Alumni & Donor Spotlight

“Century College opened up my whole life – so many doors opened!  Century took me in and gave me the opportunity,” Nursing alum Foua Vang enthuses.  “I was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years.  They gave me a chance and I ran with it.  I’m really appreciative!”

When the pandemic began in 2020, and the economy was hit hard, Maine designer David Stensland began looking for new opportunities.

When he was a teenager, Century College alum Russell Johnson channeled his creativity into cutting his designs into his friends’ and family’s hair.  After high school, he attended Barber School, and soon became a Master Barber. He went on to own barbershops in two Twin Cities locations.

“I love helping people and I love my job.  It makes me want to get up in the morning, and it’s my motivation in life,” Steve Mannie says.

“Coming to Century College was an easy decision.  I knew from other paramedics that Century had the best program in the state, and one of the only ones.”

Maddy Branch has always had a passion for helping people, and knew she wanted a career in health care,  “Education is important because healthcare is changing every day,” she notes. “It’s important to be knowledgeable.  With education, you can grow in connection with professors and peers. Education opens your horizons to different things.”

Catherine Gnali gives her absolute best in everything she does. “Anything that interests me, I take it on,” she says. ”I grow and learn, if I see anything of interest.”

Kat Larson, Century College’s 2022 Outstanding Student in Interior Design, knows that hard work, keeping one’s options open, and making professional connections can lead to a dream job.

Prior to her high school graduation, Vanessa Pliego originally planned to attend a four-year university; however, her sister, Cindy, now a Century College Criminal Justice alum, recommended the College. “Century College was affordable, close to home, and class sizes are small,” Vanessa says, “And those were the main factors in my decision to attend Century.”

As a teen, Century College alum Patrick Frost was always using a camcorder or camera to capture the world around him, but didn’t realize he could have a career doing what he loved.  

Taking one class in Interior Design was enough to spark Century College alum Tami Holsten’s interest in starting her own business.  Holsten, owner of Bear Trap Design, came to Century College initially because of the location, and the affordability factors.  

Nadina Beethe was teaching middle school engineering courses when she attended a biofabrication seminar at a Century College Open House.  She already knew about 3D printing when she landed her teaching job, and had also done research on biofabrication, but was curious to know more about these career fields.