POPLAR BLUFF - Three Rivers College has announced that Richard McGill has been named interim Dean for Career Education and Workforce Development, overseeing career and technical programs and workforce training.

“I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve in this role,” said McGill. “This is a field that’s familiar to me, but there’s still a lot for me to learn. Luckily, there is a great staff in place to assist with the transition. There are a lot of great things that (retiring Director of Workforce Development) Bud Joyner and the other division chairs did with the technical programs, and I just want to build upon the success Three Rivers has already had.”

“Mr. McGill has been with the college since July of 2011,” said Vice President for Learning Dr. Wes Payne. “Richard served in the Student Support Service and Educational Talent Search programs and on numerous special projects including the writing and submission of a $3 million Department of Labor grant currently being considered for funding.”

Prior to joining Three Rivers, McGill spent 12 years at Sikeston Career & Technology Center working as the lead administrator for adult and community education. He was also previously employed at the Missouri Department of Higher Education, working as a compliance officer and working on the statewide transfer and articulation agreement initiative.

McGill will complete his education specialist degree in career and technology education administration from the University of Central Missouri in the Spring 2013 semester. He plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas to complete a Doctorate of Education in workforce development. He currently holds a master’s degree in public administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications, both from Southeast Missouri State University.

“One of my immediate goals is to spread awareness to the secondary schools about our transfer agreements,” said McGill. “We’re making some changes to those, and we’ve received very positive feedback so far. We hope that this in turn will grow the number of students in our diversified technology programs. Another big goal is just making sure that we continue to meet the needs of business and industries in the Southeast and South-Central Missouri regions.”

McGill and his wife of 14 years, Teresa, live in Sikeston with their two children, Isabelle and Truman.

A search will be conducted to fill the position permanently in the Spring 2013 semester with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2013.

For more information about Three Rivers, including information about career and technical programs and workforce training, please visit TRCC.edu.