Story 7

Anoka-Ramsey leaves immense impact on former student.

            Every year more college students are looking to start their venture at a community college. It is becoming more common after finishing two years at a community college for those to transfer and further their education at a four-year school.

Matthew Narum, 21, is a prime illustration of a college transfer. “Anoka-Ramsey was a great help to where I’m at today,” Narum stated about his first years of his college mission.

Community college has stepped up in the last few years, and has been known for; getting an early start for High Schoolers’ on a college education, low effective costs and helping guide students to their next move.

“I was lucky enough to make the decision I did...when I did.” Narum says Anoka-Ramsey was helpfully to finding his career path, and even more so on how to progress from where he was at.

Matt Narum took his first year out of graduating Rogers High School, to Anoka-Ramsey, where he completed one year as a freshman. Narum is now at St. Cloud State University and has been since 2009.

Anoka-Ramsey: “It's a Great Place to Start.” According to the previous student, Matt Narum, the slogan couldn’t be more of a perfect fit for him.

Narum says, “St. Clouds my perfect suite, but I never would have known that or even given it a chance if Anoka-Ramsey didn’t direct me to that path.”

Matt Narum finished his senior with a 1.9 GPA. Struggling to find a school that would be accepting of his final GPA for the year, he felt he didn’t have much choice. Although Narum mentioned Anoka-Ramsey wasn’t one of his top choices, he also mentions, “I knew how I finished my senior year wasn’t what I was capable of, and getting a fresh start with as much help as possible was the best thing for me.”

“Anoka-Ramsey along with other community colleges never leaves anyone behind…,” says Matt’s mother, Nancy Narum. “…. and for that I am truly thankful.”

Matt Narum is now seeking to further a career in training. Narum claims after just one year at ARCC he was set on his future plans and there was no time to waste.

Anoka-Ramsey tries to makes it easier for students to transfer if that is what they choose, after all that is their goal to leave everyone as successful as they set out to be.

“It was a stressful process, but Anoka’s administration helped me as much as I let them,” Narum specified about his final decision about transferring from Anoka-Ramsey to St. Cloud State University.

            “I’m led to believe, Anoka-Ramsey is what made me realize what’s really important..,” Matt stated on his transformation to a small community college to a large University, “... what people don’t realize is you are given way more help with a smaller campus, and a majority of students take that for granted.”

According to Matt Narum, that’s what he misses what he left behind the most. “Leaving Anoka-Ramsey after just my first year, I didn’t get to experience all that ARCC had to offer me.” He claimed he’s never found better help and understanding as a student as Anoka’s faculty presented him.

            Nancy Narum declares, “I’m so proud, all the decisions he has made and given his (matt’s) situation, he turned it around for the best...”

            Matt Narum is looking to finish his education in the following spring of 2013. The what will be 23- year- old looks to follow in his same goal he had coming into St. Cloud State as training straight out of school.

 “Anoka-Ramsey Community College has changed my outlook on my future, and straightened out the path I was heading.”