In June 2010, Riverland Community College announced Cycles for Success, a scholarship program that is a milestone in our college history and is especially significant because of its transformative effect on local education. The Hormel Foundation made this program possible by funding the new Cycles for Success scholarship program with $1 million over five years.

Cycles for Success inspires students at Austin and Pacelli High Schools to graduate and earn a Riverland college education.  A college education that produces a skilled workforce in high-wage, high-demand occupations is critical to any employer’s success.  Educating young people is a prudent investment in the area’s workforce, economy, and community development.   While scholarship recipients may pursue additional coursework after they complete their education at Riverland, Cycles for Success funds only their Riverland experience.

The program supports graduating high school students who might not pursue a postsecondary education because of financial barriers.  The program focuses primarily on assisting “traditionally underrepresented students” within the middle fifty percent of their class ranking who have few resources available to them.

In preparation for an upcoming report to The Hormel Foundation’s board of directors on our progress with this innovative program, data have emerged that demonstrate what this program can mean beyond the funding of scholarships.

In 2011, the inaugural year, three Cycles for Success students graduated. This year’s 2012 graduating class included 11 Cycles for Success recipients, many of whom had been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the academic honor society for college students. Their achievements went beyond academics, however.

One of this year’s Cycles for Success students, named Riverland’s female athlete of the year, plays three sports, maintains excellent grades and returns this fall for her second year.  Another Cycles for Success student is involved in a dance group that was selected for America’s Got Talent and traveled to Kansas City to compete. Yet another Cycles for Success student took a leadership role in our Student Senate.  Several Cycles for Success students participated in Vision2020, volunteered at the Salvation Army and are helping establish Riverland’s new student multicultural center.

Cycles for Success continues to grow. Riverland had 75 applicants for the upcoming fall semester. Of those, 45 students have been notified that they will be receiving scholarships. If all 45 funded students enroll, we will have 105 Cycles for Success students attending Riverland this year.

In an effort to strengthen the program, Riverland has created Steps for College Success, a college-readiness program that provides additional support for students. This program, open to all Riverland students on all three campuses and online, includes structured tutoring, learning labs, a required First-Year Experience course and mandatory developmental courses for students with low English or math scores.  Steps for College Success provides significant support to prepare incoming students for successful completion of their Riverland education.

Riverland appreciates The Hormel Foundation’s support of graduates of Austin high schools.   The foundation’s commitment changes lives and creates educated and skilled individuals who will join the region’s workforce and strengthen our communities.