Recently, Minnesota’s House Education Reform committee members considered a bill that encourages school districts to seek funding and develop a plan for helping students make a successful transition to college and employment.

The Legislature showed its commitment to this important initiative and approved the bill, part of the Governor’s Workforce Development Council’s All Hands on Deck report, which is a blueprint for strengthening Minnesota’s workforce by closing the state’s skills gap.

Numerous public discussions lately about “college readiness” question students’ preparation for college. These debates often capture the attention of our news media and produce impressive sound bites for public officials.

At Riverland Community College, however, it is business as usual. Of course, college readiness deserves the attention, funding discussions or planning that it has received; preparing students has always been part of Riverland’s focus. We are merely shifting our efforts to address learners’ changing needs and to offer to all students an extraordinary education that prepares graduates to lead in every sector of Minnesota’s economy.

Historically, the foundation of public community colleges like Riverland was built on the mantra “college for all” or “access for all.” Readiness is not a new objective; it is an evolving one. For example, we are not only trying to prepare students coming to us from the K-12 system but from all lifestyles. Riverland students deserve an opportunity to receive an extraordinary education despite how equipped they were when they arrived; our goal is make sure they leave us prepared for their next step in the journey to success.

Currently, every incoming student takes an assessment that helps our college advisors determine what each student needs to succeed. Riverland has developed a taskforce to explore strategies that will incorporate extra supports every first-year student may use until they are confident in their college skills.

For example, some older students returning to college after an absence from an educational environment may need refresher courses in math because they have not used math in their current lifestyle or career. Other students may need some additional help with social aspects or “soft skills” associated with college or careers.

Perhaps computer, writing or English skills have been a roadblock to college for students. Riverland is fine-tuning programs, labs and courses that will prepare students for any of these areas to assist them through a successful college experience.

Riverland employees have always taken pride in offering a personalized education. As learners’ educational needs change, our experienced faculty and staff members continue their work by developing and incorporating new Steps to Success into our curriculum during the upcoming year.

Every student deserves our best efforts to provide him or her with an extraordinary education. We understand that a Riverland education starts each student on an educational journey that could lead to a cure for a life-threatening disease or a Nobel Peace prize; sometimes that student only needs some extra help and encouragement to find the way.