Anoka-Ramsey faculty member recognized nationally for first-year student advocacy

March 10, 2022

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Communication Studies Faculty Member and First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator Heidi Croatt has been named a 2022 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

The award recognizes educators who exhibit exceptional work in the areas of student learning, development and success.

Since 2015, Dr. Croatt has served as Anoka-Ramsey’s FYE coordinator. Her impact on the program and student success is evident. The FYE program regularly has course success rates of 75% and a 2018 FYE program evaluation indicated that these students are being retained at a much higher rate (41.4%) versus those students that do not take an FYE course (28.6%).

“Heidi's focus is and always has been the student's experience and learning,” Anoka-Ramsey Dean of Academic and Community Outreach Shannon Kirkeide wrote in support of Dr. Croatt’s nomination.

“Paramount to any of her roles is how she can foster connections with students, support them at whatever place they arrive in her world, remove as many barriers as possible that may stand in their way, and provide an encouraging, seamless pathway forward for them to complete their goals.”

Read more about Dr. Heidi Croatt and Anoka-Ramsey’s FYE Program.