New Seamless Transfer Partnership announced Between Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Augsburg College

Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Augsburg College announce the Auggie plan, a new affordable way for Anoka-Ramsey prospective and current students to continue their higher education at Augsburg. From left to right: Brian Wolloum, Director of Advising and Veteran Services (Anoka-Ramsey); Senator Jerry Newton of District 37; Lisa Harris, Dean of Student Affairs (Anoka-Ramsey); Brenda Cassellius, Commissioner of K-12 Education; Deidra Peaslee, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs (Anoka-Ramsey); Ron Blankenship, Director of Adult Undergraduate Program (Augsburg); Catherine Bishop, Chief Student Success Officer (Augsburg); Shannon Kirkeide, Dean of Academic and Community Outreach (Anoka-Ramsey); Larry Pogemiller, Commissioner of Higher Education; Pa Dao Yang, Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions (Augsburg); Paul Pribbenow, Ph.D., President (Augsburg); Karen Kaivola, Provost and Chief Academic Officer (Augsburg); Don Lewis, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs (Anoka-Ramsey); Jeff McGonigal, Associate Superintendent of Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools; Beth Reissenweber, Vice President of Finance and Administration (Augsburg); Michael Werner, Post-Secondary Planning Coordinator at Irondale High School; and President Kent Hanson (Anoka-Ramsey)

February 23, 2017

Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Augsburg College announced the new Auggie Plan—an affordable, seamless pathway to earning a two-year associate’s degree from Anoka-Ramsey and then transferring to Augsburg College to finish a bachelor’s degree—during a kickoff event, Feb. 15.

The Auggie Plan guarantees admission to Augsburg by Anoka-Ramsey students who complete 60 credits and maintain a 2.75 GPA. Auggie Plan participants also have access to Anoka-Ramsey and Augsburg college advisors as soon as they start at Anoka-Ramsey, which provides students the extra support and guidance needed to progress and complete a bachelor’s degree within four years.

Numerous key players in the partnership spoke at the kickoff event, which provided details on the plan and how students can take advantage of a new affordable option to attend Augsburg College.

Deidra Peaslee, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Anoka-Ramsey explained how student success is one of the reasons Anoka-Ramsey was named one of the Top 10 Community Colleges in the U.S.; the Auggie Plan will allow the college to continue and elevate its commitment to student success.

“As a community college it is our job to make sure all students succeed, and we can’t do it alone; we need partners,” said Peaslee.

The Commissioner of K-12 Education, Brenda Cassellius and the Commissioner of Higher Education, Larry Pogemiller—further into the event—thanked Anoka-Ramsey and Augsburg for, being innovative in their partnership.

“This is creating more and more opportunities for kids rather than barriers, and changes the conversation about how students can attend college; going to a community college doesn’t make you less than those attending a four-year university but it’s a step towards achieving a four-year degree,” said Cassellius.