Fall semester opens; NCTA ranks 7th in U.S.

Dean’s Column by Ron Rosati, PhD

Just as we started welcoming students to the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture for fall semester classes we were notified of a new national ranking for our institution.

NCTA was named by Zippia.com as the best two-year college in Nebraska for employment of graduates. The analysis was based on federal government data, including tax records, for students 10 years after graduation. Details of the analysis and NCTA’s ranking may be found at the Zippia website: https://www.zippia.com/advice/best-junior-colleges-for-jobs/.        

We were pleased to see once again that our educational programs and the skills of our students are favorably received by employers and those who rate performance.

Freshmen students just beginning their college careers this week at NCTA know our faculty and staff will prepare them for careers in agriculture and veterinary technology with a high quality, engaging and low cost college experience.

Zippia’s report published in mid-August evaluated data from federal government sources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), a federal source for educational information and surveys of U.S. colleges, universities, technical and vocational institutions.

Specifically, Zippia tracked job placement levels among colleges in every state and looked at year 10 employment information for graduates. They identified the top college in every state and then went on to identify “the best of the best” or the top 10 highest ranked colleges in the United States. We were pleased to see that NCTA was ranked number seven on the list of the top 10 colleges in the United States as measured by this evaluation criteria.

Top 10 two-year colleges in the U.S.:

1. North Central Kansas Technical College
2. Southeast Technical Institute
3. Bowling Green State University-Firelands
4. Northwest Iowa Community College
5. Minneapolis Business College
6. Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
7. Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
8. North Dakota State College of Science
9. University of South Carolina-Lancaster
10. Miles Community College

In the past two years, NCTA has received significant national recognition for the quality of its academic programs, its affordability, student success in national competitions and careers, and for specific training in agricultural sciences and technical trades.

These ratings included being listed among the Top 30 Trade Schools by Forbes Magazine, the top 10 percent of two-year colleges by Aspen Institute, the top 2 percent of two-year colleges by Wallet Hub, and the top associate degree producers by Community College Week.

Results such as these come from the hard work of a highly effective group of faculty and staff. I am very proud of their accomplishments. I also appreciate the hard work, intelligence and capability of each individual student in our NCTA programs.  NCTA is receiving this national recognition because of the passion and dedication of our students for their profession and their alma mater.

NCTA is a small, rural campus with highly engaged community members and advisors who all strive to mentor and produce young leaders for Nebraska agriculture and our global partners in food production, animal health and agricultural business. Congratulations for the continued recognition of the success of your efforts!

Welcome to NCTA

Classes have started for the fall semester, and I welcome each student to our campus community.  The move-in day for freshmen was exciting with parents, siblings and friends helping to unload possessions, carry them to student housing and help prepare new living quarters for campus life.

For many us, this is a favorite time of the year. We meet many new friends, enjoy visiting with the parents and support teams for the students (and in some cases for the pets, horses or livestock they move to Curtis with them), and get everyone situated in their “new home, away from home.” We have an outstanding group of new freshmen joining our returning students on campus

Thank you to the Curtis community for the welcoming atmosphere. The Rotary Club of Curtis hosted the Sunday night welcome picnic for the campus, and the Medicine Valley Chamber of Commerce and businesses shared packets and resources with students.

This week we continue to settle in to classes, develop a routine schedule, become involved with student clubs and campus activities, and help newcomers become familiar with the community resources.

New Student Orientation continues throughout the week with activities such as an ice cream social, dance and games.  We also have our fitness center and student union open for student use, as well as Aggie Dining, Chandie’s Castle Deli, and the NCTA Bookstore.

For our friends and stakeholders, please know we are available to answer questions, provide information and tours, and to converse about NCTA and its programs. Contact me in the Dean’s Office at 308-367-5200, or on Second Floor of Ag Hall.

Upcoming events:

Aug. 24-Sept. 4 – Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island

Sept. 4 – Labor Day, NCTA offices closed

NCTA Mission:

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.