Another hallmark of Sterling’s community engagement is its host family program, which connects students with local families. “We have families who essentially adopt students,” Rich adds.“They invite them for home-cooked meals, laundry days, or simply a place to belong. Over time, many of these relationships become lifelong.” With students representing more than 30 countries and 37 states, the program helps bridge distance and fosters a sense of home for those far from family. FACILITIES DESIGNED FOR PARTNERSHIP A strong sense of partnership also shapes Sterling College’s approach to its physical campus, with facilities designed to support both the institution and the broader community. Rather than operating in isolation, the college views its spaces as shared assets that help strengthen long-standing local relationships. “Our facilities are very much a combined effort,” Rich says.“The community is always invited to use them.” The college’s indoor pool is open to residents during the winter months, and Sterling maintains a decadeslong partnership with the local public school district, USD 376, sharing football, track, and field facilities. Rich notes that these cooperative arrangements reflect a mutual commitment to serving students at every stage of their education and continue to grow stronger over time. That collaborative spirit extends naturally into academics. RAISING THE BAR WITH DUAL ENROLLMENT Sterling College’s relationship with local school districts is particularly strong in dual credit and concurrent enrollment. “We treat concurrent enrollment faculty as our own,” Rich explains. “They attend our trainings, receive faculty IDs, and teach to the same standards and learning outcomes.” In addition, Sterling places a significant number of student teachers in the local district, many of 24 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 02
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