Riverland Community College and Enterprise Minnesota are currently accepting registrations for a free State of Manufacturing event to be held at the Owatonna Campus June 2 from 9 to 10 a.m. in Room 140. Bob Kill, Enterprise Minnesota president, will discuss findings from its sixth annual State of Manufacturing® survey results that report on the state’s manufacturing outlook and the industry’s top issues. Enterprise Minnesota conducted hundreds of phone surveys and 20 focus groups with manufacturing executives across the state to understand their perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues impacting business.

Riverland Community College has received approval from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system to offer a Fire Science Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program. This two-year, 60-credit program begins Fall Semester 2014. Students can begin registering.

Minnesota State University, Mankato and Riverland Community College jointly announced today a partnership between the two institutions that includes guaranteed admission and in-state tuition rates at Minnesota State Mankato to prospective high school students from Iowa who meet designated criteria. The “Future Maverick” program, effective this fall for newly enrolled Riverland students from Iowa, provides a seamless pathway for students to earn an associate’s degree from Riverland and a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State Mankato.

Riverland Community College has named Kelly McCalla as new academic dean of the arts, humanities and social sciences division. He starts his new position July 2.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their May 21 meeting to approve Riverland’s revised vision, mission and heart statements.

Congratulations to the Riverland Community College Women's Softball team for achieving academic excellence as a 2013-2014 NJCAA All-Academic Team.

Representatives from Riverland Community College and Doherty Staffing Solutions met June 18 to celebrate the results of the seventh Doherty Scholarship Golf Classic held last June to raise funds that support Riverland students. The 2013 event raised $33,143 for student scholarships.

If you’re a recent high school grad or looking for a new career in hopes of landing a good-paying job, trade schools can be a lucrative alternative. TODAY kicks off a “Tricks of the Trade School” series by introducing you to folks who made it work for them.

The Be Your Best College Prep Academy hosts the third annual Career Café, 12-1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at Riverland’s Austin Campus cafeteria in the West Building. This event provides an opportunity for students enrolled in Be Your Best and SPARK summer academies to learn more about a variety of career opportunities and allows community members to mentor and inspire students about jobs that interest them. Students will join small groups for “round-table” conversations with a variety of career professionals. Discussions center on major/educational training and the careers available in specific fields.

The Riverland Community College Foundation and the Riverland Athletic department hosted the 27th annual Blue Devils Athletics Golf Fundraiser June 2 at the Austin Country Club. This year, 83 golfers participated to raise more than $17,000. Through the years, this event has raised more than $155,000 to support Riverland Athletic teams like baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

Riverland Community College kicks off their 75th Anniversary celebration year with the Bikers of Student Success (BOSS) ride this Saturday morning, July 26. The BOSS Ride is an annual event that brings together motorcycle enthusiasts to raise money for scholarships to support Riverland students who need financial assistance to continue their education/career pathway.

The Be Your Best College Prep Academy will be celebrating their annual graduation on Thursday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m. at Riverland’s Austin Campus’ West Building cafeteria. This year, the Be Your Best academy includes participants from Austin, Albert Lea, Medford, Northfield and Owatonna high schools.

Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams announced the Theatre Department’s 2014-2015 season today. This season brings a mix of classic dramas, comedies and contemporary musicals to the Riverland stage.

Riverland will host an Open House/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its new Fire/Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Training Center Thursday, Sept 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Room C104 of the West Building on the Austin campus. The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors will perform the ribbon cutting and a short program will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Riverland Community College Music Department is again collaborating with the Minnesota Music Coalition and the Paramount Theatre to offer an afternoon of free performances, workshops, and networking opportunities for musicians interested in "making it" in the music industry Friday, Sept. 26. These events are open to the public.

Riverland Community College Theatre and Music departments will launch their 2014-2015 season on Oct. 8 with Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, a musical revue that combines many of the greatest hits from beloved classic musicals by the duo. Some Enchanted Evening celebrates their music by presenting their most popular songs in a new context. The songs featured in the show include “If I Loved You,” “I Have Dreamed,” “I Cain’t Say No,” “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” “Hello, Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance,” “This Nearly Was Mine,” “A Cockeyed Optimist,” and “Younger Than Springtime,” among many more.

The Otto Bremer Foundation awarded the first grants to fund the Finish Line Scholarship Program within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system Thursday. The program, announced in May, will provide up to $4 million in scholarships over two years to select MnSCU colleges located in or near Bremer Bank communities. Riverland Community College receives $200,000.

Riverland Community College, in conjunction with “College Knowledge Month,” will waive the application fee for all high school seniors that apply to attend Riverland Oct. 27-31. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system is participating in “College Knowledge Month,” a statewide effort to provide every graduating high school senior with the preparation, opportunity, and support needed to apply to college.