A message from President Cheryl Norman

Welcome to Ridgewater College!

Since 1961, Ridgewater has been creating opportunities and changing lives through affordable, high-quality education.

Every student arrives with a different story and a different goal. Whether earning a degree, preparing for a career, advancing in the workplace, or transferring to a university, we provide students with an education that is accessible, relevant, and responsive. Our faculty and staff are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment where every student can succeed.

We work closely with business and industry, healthcare providers, agricultural leaders, school districts, and community organizations to develop the skilled workforce our region needs today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. These partnerships keep our programs relevant, expand opportunities for students, and contribute to the long-term success of the communities we call home.

Higher education continues to evolve, and so do the needs of our students and communities. Ridgewater is committed to listening, adapting, and embracing new opportunities while remaining grounded in the values that have defined us for more than six decades that include student success, access, affordability, and service.

Ridgewater College balances serving its diverse student body by discarding the traditional “one-size-fits-all” campus model and replacing it with a personalized, multi-lane educational highway. The college strategically organizes its scheduling, support systems, and teaching methods to meet you exactly where you are through flexible program delivery (in person, hybrid and online).

If you haven’t stepped foot on the Willmar or Hutchinson campus in several years, you will find an environment that has modernized its physical footprint, academic offerings, and local industry integration. The college has actively evolved from a traditional commuter campus into a high-tech regional workforce hub.

We are glad you are here. We invite you to discover all that Ridgewater College has to offer and become part of a community dedicated to creating opportunities, changing lives, and building a stronger future together.

Cheryl Norman, President