By Dr. Amy Townsend, RCoN President
This summer marked a milestone for me personally: I have now been at Research College of Nursing for one year. In some ways, that year has gone very quickly. In others, it feels like I have been here much longer, mostly because so much has happened in a relatively short period of time.
When I arrived at RCON last summer, I knew I was joining a college with a long history of preparing students for meaningful careers in nursing. What I could not fully appreciate until I was here was the commitment of the people who make our work possible every day. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to get to know our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners, and I have learned a great deal by listening to their experiences and their ideas for the future of the college.
One of the things I have appreciated most is the willingness of people across RCON to think about what comes next. Colleges, especially those preparing students for careers in health care, cannot afford to stand still. The needs of our students are changing. The needs of the health care workforce are changing. Our responsibility is to make sure we are paying attention to both.
Over the past year, we have taken some important steps in that direction. We have continued to expand our nursing program and create additional opportunities for students pursuing careers in health care. We have also introduced fully online general education courses, giving students greater flexibility as they work toward completing their degrees. These changes are important, but I see them as a beginning rather than an end. There is more work ahead as we continue to consider how RCON can grow, evolve, and better serve our students and our community.
It is especially encouraging to begin this fall semester with our highest enrollment in several years. I am proud of that growth, but I know that enrollment numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every number is a student who made a decision to take a step forward. Some of our students are beginning college for the first time. Some have been working toward their degrees for several semesters. Others are balancing school with jobs, families, and responsibilities that do not stop simply because classes have started. Some know exactly where they want their careers to take them, while others may still be figuring that out. What they have in common is that they chose RCON to be part of that journey. I do not take that choice lightly.
Over the past year, I have also gained an even greater appreciation for the people who work here and how much happens behind the scenes to support a student from the day they first consider RCON through graduation and beyond. Faculty prepare students for classrooms, labs, clinical settings, and ultimately the responsibility of caring for patients. Staff work every day to make sure students have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.
As I reflect on my first year, I am proud of what we have accomplished, but I am probably even more excited about what I believe is possible. There are decisions still to make, opportunities still to explore, and certainly challenges we will have to work through. That comes with growth. My goal is not simply for RCON to grow for the sake of getting bigger. I want us to grow thoughtfully, in ways that create meaningful opportunities for students and respond to the needs of the health care communities we serve.
Now, as I begin my second year at RCON and we prepare for another fall semester, it feels like a natural time to look ahead. I have always loved this time of year because it feels like a new beginning. There is something about a new academic year, cooler mornings, changing routines, and, as one of my favorite movies reminds me, the appeal of a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils that makes it feel like a good time to reset and refocus.
Some members of our RCON community have been here throughout the summer, while others are returning after a break. New students are walking through our doors for the first time, returning students are picking up where they left off, and all of us are beginning another chapter together.
Last summer, I was the new person learning my way around, meeting people, asking questions, and beginning to understand RCON. A year later, I am still asking questions, but I have a much clearer picture of who we are, where our strengths lie, and where I believe we can go. I am so grateful to be part of this community and proud of the direction we are heading. I am thankful for the people who welcomed me, challenged me, shared their ideas, and helped me better understand what makes RCON special.
One year down. There is still a great deal ahead of us, and I am looking forward to it.