From the President - October 2011

By President Keith Stover

Technology Showcase – Wednesday, September 21

Our North Mankato Campus was host to a daylong celebration to highlight some of the wonderful new equipment that has been recently added to the college. SCC has an enduring commitment to the employers in our region and we have allocated significant resources to provide state-of-the-art technology to assist in preparing for the next generation of our workforce. The day began with nearly 100 of our business partners gathered for the Greater Mankato Growth Before-Hours breakfast and followed with high school tours and advisory committee meeting throughout the day. SCC can be proud of the cutting edge technology that has us leading the industries in our region. See photos from our first Technology Showcase – pages 6-7 of this newsletter.

Governor’s Regional Economic Summit – Thursday, September 15

South Central College’s Faribault Campus was proud to host Governor Mark Dayton and a number of local officials and business leaders for the Regional Economic Summit held in the south east region of the state. Students, faculty, staff, and local business partners provided input on the needed changes to stimulate new job growth. Members of the panel included: Governor Mark Dayton, Representative Patti Fritz, Senator Mike Parry, Deanna Kuennen, Rice County, Peter Waldock, City of Faribault, Chuck Mooty, Faribault Woolen Mill, Keith Stover, South Central College, John Jasinski, Mayor of Faribault, Carol Cerney, Initiative Foundation, Mike Gramse, MRG Tool & Die, Kymn Anderson, Faribault Chamber, David Dapper, South Central College Student. A wide range of topics was addressed, as well as, there impact on the local economy. Education and property taxes dominated much of the morning’s discussion.

MnSCU Board Meeting – Tuesday, September 20

I recently attended the MnSCU Board meeting with our new Chancellor Steven Rosenstone and also had the opportunity to visit with two Trustees during lunch following the Board listening session. An audio version (or MP3 file) of Chancellor Rosenstone’s remarks on his strategic vision is available at http://www.mnscu.edu/chancellor/speeches/index.html. Following is the Strategic Framework for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities that Chancellor Rosenstone shared on September 20:

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities play an essential role in growing Minnesota’s economy and opening the doors of educational opportunity to all of Minnesotans. To that end, we will:

• Our faculty will provide the best education available in Minnesota,
  preparing graduates to lead in every sector of Minnesota’s economy.
• We will continue to be the place of opportunity, making education
  accessible to all Minnesotans who seek a college, technical or
  university education; those who want to update their skills; and those
  who need to prepare for new careers.

• Our colleges and universities will be the partner of choice for
  businesses and communities across Minnesota to help them solve
  real‐world problems and keep Minnesotans at the leading edge of
  their professions.
• Our faculty will enable Minnesota to meet its need for a substantially
  better educated workforce by increasing the number of Minnesotans
  who complete certificates, diplomas and degrees.

• Our colleges and universities will deliver the highest value to
  students, employers, communities and taxpayers.
• We will be the highest value / most affordable higher education option.