Alumni Stories
Intriguing. Inspiring. Diverse.
As someone who walked the T-Building’s hallways to get to where you are today, you now hold the distinction of being a Minneapolis College alum. You are among tens of thousands of friends, each with their own Minneapolis College story to tell. You had big dreams here on campus and now, as accomplished alumni, you are transforming the companies and industries you work in and impacting the communities where you live.
What’s your Minneapolis College story?
Andrea applied to Minneapolis College in 2004 after “barely” graduating high school, admitting she wasn’t the best student as a teenager. That wasn’t the case once she began chasing her dreams on our campus. Choosing the Minneapolis College campus for its high-quality education, affordability, and downtown energy, Andrea excelled.
Kasim Abdur Razzaq was a star player on his high school's basketball team with multiple college athletic scholarships to choose from. Unfortunately, an injury during his senior year sidelined his dreams. Scholarship offers were rescinded, leaving him heartbroken and uncertain of his future. Kasim courageously picked up the pieces and decided to begin his academic journey at Minneapolis College.
Sarah Moe wasn’t always referred to as “Sarah Sleep.” She earned that nickname through her illustrious career in sleep technology, a career that started at Minneapolis College. With just one of 7 accredited Sleep Technology programs in the country, choosing Minneapolis College was a no brainer for Sarah, but this was after some soul searching.
Gadisa Berkessa’s story begins over 7,000 miles away from Minneapolis College in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.
Growing up with big dreams for himself, he applied for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program right after graduating high school and was one of 50,000 people from around the world chosen to immigrate to America. He soon found himself on a Minnesota adventure!
Landing in Minneapolis in 2006, he immediately enrolled at Minneapolis College to pursue a liberal arts transfer pathway, and was awarded the Wells Family Foundation Scholarship.
Our “Alumni Spotlight” segment takes us to Brooklyn, New York, where Ryan Young now calls home. Ryan grew up in South Minneapolis in a working class family. When it came time for college, Ryan chose Minneapolis College as a starting point his family could afford.
After earning his associate's degree, he transferred to the Carlson School of Management at the U of M where he briefly studied business writing before leaving to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. In the early 90's, he launched a cable public access channel where he hosted and produced "Metro Area Sports Wrap," covering regional high school and college athletics.
Caleb started his academic journey at Minneapolis College in 2008. Like many young adults, Caleb knew the only way to a high wage career was through a college degree, he just didn’t know what that degree would be in. He felt directionless.
The Power of You program, a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree for recent high school graduates, gave him the guidance he was seeking. With the financial support and the academic advising offered to him through Power of You, his dreams began to take shape. Caleb completed his associate degree in liberal arts at Minneapolis College.
Kyle's educational journey began 25 years ago. After graduating high school, she took classes part time while working as Sous Chef and raising her three daughters.
Today, Kyle is the Executive Director at Minneapolis Climate Action, a local group focusing on recycling and green initiatives.
What’s Your Story?
Tell us what you have been up to! Complete the alumni survey here or send an email to alumni.network@minneapolis.edu