- Today’s Speaker: Dr. Annette Parker – President of South Central College
- Dr. Parker opened expressing appreciation for the virtue reading Acceptance and spoke about how it reminded her of the word Agape – unconditional love and further described its meaning.
- Dr. Parker is the President of South Central College (SCC) and has been for the past 12 years – she is retiring in June 2025 and has really enjoyed her time working at SCC.
- She shared the Mission, Vision, and Values of SCC.
-
- She expressed the importance of having strong communities and helping develop strong citizens in our communities.
- Institutional priorities and goals of SCC – main one is Just one more – each day making a difference for one more student. Culture of student success.
- Achieving the Dream Leader College Candidate– various initiatives leading to transformative outcomes. She talked about details of each of those areas and successful outcomes that are occurring.
-
- Results have showed large increases in completion rates in Math, English and the areas combined. SCC students are having great success!
- Explained to the STRIVE students about typical paths that beginning college students take. She talked about options for them whether they know what they want to study or options for them if they don’t yet know what they plan to do for a career choice.
-
- Grants- Since 2013, Dr Parker has brought in $3.3 million dollars in grants to South Central College each year, for a total of $36,230,715!
- She talked about transfer pathways – which are likely a student’s first two years of college and the classes they take to prepare for a 4-year degree at a different college. There are many options for transfer pathways at SCC. Students can then transfer in as Juniors to other 4-year colleges.
- New programs coming in 2025 and 2026 to SCC- Respiratory Therapy AAS, Healthcare Professional Certificate, Electrician Technician, and Second Nursing cohort which helps alleviate some needs to travel to other campuses to complete their degree.
-
- PSEO options – high school students earn college credit taking courses taught at SCC. This has increased significantly in Faribault over the past 4 years. There is a great partnership with Faribault schools in this area.
- Health Sciences Pathway Student success – has been really successful in Faribault in recent years. This has been very needed in MN and of great interest in our community.
- SCC has really partnered well with Faribault Public Schools in recent years to help keep our community strong.
-
- SCC also offers Manufacturing Engineering and Construction (MEC) courses including Welding, Machine Tool Technology, Mechatronics, and Carpentry.
- SCC has developed a great partnership with the Faribault Community executives and Dr. Parker believes it will be sustained for a long time.
- Enrollment Trend – Dr. Parker talked about how enrollment was down during COVID but is now really accelerating from the Fall of 2024 through the Summer of 2025. Summer 2025 has an increase of 85%!
- SCC Strategic plan – 2025-2029 – goals are to grow overall enrollment, improve organizational culture through the Great Colleges to Work For program, and lastly to advance regional economic development through community, educational, and industry partnerships.
-
- Dr. Parker was a great presenter and welcomed all questions that the group had.
- She also introduced one of the newest Deans at SCC, Dr. George Taylor. Dr. Taylor introduced himself to the group and reiterated the great opportunities at SCC.
- Thank you, Dr. Parker and Dr. Taylor, for joining the Rotary meeting today!
|
|
