Three Rivers College will hold an infrastructure and engagement roundtable in the fall tied to a three-year institutional improvement program.
This, and a student-led cattle farm were topics as the Board of Trustees closed out the current school year in May.
Dr. Maribeth Payne, the college’s chief institutional effectiveness and accreditation liaison officer, updated the board on the progress of the Higher Learning Commission Student Success Academy. This program is designed to help TRC optimize its resources and encourage positive outcomes for students.
In the 2023-2024 school year TRC completed the program’s first phase, which TRC President Dr. Wes Payne applauded.
“I do want to recognize the entire team. They have spent a lot of time, they take this work very seriously and they’ve been very dedicated in moving this project along,” he said, at the board’s monthly meeting May 15.
Eight faculty traveled to a conference in Illinois last year, evaluated campus resources and interviewed dual-credit students from three regional high schools.
“The next steps are we’re going to be compiling and analyzing all this information and data that was gathered by the team throughout the year,” said Maribeth Payne.
The next step is the infrastructure and engagement roundtable scheduled for the fall.
Maribeth Payne highlighted the Academy members: Frank Ludwig, director of Academic Assessment; Ashley Vernon, accreditation coordinator and executive assistant to the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness; Heather Cornman, assistant professor and coordinator of Early Childhood Development; Brandi Brooks, director of Enrollment Services and Student Development; Ryan Bixby, director of Distance Learning; Jason Cowan, assistant director of English; Kelli Hastings, life sciences instructor; and Cassie Knox, Student Services advisor.
__College farm__
Agriculture and Forestry instructor and coordinator Kathryn Clark reported the Three Rivers College Farm is growing by leaps and bounds.
“We’ve cleaned it up a lot, and it’s pretty good,” she said. “It’s really pretty out there and I have to brag on Mr. Buxton, our farm manager, he’s done a wonderful job of helping out and getting a great herd established.”
The farm currently centers around a cow-calf operation managed by students. These students sold 22 head of cattle last year for over $32,000, and the current population is 30 cows, calves, heifers and steers, plus one bull. Clark announced the first “3R” brand was placed this spring on a replacement heifer.
“One of our goals is making sure that our students are getting that hands-on experience. A lot of them are row crop kids, so the cattle side of things, they’ve never really experienced,” Clark explained. “So it’s great to see them in there, giving the shots, working the cattle, having a better respect for the beef side of the industry.”
TRC’s farm is also utilized by Future Farmers of America, 4-H, MU Extension, Missouri Department of Conservation and the Cattleman’s Association. Goals for the next school year include hosting district equine competitions with the TRC rodeo team, planting berry crops and installing water lines.
“It’s great to see it grow and it’s great to see it changing,” said Clark.
__Hirings__
After an executive session, the board confirmed the employment of Myesha Prater, apprenticeship coordinator; Keith Huggins, Career Services; Teri Crutsinger, Sikeston Nursing coordinator; and Robert Kirby, head men’s basketball coach.