Randy Wade, Ph.D., department head of RCC’s Business Technology Department, joined the college faculty in 1985.
“Community colleges are near and dear to my heart,” Wade said. “When I got out of the Navy, I began my post-secondary education at a community college in Kansas, and it was fantastic.
“I’ve also taught at the university and college levels, and what I love most about community colleges is how they help students improve their lives and reach their goals.”
Wade was the 2003 recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
He holds a doctorate in Organization and Management from Capella University in Minneapolis, and received his MBA from Oral Roberts University. Wade earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in business at Allen County Community College, Iola, Kan.
He has taught at Kansas’ Emporia State University and served as an adjunct instructor at Southern Oregon University.
Early college credit gave business student a head start
When Brice Helm graduated from Grants Pass High School in 2008, he had already earned 19 credits through the Rogue Community College Early College Credit (2+2) program.
With more than a term’s worth of courses completed, he enrolled last fall at RCC’s Redwood Campus to take business and general education classes while preparing for transfer to a four-year university
“I wasn’t quite ready to leave home,” Helm said, “and Rogue is much more financially reasonable.” As a recent area high school graduate, he was eligible for and received 6 credits free by registering for 12 credits. A $1,000 Juan Young Trust Scholarship from the RCC Foundation helps cover other costs, such as books and fees. And for serving as the RCC’s student government intramural sports coordinator, Helm receives an additional tuition waiver.
Helm, 19, selected RCC because he wanted to get involved quickly in student life. “The smaller community feeling at RCC lets you get to know people faster,” he noted. “Student government is a great opportunity to learn leadership skills and be part of a group doing good work.” He is helping start a business club at Rogue that plans to establish internships with local businesses, providing students on-the-job experience. The first generation in his family to pursue a college degree, Helm has compiled a 3.9 GPA.
“The best thing about RCC is the really great teachers,” he said, noting that Randy Wade, head of the Business Technology Department, has been particularly helpful advising him with class scheduling. “I took his business law class,” Helm said. “I appreciate how he applies real world life examples, has a great sense of humor, and is available outside class to answer questions.”
The biggest challenge facing Helm in college is time management. “The homework load is a lot more time consuming than high school. There’s much more reading,” he said. Managing his own time, however, is not new for Helm. Before attending RCC he had been home schooled most of his life.
When he began attending high school, he entered GPHS as a junior. He had to scramble to make up the credits needed to graduate while also finding time to run hurdles for the school track team. Helm, who plans to major in management or marketing at the University of Oregon or Oregon State, says his goal is to own his own business someday. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “I love the idea of coming up with new ideas and working for myself.”
Have a story idea for the website?
Please let us know.
