Big picture vantage begins with Search Conference at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge Campus

"Anoka-Ramsey Community College is engaged in a vision. Our two campuses - Cambridge and Coon Rapids - strive to develop articulate, critical and creative thinkers who are responsible, productive citizens."
- Dr. Patrick M. Johns, President of Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Community members, college faculty and staff joined forces to assist Anoka-Ramsey Community College in continuing to engage and enhance its student-focused vision through a strategic planning process themed "Designing for Distinction." The first in a series of three Search Conferences took place at the College's Cambridge Campus, Oct. 22, and was facilitated by Strategic Planning Consultant, Al Watts of inTEgro, Inc.

"It's imperative that these search conferences be interactive, so feel free to speak" says Johns. "We want to hear from as many people as possible because we can all learn from one another. Faculty, staff, employers, civic leaders, and community members - we're all stakeholders."

Search Conference participants were encouraged to discuss where the college should focus its priorities and allocate resources during the next five years and beyond to address the needs of the students it serves. Ideas were shared, questions were asked, and college faculty and staff had an opportunity to interact with community members at the event.

"During this process, the college will need to make courageous decisions," says Watts. "Strategic planning done well is a wonderful learning opportunity and that's why we're here."

Additional Search Conferences are scheduled for:

• Oct. 29, 3-5 p.m., Coon Rapids Campus, Room B245, and
• Nov. 12, 2-4 p.m., Coon Rapids Campus, Room B245.

In addition to the strategic planning process, the college is also working to rally legislative support for a capital funding request at the Cambridge Campus. This request includes plans to demolish two 20-year-old, pole-constructed buildings and replace them with an addition to the Campus Center, just east of county road 70. Several legislative decision-makers have toured the Cambridge facility during the past six weeks, including Chairman of the House Higher Ed Finance Committee, Representative Doug Stang; Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Jim Knoblach; Chairman of the Capital Investment Committee, Senator Keith Langseth; Senator Sean Nienow; Representative Rob Eastlund; Senator Dennis R. Frederickson; and Senator Sandy Pappas.

"A thriving Cambridge campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College is our goal," explains Johns. "Building the Campus Center was step one in achieving that goal. This funding request is really step two. Future phases will be based on the strategic plan and respond to our growing enrollment and include plans for additional classrooms and facilities such as a gymnasium and performing arts center to create the best educational environment and opportunities for our students."

For more information on the search conference or Anoka-Ramsey Community College's strategic planning effort, contact Evelyn Gedde at 763-712-4479 or email.