A message from President Hanson

April 12, 2021

Yesterday, there was a police-involved shooting death of a Black man, Daunte Wright, after a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center. Many of us are reeling with a variety of emotions and responses, including grief, fear, or exhaustion.

I recognize the painful ways that this most recent shooting contributes to the lived experiences of people of color, and impacts our communities as a whole. I continue to call on all of us as individuals and as a community to reflect, identify, and root out systemic inequities that impact the lives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) folks in our college community, but also in our home communities.

As we continue the work of writing the colleges’ new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan in collaboration with our new Vice President, Brandyn Woodard, I am committed to centering DEI as a value, and not just an “add-on” - a way of being, and being in community with each other. Our students, colleagues and community need us to get this right.

The combined trauma of this latest incident with the continuing trial of Derek Chauvin may find you in need of support and resources to deal with the emotional enormity of this moment. Students, please consider reaching out to our counseling team. Faculty and staff, please consider reaching out to the Employee Assistance Program.

Take care,

Kent Hanson
President
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Anoka Technical College