Community Newsletter

Browse stories to learn more about how our students, faculty, alumni and partners continue to inspire and connect.

2026 Anoka-Ramsey newsletter

Message from President Kent Hanson

As Anoka-Ramsey Community College celebrates its 60th anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to reach this milestone. For six decades, our college has been a home for discovery, a launchpad for opportunity and a community where people come together to build brighter futures with resilience and creativity.

Our commitment to changing lives through education is visible every day in our diverse academic offerings, affordable tuition, unique undergraduate research, excellent faculty and the curiosity that drives learning across our campuses. Our role as a comprehensive community college means we are deeply connected to the people and places around us, and to sustaining partnerships that benefit our collective communities. From K–12 collaborations to community arts initiatives, these relationships enrich our campuses and expand opportunities for students. As education extends beyond the classroom, we also continue to invest in student activities, athletics, and leadership development that help our students discover their passions and open doors to new opportunities.

This issue of our newsletter features many examples of the ways Anoka-Ramsey cultivates opportunity for our students, employees and our surrounding community. You’ll learn about the 10-year anniversary of the college’s OSCARS program, showcasing outstanding scholarly and the Science and Art Night hosted at our Cambridge Campus. You’ll see how the college is growing enrollment and improving student retention and success. You’ll get a glimpse of the expansive art collection on the Coon Rapids Campus and how these pieces capture our past, present and future. And you’ll hear directly from our students about ways they are forging interdisciplinary study into their programs.

As we honor 60 years of teaching and learning, I am grateful to every person who has shaped our story as a college. Together, we will continue to offer academic opportunities and community partnerships to build the next 60 years of possibility.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable Anoka-Ramsey community.