When Lea Ann Munkres began her first year as an advisor at Dallas College, she was unaware that her current role would be as the principal of Richland Collegiate High School. Earlier this year, it was announced that RCHS is set to close in August 2025. Munkres said she is focusing on making the current year memorable, with special events, such as a field trip to Group Dynamix.
Principal Munkres said her goal has been to consistently prioritize the needs of the students. This approach has been key to the school’s success. RCHS, a pioneer in dual-credit programs since 2006, has influenced many other educational institutions. The school emphasizes real-life skills and prepares students for college and the workforce, she said.
Q.) What are your biggest challenges during the closing period?
A.) Focusing on the positives and not really thinking about the closing portion of it. Since we are closing in August of 2025. Right now, we’re really focusing on, how do we make it the best year ever for our students. We came up with the students helping us come up with a little slogan for this year: Save the best for last.
And so, we’re really trying to make it a memorable year for them. For instance, we’ve never had any field trips off campus.
On our very first day of school, we took them to this place called Group Dynamix, and they were able to do team building exercises and really get to know one another and really build that camaraderie, you know, that you would see. We are focusing on what we can provide right now. I can’t really talk about challenges, because we haven’t really started, because we’re just starting school, and so we’re trying to focus on our students. The future for growth and development during the closing weeks, and the field trip. We are planning like it is a normal year. I was in a portable, the second year we opened in 2007. In 2008 they brought in a portable over by the tennis courts. Going from a portable to Red River Hall, you can imagine the excitement for our students. It’s just been amazing.
Q.) What is your greatest achievement personally at Richland Collegiate High School?
A.) Personally, Richland Collegiate High School is so different than any other dual kind of program. Our students are full time on a college campus, and they are intermixed with other college students right in college classes, apart from a few support classes. The students here are getting a full college experience while they’re still at home, right with their parents, where they get that additional support.
We are meeting the need that the college is talking about right now to teach them real life skills, be on time, to be respectful, all those soft skills they need to stand out when they’re applying for colleges and eventually the workforce. One of the greatest achievements you know of our students at Richland Collegiate High School. The people who work for, you know, government and doctors and all kinds of great things, counselors and nurses and teachers, entrepreneurs. But the greatest thing about Richland Collegiate High Schools, it’s the preparation that prepares them. And they just really excel when they go to college. They stand out because they know how to study, address faculty members, and stand out in the workplace is Richland Collegiate High School. Personally, for me, I’ve been here since the beginning. I am an original employee of Richland Collegiate High School. I started out as an academic advisor, which is now a success-coach, up into the superintendent, Executive Director. My greatest achievement is that RCHS students thrive. They must do something called a capstone project. They spend about a year and a half doing research on a real-world problem, whether it’s in their community or outside their community, and they come up with a solution, and then they present that to a panel of judges. The students must show how much they’ve grown academically, and then once they leave us all the different avenues they pursue and how they give back.
I am proud of all our students, that is my greatest achievement. I mean, personally, but for me, it’s just about the students always.
Q.) How do you measure success in your job, whether it’s for employees or students?
A.) Success is measured differently per individual. Dallas College has their own performance measures that they do. As an individual person, you look at your goals that you set for the school year and say: Did I attain those goals. And if I didn’t, how can I do better next year. It’s important for students’ success, students graduating on time, and if they’re wanting to go to go off to college and take it as many transferable credits as they can with them to the college, or if they’re going into a job that they’re prepared for the workforce. That’s how you measure student success. And you can go and say, well, I’m going to measure them based on a, B’s and C’s. That is a true measure, because you could have a student who’s making C’s who is going to thrive, you know, well out in the community.
Q.) What type of employees have been the most successful at RCHS?
A.) Student focused. And I think you know that’s important when you’re in education, and you hear me say it over and over, right. Students have been my focus. I believe you understand the importance of student focus in education, as you’ve likely heard me emphasize it repeatedly. Employees need to put students first. Sometimes, making decisions can be challenging. I have rules and regulations that the education agency outlines for me. And sometimes you’re like, Is that really in the best interest of the student. Well, maybe it’s not right now, but it is right in the future. When discussing security, the best practice to place security measures around elementary schools. Yes, ensuring their safety. My opinion, prioritizing students is crucial, as they are the ones who will thrive. This applies not only to Richland Collegiate High School, but also to Dallas College.
