
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
It’s been a busy year for the folks at Three Rivers College, but it is all a part of a ‘Golden Age’ for community colleges in the nation.
Dr. Devin Stephenson spoke about a year filled with growth for the community college during a luncheon with his Dexter President’s Advisory Committee on Wednesday. The luncheon was attended by more than 30 leaders in business, government and education from the Stoddard County area. The lunch meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce Conference Room adjacent to the college center on Market Street.
Stephenson assumed the leadership position at the Southeast Missouri college in July 2009, and he has been on a fast track since his arrival in the area. And the college has been on a fast track as well, riding the crest of a wave of growth for community colleges nationwide.
The opening of the Dexter center in January of this year is just one of many developments with the college. Where 12 months ago there were no students enrolled at the local center, today they are preparing for Spring 2012 semester that will include more than 200 area students.
Stephenson announced yesterday that the college has even greater plans in store for the Dexter facility – in growth in programs, growth in the number of students enrolled locally, and growth in the facility.
“Over the last six months we have been looking at what we can do here,” Stephenson told those gathered for the luncheon meeting. “We have applied for a $2.1 million grant to build a conference/convention center that will be attached to this building or close to this building. We feel very confident that we are going to be approved for that.”
Stephenson said the college will have to match that grant with approximately a half million
“It will give Dexter – it will give our college – a place if we wanted to have a banquet or seminars, then we could do that here close. We have the vision,” he said. “We can utilize it in a really powerful way.”
Stephenson was joined with Dr. Wes Payne, vice president of learning, local coordinators Bill Hampton and Ann Matthews, and other college personnel.
Payne pointed out that the Green Diesel program offered at the Dexter campus is one of only two green diesel training programs in the county.
“I think the ‘calling card’ that was placed here is the Green Diesel program,” Payne said. “It started fairly small, and it’s through the roof right now. It is a program that is unique. Every student that comes out of this program – if they want one – will have a job.”
Payne noted that the college already has business partners asking when students will graduate and be ready to enter the job market, due to the high demand for trained mechanics.
“We also want to looked at student’s needs and where they are going,” he said. “My goal is to get as many programs that are viable approved and in place so that students can progress through the Dexter Center and out the other side as graduates.”
Photo Above: Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers College, speaks to a luncheon meeting in Dexter on Wednesday. Behind the college president is Dr. Wes Payne, vice president of learning at the college, and Dexter center coordinator Bill Hampton. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
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