Susan Garcia and Chris Myrah recognized with prestigious college award
Each year Dakota County Technical College recognizes outstanding graduates in honor of the college’s first president, Dave Schroeder, who served from 1970–1999. Students are nominated by faculty and staff for their involvement in college initiatives and activities, academic performance and service to the community.
This year’s winners of the Dave Schroeder Outstanding Student Award are Chris Myrah, a 2019 graduate of the Medical Coding Specialist program, and Susan Garcia, a 2019 graduate of the Executive Assistant program. Chris and Susan’s hard work and dedication are an inspiration to their classmates and future DCTC students.
Dave Schroeder, first DCTC president
Chris Myrah
Chris Myrah
Chris Myrah, 49, is earning a diploma in the Medical Coding Specialist program at Dakota County Technical College. Chris will graduate December 2018 and has plans to continue her education at DCTC as a student in the Medical Administrative Assistant program.
A superb student with a 4.0 GPA, Chris is exceptionally active and engaged on campus, serving as a student senator and Creative Arts and Writing Club president. She helped pay for her schooling by working in the Wellness Center and Career Services. She recently became a peer tutor for her own program of study.
Chris also participates in Phi Theta Kappa, Lions Club, Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA) and LeadMN. She recently received a $1,250 LeadMN Leadership Scholarship and will be honored at the 12th Annual Scholarship Gala at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in January 2019.
Originally from Arden Hills, Minnesota, Chris is a 1987 graduate of Mounds View High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Right after graduating from Moorhead, she moved to Paris, France, to teach English literature at the International School of Paris.
Chris’s twin children, Justin and Allison, 20, were born four months premature. Both children overcame obstacles associated with premature birth. Allie earned an A.S. in Education Foundations at Inver Hills Community College. She attends St. Cloud State University with plans to become an elementary school teacher. Justin is studying at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with the goal to become an oncologist.
Learn more about Chris by reading the DCTC News story:
“Student Spotlight: Chris Myrah”
Susan Garcia
Susan Garcia
Susan Garcia, 44, a native of Rosemount, Minnesota, is earning her Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in the Executive Assistant program at Dakota County Technical College. A first-generation college student, Susan is graduating this May. Along with her degree, she’ll have her Multicultural Supervision certificate.
During her time on the DCTC campus, Susan has been a remarkably engaged student beyond the classroom. She serves as Student Senate president, Phi Theta Kappa chapter president and a student ambassador. She also belongs to TRIO Student Support Services, the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA) and Christian on Campus.
She competed at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) College Division State Leadership Conference (SLC) in February 2017 and qualified to advance to the National Leadership Conference.
Susan’s career goals are linked to becoming an executive assistant for an international company. She’s also open to the idea of continuing her education at a university, Saint Mary’s or Metropolitan State, in a business-related program.
Susan’s husband, David, is senior director of field services at Best Buy. They have been together 24 years, married for 11. They have two children, Blasa, a 10-year-old girl, and Masedonio, a 4-year-old boy. Both are bilingual, speaking English and Spanish. David’s grandparents are from Mexico. Susan is the pack leader of two dogs, Abrazo, a 13-year-old chocolate Lab, and Azul, a 6-month-old blue great Dane. The family resides in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
Learn more about Susan by reading the DCTC News story:
“Student Spotlight: Susan Garcia”
Learn more about the Medical Coding Specialist program at DCTC by contacting:
K. Adrienne Zarn, CPC, CAN-PC
Medical Coding Specialist Faculty
651-423-8389
Learn more about the Medical Administrative Assistant program at DCTC by contacting:
Anika Stafford
Enrollment Advisor & Financial Aid Specialist
651-423-8384
Learn more about Student Senate and Student Life at DCTC by contacting:
Anna Voight
Associate Director of Student Life
651-423-8649
Student Senate Office
Student Life
651-423-8341
Learn more about applying to DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
651-423-8000
Enrollment Services: Room 2-110
