Workforce Development Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS CHANGE LIVES

BRAULIO CESAR ARCEO-MENDOZA

My name is Braulio Cesar ArceoMendoza, but people call me Leo. I am a 2019 Apple Valley High School graduate but was born in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. At the age of 2, my parents and I came to the United States in search of a new start and specifically a better life for me. My first language was Spanish, but I quickly became fluent in English through the E.L.L program in elementary school. I am normally the person that likes to have a laugh or make other people happy even if my day hasn’t been the best and I think that is the reason that people tend to gravitate toward me. I am very involved in several clubs at DCTC - Student Senate and MSLA (Multicultural Student Leadership Association).

For my future, I wish to grow exponentially and be successful. My major is Graphic Design and I chose it because from a young age I have always loved drawing and thinking of stories for movies. One day I dream that I will work for a big animation studio like Toei or Pixar.

I do not have a very good income working at a part-time job, but I do not wish to go into a full-time job because I want to focus all my time and energy on my education. My parents cannot afford to pay for my college because of their low education and inability to find a better wage. There is currently no one in my family that has gone to college, much less graduated from college. I am the first to attend college and graduate with, at least, an associate’s degree. My scholarships, the David Lindberg Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Rhodes Family Endowment Scholarship, have helped me afford not just tuition but also gas money, household bills, and medical bills.

Thank you for providing students like myself with generous scholarship support!

KATIE DUOOS

My name is Katie Duoos and I’m from Prior Lake, Minnesota. I graduated from Prior Lake Senior High School and I’m a huge Minnesota Twins fan. My family includes my Mom – Cindy, Dad – Dan, Stepmom – Peggy, and Brother – Matt. Several years ago, I was living with chronic back pain that caused me to be out of the workplace for many years. I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and have had multiple surgeries since then to lessen the pain. Every day was a challenge, but I started to manage my pain through living a healthier lifestyle. Once my health improved, it became apparent that I needed to further my education and find a purpose. semesters. I am utilizing the tutoring program and I am a member of TRIO. I have attended the Strengths Based Leadership Program and I volunteer my time outside of school whenever the opportunity arises. Once I earn my degree, my goal is to find a career in Software Development where I will be able to give back to others with my time and knowledge.

My education is my number one priority, and I am willing to put all of my time and effort towards achieving my degree. I put this [scholarship] support to good use by paying for books, school supplies, and a much-needed desk and chair. You have taken a lot of financial burden off of me.

Like many, I’m a first-generation college student and completed 31 credits last year while maintaining a 3.98 GPA. I am an active member of our Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and have made the President’s List for the past five consecutive Thank you!

Katie, recipient of Thomson Reuters Scholarship & Dakota Electric Association Scholarship I wanted to express my deep gratitude for picking me to be one of the recipients of the Upskill @ Inver scholarships for the Winter 2021 term. This scholarship has had a significant impact on my career.

As a stay-at-home dad I have been out of the workforce for ten years, and I was uncertain that I wanted to return to my previous career. This scholarship helped me try out some classes from outside my area of expertise, and I have enjoyed them so much that I now plan to embark on a new career path as a K-12 art teacher. Your generosity has literally changed my life, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate that. I also wanted to share that while I received my bachelor’s degree from an expensive liberal arts school. I find the instruction at Inver Hills to be a better value for the money. My instructors are excellent, and I have received topnotch assistance from the support staff. You should feel very proud of the quality of education your college provides, and I am certain to promote your school to others.

Thanks again for the meaningful ways you help students.

ASHLEY NEIL

There is not a single day that goes by that I do not secretly say “thank you” to all the benefactors that graciously gave me scholarships to attend Inver Hills Community College’s Paralegal Program. I cannot begin to express my sincerest gratitude to Dakota Electric and Anytime Fitness for their support in helping me to obtain my paralegal certificate.

Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to work in the legal field. My lifelong dream has always been to become an attorney, but mounting school loans from my undergraduate degree and constant medical bills have always impeded my path. Today, my dream has become a reality. I may not be an attorney, but I am now a corporate paralegal, working in Asset Management Law for Thrivent Financial.

At the time I was enrolled in my paralegal courses, I was facing a large amount of medical bills, student loan debt and a severe hospital-acquired infection. I was unable to pay for groceries, text books, or even a simple notebook to take notes in. Each semester I desperately prayed that I would receive a scholarship from the college, because there was no other way that I could attend my classes. And each semester, a miracle letter would arrive in my email, stating I had received yet another scholarship. Those scholarship letters are the sole reason why I can now buy groceries and begin to pay off my medical and student loan bills.

I graduated as a Phi Theta Kappa member with a 3.82 GPA. This is all due in part because someone gave me a chance and extended a helping hand in the form of scholarships. I am elated and profoundly humbled to have received incredible scholarships that have paved the way towards a better life.

Provide the invaluable gift of higher education through scholarships, emergency assistance, food support, and more. With your help, DCTC & IHCC students can reach their goals and find success! Give now at: dctc.edu/give inverhills.edu/giving

BLUE KNIGHTS ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT: JORDYN BREITBARTH

2016 GRADUATE EARNING DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AT BRIAR CLIFF

Jordyn Breitbarth graduated from Dakota County Technical College in May 2016 with her Associate of Science (A.S.) in Individualized Studies. Jordyn focused her studies on Exercise & Sport Science coursework. She also played two seasons (2014–2015 and 2015–2016) for the Blue Knights softball (OF, SS) and women’s soccer (GK) teams.

After graduating from DCTC, Jordyn attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she played NCAA DII softball for the Wildcats in the NSIC Conference. She played for two seasons (2017 and 2018), excelling on the field and in the classroom. Jordyn credits her time competing as a Blue Knight as the catalyst that helped her thrive in the NCAA. Today, Jordyn is completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) at Briar Cliff University, a private, Franciscan liberal arts university in Sioux City, Iowa.

“I just started my third year,” she said, “which consists of clinical rotations at various locations in the Midwest. Right now, I’m leaning towards being an acute care physical therapist. This would consist of working in a hospital setting and potentially working with patients who just came out of surgery, patients who suffered from strokes, or patients who have infections such as pneumonia and have suffered from general deconditioning.”

“Jordyn is a very gifted athlete who has always striven to be the best. She has always competed hard both on the field and in the classroom.

”She will achieve at the highest level!

Tom Cross

Head Softball Coach | Assistant Director of Student Life Dakota County Technical College Originally from Hilo, Hawaii, a city of nearly 44,000 residents on the Big Island and located at the base of Mauna Loa, an active shield volcano, Jordyn graduated from Hilo High School, Class of 2014.

“Jordyn was an outstanding player and a leader on and off the field. She always gave her best effort and was a leader by example. She was looked up to by the ”coaches and her teammates.

Mark Obarski

Women’s Head Soccer Coach | Men’s Head Soccer Coach Dakota County Technical College

“I love the diversity of Hawaii,” she said. “There is diversity in the people—locals like to call it a ‘mixed plate’ of ethnicities. There is diversity in the land and climates; you can drive from the black-sand beaches to the snow on top of Mauna Kea in a matter of hours. And despite all the diversity, there is a strong sense of community in Hawai’i, and I know I’ll always have people in my corner back home. I’m looking forward to the day that I can give back to the community that raised me.”

Jordyn got married in June 2021. Her husband, Jared Guthrie, is a fleet manager at K&B Transportation.

“We met at Wayne State College and got married in Wayne, Nebraska, as well,” Jordyn said. “COVID cancelled our original wedding plans of having it back home in Hilo. It’s only fitting that our original Caribbean honeymoon plan got cancelled, too.”

For their honeymoon, Jordyn and Jared opted to go on a 3,000mile road trip across six states, visiting numerous national and state parks. They reside with their two cats, Winston and Winona, in South Sioux City, Nebraska.