Echo staff report
Rochester Community and Technical College’s First Year Learning Experience 1000 Program (FYEX) , in partnership with the Rochester Alternative Learning Center, has been selected to receive a 2016-2017 Minnesota State colleges and universities Academic and Student Affairs award for Innovative Partnering and Collaboration.
Awards were selected by peer academic and student affairs campus and system administrators based on criteria including sustainability, responsiveness to the marketplace, enhanced education opportunities, and student achievement.
Rochester ALC Principal Gordy Ziebart approached RCTC about the possibility of becoming one of the first ALC Early/Middle College partnerships in Minnesota in 2013. Ziebart, ALC counselor Scott Mahle, and RCTC adviser Jamie Johnson were involved in the initial partnership, application process, and assisted in the delivery of the FYEX course.
“The program exemplifies the best of what RCTC does Ò student-focused collaboration with area partners to help high-risk students realize the value of education, their abilities and the importance of achieving academic goals,” said Ginny Boyum, RCTC’s Academic Dean of Effectiveness and Innovation.
“Students come to the RCTC campus, connect with support services staff, and learn that we’ (RCTC) want to be part of their journey,” she said.
RCTC will be presented the award at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Academic and Student Affairs Fall Leadership Conference in October.