Sen. Tina Smith tours MSC Southeast in Red Wing
Holds round table discussion with college, Red Wing Ignite, and Goodhue County representatives
On Wednesday, June 1, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) visited Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing. Having helped secure $825,000 in congressionally directed funding to support the renovation of the college's nursing wing, she was excited to see the facility and learn more about the college's plans for improving the student learning experience.
The morning began with a tour through the college's current nursing labs. Associate Dean of Nursing Janine Mason explained that the funding will make it possible for MSC Southeast to build a state-of-the-art hospital simulation center that mimics a hospital wing, with private patient rooms, a medication room, a nursing station, a control room, and debriefing rooms.
Following the tour, Sen. Smith and MSC Southeast President Marsha Danielson hosted a round table discussion with college administration and representatives from Goodhue County and Red Wing Ignite.
Sen. Smith said, "The whole idea of congressionally designated funds is using the power of the federal government to fuel the best ideas that are coming from communities across the state. It is really about helping Minnesota solve problems. The best ideas are going to come from folks that are closest to the work. We can see that here at Minnesota State College Southeast."
Red Wing Ignite is using $103,000 in congressionally directed funds to support a summer wordworking camp for female students and software coding leagues for middle students across several school districts. Goodhue County has secured $3.2 million in funding to improve broadband access in rural areas.
"People think of rural places and small towns as places with deficits," Sen. Smith said. "They don't have healthcare, they don't have access to all the benefits that people might have in a big city. I think that's completely backwards. I think they're missing the incredible innovation and collaboration that happens in rural places. And that's exactly what we're seeing here in Red Wing."
Photo Captions
Top (from left): Scott Arneson, Administrator, Goodhue County; James Young, Entrepreneur Lead, Red Wing Ignite; Stacy Nimmo, Executive Director, Red Wing Ignite; Randii Waddell, Entrepreneur Specialist, Red Wing Ignite; Marsha Danielson, President, Minnesota State College Southeast; U.S. Sen. Tina Smith; Linda Flanders, Goodhue County Commissioner; Burke Murphy, Workforce Lead, Red Wing Ignite; Tom Hoffman, physical plant operations supervisor, MSC Southeast; Janine Mason, Associate Dean of Nursing, MSC Southeast; Chad Dull, Vice President of Student Success, MSC Southeast.
Center: Sen. Smith and the group toured the nursing wing lab space at Minnesota State College Southeast.
Bottom: Sen. Smith and MSC Southeast President Marsha Danielson held a round table discussion with representatives from the college, Red Wing Ignite, and Goodhue County.