2017 graduate excels at giving back to the college

Ayuba Dansoho, 40, a 2017 graduate of Dakota County Technical College, is the college’s 2023 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. The annual award recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional leadership, work ethic, and dedication as a part of the DCTC community.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored by this award,” Ayuba said. “Patience is golden, and most times you must work hard to get the best. This award is a proven standard of quality service and a morale booster for me to continue doing what I am doing, especially for those who understand the concepts of community service.”

Ayuba added that people should never expect a reward because of their charitable service, but should simply carry on doing good work. Recognition will announce itself in its own time.

“The Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award makes good sense to me because it comes from my favorite institution—and I love it,” he said. “I miss my LeadMN meetings, a forum where all student representatives from colleges in the state meet and brainstorm on academic and nonacademic issues related to student growth and development. I also miss our Student Senate meetings, TRIO SSS, our multicultural excursions, and my interactions with both my classmates and my highly esteemed instructors.”

More about Ayuba at DCTC…

Ayuba focused on business courses while attending DCTC, earning a Technical Management A.A.S., Multicultural Quality Management diploma, and two certificates, Quality Improvement and Supervisory Leadership. He excelled academically, making the President’s List six times.

An exceptionally engaged student, Ayuba served on the college’s Strategic Enrollment Management Committee and as the Student Senate campus liaison. He was a student ambassador and Feed My Starving Children volunteer. He participated in the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA), Campus Lions Club, American Marketing Association (AMA), TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), and Business Professionals of America (BPA).

As as student member of the latter organization, Ayuba took 1st place in Ethics and Professionalism at the 2017 Minnesota BPA State Leadership Conference (SLC). He went on to finish in the top 10 in that competition at the 2017 BPA National Leadership Conference (NLC), in Orlando, Florida.

Ayuba played two seasons as a fullback on the Blue Knights NJCAA men’s soccer team, 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. The fun of winning a match, the relationships he established with his teammates and coaches, and fine-tuning his health status through training and exercising his body are what he enjoyed most about the experience.

“The coaches are friendly, kind, and ever-ready to bring the best out of you,” he said, adding that students seeking to play college sports should be involved in daily training and exercises related to soccer. “They should also watch other professional players and learn from their skills, tactics, and stamina.”

Ayuba continues to volunteer for various DCTC events, including orientations, Ready, Set, Go!, and alumni panels. He mentors current students and actively recruits new students to attend DCTC. He regularly brings prospective students to campus, introducing them to people and helping them start the admissions process.

“I want them to educate themselves,” he said, explaining what motivates him to assist potential future students.

Ayuba’s ongoing volunteer work includes helping orphanage homes in Africa and other missionary organizations. “I send relief materials and support their education, health, and different needs within my financial capacity,” he said.

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Kusum Joshi, Yeti Tessma, Cheryl Brogger, Ayuba Dansoho, Sumi Khan

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The DCTC Student Senate was recognized as the 2017 Student Senate of the Year by LeadMN, formerly the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA), during the Spring General Assembly at the Breezy Point Resort in April of that year.

Learn more by reading the DCTC News story:

2017 Student Senate of the Year

Guidance for current students…

When asked what advice he would give students thinking about getting involved in Student Life on campus, Ayuba said: “I will encourage them to participate in student clubs and organizations because membership has so many advantages and benefits. Through the numerous helpful resources, they will be educated or enlightened in one way or another concerning the solutions to their problem(s).

“It is often said that a problem shared is a problem half-solved. Hence, they should ask questions, think critically by brainstorming, create vital ideas, interact, love one another, join hands, collaborate, and commit to the school’s clubs and societies. To move forward, they should be dedicated and punctual at meetings, events, and any beneficial program organized by the school systems, academically and non-academically.”

Ayuba DCTC gallery

Faculty perspective: Scott Gunderson

Scott Gunderson

Ayuba has a passion to become employed in the quality/supply chain world. He took our Quality Improvement Certificate as part of his degree plan to gain the necessary knowledge to work in that field.

Ayuba was a model student, asking questions, excelling in his studies, supporting fellow students—and he even challenged his employer to apply what he was learning! Ayuba continues to support DCTC as an engaged alumni and is the perfect example of an ambassador with a heart of gold!

Scott Gunderson
Business Management Faculty
Dakota County Technical College

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Faculty perspective: Harold Torrence

Harold Torrence

It has been a tremendous pleasure to say that Ayuba Dansoho is an outstanding graduate of the DCTC Multicultural Quality Management diploma and Technical Management A.A.S. degree programs.

As a student, Ayuba became a scholar dedicated to understanding multicultural knowledge, skills, and abilities, bringing people together from all walks of life. Ayuba loves the DCTC family, and he is the first to volunteer sharing his college experience and wisdom with new students.

It is always a joy to connect with him, and we are very lucky to have his leadership and support as a successful alumnus. We are proud of you, Ayuba.

Harold Torrence, EdD
Business Management Faculty
Dakota County Technical College

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Staff perspective: Anna Voight

Anna Voight

I have known Ayuba since he began classes at DCTC in 2013. His passion for helping other students was (and remains) unmatched, as was getting the most out of his college experience.

Ayuba can always been seen wearing DCTC apparel while in the community, and he promotes our college every chance he gets (he also keeps DCTC promotional material in his car at all times).

He is one of the most dedicated DCTC alumni I have ever met. It has been a pleasure working with Ayuba the past 10 years, and I am thrilled to see him honored with this award!

Anna Voight
Associate Director of Student Life
Dakota County Technical College

More about Ayuba…

Born in Daddu, a town with roughly 7,500 residents in Kaduna State, a central industrial hub in north-central Nigeria, Ayuba graduated from Supreme International College  in 2002 and moved to the U.S. in February 2012. He considers development and the rule of law the biggest differences between life in Nigeria and life in Minnesota.

What he misses most about Nigeria are the culture, the people, the music, the dance, and the environment. His favorite place in Nigeria is Jos, or J-Town, a large city near Kaduna. “The weather is good in Jos,” he said, “and it is lively.”

Today, Ayuba works at as a quality cell operator at TCLAD Inc., a global leader in providing thermal management solutions in the electronics sector. He mentors and trains new employees in several production and packaging areas, emphasizing efficiency, quality, and work ethics.

Ayuba’s future education plans include studying business administration centered on operation and technology management, or OTM. He is looking forward to a career as an information security analyst.

Ayuba comes from a large family. He has quite a few nieces and nephews, ranging in age from 37 to 15.

“Hadiza Diye Musa is the most senior in the family—and she has nine children,” he said. “She is now the house mother and father since we lost both parents in 2022. My senior brother is Jonathan D. Dansoho Kura and my older sister is Gimbiya Rahama Esther Daniel Kura. My two youngest brothers are Filibus Meme D. Dansoho and Ibrahim D. Dansoho.

In his free time, Ayuba enjoys swimming, fishing, cooking, and making new friends. He resides in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:

EXCELLENT

Ayuba Dansoho • Q & A

Ayuba Dansoho

What motivated you to enroll in the Technical Management program at DCTC?

I wanted to educate myself and have a better job.

How did your education at DCTC help you advance your career in the manufacturing field?

The curriculum was tailored to meet the needs of my career.

What inspired you to become so actively engaged with the campus community while you were a student?

I wanted to help, and I desired to learn. That was what pushed me there.

Three words that describe you as a DCTC graduate:
COURAGEOUS. INDUSTRIOUS. LEARNER.

What did you enjoy most about your time at DCTC?

The friendships and the education I acquired.

What advice would you give DCTC alumni thinking about giving back to the college?

They should go above and beyond to support the college financially and with their time.

What person has influenced your life the most and why?

My mother—the training and support she gave me.

Where do you hope to find yourself in 20 years?

At the zenith of my career with my wife and children harmoniously living together in peace.

Ayuba Dansoho • 11 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Soccer
2. Place you would most like to visit: Italy
3. Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I saved a life
4. Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Build a hospital 2) Build an orphanage home 3) Have a big farm
5. Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson, TED curator
6. One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: To have a peaceful home
7. Your national bird if you were your own country: Eagle
8. Dream occupation: Computer network architect
9. Person you would most like to meet: Donald Trump
10. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Computer science skills
11. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Poverty

Learn more about Technical Management at DCTC by contacting:

Admissions
Dakota County Technical College
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110

Learn more about Student Life at DCTC by contacting:

More about Technical Management at DCTC…

The Technical Management program provides you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in leadership positions and enhance your career mobility. The program is highly individualized based on a your interests and previous experience, which you are able to convey via the college’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) assessment process.

You can leverage your specific technical field with the required Business Management emphasis. You can also further explore and incorporate more than one DCTC program as part of this degree.

Working conditions in technical management positions are typically similar to office team settings. Technical professionals fill supervisory and middle management roles in companies and corporations.

Potential job titles

• Production Supervisor
• Manager
• Facility Manager
• Line Supervisor
• Maintenance Manager
• Manufacturing Supervisor
• Quality Manager
• Human Resources Manager

General and Operations Managers

Plan and coordinate the activities of organizations.

WAGE

This is a very high-wage career that pays well above the statewide median of $23.00/hour

Minnesota

Median: $43.50/hour
High: $64.54/hour

Seven-county Twin Cities metro

Median: $49.15/hour
High: $72.66/hour

OUTLOOK

In Minnesota, there are 73,910 workers employed in this very large career, which is currently in very high demand and seeing high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate in the Minnesota is 7.2 percent.

There will be a need for about 38,082 new General and Operations Managers to meet market demand between 2020–2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education