Scholarships Provide Financial & Emotional Support

January 06, 2020

Ashley Mages began attending Anoka-Ramsey in 2009 as a PSEO student, and shortly after became a young, single mother. She had her eyes set on attending the University of Minnesota when she graduated high school but she was not initially accepted. Instead, she stayed at Anoka-Ramsey and immersed herself in college life, attending both the Cambridge and Coon Rapids campuses, and becoming involved with the Math Club, the Inkspot newspaper, the Engineering Club and the Swing Dance Club. She also served as a math tutor.

One major factor that helped her stay on course to achieve her dream was support from both college foundations. She received the Cambridge Campus Dean Scholarship (2010-2011) and the Coon Rapids Campus Kopp Family Scholarship (2011-2012). Childcare for her young daughter, Elanor (Ellie) was at times challenging, but the financial and the emotional support from the foundation demonstrated how much people believed in her. Ashley finished her degree at Anoka-Ramsey in 2011 and transferred as an upperclassman into the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Mechanical Engineering.

“Receiving those scholarships was a huge motivator for me,” Ashley shared. “It eased my financial burden and, as a single mother going to school and delivering pizzas, the support of Anoka-Ramsey meant a lot to me.”

Since graduating from the University of Minnesota, Ashley has worked as an Electrical Automation Engineer. “I get to design, program (with PLCs) and debug systems for different customers. I always learn new things and no day is like another,” Ashley said.

Her daughter Ellie is nearly 10 years old now as Ashley prepares to embark on a new educational journey—a master’s degree program in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on Embedded Systems and Internet of Things at the University of St. Thomas.

“The level of education I received at Anoka-Ramsey was phenomenal, and provided a firm foundation for my understanding of math, physics, and other core engineering topics. When my Anoka-Ramsey peers and I transferred to a four-year university, we knew our stuff!”

Ashley’s schedule remains busy with work, volunteering, assisting with STEM activities in the community and being an Anoka-Ramsey donor.

“The community at Anoka-Ramsey is amazing,” Ashley concluded, “The instructors were very helpful and available. I still keep in contact with them and my peers. I hope to sponsor a scholarship one day so I can help someone just as I was helped.”

Learn more about foundation scholarships or make a donation at AnokaRamsey.edu/about-us/foundations-alumni