We at Riverland Community College believe that success is a journey, not a goal. We measure success by building every day successes that lead to happier and more productive lives for our students. That objective is integral in our new “Success Starts Here” campaign that officially kicked off this month.

Perhaps you have already seen our series of television commercials that illustrate how three different students balance work, family and college successfully. Yes, they are advertisements intended to attract students, but their stories illustrate the kind of students attending Riverland today.

The faces and life situations of our students are changing. Last year, only 56 percent of our students were 25 or younger. More interesting, 14 percent were 46 or older.

As for gender, Riverland breaks fairly even with women slightly outnumbering men by four percent. Yet, national studies are showing that more women are finishing their postsecondary education than men. According to a report published in Minnesota FutureWork, women surpass men by record numbers in college enrollment and completion; they also have a more positive view than men about the value higher education provides, according to a nationwide Pew Research Center survey.

College is no longer only the next step after high school. Today Riverland students also work, some full time, some two or three part-time jobs while attending college. The need for financial aid and other income is no doubt a result of families’ financial needs during the recession, so we understand financially balancing college with the need to work is another challenge students face. As one solution, students are choosing online courses to schedule flexibly around employment. Almost a quarter of Riverland students are taking online courses.

Riverland recognizes and addresses another serious problem facing our nation. A Minnesota FutureWork report calls this problem “skills mismatch,” meaning that many career programs are not teaching the skills necessary for students to be successful in the workplace. We work with local industry leaders, and all of our programs are working toward accreditation that aligns with national skills standards. These efforts ensure our graduates will have the skills necessary to work successfully in their chosen career, anywhere in the U.S.

Riverland increasingly encourages students to complete their degrees at Riverland. Students with the earned Associate in Arts degree save money and time when transferring to obtain their bachelor’s degrees because they do not need additional classes. For those students entering the workforce, associate degrees open doors to better jobs, higher income and promotions.

Our new campaign is more than a slogan or tagline. We are providing a tangible and essential college experience by living that slogan as a philosophy for personal and professional growth.

Watch as we share the successes of our students in ways large and small. Every success deserves celebration, and we at Riverland Community College believe that all students who balance education with their busy lives truly understand that success starts here.