News & Events

ABERDEEN S.D. – Today Presentation College is proud to announce a partnership with The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. PC will be joining the #RealCollege Institutional Capacity-Building Cohort (ICBC) with 26 other high education institutions from across the nation.

The program is designed to assist colleges and universities in retaining students who need food and housing supports and who were made more vulnerable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cohort will create an ecosystem for developing solutions to complex problems, to empower leaders to impact organizational change, and to build connections with other colleges. Member institutions will build their capacity for assessment, analysis, and social support systems for students.

“Over the past 20 years Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab has surveyed post-secondary institutions and recognized there is an insecurity of basic needs for students, particularly food and housing insecurities. Recognizing how real this issue is and the emphasized effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it important for our institution to make sure that our students are set up for success by providing support and resources to minimize these insecurities. I believe this follows right with our mission and the work of Nano Nagel in providing resources and support for our students that encompasses the whole person education,” said Sophia McDermott, Director of the Career and Learning Center & Disability Coordinator at Presentation College.

The cohort begins this month and runs through May 2022, with learning modules focused on assessment, support, driving state and federal policy and advocacy, and supporting the basic needs ecosystem. Each member institution will be represented by leaders including administrators, staff, faculty, and students. Sessions will offer deep analysis of The Hope Center’s research and annual surveys, which are the nation’s largest and longest-standing rigorous assessment of students’ basic needs.

Leading PC’s committee with McDermott is Dr. Paula Langteau, President of Presentation College, followed by four team members: Criminal Justice Professor Mark Anderson, Director of Educational Technology Angela Hermansen, Senior Undergraduate Sky Carter, and Director of Counseling and Student Wellness Rebecca Christiansen.

This project is made possible by its member institutions as well as grants from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and ECMC Foundation. 

The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice (2021)

https://hope4college.com/

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Presentation College is excited to announce that Radiologic Technology Program has received full re-accreditation from the Joint Review Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

“We are very proud of our graduates from our JRCERT Accredited Radiologic Technology Bachelor of Science Program and appreciate the excellent work they are doing as registered professionals,” said Carrie Mestas, Radiologic Technology Program Director. “I am thrilled that the program received the full 8-year accreditation status. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the faculty and clinical partners who play a vital role in the development and support of our students to achieve their fullest potential”

The continuing accreditation status of the program was considered at the July 20, 2021, meeting of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The program was evaluated according to the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography (2014) and documented compliance with all relevant Standards; therefore, the JRCERT awards accreditation for a period of eight years, which is the maximum duration that may be awarded.

“I am proud of the hard work and dedication of Presentation College’s Radiologic Technology Program faculty that has led to a successful re-accreditation process. Earning this status is demonstration of their commitment to the students and delivery of a high-quality education,” stated Dr. Trisha Waldman, Dean of Health and Natural Science. 

The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for the accreditation of educational programs in radiography. Specialized accreditation awarded by the JRCERT offers institutions significant value by providing peer evaluation and by assuring the public of quality professional education in the radiologic sciences.

Michael Lyons, a Presentation College senior, has spent part of his summer completing an athletic training internship with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are a Major League Baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Lyons applied for the internship through the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) summer internship program. He then went through a rigorous interview process with a multitude of organizations. PBATS internships provide hands-on athletic training experiences under the directions and supervision of the team’s professional staff. These internships offer a great opportunity for students to get their foot in the door of professional baseball.

“Michael has shown an interest in working at the professional level and I was thrilled to hear that he was given this opportunity. PBATS internships are highly competitive, but given Michael’s strong work ethic and passion for the profession, I knew that he had a strong chance at receiving one. This internship will further expand her current knowledge and I can’t wait to see how he applies that in his last year of school and into his professional career,” said Brittany Hubbart, Presentation College Athletic Training Education Program Director.

The internship experience began on June 24 and will continue until July 16. Lyons stated, “this experience with the Diamondbacks has been eye opening and one that I would not trade! I have learned lessons not just centered around athletic training. I have learned that in order for an athlete to have a successful return to the field, all members of the sports medicine team need to work together and that it is always important to hear other what others have to say. You may learn more from others, even when you think there is nothing to learn.”

More than 684 of America’s best and brightest college students participated in the virtual Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) business student organization’s National Leadership Conference (NLC) and competition.  This marks the second year the experience and competition were held virtually. 

The PBL National Leadership Conference was held virtually in the month June.  Participants from across the United States and other countries attended this exciting virtual experience to enhance their business skills, expand their networks, and participate in over 50 business and business-related competitive events. 

Presentation College (PC) students received top honors at the national competition.  Jerod Boswell received third place for Client Service.  Jerod is from South Dakota.  Nimish Gounder, Liam Putman, and Allie White received fourth place for Human Resource Management at PBL NLC.  Nimish is from New Zealand, Liam is from Alaska, and Allie is from Colorado.  Nimish Gounder also placed third for Impromptu Speaking.  

“These students are incredibly talented both in and out of the classroom.  Jerod, Nimish, Liam, and Allie are truly some of the most dedicated and hard-working students, who will continue to create positive change for each of their home communities,” said Brenda Merkel, Presentation College business faculty and PBL adviser. 

About FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc., the premier student business organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million members and advisers in over 6,500 active middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. FBLA-PBL’s mission is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit fbla-pbl.org.