Alignment process continues at Anoka Technical, Anoka-Ramsey colleges
Coon Rapids, MN –The two college names sound very similar but Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College have operated as two distinctly different organizations.
All of that changed July 1, 2011 when the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system (MnSCU) aligned the two colleges under the leadership of one president.
The alignment creates the largest community and technical enterprise in Minnesota, which will serve more than 16,000 students annually. Now, seven months later, the alignment process for these two colleges, with campuses in Anoka, Coon Rapids and Cambridge, Minn., is underway.
“This alignment allows for improved efficiencies in student services and administration, more department collaboration and coordination, better interactions with business and industry, and enhanced transfer and curriculum opportunities. However, each college will maintain its respective mission and each will keep its current name,” explains Interim College President, Dr. Jessica M. Stumpf. “What both institutions continue to share is our commitment to serving the higher education needs of our communities in the north metro and East Central Minnesota regions.”
Dr. Jessica Stumpf served as Interim President of Anoka-Ramsey Community College during the 2010-11 school year, and accepted the position of interim president of both institutions during the 2011-12 year. Along with the position came the challenge of defining alignment and beginning the collaboration between the two institutions.
In a Jan. 23 memo to all employees of Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College, the chancellor of the MnSCU system, Steven Rosenstone, announced that Dr. Stumpf would continue her interim president role for the 2012-13 school year.
“The alignment will require that the cultures and historically distinct interests of the three campuses be bridged to develop a shared sense of purpose,” says Chancellor Rosenstone.
The initial alignment steps include sharing college administrators across the two institutions. In addition to the president’s position, there is now one vice president for administration and finance, a chief information officer, a facilities director, and one public safety director. Other departments including continuing education and customized training, institutional research, and marketing and public relations are currently planning collaboration opportunities.
“This is a new day for all of us with the opportunity to share new ideas and become a stronger and unified community resource,” said Stumpf. “Each of the three campuses has a great deal to be proud of in terms of innovation, academic excellence and service to its respective community. We have entered this aligned relationship with enthusiasm and with staff and faculty who remain committed to providing excellence in higher education for the incredible communities we serve.”
For more information about Anoka Technical College visit www.AnokaTech.edu. For more information about Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.
It would be nice to hear more honest analysis of the alignment. This decision is driven purely by the hope that costs can be cut. It is not driven by the real goal of improving education, nor by maintaining technical education that already provides its graduates with good careers in many areas benefiting a wide range of employers in MN.