The Beehive Blog offers timely updates, insights, and resources to help Rochester Community and Technical College students stay informed and engaged throughout their academic journey.
Highlighted in This Week’s Beehive Blog
Summer Registration
Are you on the fast track to program completion? Not sure—want to find out? Meet with your academic advisor to map out your degree plan and see if Summer 2026 can help you reach your goal faster! Summer registration starts February 5th for current students—don’t miss your chance to stay on course!
Policies and Procedures
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with college policies and procedures. A condensed version of RCTC policies can be found in the RCTC Student Handbook online at: Student Handbook – Rochester Community and Technical College. For a complete description of the policies, please refer to the RCTC Web Page at www.rctc.edu/policies/.
Campus Security Act
RCTC recognizes providing the safest environment possible is an integral element of the college’s educational mission and annually publishes a Campus Security Report that is available to everyone. This report provides statements of policy for a broad range of safety and security programs including crime prevention programs, reporting procedures, personal safety, community relations, environmental safety, enforcement authority and response and a 3-year statistical review of designated crimes on campus. This report is designed to inform and educate you on the measures that can be taken and the services available to you to assist in maintaining a safe and secure learning environment. A printed copy of this report may be obtained, at no charge from Campus Security at 851 30th Avenue, SE, CF102, Rochester, MN 55904, phone: 507-280-5050.
The Campus Safety Crime Statistics can be accessed at: https://www.rctc.edu/services/safety/annual-security-report
Emergency Procedures can be accessed at: https://www.rctc.edu/services/safety/emergency/
Crime Prevention can be accessed at: https://www.rctc.edu/services/safety/crime-prevention/
Emergency Alert System: https://www.rctc.edu/services/safety/emergency-alerts/
Additional information can be found at: https://www.rctc.edu/services/safety/
All members of the college community are encouraged to contact the Campus Safety Office with any concerns and questions regarding campus security and related issues at:
Campus Safety
851 30th Avenue Southeast
Rochester, MN 55904-4999
Office: CF102
Phone: 507-280-5050
Undecided About Your Major/Career?
RCTC offers all students free access to FOCUS 2 CAREER software. Focus 2 is an online, interactive planning system designed to help you make decisions about your future by assessing your career readiness, personal preferences, values, interests and skills.
To get started, go to https://www.rctc.edu/services/counseling-career-center/ and click “Explore Careers with New “Focus 2 Career” Software!
Need help turning your Focus 2 results into action?
Deb Vang, RCTC’s Counselor, offers one-on-one career meetings in-person, via phone or via zoom. Schedule in one of the following ways:
- Stop in Advising and Counseling and ask to schedule a Career Appointment (SS133-143) (Hours: 8am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday)
- Call 507-285-7260 and ask to schedule a Career appointment
How are You Feeling?
RCTC has two separate mental health therapy options for our students; Campus-based services within RCTC Student Health Services or Virtual services through Mantra Health. Please see below for additional information on each of these options. IMPORTANT: Students may use either option, but not both at the same time.
Campus-Based Mental Health Services
A licensed mental health therapist from Zumbro Valley Health Center (ZVHC) is available to current RCTC students. ZVHC services are confidential, and all records are kept separate from RCTC Health Services records. Current RCTC can go to https://myhealth.rctc.edu to schedule appointments with a mental health therapist. Just select the service needed, choose from the available days and times, and enter your information. You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment. If you have questions, call us at 507-285-7261.
If you have health insurance available to use, Zumbro Valley Health Center can submit the bill for this visit to your insurance provider. If any portion of the visit is not covered by that insurance (co-payment, deductible, etc.) you will receive a bill from ZVHC for the outstanding balance. If payment for this service is a concern for you, please communicate that with us. Our primary concern is your health and your success as a student, and we will work with you to determine if alternative funding may be available for you to use for this service.
Virtual services through Mantra Health
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and RCTC partner with digital mental health provider Mantra Health to bring students diverse, high-quality mental health support via the Care Hub. Ready to get your care journey started? Visit Mantra Health’s Care Hub or download the app on Apple or Android. Use your school email address to set up an account. It’s free, easy, and includes care navigation support. If you have questions about the services or are having troubling accessing your account, contact Mantra Health at [email protected] or call 800-464-2083. This all-in-one platform gives students access to the following virtual services:
- Self-Care These short, self-guided wellness courses can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Learn to reduce your stress, regulate your emotions, build healthier relationships, and get through difficult situations.
- Emotional Wellness Coaching This short-term, goal-oriented intervention is best for students wanting self-management strategies. You’ll get matched with a dedicated and experienced coach who will teach you key skills and work with you through 8-12 weeks of sessions.
- Peer-to-Peer Support with Togetherall Join a judgment-free, inclusive, and confidential community of student peers, powered by Togetherall. Join for free today!
- Therapy Enjoy one-on-one sessions with a dedicated, highly trained, culturally-informed provider who understands your unique experience and can help you assess and manage your mental health concerns. Students have access to up to 12 free sessions a year.
- ConnectNow In-the-moment support and problem solving with a mental health professional. This service is available between 11am – 11pm CT via video for any students who are in distress or experiencing immediate mental health challenges.
- 24/7 Crisis Support Crisis support staff is available via phone to help students through challenging situations. However, if you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency and is putting themselves or others in danger, please call 911.