End of Year Report - Richland College

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Statement of Purpose
The purpose of Richland College is to prepare students for successful living and responsible citizenship to build sustainable local and world community. Richland does
this by providing accessible, accredited, affordable, cost-effective, quality learning op por tunities for development of intellectual and emotional skills, job skills, personal
growth, and/or transfer to a baccalaureate program. In fulfilling its purpose, Richland furthers cultural, economic, and workforce development in the communities it
serves. In all its efforts, Richland strives to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of those it serves.
Specifically, Richland’s purpose is to provide:
• freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences
• technical programs up to two years in length leading to associate degrees or
certificates
• vocational programs leading directly to employment in semi-skilled and skilled
occupations
• continuing adult
education programs
for maintaining
needed workplace skills and com petencies
• workforce development programs to meet local and statewide needs
• compensatory education programs to fulfill the commitment of an admissions
policy allowing the enrollment of disadvantaged students
• continuing program of counseling and guidance to assist students in achieving
their individual educational and career goals
• adult literacy and other basic skills programs for adults
• other programs and courses as may be prescribed by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board or the DCCCD Board of Trustees in the best interest of postsecondary
education in Texas.
Profile
From Farmland to 21st Century
When they arrived for classes in fall 1972, 3,500 Richland College (RLC) credit students
shared their campus with sheep grazing on the farmland and ducks
swimming on the lakes that separate the campus buildings. Architects, winners
of numerous awards for RLC’s design, had carefully protected the trees, the lakes–
even the animals– as they planned the campus. The sheep graze elsewhere now,
but students and staff still enjoy and protect those first campus ducks’ descendants,
Richland Thunderducks. In 2003 Thunderduck Hall opened as the college’s onestop
student enrollment “front door.” Funds from the 2004 bond election added a
new science building (2010), designed/constructed as a “LEED Platinum” green
building, as well as the “LEED Gold”-designed/constructed Richland College
Garland Campus (2009).
Student Diversity
Each semester, Richland serves some 20,000 credit and 4,800 non-credit students
who come from more than 130 countries and speak 79 first languages.
Female 55%
Male 45%
Anglo 35%
Hispanic 23%
African-American 20%
Asian-American 16%
Unknown 4%
Pacific Islander 1%
International 1%
Native American .5%
Average age 27
University transfer 58%
Educational Programs
Academic programs with special emphases:
• Mexican-American/Latino Studies
• Studiy Abroad
• African-American/Black Studies
• Global Studies
• Asian-American/Middle Eastern-American Studies • Honors College
• Richland Institute for Peace
International Studies programs with global partners:
• Central/South America • Middle East • Europe
• Asia • Africa • North America
Other Key Programs
• Career and technical programs for immediate employment
• Customized contract training for businesses through
Corporate Services
• Baby Boomer and Emeritus programs for the Plus 50 and
senior segments
Richland Collegiate High School (RCHS)
RCHS was one of the first junior-senior dual credit charter schools administered
by a community college. With focal areas in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
(2005) and Visual, Performing, and Digital Arts (2010), the TEA Exemplary-rated
RCHS has capacity for up to 900 students who may simultaneously earn a high
school diploma and an associate degree.