New president says Riverland ‘felt like home’

“It was a very quick yes.”

New Riverland Community College (RCC) president Dr. Kathleen “Kat” Linaker said Minnesota State chancellor Devinder Malhotra may not have even finished making an offer before she accepted the position. Though she hails from a small town in rural Alberta, Canada, Linaker spent time in school at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington and Loyola University in Illinois.

“I consider myself from the Midwest,” she said during her introduction Wednesday at RCC’s Owatonna campus. “I love this area.”

Linaker said she applied for the RCC position because the mission of the institution–to transform lives through excellence in service, education, and career training–seemed like a good match with “who I am and what my skill set is.”

“When I came and interviewed, it felt like home. It felt comfortable. It just felt right,” she said.

Riverland is also a good personal fit, Linaker said. “My personal mission is that I will live my life fully with humor, kindness, and purpose to help improve the world around me and support others. The mission of the institution really aligns with that.”

Some of her earliest childhood memories are of working with the Lions Club in her hometown “to serve the community and help grow the community… It’s who I am.” Linaker has also partnered throughout her career with K-12 schools, transfer institutions like Riverland, and regional employers “to help increase the workforce, and get our students certifications and degrees that will transition them into family-supporting lives and careers.”

During her introduction, Linaker called the job “a dream come true.”

“I’m really planning on my first hundred days just listening and learning,” she said. “I need to understand what Riverland is in the community, and what the campus needs and community needs are.”

Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism president and CEO Brad Meier believes Linaker’s appointment bodes well, given the partnerships with Riverland that already exist, such as a planned mechantronics lab and the “Learn and Earn” initiative, which recently received a federal grant. Riverland will add high-tech equipment and work with companies in the manufacturing and transportation industries to address labor shortages. The program allows students to work while earning certifications.

“We’re really excited about both those (partnerships) ramping up,” Meier said.

Linaker replaces Adenuga Atewologun, who announced his retirement last year. She starts work on July 1.

Riverland Community College has campuses in Owatonna, Austin, and Albert Lea.

New Riverland President

Who: Dr. Kathleen “Kat” Linaker

Experience:

• Western Technical College, Wisconsin - vice president of academics

• Mohawk Valley Community College, New York - assistant vice president of academics and dean of the School of STEM, Health, and Natural Sciences, dean of the Center for Life and Health Sciences, and SUNY Guided Pathways state coach

• D’Youville University, New York - executive director of chiropractic programs and faculty member

• 15 years of healthcare industry experience

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alberta

• Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University

• Ph.D. in Higher Education from Loyola University