A Message from our President

January 06, 2020

As we get ready to ring in a new decade, I am excited about the future of Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Our college is truly a special place, thanks to the support of our diverse community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local industry and educational partners.

I am proud of our collaborative community, and I believe it is one of the greatest strengths of our college. Strong community is essential to meeting the goals of our Strategic Plan, to:

• Commit to Student Success
• Promote Academic Excellence
• Foster a Vibrant Culture that Practices Equity and Inclusion
• Establish a Strong Reputation and Valuable Partnerships

To further these goals, the college launched Strategic Plan 2.0 this fall around the theme of communication. Effective and inclusive communication is important to all four goals of the Strategic Plan. I’ve challenged our community of faculty and staff to individually commit to strategies that will strengthen communication in their daily work. Some of these strategies include checking in with students individually, saying hello in the hallway, or having more face-to-face discussion.

Our community at the Coon Rapids Campus will also see exciting renovations this year, through a self-funded remodel of our Student Services and Educational Services area, as well as our library. The phased project will take about a year to complete, culminating in a reimagined Student Services area, easier and more welcoming way-finding for students, and an up-to-date library with group study spaces. We also have a bonding request for consideration at the legislature to completely renovate and modernize our Business and Nursing facilities at the Coon Rapids Campus.

As you’ll read in this issue, you will note that our community is engaged in new ways of moving the college forward. Whether through new program accreditation, expanding bachelor’s degree partnerships, making vital facility improvements or creating collaborative art, Anoka-Ramsey is preparing to meet the challenges of the upcoming decade.

Thank you for being part of our Anoka-Ramsey community, and I look forward to working with you in the new year ahead.