News Roundup: Corrections Academy Graduation, New Nursing Facility & Holiday Happenings

December was another busy month around our Rasmussen College campuses! Learn about some exciting plans and check out what we were up to during the holiday season.

Fargo Corrections Academy Celebrate 5^th Graduating Class

The Fargo-Moorhead Corrections Academy reached a new milestone as students, family and faculty celebrate the 5^th graduating class since it’s opening in the fall of 2013.

The Corrections Academy is a unique public-private partnership between Rasmussen College and the Cass County Sherriff’s Department designed to address an increased demand for corrections officers within the state of North Dakota.

Prior to partnership with Rasmussen College, corrections officers were required to travel to Bismarck, N.D., for one of two annual three-week training courses with enrollments limited to about 30 people.

Instructor Patty Laney says the partnership has become a welcome relief for corrections facility administrators.

“Having the Rasmussen [College] program has been very helpful in meeting the state training requirement,” Laney says.

The 12-week Corrections Academy training requires students to attend three night classes per week, where they receive direct instruction and training on how to handle the challenges of working in a correctional facility. Some of the topics included in the training are: inmate culture, interpersonal communication, inmate rights, de-escalation techniques and how to maintain the overall safety and security of a correctional facility.

Many of the instructors for this training program also work as deputies for the Cass County Sherriff’s Department, giving students the opportunity to learn from those who have firsthand experience with the criminal justice system as well as a chance to make an impression on possible employers and coworkers.

Ocala Campus to Open New Nursing Facility

Work has begun on a new multimillion dollar nursing facility near Rasmussen College’s Ocala, Florida campus.

The 21,000 square foot facility is scheduled to be open in the summer of 2016 and will be located at 1227 Southwest 17th Ave., in the former Ocala Entertainment Complex building. Along with more traditional learning areas like computer labs and classrooms, the facility will feature updated simulation equipment, most notably nursing beds and realistic manikins designed to give nursing students a more authentic learning experience.

The increased capacity of the facility is a welcome addition to a state that’s a well-known destination for retirees seeking a little sun in their golden years. In fact, 19 percent of Florida’s inhabitants are 65 and older; a number that may continue to grow as more Baby Boomers reach retirement age. This influx of older inhabitants can put a strain on healthcare facilities and their staffs as they try to keep up with demand.

Rasmussen College Campuses Across Nation Embrace Holiday Spirit, Give Back to Communities

The holiday season brought out the best in many of the staff and students at Rasmussen College campuses nationwide. Here’s a sampling of what’s been going on at a campus near you:

- Staff members from the Tampa area campuses participated in a Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk, raising hundreds of dollars for The Arthritis Foundation.

- The Rasmussen College central office in Bloomington, MN, did their part to spread the holiday cheer by collecting donations for the Toys for Tots foundation. The donations were used to support the program’s goal of providing underprivileged children a chance to experience the joy of receiving a gift this holiday season.

- Students and staff from the Fargo Moorhead area participated in Code.org’s Hour of Code event on December 8th at the Liberty Middle School campus. The purpose of the event was to introduce more young people to the world of computer science and coding in an approachable way. Academic dean Robert Neuteboom said the event was very successful, noting that interest actually exceeded volunteer capacity. The four volunteers from Rasmussen College did their part, as they helped with two full sixth grade classes.

- Staff from the Bloomington campus volunteered their time at Cornerstone, an organization that provides shelter for the victims and families of domestic abuse. They spent their time helping set up a “Holiday Shop” and assisting clients who were there to ‘shop’ for their families. In addition to the time spent at Cornerstone, the staff also deposited donations of gift cards, cash, toys and everyday essential items from a campus-wide collection effort.

- Faculty, staff and students from the Ft. Myers campus collected donations and sponsored an Angel Tree, providing gifts and assistance for 20 local families in need.

- The Wausau campus presented the Hope Life Center with $600 raised through various fundraising efforts like “Jeans Days.” Campus director Sue Williams was thrilled with effort.

“Hope Life was extremely grateful for our partnership and support and will be using the money to purchase food, clothing and personal care products for young children and newborns.”

What’s new around you?

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