Board of Trustees Names Annette Parker
President of South Central College 

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 20, 2013 – The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system today appointed Annette Parker president of South Central College.  Her appointment is effective July 1.

Parker has served at the Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTC) System since 2007 as system executive director, National Center of Excellence in Advanced Automotive Manufacturing and system director, Workforce Education.  Prior to KCTC, she served from 2002-2007 as department chair, Manufacturing Engineering Technologies at Lansing Community College (MI).  Previously, Parker served on the faculty of Lansing Community College teaching college students, corporate employees, and dual-enrolled K-12 students.

Parker holds an associate degree in industrial drafting from Lansing Community College, a bachelor’s degree in technical education and a master’s degree in career and technical education from Ferris State University (MI), and a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Kentucky University.

In recommending Parker’s appointment, Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU chancellor, said, “Dr. Parker is a proven leader and recognized expert in technical and liberal arts education strategies in support of global industries. Coupled with her deep experience in engaging students and faculty, and creating partnerships with business and government officials, she is an outstanding choice to lead South Central College and serve our Faribault and Mankato communities.”

Clarence Hightower, chair of the MnSCU Board of Trustees, said, “Under Dr. Parker’s leadership, we can expect South Central College to continue its success in providing high-quality academic programs to students and helping to advance the global competiveness of our business and industry partners and the region.”

Parker said, “It is both humbling and a tremendous honor to have been selected to serve with the faculty and staff at this outstanding institution and the communities it serves. I look forward to our work together in enhancing access, promoting student success, fueling innovation and pursuing excellence in all we do.”

South Central College is a growing comprehensive community and technical college with a history of academic excellence. With campuses in Faribault and North Mankato, South Central College emphasizes globalization and has partnerships with regional businesses and industries to offer students opportunities for internships and student employment.

Parker succeeds Keith Stover, who is retiring after 14 years of service as president of South Central.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system includes 24 two-year community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving more than 430,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.

 

16 May 2013

South Central College became a MnSCU Quality Matters affiliate in October of 2012. In doing so, South Central College has joined 37 other MnSCU schools.

Quality Matters (QM) is a nationally recognized program that assures quality for online education through its faculty centered and peer-based process. The program features:

• Professional development in online course design
• A robust peer review process for online courses
• A detailed rubric for best practices in online course design

Through this membership SCC has the following privileges:

• Access to the automated Course Review Management System (CRMS)
• Ability to conduct informal or official course reviees, and fee based QM Managed Course Reviews
• Quality Matters trainings and materials at subscriber-discounted prices
• Ability to participate in the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric training delivered by a Minnesota System Subscriber’s certified trainer.

eLearning Technologies serves as the Institution Representative for Quality Matters, managing enrollments, administration, and the course certification process. eLearning Technologies funds QM training and course certifications.

Training opportunities are available. You can view upcoming events and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (507) 389-7312 for registration information.

SCC already has faculty and staff that have completed the QM Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) training:

• Mark Baas
• Juliann Brueske
• Evan Peterson
• Debra Salmon

More will complete the APPQMR this summer:

• Lynda Ernst
• Lisa Lamor
• Cassandra Labairon

06 May 2013

eLearning Technologies  is pleased to announce the availability of funding for Online Technology Enriching Grants (OTEG) up to $1,000.  Five applications will be accepted.  Submit your proposal by completing a proposal.  You will describe how you would like to improve one of your courses (enhancing a hybrid, or completely online), and how you could use technology funding to help you achieve your goal.  eLearning Technologies can help you along the way by helping you with ideas, help you decide on a goal, help you learn a new technology, and give guidance in implementation.  All we ask in return is that you share your project with your peers.  We will host a “Show and Tell” presentation in April 2014 for OTEG recipients to share your journey with your peers.

Focus (Purpose):
Online Technology Enrichment Grants are intended to introduce educational technologies that enhance learning at SCC. This may be accomplished through faculty, staff, or student development; introduction of new technologies; applied research related to instruction or by improvements in existing systems. A specific course must be identified as the focal point for the research/development OTEG investment.

This grant program is intended to support faculty in their study, design, and development of course materials (i.e., increase student responsibility for learning, reduce amount of classroom time, asynchronous and synchronous access to courseware, video streaming, distance and online delivery). Funding may not be used for salary stipends. However the funding may be used for consultations, training, travel, hardware and software. If used for travel, those funds must be used by April 1, 2014. Funds are not intended as a replacement for lab equipment nor for instructional salary (including release time).

Equipment/Software:
Mini-grants will be awarded for up to $1,000. All faculty members are eligible to apply for OTEG funding

Mini-Grant Review:
Mini-grant applications must be completed and submitted to the Online Education Committee. A template will be provided.

Mini-Grant Report:
The OTEG recipient will present a written project report to the OEC and communicate project results to the campus at an event to highlight their results.

03 May 2013

South Central College president Keith Stover, State Representative Patti Fritz, Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president Kymn Anderson and Met-Con president Tom McDonough gathered with a group of other SCC, MnSCU and Met-Con officials on Friday morning, April 19th, 2013, for the official groundbreaking ceremony for SCC’s remodeling project.

30 April 2013

View and download photos from 2013-14 Faribault Campus Scholarship Awards

22 April 2013

Apply for Financial Aid Now for 2013-2014 at www.fafsa.gov
May 1st Is the SCC priority application date

FAFSA Help Sessions available starting March 25th.  Please bring your:

• 2012 Federal Income Tax Returns
• W-2 Forms
• and your parents, if applicable

North Mankato Campus - All Sessions Held in Room C-160

• Monday, March 25: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Tuesday, April 2: 10:00-11:00 am
• Wednesday, April 10: 1:00-2:00 pm
• Thursday, April 18: 3:00-4:00 pm
• Friday, April 26: 9:00-10:00 am
• Monday, April 29: 2:00-3:00 pm

Faribault Campus - All Sessions Held in Room C-112

• Thursday, April 11: 9:30 – 10:30 am
• Monday, April 15: 2:30 – 3:30 pm
• Tuesday, April 23: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

 

10 April 2013

Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 11, 2013

 

SCC Faribault Campus Groundbreaking Set for Friday, April 19^th

 

Faribault, MN- The 2012 Minnesota State Bonding Bill provided $13.3 million in remodeling and expansion resources for the Faribault Campus of South Central College. The Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 19, 2013 beginning at 8:00 AM. There will be an outdoor ceremony (weather permitting) followed by refreshments in the college Student Commons. SCC’s Faribault Campus is located at 1225 Third St. SW in Faribault. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are so very excited about expanding access to students throughout the region surrounding our Faribault Campus with this special project,” stated President Keith Stover. “The new collegiate look and updated labs and learning commons areas will help attract incoming students to SCC to eventually better their lives and those of their families.”

Met-Con Companies, a local contractor from Faribault, has received the bid on SCC’s remodeling and expansion project. The remodeling project began in February and will continue with the expansion following the groundbreaking. Completion of the project is expected by Fall of 2014. Updates on the remodeling/expansion will be provided on the SCC website at: www.southcentral.edu

South Central College is a comprehensive community and technical college. SCC is a proud member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. South Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator with ADA Accessible Facilities.

 

For additional information regarding this press release or South Central College please contact Carol Freed, Assistant to the President, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 507-332-5808.

10 April 2013

South Central College Closed for In-Service Training on Friday, April 12th

 

Faculty and staff of South Central College’s Faribault and North Mankato campuses will participate in an annual in-service training day on Friday, April 12, 2013. Both campuses will be closed for the entire day and the college apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this may cause for prospective students and our business partners.

 

For additional information regarding this press release or South Central College, please contact Ann Anderson, Marketing Director at 507-389-7289 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

03 April 2013

South Central College to Host State Competition for Statewide SkillsUSA Conference Friday, April 5th

North Mankato – South Central College is proud to be the host for the Minnesota State SkillsUSA Student Competition in Precision Machining and Automated Manufacturing contests scheduled for Friday, April 5^th, 2013. This is the first time in the college’s history for the competition to take place on SCC’s North Mankato Campus. Nineteen students will participate in the Precision Machining event and eight students have signed up for the Automated Manufacturing competition. The event will begin at 10:00 AM in SCC’s Computer Integrated Machining Lab (A-147) and will continue until approximately 2:00 PM.

“We are so proud that the SkillsUSA organization has chosen South Central College for their competition site,” stated Dr. Suzanne Nordblom, Dean of Academic Affairs for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “I believe that our newly upgraded lab, SCC’s Haas Center of Excellence, was a huge benefit in attracting the competition to be hosted at SCC.”

SkillsUSA is the professional students’ organization participating in trade, industrial, technical or health training programs. SkillsUSA provides an opportunity for students with common interests to exchange ideas and attitudes, discuss problems and work together toward common goals. SkillsUSA members become involved in civic, education, professional and social activities that develop social and leadership skills.

South Central College is a proud member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The college is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. SCC has ADA accessible facilities.

For additional information regarding the college or this press release contact Ann Anderson, Marketing Director at (507) 389-7289 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the SkillsUSA Advisor and Computer Integrated Machining Instructor, Jon Morgan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone: 1-507-389-7252.

 

 

22 March 2013

By Ricki Walters, Regional Diversity Trainer/Investigator

Women have made many strides with regard to their civil rights. However, some of the laws granting women’s rights have been under review this past year so it’s important for us to be vigilant and participatory with regard to what our legislature is doing.

In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This act created changes to the law that reformed how domestic violence was dealt with by law enforcement. It elevated domestic violence from being viewed in our society as a private family matter to being viewed as a serious crime.

VAWA was due for action in the House this week (February 27, 2013). The reauthorization of this bill would be a first step in addressing the often-overlooked problem of violence against women on tribal reservations where it can be difficult to prosecute.

You can find more information at: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/02/26/daily-circuit-violence-against-women-tribal-justice

06 March 2013

The 2012 State Bonding Bill was approved on May 11, 2012 and provides $13.3 million in remodeling and expansion of our Faribault Campus. SCC is proud to have Met Con, a local contractor, receive the bid for the construction. Work began in February 2013 on our remodeling and the groundbreaking for our expansion is scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2013 at 8:00 AM. Check this site for frequent updates on our construction progress.

Renovation Floor Plans

 

01 March 2013

By President Keith Stover

Presidential Candidates

Your President had the opportunity to host all three of our Presidential candidates for breakfast in our new offices during the candidates’ visit to the college. This was their opportunity to interview me about my overall view of the college, college annual work plan, college work in progress and our SCC team. I enjoyed getting to know them and their interest in our college, our communities and our partners. I wish them well in their final round of interviews with the Chancellor and Board of Trustee members.

Senate Hearing

Your President, along with Kent Hanson, Interim President of Riverland Community & Technical College, had the opportunity to testify on the subject of agriculture before the Senate Committee on Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Economic Development on February 27. We presented on the topics of agriculture in the Minnesota economy, the occupations represented in the MnSCU menu of ag programming, the outcomes of the statewide listening sessions, 2 + 2 partnerships, agriculture education, Farm Business Management and our Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture with Minnesota West and our agribusiness partners. We had a very positive response from the Senate Committee concerning our work and the importance of agriculture to the future of the Minnesota economy and our nation.

City Administration

Your President hosted Faribault’s new City Administrator Brian Anderson on the Faribault campus on February 14. I gave Brian a tour of the campus, discussed the construction project, talked with him about our history and role in the region and introduced him to a few of our team members as we toured the campus. Please take the opportunity to welcome Brian to our community when you bump into him out in public.

We will be welcoming John Harrenstein to our North Mankato community as he begins his new role as City Administrator on March 1. We are scheduling him on campus and will be touring him around campus soon.

01 March 2013

By Tami Reuter, North Mankato Foundation Director

Ag Symposium (Feb. 25)
The Fifth Annual New Tools for New Rules Ag Symposium was held Monday, February 25, 2013 on SCC’s North Mankato Campus. A record number of attendees and sponsors made this our foundation’s most profitable event ever! CHS and CHS Foundation were our Presenting Sponsors, and numerous agricultural businesses from throughout our region sponsored portions of the event. Presenters included Dr. Michael Swanson and Dr. David Kohl. To view portions of the symposium, please visit our website, www.southcentral.edu/agsymposium. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors and guests! Your support will fund agricultural scholarships and programs at SCC.

Please mark your calendars and save the date for the following upcoming SCC Foundation events:

Scholarship Deadline (March 8)
Please remind current and prospective SCC students that the deadline to apply for Foundation scholarships is Friday, March 8.

Additionally, we are seeking volunteers who would like to assist with reviewing the scholarship applications. If you would like to share a couple hours (or more) of your time and assist with the scholarship application review process, please contact Tami Reuter at 507-389-7342.

Healthcare Symposium (April 29)
Our second annual Integrated Healthcare Symposium will be hosted on SCC’s North Mankato Campus the morning of Monday, April 29. Registration materials and additional information will be coming soon.

Golf Classic (May 20)
And finally, our longest-running annual event and a mainstay in our fundraising efforts, now in its 19th year, the SCC Foundation Golf Classic will be held Monday, May 20 at the Mankato Golf Club. The tournament is a favorite of many golfers in our area. The registration fee of $145 per golfer includes lunch, dinner, green fee, and cart. Proceeds will fund scholarships and programs at SCC.

For additional information on any of our spring events, please call the Foundation Office at 507-389-7342.

Thank you for your support!

01 March 2013

Thanks to everyone who helped make the online auction a success! Proceeds from the auction are counted toward the annual fund drive total which stands at $127,400 or 94% of the goal of $135,000!

All of this fundraising is done for one reason – to build a future for our students because scholarships transform lives! New and returning students still have time to apply for a scholarship for fall semester. Historically, a small percentage of students apply for a scholarship and both the College and Foundation are working to change that. The College works hard to promote scholarship opportunities to students through mailings, campus communications and high school counselors. The Foundations have worked together and with SCC staff to streamline the application process making it easier for students to apply. In the meantime, Foundation volunteers are working hard to raise money to increase the amount and number of scholarships awarded.

As the Foundation’s fundraising efforts have expanded over the years, awards have increased significantly for Faribault campus students. At last year’s scholarship awards ceremony, the average scholarship award was $793 (92 were awarded) and because students may receive more than one scholarship, the average received by students was $923.

Many past scholarship donors have already committed to funding their scholarships for 2013 and several new scholarships have been identified. Twenty-two endowed funds and scholarship funds will provide awards this spring. In addition, the Foundation will award new scholarships for carpentry students thanks to a generous contribution received last fall and the first scholarships will be awarded from the Gertrude Beaupre Estate.

Due to construction on campus, the 2013 Scholarship Awards Ceremony will be held at the American Legion in Faribault on Monday, April 29th from Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Please help us promote the scholarship opportunities available to all new and returning students for fall 2013. The deadline is March 8, 2013 and the application can be found on the SCC website at www.southcentral.edu.