“The renovations have really brought a refreshed image to the campus,” said Mary Swingle, Rasmussen College St. Cloud Campus Director. “The new Student Lounge has become a hub for students to hang out, study and network. There is a constant buzz in the new Learning Center which is now centrally located next to the library, and the Career Services Center has already seen increased traffic.”
On Thursday, March 7, 2013, the St. Cloud campus held a Ribbon Cutting Celebration. The public was invited to tour the campus and see the renovations, which have been in the works for about a year. This isn’t the first time the campus has undergone changes. The campus was first built in 1997. In 2005, an additional building housing medical assisting and nursing labs was constructed. And now, what was once a dark, cold walkway connecting the two buildings is a beautiful new Student Lounge.
“I’m confident the changes, especially the Student Lounge, will enhance the student experience by building a bigger sense of community and a better place to network,” said Swingle.
Alisha Higat, a Medical Assisting student at the St. Cloud campus, says she plans to spend more time on campus thanks to the new Student Lounge.
“I love it [the Student Lounge],” said Higat. “It’s so open and inviting. The old Student Lounge was in a small room. This one is brightly colored with windows, a fireplace and lots of space.”
Higat says she’s also looking forward to using the new Career Services Center, which used to be the old Student Lounge. The idea was to have a dedicated center for students to work on resumes and mock interviews, instead of relying on individual offices. It’s conveniently located in the front of the campus.
“It’s more of a focal point on campus,” said Swingle. “We want our students to identify with the center right away, not just when they are ready to graduate. Students will now be walking by the Career Services Center throughout their college experience.”
The new renovations are not just a hit with staff, faculty and students. The community gets to enjoy the new look and feel as well. 
“We open the campus to our business community,” said Swingle. “They often come on campus and use the classrooms, so they now have access to our beautiful new Student Lounge and Career Services Student Center.”
Swingle says they still have a few more adjustments to make to enhance the student experience. She invites you to visit the St. Cloud campus and see the new renovations for yourself. We’ve also created a photo album of the Ribbon Cutting Celebration and upgrades on the Rasmussen College Facebook page.
What’s your favorite part of your college campus? Share by commenting below.
There’s a new vibe on the Rasmussen College St. Cloud campus – a new energy that seems to carry from room to room. For some, it’s the new carpet and freshly painted walls. For others, it’s the brand new Student Lounge, Multimedia Lab and Career Services Center. Ask anyone on campus and they’d tell you with a smile how happy they are with the recent makeover.
