Anoka-Ramsey up for prestigious award

Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s student-focus, teaching excellence and research opportunities, and low-cost tuition, which have been regionally well-known for years, have launched the college into a top 10 finalist spot for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s preeminent recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges.
The $1 million prize, awarded every two years since 2011, recognizes outstanding institutions selected from an original pool of more than 1,000 public community colleges nationwide. The prize will be awarded in March 2017 in Washington, D.C., to the winner and up to four finalists with distinction.
“You might ask, ‘Why Anoka-Ramsey?’ and I proudly say, it’s our people,” says Anoka-Ramsey President Kent Hanson, upon hearing of the distinction.
Hanson credited the school’s faculty, staff and students and an unwavering commitment to student success as well as its community support system from those who donate to scholarships to local legislators who support its funding to business leaders who share insights and advice and often hire the graduates.