September 9–Beehive Blog

A white honeycomb with two gold cells and four blue cells. "Beehive Blog"

Highlighted in This Week’s Beehive Blog

JOIN STUDENT SUCCESS DAY – Wednesday, October 1

Student Success Day is your opportunity to sharpen your skills, connect with faculty and peers, and discover valuable resources—both at RCTC and beyond. The day offers multiple ways to participate, including faculty meetings to discuss course progress, engaging online sessions designed to help you build essential skills, and a resource fair.

This year, we’re excited to introduce the Yellowjacket Success Conference, an exclusive, immersive experience for a limited number of students. Attendees will spend the morning developing key college success strategies while gaining firsthand exposure to a professional conference environment. Watch for more event information and details of the Student Success Conference on D2L.

GENDER VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING

If you are a new student that started classes at RCTC this Fall, you should see a course shell within D2L for Gender Violence Prevention Training. This training is required for all new students and should be completed at the start of the term. If you are a new student and have not completed the training, please do so as soon as possible! (Note: This training is not required for concurrent enrollment students.)

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Mantra Health

RCTC, in partnership with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, offers free virtual mental health support through Mantra Health’s Care Hub. Students can access a wide range of services—from self-guided wellness courses to one-on-one therapy sessions—all designed to support emotional well-being throughout their college journey.

Services include:

  • Self-Care Courses: Learn stress management, emotional regulation, and relationship-building skills anytime, anywhere.
  • Emotional Wellness Coaching: Work with a dedicated coach over 8–12 weeks to build self-management strategies.
  • Peer Support via Togetherall: Join a safe, inclusive online community of fellow students.
  • Therapy: Receive up to 12 sessions a year with culturally-informed mental health professionals.
  • ConnectNow: Get real-time support from 11am–11pm CT for immediate mental health needs.
  • 24/7 Crisis Support: Help is always available by phone for urgent situations.

Getting started is easy—just visit the Mantra Health Care Hub or download the app and sign up using your school email. Questions? Contact Mantra Health at hi@mantrahealth.com or 800-464-2083.

Campus-Based Mental Health Services

A licensed mental health therapist from Zumbro Valley Health Center (ZVHC) is available to RCTC students. ZVHC services are confidential and all records are kept separate from RCTC Health Services records. Current RCTC students 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

 

EDUCATION PLANNING TOOLS

Graduation applications are due within the first 30 days of the semester you intend on completing program requirements. The Fall Semester Graduation Application Deadline is Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Accurate and complete DARS Audits must be attached to the application. You can access your DARS Audit through the eServices site. Graduation applications and other information are available on our website.

RCTC HAS GREAT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

Settling into a routine for success is important!

Every student – from time to time – needs some assistance with academics.  Whether you’re looking for some help in a math course or you need advice about what courses to take to get your degree, RCTC provides services that assist students in achieving their educational, career, and personal goals through a variety of services and programs!

Academic Advising and Counseling

Every student is assigned an academic advisor or counselor to help guide their educational journey. You’ll find their name listed on your schedule and Degree Audit. Be sure to meet with them each semester to stay on track with your academic and career goals. If you have concerns your advisor can’t address, counselors are always available to help.

It is very important to meet with your assigned advisor or counselor each semester. Schedule an appointment with your advisor. Schedule your advising appointment online or call the Advising and Counseling office at 507-285-7260 for help. Log in with your STAR ID and password to schedule an appointment.

New students contact the Welcome and One Stop Center at 507-285-7557 to schedule an orientation session.

Additional Services (Available through online appointment scheduling)

Locations

Advising and Counseling Department has two locations.

  • Heintz Center H1434 (Career and Technical Advisor)
  • Main campus
    • SS133 (Advisors/Counselors, International student services)
    • SS130 (Paula Carlsen, Path to Purple advising)
    • Welcome and One Stop Center (Othelmo da Silva, Veteran services)

Questions

Please contact us at 507-285-7260.

Computer Lab Services

Instructional computer labs are available to RCTC students using PC and Macintosh computers at multiple locations. You may view the locations and schedules for the computer labs here.

All students pay a per credit technology fee which entitles access to work in any of the RCTC Computer Labs. Without a valid student ID, a fee per day will be assessed to use RCTC computer facilities. You may be asked to display your student ID when using computers. If while using a computer lab you find something not working, notify the lab assistant or the Technology Support Center at Portal: https://services.rctc.edu/, email tech.help@rctc.edu, and phone 507-536-5555 (for technical emergencies).

Disability Support Services

Location: Main campus, SS176

Disability support Services serves students with disabilities by providing academic support services to assist them in being successful both inside the classroom, and in achieving their educational goals. Accommodations may include, testing accommodations, sign language interpreting, early registration, the use of adaptive equipment, and alternative versions of textbooks. Services may include referral to local agencies or on-campus programs, advocacy, and special advising. RCTC is in compliance with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Prior to requesting academic accommodations, students must provide documentation to the RCTC Disability Support Services office that is relevant and complete enough to establish the existence of a disability, to explain the impact of the disability on one of life’s major activities, and to recommend appropriate accommodations in the college setting. Students may contact Disability Support Services via email at disability-support-services@rctc.edu or by phone at 507-280-2968. Location on main campus: SS176. Addition information is available on the Disability Support Services webpage.

International Student Services

International Student Services includes information on the student visa, assistance in the admissions process, orientation to RCTC and the Rochester community, and academic advising. Learn more at the International Student Services webpage.

Multicultural Student Services

Location: Main Campus, SS142

Provides academic support and academic advising to assist multicultural students in achieving their educational goals. For further information, call Emily Yang, Multicultural Advisor by phone at 507-280-5006 or reach her by email.

Student Support Services/TRiO (SSS)

Location: Main campus, SS159

Student Support Services provides academic advising, transfer planning, career information, workshops, cultural activities, and one-to-one peer tutoring to eligible students.  To be eligible for services, students must meet one of the following criteria: first-generation college student, low-income status or documented disability. Contact 507-285-7230.

Academic Support

Tutoring at the Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center on the main floor of Goddard provides FREE tutoring and class help for all RCTC and WSU-R students! Build the skills and confidence you need to be successful in your classes – reach your academic goals.  Our tutors are specialists in their content areas, and they’re eager to help you.

The Academic Success Center offers assistance with Math, Science, Business, Accounting, Economics, Computer Applications, and Writing (all disciplines), including resume and cover letter writing. There are many different options for getting help: drop-in help, scheduled appointments with a tutor, and group study spaces. They are open Monday-Wednesday from 8am-6pm. and Thursday and Friday from 8am-4:30pm. To schedule an appointment, visit Academic Success Center – Free Tutoring – Rochester Community and Technical College.

Goddard Library

Goddard Library offers a variety of resources from research assistance to study spaces, group study rooms, coffee and tea, events to help with de-stress, and even a walking pad! To see a list of events, visit Goddard Library Calendar – Library Calendar – Goddard Library.

Goddard Library and the Academic Success Center are hosting a midterm prep day, Eat, Sleep, Study, Repeat, on Monday, September 29 from 1-6 pm. Drop in to create a study plan, see a tutor, or to just relax with de-stress events.