Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1054325
19 This is the reality for more than half of Red River College's (RRC) 2,300 full- and part-time employees – RRC alumni who end up coming back to the college for a new rewarding challenge: educating the next generation of students. They return because they know Red River is committed to student success and educating and training a highly- skilled workforce. They stay because they believe in what the college is providing – for career development, for personal growth, and for a bright future. "When it comes to educating students, providing training and research opportunities, and meeting the needs of industry – what we're doing is working," says Melanie Gudmundson, RRC's Chief Human Resource Officer. "And it's the dedicated efforts of our staff and faculty members who make this statement a reality everyday with their commitment to the college and our students. "This is why we are continually striving to build a work environment that has programs and supports, including training and professional development opportunities that ensure staff and faculty success." Learning is a core value of Red River College, which is committed to providing an exceptional learning environment for employees as well as students. The college focuses on staff learning and development activities and events, led by industry experts – most of whom are all members of the Red River College community. "Every week you will hear of a different department hosting an event. From research lunch and learns, to traditional sweat lodge ceremonies, to mental health speaker series, to daily fitness classes – there are many opportunities for staff to engage in new professional and personal development activities. This is something we encourage all employees to take advantage of," Gudmundson says. The college has also continued to introduce more formalized internal training opportunities to encourage continuous lifelong learning and professional growth. These include major initiatives like RED Forum, a day-long professional development event for all RRC employees from all campuses. "RED Forum focuses on relationships, education and the direction of the college, and offers over 30 different sessions throughout the day for employees to choose from," Gudmundson says. "It's an event for staff and faculty, by staff and faculty, and it's a great opportunity for employees to get together, network, and learn from one another." The college also offers several online training programs, available to staff and faculty at their fingertips, 24-7. This year, RRC added Lynda. com to the college toolkit, enabling further access to a variety of new learning opportunities. Lynda.com is now available to all staff, faculty and students, and provides free, unlimited access to 6,000-plus videos and courses at the click of a button. Those interested in learning outside of office hours also have access to RRC's own on-campus and online courses which include over 100 personal and professional development programs, including full- and part-time certificate programs. All college employees are eligible to enroll in continuing education programs at any of the Red River College campuses, and tuition fees are waived if there is space available in the course. Employees are also provided with financial support for tuition towards the completion of undergraduate and graduate level degrees, and subsidies for professional licensing and professional fees to all employees who are required to maintain those designations for employment. "As a college we are committed to educating the community and we are proud that this includes our very own dedicated staff and faculty members," Gudmundson says. "As educators, leaders, researchers and innovators committed to education, meeting the changing needs of industry, and contributing to the province's economic growth, we are proud to say with great enthusiasm: what we're doing is working." Staff and faculty participate in a RED Forum workshop that focused on using Virtual Reality (VR) in the classroom. WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS WORKING AT RED RIVER COLLEGE Some Red River College alumni love going to school so much, they end up joining the 'family' business after graduation.