Riverland Community College

1940: Austin Junior College

Austin Junior College opened on September 3, 1940. Enrollment was 138 freshmen, served by a faculty of five full-time and four part-time instructors.

1951: Austin Area Vocational-Technical School

The Austin Area Vocational-Technical School was established in Austin as part of the public school system in 1951. At that time, it had about 250 students, providing post high school training carpentry, farm equipment mechanics, welding, machine shop (tool and die), automotive mechanics, auto body rebuilding, industrial electronics, practical nursing, and cosmetology.

1966: Austin Junior College moves to new location, changes name to Austin State Junior College

In 1966, the college moved to a new campus, dedicated on January 29, 1967. Administrative offices moved to the new administration building in June 1966 and the institution opened for classes in September. There were about 850 students and a faculty of 40.

The school was officially renamed Austin State Junior College at that time.

1968: Albert Lea Area Vocational-Technical School established

Albert Lea was tentatively approved by the State Board of Education on September 30, 1968. It received final approval on November 4, 1968.

Wayne Broecker was the director of the AVTI at Albert Lea.

1971: Austin State Junior College Owatonna Extension Center opens

Classes started at Austin State Junior College Owatonna Extension Center on September 20, 1971.

1972: Austin Area Vocational-Technical School changes name to Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute

The school moved from various sites to a new Austin Area Vocational-Technical School in February-March 1972.

Along with all other "Area Vocational Technical Schools", by order of the state department of education, the name was changed to "Area Vocational-Technical Institute"

1985: Owatonna Higher Education Center opens

In 1985, Owatonna Higher Education Center opened. Riverland Community College had been operating in the Owatonna area for 13 years, primarily offering customized training for buiness and industry.

1991: Minnesota Riverland Technical College

Minnesota Riverland Technical College, District #2501, was formed on July 1, 1991, comprising the Austin, Faribault, and Rochester campuses and the Owatonna Technical Training Center.

1996: Riverland Community College established

Riverland Community College was established on July 1, 1996, by merger of Austin Community College (established in 1940 as Austin Junior College), Riverland Technical College–Austin (established in 1951 as Austin Area Vocational School) and Owatonna campuses, and South Central Technical College–Albert Lea (established in 1968 as Albert Lea Technical Education Center).

2001: Owatonna College and University Center

Classes began at Owatonna College and University Center (OCUC) on January 14, 2001. Riverland was at that time the host institution at OCUC. Classes were offered on the site by OCUC; Concordia University, St. Paul; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Southwest State University; University of St. Thomas; and South Central Technical College.

2008: The Owatonna College And University Center (OCUC) is acquired by Minnesota State

In December 2008, Minnesota State University acquired Owatonna College and University. The acquisition was allowed by a bonding bill signed into law in April of that year by Governor Tim Pawlenty.