Those who are interested in applying should start the application process with the Admissions Checklist. Additional information is available online at www.richlandcollege.edu/rchs.

RCHS is currently accepting applications from students entering the 11th grade from following counties:
Collin County
Dallas County
Denton County
Ellis County
Kaufman County
Rockwall County
Tarrant County

Students at RCHS can complete their last two years of high school at Richland College by taking college courses with a focus on mathematics, science, or engineering. RCHS students may graduate from Richland College with an Associate of Science degree at the same time as earning their high school diploma.

For more information, visit www.richlandcollege.edu/rchs or call 972-761-6888. The 2009-10 school year for RCHS starts Aug. 10.

Richland commemorated the opening of its new Garland Campus today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left to right: Garland Chamber CEO Paul Mayer, DCCCD Board of Trustees Vice Chair Diana Flores, DCCCD Board of Trustees Chair Jerry Prater, City of Garland Mayor Ronald Jones, DCCCD Chancellor Wright Lassiter, and Richland College President Steve Mittelstet.

“We are eager for this first facility on Richland’s new 21-acre Garland campus to serve as a nearby gateway to Garland-area residents to learn more about the many educational opportunities the DCCCD has to offer, especially at the main campuses of Richland, Eastfield, and El Centro Colleges,” said Steve Mittelstet, Richland’s president for the past 30 years.

Innovative, eco-friendly design and construction

VAI Architects provided master planning for this new, state-of-the-art facility. It is the first public project built as part of the master planned redevelopment for downtown Garland. The building was designed to provide a new public plaza link to proposed urban redevelopment and nearby DART rail and bus stations.

It is also the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-designed/constructed project in the City of Garland. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that measures energy efficiency including energy savings, water efficiency, and CO2 emissions reduction. It is Richland’s intent that the systems and operations of this new building will function in efficient ways that produce minimal impact to the environment while providing lessons to its students and surrounding community on sustainability. It is hoped that the money saved on energy can be reinvested in workforce development instruction, student outreach services, and student learning success. Some of its “green” features include:

-It is located immediately adjacent to the Downtown Garland DART Rail Station to promote the convenient use of public transportation;
-A prominent single-slope roof that harvests rainwater in underground storage tanks for use irrigating all plant materials; its white reflection reduces the sun’s heating effects on the building’s cooling system;
-Motion-sensor faucets and double-flush toilet mechanisms in restrooms conserve water use; waterless urinals in men’s restrooms save up to 20,000 gallons of water per year per fixture; and
-Building construction materials contain low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) levels, reducing pollutants and improving indoor air quality for occupants.

The facility is organized into three functional building areas that consist of the main central gallery, a separate administration wing and a classrooms/computer lab wing for training opportunities. Each functional building area is oriented to take advantage of proper solar orientation in accordance with fundamental sustainability design concepts. Exterior and interior finish materials consist primarily of large blocks of split-face native Texas limestone, local brick similar to the main Richland campus, low E insulated glass and metal panels.

Programs offered

Career-related education, training, and services are the focus of the first phase of this new 21-acre campus. Dallas County companies will be able to access training for both new hires and currently employed workers to enhance their skills, which in turn will provide greater opportunities for advancement for individuals and strengthen companies and overall Garland-area economic development.

Currently, the campus is providing a machine operator program in response to a need voiced by the Dallas County Manufacturers’ Association through the Garland Chamber of Commerce. A medical office specialist program is also underway to train skilled, non-clinical support specialists in a medical setting as front office staffing, scheduling clerks, patient coordinators, and individuals to verify insurance. Specific programming will continue to evolve as the needs and demands of the local workforce expand.

Garland Chamber of Commerce and community partnerships

This remote campus also provides a separate lease space for use by the Garland Chamber of Commerce, with its own identifiable entry. This unique arrangement further solidifies Richland’s commitment to partnering with area businesses, particularly with the Garland-area manufacturing industry, to build relationships and stimulate the economy.

“The mission of the Garland Chamber is taking primary responsibility for a sustainable economy in Garland. To that end, a marriage between the Chamber and the Richland College Garland Campus is an ideal fit. This relationship along with the existing partnership of the Garland Independent School District, the City of Garland and the Chamber makes us one of the most competitive communities in the country,” says Garland Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Mayer.

The 6,000-square-foot, two-story glass gallery space at the Garland Campus links both the Chamber’s lease space and college administration wing to the education wing. The gallery will serve a variety of functions including career fairs, university/college fairs, intercultural festivals, and neighborhood association celebrations.

Mittelstet added, “We look forward to future expansion of our new Garland campus with other potential area partners, such as the Garland Independent School District, to help young students from GISD move successfully into college and on into universities and careers, with lifelong learning opportunities to meet the dynamic demands of a rapidly changing economy and workforce that are requisite in building and maintaining a robust, sustainable community.”

For more information, please contact Anitra Cotton at anitracotton@dcccd.edu or 972-238-6022.

The college has agreed to be a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national program created by former President George W. Bush to recognize individuals, families and groups who meet the award’s requirements for volunteer service.

The program measures the number of service hours performed over 12 months. Richland is one of thousands of organizations that will serve as a Certifying Organization for the award. In that role, Richland is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the award.

“We are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award,” said Richland President Steve Mittlestet. “Richland College’s service learning students and community volunteers are role models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as neighbors and a nation. The award is our way of thanking these volunteers and inspiring everyone in our community to make volunteering a central part of their lives.”

Carole N. Lester, dean of Academic Enrichment, said the award is within reach for even those who have never volunteered before.

“There are so many ways to contribute, and every volunteer hour makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others,” she said. “We encourage everyone to get involved and to bring along your family, friends and neighbors.”

The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group convened to help foster and encourage a culture of volunteer service and civic participation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the council is composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering.

For more information about volunteering with Richland College, call the Academic Enrichment Office at 972-238-6110 or visit  www.richlandcollege.edu/servlearn.

"One Man's Junk" (2009) by Jon Hoggatt

Richland College Photo/Imaging instructors Wayne Loucas and Roy Cirigliana took their students to Northern New Mexico for the 15th time this May, producing a portfolio of framed prints on display through Aug. 6 in Richland’s Brazos Gallery (Room C140 of Crockett Hall).

Thirteen student photographers made the trip, along with Mr. Loucas and Mr. Cirigliana, and will collectively show their work during the “New Mexico Workshop 15″ exhibition.

Based out of Santa Fe, the class traveled to visually sites including Rancho de Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the town of Chimayo, Ghost Ranch and the red mesas of Georgia O’Keeffe country, Echo Amphitheater, and the Cumbres and Toltec Railway Station in the town of Chama. They followed the Turquoise Trail up to 11,000 feet at the top of Sandia Crest for a spectacular view overlooking Albuquerque, as well as spent time photographing in the heart of Santa Fe.

Photographers featured in “New Mexico Workshop 15″ include:
Stephanie Appiagyei
Pam Cruz
Daniel Driensky
Josh Elliot
Jon Hoggatt
Melissa Kenny
Alex LaBarba
Heather Malkie
Curtis Maroney
Jim Pasant
Anna Paszyna
Frank Richards
Colleen Shockley
Roy Cirigliana, instructor
Wayne Loucas, instructor

Richland College is located at 12800 Abrams Road in Dallas. The Brazos Gallery’s summer hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information,  contact Gallery Coordinator Randall Garrett at 972-238-6339.