Rural Community College Alliance

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

The 2026 Surgical Technology Graduates have achieved an outstanding milestone — 100% first-attempt pass rate on the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Certification Exam. This accomplishment reflects their dedication, clinical excellence, and commitment to the highest standards of patient care.

Their success is a testament to the strength of the program, the support of faculty and clinical partners, and the hard work each graduate invested throughout their training. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 for setting a remarkable standard of achievement and entering the profession fully prepared for success in the surgical field!

05/13/2026

Strategic planning is necessary. Strategic foresight takes it further. This month's RCCA Alliance Learning Series webinar introduces rural community college leaders to tools like environmental scanning and scenario planning, approaches designed to help your institution anticipate change instead of just react to it. Tune in on May 20 at 1 p.m. ET with presenter Andrea Henderson of Community College Futures Lab.

Grab your spot today! 👇 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nHJEZeNKThGjnubLu_gY3Q #/registration

05/05/2026

What does your college look like in 10 years?

It's a hard question and it's exactly the right one to be asking. Join us May 20 at 1 p.m. ET for our next RCCA Alliance Learning Series webinar, Looking Beyond the Horizon: Strategic Foresight for Rural Community Colleges. Presenter Andrea Henderson will share practical tools to help leaders think beyond day-to-day pressures and plan for the future with more confidence.

Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nHJEZeNKThGjnubLu_gY3Q #/registration

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

Bay College and Northern Michigan University Create Seamless Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway!

Bay College and Northern Michigan University (NMU) have partnered to create a new 3+1 transfer pathway that expands access to high-quality, flexible education options for students pursuing a career in early childhood education. It is now easier for those earning an associate of applied science (AAS) in early childhood education to complete a bachelor's degree in the same discipline, with the potential to add a birth-to-kindergarten teaching certificate.

The pathway was developed collaboratively by faculty and academic leadership from both institutions. The new transfer pathway expands access to high-quality, flexible education options for students pursuing a career in early childhood education.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to meeting the unique needs of our early childhood workforce. Bay College’s ECE program is built around flexible, accessible learning for working professionals,” said Tammra Houseman, Coordinator for Early Childhood Education at Bay College. “NMU embraced that model with the 3+1 transfer pathway. By allowing students to complete their coursework virtually and their student teaching locally, we effectively bust through the barriers of traditional teacher prep. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue strengthening Michigan’s early childhood workforce by expanding our graduates’ access to a bachelor’s degree and making it possible for them to remain rooted in the communities they love and serve.”

For the complete article, please click on the link:
https://shorturl.at/CEXqt

05/05/2026

05/05/2026