Every January institutions reflect on the past year and implement plans for the next. Riverland Community College is no exception. Like most public colleges, the economy has challenged us to look toward the future in new ways. Struggle often leads to creativity, collaboration and inspiration.

Riverland is establishing itself as a leader in the region for training students pursuing careers in renewable energy. Currently in our second year of offering our Wind Technology program, the college recently raised a 20,000-watt wind turbine near our Albert Lea Campus that, combined with a 3,500-watt solar photovoltaic system and a100-foot climbing tower, will serve as a lab for students. In addition to the training opportunities this offers, the turbine will also supplement the Albert Lea Campus's power needs.

The college began looking at renewable energy programs several years ago and developed support and funding through the Minnesota Legislature and Austin Utilities. A major partner, Workforce Development, Inc., received a $90,000 grant through the Minnesota Renewable Energy Marketplace to develop another career option, the solar installer program, which successfully started last January in time to serve dislocated workers.

Collaboration has become integral to successful short-term programming that helps ensure trained students successfully reenter the workforce. An example is the partnership of Riverland, Adult Basic Education in Austin and Albert Lea, and Workforce Development, Inc., which will offer FastTRAC programming again this spring. The 2011 FastTRAC offers eligible students an opportunity to complete five college credits toward a Production Technician I certificate with no cost for tuition or textbooks.

Pooling resources with our sister colleges also allows us to offer more access and opportunity to students this spring. Riverland, Century College, and Rochester Community and Technical College offer shared Translating and Interpreting courses via interactive television. Students attend the classes on their own campuses to learn skills in both translating and interpreting. Students must be proficient in both English and another language to qualify for this program.

The program trains students to work in professional areas that need interpreters, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools, government offices, courtrooms, prisons, immigration offices and professional conferences. Often the work they do is critical in the life of the person with limited English proficiency who requires interpretation or translation services.

Similarly, Riverland has collaborated to help grow the Pharmacy Technician program. The program uses the resources and faculty that established the program as part of Riverland's Allied Health careers but transfers to South Central College in North Mankato spring semester.

In Owatonna, Riverland collaborates to bring innovative opportunities to students pursuing or advancing a healthcare career. Riverland's partnership with the Owatonna Hospital has created programming in the new Professional Intercollegiate Education Center. The center, with 2,500 square feet of classroom space in the Owatonna Hospital, serves as an extension of our Owatonna Campus.

As we enter 2011, we still face unprecedented financial challenges, but these few examples illustrate Riverland's commitment to continued excellence in collaborating, teaching and learning that will best serve our region.