Dr. Hunstiger comes to the position with a doctorate degree and nearly 30-years of experience in education, social services, leadership and management development. He has worked in both the private and public sectors and in law enforcement. For the past six years, he was the director of TRIO in New Mexico.

“I want Anoka-Ramsey to be innovative in serving youth in preparation for college,” says Hunstiger. “We [TRIO and Aspire programs] are here to help people dream in the direction of college.”

Dr. Hunstiger is no stranger to making dreams come true. His own dream was to be an Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling. He practiced the sport through high school and college, competing internationally, and took a bronze medal in the Junior Olympics. He also trained for the 1980 Olympics.

At the Cambridge Campus, Hunstiger will oversee the TRIO-Upward Bound program, which serves about 50 students from three Cambridge area high schools. The program seeks to provide a positive learning environment and facilitate the academic success of its participants. Services include academic advising, career counseling, tutoring, workshops, cultural activities and social events. Students also receive assistance with issues pertaining to graduation, transfer and the financial aid application process.

TRIO is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. First generation students and students of moderate income are eligible to participate. TRIO programs were originally funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to help students overcome class and social/cultural barriers to complete their college education.

The Aspire program serves about 75 Anoka-Ramsey students. The program seeks to maximize a student's connection to the college through small class sizes, ongoing collaboration with a program advisor and team-teaching environments as they complete the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

For more information about TRIO-Upward Bound and Aspire at the Cambridge Campus, contact Hunstiger at 763.433.1942.