Mary Davenport named interim president of Rochester Community and Technical College

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 18, 2016 – The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities today appointed Mary Davenport to serve as the interim president of Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC). The two-year appointment becomes effective July 1.

“As interim president, Mary Davenport will provide sound, thoughtful, and energetic leadership while the college continues its search for a truly extraordinary leader,” said Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “She brings to this position a wealth of higher education experience and a thorough understanding of the Greater Rochester community. Through her leadership roles at state colleges across Minnesota, she has demonstrated a commitment to open and honest communication and to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community leaders.”

Davenport has served Minnesota state higher education for 28 years. Since 2012, she has served Riverland Community College (Austin, Albert Lea, Owatonna) as vice president of Academic and Student Affairs. Previously, she served in various capacities at Saint Paul College from 2011 to 2012, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities from 1995 to 2011, and the Minnesota Technical College System from 1993 to 1995. She also served at Hibbing Community College from 1988 to 1993, and was on the faculty of Colorado State University from 1985 to 1988 and the University of Wisconsin-Stout from 1982 to 1985. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, master’s degrees and a specialist degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and a doctorate from Colorado State University.

Established in 1915, Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is the largest higher education provider in the fastest-growing city in Minnesota, serving more than 8,000 students in credit courses and nearly 3,700 in non-credit continuing and workforce education programs. RCTC combines the best in liberal arts, technical, and life-long learning with more than 70 credit-based programs and over 100 credential options. RCTC’s expansive 518-acre campus includes university partnerships, a diverse student body, and a vibrant student life program. RCTC provides a learning environment that offers the feel of a four-year university campus with the commitment to access and opportunity of a two-year college.

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The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities include 30 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 400,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system in the United States.