2017 All-Minnesota Academic Team

Cheryl Brogger and Israel Gray represent DCTC

Israel Gray and Cheryl Brogger, students at Dakota County Technical College, were recognized as members of the 2017 All-Minnesota Academic Team at a celebration and luncheon at the Gorecki Center on the College of St. Benedict campus in St. Joseph, Minnesota, Friday, March 24, 2017. Presented by Minnesota Community and Technical Colleges, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the event honored the academic, leadership and service achievements of students at two-year colleges across the state.

Cheryl Brogger

Cheryl Brogger

Cheryl Brogger is a nontraditional student in her sophomore year at DCTC. Cheryl is pursuing dual A.A.S. degrees in the Executive and Administrative Assistant and Medical Administrative Assistant programs. She plans to graduate spring 2017.

Cheryl works as a part-time office manager at her faith community and as a part-time administrative assistant for DCTC Student Life. She serves as president of Student Senate and has been nominated as Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) Student Leader of the Year. She is active as an officer in the Phi Theta Kappa Beta Theta Tau chapter at DCTC and belongs to Business Professionals of America (BPA). She took home several awards at the 2017 BPA College Division State Leadership Conference (SLC) competitions and has advanced to the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Orlando, Florida, in May.

Residents of Dennison, Minnesota, Cheryl and her husband, Neil, have two sons, Eivind, 12, and Kyle, 10. Their three daughters, Amanda, Samantha and Stephanie, are married and have provided Cheryl and Neil with 10 grandchildren.

Cheryl loves to read, travel and watch her sons play sports. She is contemplating earning her bachelor’s degree after graduating from DCTC. Her plans include finding a full-time position with a smaller company, but she is very flexible in her job search. DCTC is at the top of her list.

More about Phi Theta Kappa

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is recognized as the official honor society for two-year colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

PTK provides many leadership and civic engagement opportunities for students around the world. To be eligible for membership, students must have completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework at DCTC with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Invitations to join the society are mailed to eligible students at the end of each term.

Visit Phi Theta Kappa to learn more.

Israel Gray

Israel Gray

Originally from Monrovia, Liberia, Israel Gray moved to the U.S. in the summer of 2015. He is pursuing an A.A.S. degree in Information Systems Management with plans to graduate in May 2018.

Israel represents DCTC as a student ambassador and student senator. As an ambassador, he excels at making people feel welcome on campus and building relationships with other international students. As a senator, he attended Student Leadership Conference/Advocacy Day, an MSCSA event, in February 2017 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Along with his fellow senators, he met with Senator Matt Little (DFL), District 58, and Representative Erin Maye Quade (DFL), District 57A , to advocate for student interests, including lowering the cost of tuition and textbooks.

Israel serves as secretary of the Beta Theta Tau chapter. He is also active in the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA) and Diversity Council at the college. After graduating from DCTC, he plans to obtain his bachelor’s degree on the way to earning his juris doctor (J.D.) and becoming an attorney.

In his free time, Israel enjoys reading, playing videogames, watching a good movie/series, playing basketball and listening to music.

Israel encourages other students to get involved in student life activities as a way to promote student success, build future relationships, and serve students and staff.