Riverland Community College is a step above many Minnesota colleges when it comes to diversity.

Enrollment of new students from traditionally underrepresented groups increased by 22 percent at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) this fall. Riverland posted an increase of 27.5 percent, according to a report released by MNSCU Thursday.

Underrepresented higher education student groups include students of color, low-income students and students whose parents did not attend college.

“We have several programs that have really opened the doors to underrepresented students… They are efforts to break down those barriers that so often prevent students from enrolling in, or completing college,” said Dr. Ron Langrell, executive vice president of Riverland Community College.

Those initiatives include “Be Your Best,” an award-winning preparatory summer academy at Riverland that is in its third year.

Be Your Best offers a jump start to college for young people between the ages of 16 and 22 — offering free college credits, tutoring and advising.

“The focus is to develop advanced knowledge in reading, writing, math, communications and successful college and career planning,” Dr. Langrell said.

Be Your Best won the 2009 MNSCU Award for Innovation in Diversity.

Dr. Langrell also credits opportunity and access grants for helping increase the schools ability to reach and retain underrepresented students.

MNSCU schools have been working to improve enrollment and retention of underrepresented students with an $11 million-per-year initiative called “Access, Opportunity and Success,” since the fall of 2007, according to MNSCU.

The program provides funds to institutions to expand services that have proven to be effective.

Riverland also works with Workforce Development, Inc. to provide workforce education for dislocated workers, including in the industries of health care and transportation.

Workforce Development, Inc. is an independent non-profit agency that works to advance the workforce in Southeast Minnesota through educational centers.

Riverland also partners with Austin schools via integration programs and success coaches, working together to facilitate the transition from high school to college.

MNSCU finds that the most successful practices are those that aid students in the steps from high school to college.

“We have seen very positive impacts from these, and we are beginning to see a positive economic impact locally, ” Dr. Langrell said.

Five years ago less than five percent of Riverland’s student body was considered made up of underrepresented groups, he said.

“We want to improve our services to the community we serve,” Dr. Langrell said of Riverland’s diversity initiatives.

He added that more than 50 percent of students in Austin’s kindergartens are from underrepresented groups.

“Training and education leads to career success, a living wage, and the ability to further contribute to the community,” he said.

MNSCU produces 33,5000 graduates annually, of which 80 percent stay in Minnesota to work or continue their education, according to MNSCU.

Statewide, the number of new students of color increased by 16 percent, new first-generation college students increased by 21 percent and new students eligible for Pell grants increased by 37 percent, according to MNSCU.

Pell grant eligibility is usually determined by family income levels.

“It is gratifying that we are making some notable progress, but we still are a long way from eliminating the achievement gap that separates low-income and minority students from others,” MNSCU Chancellor James H. McCormick said in a news release.

MNSCU is comprised of 32 state universities and community and technical colleges in Minnesota. Five schools had a higher increase in underrepresented student enrollment than Riverland.