Rhine best for presidency

After a careful examination of both presidential candidates, it’s clear to me that Randy Rhine has a distinctive advantage in shaping a vision for Chadron State College’s future. Unlike Guy Mills, Rhine has been establishing working relationships and shaping CSC through years of dedicated service. While both men provided visions of the college’s future, Rhine provided the best articulated and informed vision to continue to grow CSC into a world-class academic institution.

Informed through years of hard work and understanding of the community and the unique campus environment, Rhine’s approach to the future is one that is tailored specifically to the needs and identity of CSC. Unlike Mills, Rhine, through his years of work in reshaping student services and re-imagining CSC, has a better understanding of what will and will not work here at CSC.

I would strongly encourage all students to read “Re-imagining Education at Chadron State College: A Plan for the 21st Century” available online on the CSC website. This document describes how CSC could streamline its services to better serve its students. The creation of the START Office, a “one-stop shop,” was one of the key products in this plan. Rhine has demonstrated his ability to build team environments focused on supporting students. This is the type of leadership that students and the college need.

What I truly admire about Rhine’s vision for the future is that it is one truly inspired by CSC. Recently during a meeting with CSC support staff, Rhine was asked for his approach on student retention. Instead of providing a generic answer filled with common educational theory, Rhine invited an open conversation about defining student retention at CSC.

Instead of using some outside standard, Rhine called upon the members of CSC to define what student retention here at CSC should mean and what goals the college should have. I believe this call from Rhine to tailor this concept to the needs of CSC demonstrates his unique understanding of this college.

He didn’t establish some random goal or appeal to outside standards but challenged the college to define its own standards unique to our community. With definition and standards born within the CSC Community, the level of investment and dedication to these standards would be significantly higher than some imposed outside standard. I believe this example demonstrates Rhine’s skill and leadership in encouraging the college to define its own excellence.

While Mills appears to have greatly benefited at his two-year technical institution through the use of innovation and technology, I believe he will have an uphill battle switching to a four-year institution. There is a significant difference in teaching individuals a technical profession at a two-year college, and forging the future community leaders and innovators at a four-year institution. While Mills has valuable experiences, I question how much of this experience is applicable to the needs and desires of CSC.

Even if these two men were determined to be equally qualified for the position, CSC would greatly benefit in the retention of Rhine as president. Mills would have to spend months trying to establish the trusting relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the community that Rhine already enjoys. But most importantly, Rhine has already demonstrated his leadership capability and ability to shape the campus for the better through his years of service.

While many great ideas and innovations never leave the concept stage, Rhine has proven his ability to execute on thoughts and ideas. With all the recent political elections promises, I think we can all agree that many present bright shining visions for the future but few are willing or able to execute their plans upon securing their desired positions.

I will admit that I am biased toward Rhine. This bias is born from a wealth of positive experiences with dealing with him on a daily basis. To Rhine, for the care that he has placed in the CSC students; for the dedication he has demonstrated to American Veterans; and for the trust he has placed in me, I offer my undying loyalty.

I look forward to continuing to help shape and build a brighter and more prosperous CSC under his skilled leadership.