As we close out an extraordinary year at 海角社区, I am proud to reflect on milestones that highlight our commitment to student success, community engagement and innovation. These achievements represent the heart of who we are as a college.
First, I am thrilled to share that NHCC has been recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 "Best for Vets: Colleges 2025" by Military Times. This marks the first time NHCC has participated in this prestigious ranking, and we earned a spot among 357 institutions nationwide, ranking third in Minnesota. This honor underscores our dedication to supporting military service members, veterans and their families.
Currently, more than 70 NHCC students use military-connected benefits, and our campus offers robust resources, including a Veterans Resource Center, specialized advising and partnerships with organizations like the VFW and Minnesota National Guard.
Dylan Rowinski, NHCC's military and veteran services coordinator, said, 鈥淢ilitary-connected students come here with a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. I鈥檓 proud that across our campus, we have services in place to support each of them from the moment they apply through graduation or transfer. This recognition reflects the work our entire college community does every single day to make NHCC a place where all military-connected students can thrive.鈥
Our commitment to equity was recognized by the City of Brooklyn Park, which awarded NHCC the 2025 Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award. This award honors organizations transforming the community through impact in promoting Black health and healing. Over the past year, we partnered with the city on events like Juneteenth, the Civic Engagement Series and Health on the Go.
Maurice O鈥橞annon, director of community impact, captured the significance of this honor: 鈥淎s an alum and someone who has worked in racial equity for years, it means a lot to be recognized for our college鈥檚 positive impact that cultivates community engagement.鈥
Our spirit of giving was on full display during the annual Nourish & Flourish Food Drive, where we collected an incredible 8,531 pounds of food from students, employees, and community members 鈥 more than double our goal of 3,700 pounds! In addition, thanks to our first-ever Giving Tree, 48 children of parenting students will receive gifts this holiday season.
Finally, we are excited to announce NHCC鈥檚 new Cybersecurity Certificate, a flexible, hybrid program designed to prepare students for entry-level roles in one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation. In just three semesters, students will gain hands-on skills to protect critical information systems, a vital need in today鈥檚 digital world.
At NHCC, these accomplishments reflect our unwavering mission of engaging students and changing lives. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building a brighter future.