Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges(GRAUC)

?? After 37 Years of Advocacy, GRAUC Prepares to "Pass the Torch"! As GRAUC (Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges) prepares to conclude its impactful journey, we’re thrilled to invite you to join us in celebrating an organization that has devoted 37 years to fostering higher education, connecting business with academia, and supporting workforce development in Rochester. Join us for "Passing the Torch," an evening to honor the legacy of GRAUC’s advocacy, transformational partnerships, and the positive change it has brought to our community. This event is a unique opportunity to gather with GRAUC supporters, community leaders, and partners who have helped shape Rochester’s educational landscape. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2023 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Location: Empire Event Center, Rochester, MN?? Registration Deadline: Thursday, November 7, 2023?? Cost: $25/person Please register here: https://lnkd.in/gwdv_YAy Together, we’ll celebrate GRAUC’s achievements, reflect on the stories that shaped our region, and inspire new advocates dedicated to building a strong, educated workforce. We hope to see you there as we honor GRAUC’s legacy and the vibrant community that made it possible. Confirm your attendance today and help us make this a memorable event!? Thank you to our event sponsors! Southeast Service Cooperative | Workforce Development, Inc. | HGA | Mayo Clinic | Rochester Community and Technical College | St. Mary's Unversity #GRAUC #HigherEducation #RochesterMN #CommunityLeadership #EducationAdvocacy

?? **Progress Update!** ?? We're excited to share that DIRTT Walls are being installed in our new flexible classroom space! This area is designed to support a wide range of activities, from debriefs and presentations to cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. ??? This innovative space will create opportunities to educate the next generation of healthcare providers, addressing critical gaps in healthcare training. It's all about preparing for the future while providing a state-of-the-art learning environment today! #InnovationInHealthcare #ARVR #SimulationTraining #HealthcareEducation #FutureHealthcare #CollaborativeLearning

?? Thrilled to have had GRAUC Interim Executive Catherine Davis represent the Collaborative Healthcare Simulation and Learning Center at the DMC Annual Meeting on the Discovery Walk! ?? She shared our vision and purpose for creating a community-owned Simulation Center aimed at addressing both current and future healthcare education needs. This project holds immense potential for supporting the development of the healthcare workforce and advancing education in our region. The excitement around this initiative continues to grow, and we are grateful to DMC for the opportunity to participate in this meaningful event. Together, we’re building a brighter future for healthcare education! ???? #HealthcareInnovation #SimulationEducation #DMCAnnualMeeting #Collaboration

Why a Sim Center? We often get asked this question. While Rochester has existing Sim Center spaces at Mayo Clinic, RCTC, and Winona State University-Rochester, much of that space is nearing capacity. Looking at future needs, the demand is clear: - Minnesota needs over 50,000 more healthcare professionals by 2030. - Clinic sites have been reduced due to staffing shortages. - 20% of nurses are over the age of 65. - Not all healthcare and education institutions have access to simulation spaces. To meet future demand, we need to build capacity now. Our Sim Center will provide space for anyone to use—allowing organizations to offer critical simulations for their students and employees. #Healthcare #Simulation #Innovation #WorkforceDevelopment #SimCenter

Who owns the Sim Center? GRAUC has a long history of convening partners around key projects. In 2020, GRAUC was asked to spearhead the development of a collaborative healthcare simulation center, and we are proud to lead this effort. From the beginning, the goal was for a collaborative group of partners—representing higher education, healthcare institutions, business, and economic development—to "own" the Sim Center. Currently, our Sim Center Board is providing direction for this exciting project. As it progresses, GRAUC will transition into a more behind-the-scenes role. A collaboratively owned Sim Center is an innovative concept, and there’s no better place for it than Rochester, a city known for its forward-thinking and innovation. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress. #Collaboration #HealthcareInnovation #SimCenter #HigherEducation #RochesterInnovation

Exciting progress is happening on the 1st Floor of the Massey Building! ?? Join us for a video tour of our new Sim Center space, featuring: --A multipurpose classroom designed with the innovative DIRTT system -- An acute care/hospital room complete with a headwall, hospital bed, and essential equipment -- Clinical setting rooms to enhance hands-on learning We're on track for a mid-October opening and are thrilled to be developing the next generation of healthcare professionals right here! #HealthcareEducation #SimCenter #InnovationInTraining #NextGenHealthcare

Exciting news! Remodeling has officially begun on our Sim Center prototype. We're creating a state-of-the-art care/hospital room and a multifunctional classroom designed for AR/VR simulations and clinical learning. Our target for opening is mid-October. Stay tuned for more updates! #HealthcareInnovation #SimulationTraining #ARVR

?? Big News! The Sim Center was recently featured in the Rochester Post Bulletin! The location has been identified on the 1st floor of the Massey Building, marking a major milestone in this exciting project. This center is a prototype of a larger vision, made possible through the collaborative efforts of higher education, healthcare institutions, private industry, and economic development organizations. It will provide state-of-the-art simulation experiences to both students and current healthcare employees, enhancing skills and preparing the workforce for the future of healthcare. We're aiming to open the prototype by mid-October 2024. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring this innovative space to life! You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gb2H2C6D #HealthcareInnovation #SimulationTraining #Collaboration #RochMN

?? Exciting Update from GRAUC! ?? We had an incredibly productive partnership meeting recently, where dedicated members discussed the insightful results of our recent partnership interviews. Together, we brainstormed recommendations for GRAUC's future ?? Currently, our Board of Directors is diligently analyzing and discussing these results and recommendations. Your voices matter, and we're committed to ensuring every perspective is heard as we plan our next steps. In light of this ongoing discussion and to ensure we can fully incorporate your valuable feedback, we've decided to postpone our annual celebration originally scheduled for June 4th. ?? But don't worry, we're already looking ahead to a vibrant Fall event that will unite our community in celebration! Stay tuned for further updates, and thank you for your unwavering support of GRAUC and our mission to advocate for Greater Rochester's universities and colleges. Together, we're making a difference! ?? #GRAUC #CommunityEngagement #HigherEducation ??

?? Exciting Updates from GRAUC! ?? ?? Next Partnership Meeting: Friday, April 26, 2024 Mark your calendars! Our next partnership meeting is on Friday, April 26th, from 7:30 AM to 9 AM at the Massey Building 1st Floor. Join us to shape GRAUC's future! ?? Save the Date: GRAUC Annual Celebration: Celebrate with us on Tuesday, June 4th, at the Wood Lake Meeting Center. Enjoy breakfast, hear inspiring stories, and honor this year's award recipients! ?? Nominations Open: Lamp of Knowledge Award: Know someone dedicated to higher education? Nominate them for the Lamp of Knowledge Award by May 8th. Click here to nominate: https://lnkd.in/g6UiVrWE ?? Applications Open: Workforce Innovator Grant: Apply now until May 10th for the Workforce Innovator Grant: https://lnkd.in/gRizzbYi Funding opportunities are available for projects enhancing post-secondary education and promoting partnerships between post-secondary education and other agencies/businesses/industries in the Rochester area! Stay connected with GRAUC on Linkedin and Facebook for updates. Let's shape the future together! ?? #GRAUC #HigherEducation #Innovation