple institutions where his academic focus has been Career Technical Education programs. He has also worked with customized training and workforce development helping businesses grow and be successful for over a decade.

Bissonette will also serve as the Owatonna Campus Director, and will spend time with faculty, staff, and college partners at all three Riverland campuses including Austin and Albert Lea.  He will lead the development and enhancements to academic programs, customized training and continuing education offerings to grow our regional workforce.

Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams has announced the 2023-2024 theatre season. The shows this year will include two musicals, a new play, and a showcase of Riverland student work. Tickets are now on sale.

The following opinion column by Michelle Morehouse appeared in the Owatonna People's Press on Sept. 5, 2023. Michelle is the Director of Career and Community Connections for Riverland Community College.

On  Aug. 1, 2023, Minnesota law legalized recreational marijuana. Anyone 21 years of age or older may possess or transport and use cannabis in certain locations. Please note that federal law continues to classify the use of cannabis products as illegal. The colleges and universities of Minnesota State, including Riverland Community College, are required to prohibit use as a condition of receiving federal assistance. Riverland is in the process of reviewing student, employee, and housing policies to state that cannabis possession, use, and transport is prohibited on campus, including in residential and workplace settings. Violation of these policies may result in discipline.

The following opinion column by Chris Wolf appeared in the Owatonna People's Press on August 2, 2023. Chris is the academic dean of nursing, health and wellness.

Dr. Okechukwu Ukaga began his new position as Associate Dean of Food and Agriculture on June 15, 2023.

With a post-graduate diploma in Ag Economics from the University of Nigeria, a master’s degree. in Education, Dr. Ukaga also has an MBA from Florida A & M University, and a doctorate in Extension Education from Pennsylvania State University. 

Riverland Community College is hosting its 35th Annual Blue Devil Athletics Golf Fundraiser on Monday, June 5.  Lunch will be served from 11:30 to12:30 p.m. Shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m.

Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra intends to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the appointment of the next president for Riverland Community College on Wednesday, April 19 and 20, 2023.

Watching the video of Mr. George Floyd’s interaction with the police in Minneapolis evoked a complex mixture of emotions in people.  Our reactions and emotions vary depending on our age, background, society imposed racial category, religious beliefs, political ideology, upbringing, social economic status, and residential zip code to name a few.  Humans have the genetic code to distinguish between justice and injustice, fairness and unfairness but we are conditioned by the environment in which we nurture the code. 

The Riverland Community College Foundation will be hosting its second year of Empty Bowls, a fundraiser to fight food insecurity for students on Feb. 23, 2023, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Riverland’s West Building of the Austin Campus Cafeteria, Room A235.

Riverland 2022-2023 theatre season continues with a concert staging of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man February 17-19. Riverland’s Theatre will be joined by Riverland Music’s College Choir, the Northwestern Singers, and a live orchestra.

Riverland Community College theatre faculty staff and students had some triumphs at the Region 5 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Des Moines, IA, January 22-28, 2023.

The Minnesota State Farm Business Management (FBM) program is excited to celebrate its 70^th year of offering educational programming to students. In 1953, the FBM program was established to educate active farmers in Minnesota using a student-centered, one-on-one instructional approach. FBM has grown from humble beginnings to over 2,800 students today. FBM will recognize this growth and more during their year-long celebration, ending with a recognition celebration in September.

Minnesota State, the system of 26 state colleges and seven state universities, released today the results of a study that estimates the impact of Riverland Community College’s three campuses on the regional economy to be $158.1 million and 1,210 jobs.

“At Riverland Community college our top priority is the success of our students by offering the best opportunity for every enrolled student to attain academic and career goals in an ever-changing world,” said Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun. This helps the college to play a vital role in both the state and the regional economies. Our operations and the economic activity generated by our faculty, staff, and students touch virtually every corner of our regional economy including education, hospitality, child day care services, and retail.”