First-generation college student named president of Lake CollegeSuperior

By Andrea Busche

OnJuly 1, 2019, the transition was complete: Dr. Patricia L. Rogers officially became president of Lake Superior College, upon the retirement of former president Dr. Patrick Johns. Until this promotion, Rogers had served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Winona State University, roles she had held since 2013.

Rogers brings much to the table. In addition to her high levels of education and professional achievement, she hails from a working-class background. Her humble upbringing helps her relate to the obstacles facing many college students today, including income instability and the struggle to locate resources related to college applications and other logistics.

Rogers is a first-generation college student in her own family, yet today she finds herself in the prestigious role of college president. Between the knowledge and experience found at both ends of the spectrum, Rogers will likely be a natural conduit between students and faculty, and thus a great fit for the role of president.

North Saint Paul

Rogers grew up in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the youngest of three children. At the time, North Saint Paul was a rural setting, with lots of open fields. Rogers’ father was a factory worker at the Whirlpool Corporation, and her mother worked as a clerk at Woolworth’s.

Rogers explained a bit more about her humble beginnings. “My dad had a 6th grade education, and my mom had a high school education. I really come from a working poverty background.”

Although her parents couldn’t help her pay for college, they helped Rogers in other ways. “My parents knew that reading was very important, and education is key. They told me, ‘We have no idea how to help you apply for college, and we can’t pay, but we can give you room and board.’”

Rogers was a high achiever, academically. Thus, she earned grants and scholarships to help pay for her education. She also worked hard throughout her college years; she was a clerk at a convenience store, worked at campus football games, and even joined her dad at Whirlpool over the summers, where she helped make vacuums and freezers.

But her true interests were the arts: drawing, painting, and photography. She also wanted to teach. In 1979, Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Grad school and other work

After college graduation, Rogers had trouble finding a permanent teaching position. She worked as a substitute teacher for a time, and ultimately ended up returning to school to earn her master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction.

Concurrent with her graduate studies, Rogers became involved with the Teacher Corps, a program for brand-new teachers, which focused on issues such as inclusion and diversity. The Teacher Corps not only helped pay for her master’s degree, but Rogers also earned a stipend to boot.

Permanent teaching positions were still hard to come by, however, due to budget cuts and massive layoffs in the public-school system. Rogers spent some more time subbing, in addition to taking on other odd jobs doing commercial color checking and precision grinding. “You really meet some marvelous people at all of these places,” she said.

Eventually, she got a job at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus, working on a variety of scientific and medical studies. From 1986 to 1996, she served here as the co-leader of the health studies unit in the division of environmental and occupational health.

But teaching was still in her blood. “In about year six, I realized I needed a Ph.D. to continue in this field,” Rogers said. “And what was calling me was still education.”

Ph.D. and an entry into academia

Rogers applied for, and received, a prestigious Getty Fellowship, which helped her pay for the expenses associated with completing her dissertation. She earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, and prepared to move into an academic setting. From 1996 to 2006, she worked Continued on page 8 at Bemidji State University, first as an assistant professor, then an associate professor, and later, a full professor with tenure.

From 2006 to 2007, she took leave from BSU to serve as the founding dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies at Valley City State University in North Dakota. Rogers returned to BSU from 2007-13 as the founding dean of health sciences and human ecology and the school of graduate studies. And then, as previously noted, Rogers served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Winona State University, from 2013 until her new placement as president of LSC.

Boards and other accolades

Rogers is a Fulbright Scholar, and completed her studies in Iceland. She has participated in the Higher Education Resource Services program at Wellesley College, and attended the “Becoming a Provost” academy through the American Association for State Colleges and Universities.

She currently serves on several boards, for organizations including: Arts Change the World, the Great River Shakespeare Festival, and Winona County Historical Society. She plans to continue her participation in civic duties as she settles in to Duluth, as well.

“I’m hoping to be visible and involved in the Duluth community, too,” Rogers said. “I’m talking to several people to help figure out which organizations would be a good fit.”

Move to Duluth

In late June, Rogers and her wife, Wendy Larson, a retired editor, made the move to Duluth. They purchased a home in the Congdon neighborhood, and are settling in nicely with their two rescue dogs, Kenzie and Riley.

Both Rogers and Larson are looking forward to plenty of outdoor adventures, including hiking and snowshoeing. “My snowshoes have gathered dust,” Rogers said with a laugh. “I’m looking forward to taking them out again.”

Rogers is eager to jump into her role as president of Lake Superior College. And Lake Superior College, along with the entire Minnesota State system, believes this placement will be a good fit.

“Lake Superior College is performing well and is moving in the right direction,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State, in a recent press release. “The challenge for the next president will be to build on this solid foundation, deepen and enhance the work, and accelerate the impact Lake Superior College has on the community and the broader region. In Dr. Rogers, I am confident that we have found the next leader who will, through authentic, open, and collaborative leadership, develop a shared vision and a shared responsibility to execute the vision, and will lead the college to even greater heights.”

From the classroom to the workplace

Lake Superior College is an excellent place to learn a trade and gain an excellent education. The college also helps their students connect with businesses right here in our community to find a job placement upon graduation. With this in mind, Rogers is anticipating getting back in touch with her working-class roots.

“Knowing LSC’s relationship with the community, and their efforts to meet the needs of the local workplace, I knew it would be a good fit,” she said. “Education is the key. With my background, you can see where my philosophy comes from.

“I feel very grateful and humbled as to how everything fell into place,” Rogers added. “I’m going to give this role everything I have.” D