Riverland Community College student Katherine Kirsch (Albert Lea) has been chosen as a student Intern for the 2011 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting scheduled for June 2011 in Albuquerque, N.M.

ASRT implemented a student intern program in 2002 that allows a limited number of students to participate in the House of Delegates. Each student shadows members such as the Speaker of the House or the Chair of Bylaws who have specific roles during the event.  Kirsch will find out her assignment prior to June meeting. Offered to any first- or second-year student of an accredited radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy program, the internship focuses on students interested in becoming actively involved in professional activities.

Kirsch, currently in her fifth semester of the Riverland Radiography program will graduate in July 2011. Kirsch successfully completed an extensive and comprehensive application process for consideration in this competitive internship.  Each year, ASRT selects only five or six students nationwide as interns.

Kirsch has received numerous scholarships and has been on the President’s and Dean’s List at Riverland during her time in the Radiography Program.  She is a member of the Riverland Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a member of the 2009-10 All-Minnesota Academic Team. Kirsch was one of 40 students who received this award in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and service to their college and community. She has also won awards at state and national levels for SkillsUSA and currently serves as the SkillsUSA president for Riverland's local organization.

"Katie has displayed leadership skills in the classroom and was elected as the secretary/treasurer for her class," said Sandra Nauman, Riverland radiography instructor.  "She is a role model for her radiography classmates.  She is admired for her excellent work ethic in the classroom, clinical arena as well as in her community projects with various organizations."

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Approximately 4,000 students are served, annually, through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities. An additional 5,600 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Facilities are located in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.