Exercise & Sport Science major makes an impact at DCTC
Ali Hassan, 24, has received the Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) 2025 Dave Schroeder Outstanding Student Award. Ali is earning an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Exercise & Sport Science at the college and is looking forward to graduating this May.
“I’m honored and thankful for this award,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this position if I didn’t follow the three steps I go by: work hard, stay positive, and keep on grinding.”
Ali is an exceptionally engaged student both on and off campus. He serves as a lead student ambassador, Student Senate campus liaison, Unified Club president, and Rotaract Club member. On top of his studies and extracurricular activities, Ali works 40 hours a week as a U.S. Postal Service mail handler.
Ali has centered his career goals on working at a commercial gym and fitness center. He is looking forward to acquiring a full set of skills and experiences before building and opening his own gym. He enjoys teaching boxing classes and leading workout sessions.
Ali Hassan: Work and study philosophy
Ali Hassan
“Collaboration, Teamwork, Strong Work Ethic, and Leadership.”
Ali Hassan
Exercise & Sport Science Major
2025 Dave Schroeder Outstanding Student Award Winner
Dakota County Technical College
Award nominator perspectives
“As one of Ali’s instructors here at DCTC, I have been amazed at his optimism and positivity. His energy levels are incredible, and while some of that may have to do with his ADHD diagnosis, he has been able to harness that life force in appropriate ways. He never misses class, always turns in assignments on time, asks questions when he needs help, and helps other students when they need it.
“He seems to have made friends with everyone on campus. People are always stopping and waving to Ali when we are in the Wellness Center. He influences people in a positive way. He has been able to integrate his energy and enthusiasm in a way that enhances the academic experience for him and his classmates. It has been an absolute joy working with Ali the past two years. I am excited to see what he will do next and who will be lucky enough to work with him.”
Sara Woodward
Exercise & Sport Science Faculty
Dakota County Technical College
“Ali has been a tremendous asset to our campus community in building a culture of belonging, inclusion, and FUN! Ali’s positive attitude is contagious and he makes a positive impact on everyone he interacts with. He goes above and beyond when helping others and representing DCTC. He is reliable, hard-working, and a joy to work with and be on teams with.
“Ali’s contributions to student life and our campus have been an integral part in helping students feel the sense of belonging we talk about wanting create and foster. Students like Ali bring belonging to life and make a lasting impact in our students, employees, campus, community, and world. Ali is an outstanding student who is worthy of this high recognition!”
Anna Voight
Campus Merger Coordinator
Neurodiverse Employee Resource Group (ERG) Chair
Dakota County Technical College
“While I think there’s hardly a student, staff, or faculty member at DCTC who doesn’t know Ali now, I have been lucky enough to know Ali since shortly after he started at DCTC. I worked with him first as a tutor, and later as his TRIO/SSS advisor. The thing that I admire most about Ali is his eagerness to learn and to improve himself. Ali is always upbeat and positive, and he has a unique talent to find the upside to any situation.
“We at DCTC have been so fortunate to have Ali share this talent with us. As a leader among the student ambassadors and on Student Senate, Ali cheers people on and cheers people up wherever he goes. New students often tell me the impression he leaves on them, and DCTC’s ‘first impression’ for new students will be a little less bright the day that Ali moves on in his educational journey. We’ve been lucky to have him, and I’m so proud of all of his growth here.”
Megan Petersen
TRIO/Student Support Services Academic and Financial Aid Advisor
Staff of the Year Award 2024–2025
Dakota County Technical College
“Ali is such a welcoming presence to both current and prospective students and guests. His friendly way of talking to everyone and getting to know them has been a great help at the front desk and events on campus such as open houses. Ali checks in with me every shift to see if there is any way he can help out, and he is always willing to complete the task with a smile! Ali creates such a positive atmosphere at every event and room he is present in. His involvement in Student Life activities, his hard academic work ethic plus his uplifting personality are all reasons why he is being nominated for this award!
Kristen Pahl
Front Desk Coordinator
Dakota County Technical College
“Ali has been a passionate member of the Unified Club, always going above and beyond to make sure his fellow students know about the group’s goals of inclusion. He also works to make sure that students from outside the club feel welcome in joining us. As a club advisor, I appreciate how Ali consistently steps up to volunteers at events – with a smile on his face! His commitment, positive attitude, and energy are consistent, and have brought such a positive impact to our group!”
Maggie Laurel
Learning Technology Support Specialist
Unified Club Staff Advisor
Dakota County Technical College
More about Ali…
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ali graduated from Eastview High School, Class of 2019. His family includes his mom and dad and two older sisters, Ayan, 32, and Duthi, 25.
In his free time, Ali likes playing sports and spending time with his family and friends.
“I like working out,” he said. “It’s one of my main addictions. I always enjoy it, lifting weights, and doing cardio. The sports that I played in my life are wrestling, football, soccer, basketball, and boxing. I enjoyed every single one. What I like doing with my family are the special moments such as going on a vacation, birthday parties, and weddings—or anything involving our religious traditions.
Ali resides in Eagan, Minnesota.
Ali Hassan life and college gallery
Brett Kolles: Faculty perspective
“To call Ali an active DCTC Rotaract member is an understatement. Nearly every monthly community service event that the club performs in, Ali immediately signs up for. His dynamic and charismatic personality gets the entire team moving, laughing, and having fun.
“Feed My Starving Children, Loaves & Fishes, Sleep in Heavenly Sleep, Second Harvest, and the Chili Cook-Off are just a few of his DCTC Rotaract experiences. His perpetual smile and enthusiasm for service is contagious.”
Brett Kolles
English Faculty
DCTC Campus Rotaract Faculty Co-Advisor
Dakota County Technical College
About the Dave Schroeder Outstanding Student Award
Dave Schroeder
Dave Schroeder
First DCTC president: 1970 – 1999When he took over as the first director of the Dakota County Area Vocational-Technical Institute in October of 1970, David L. Schroeder brought a philosophy for technical education focused on providing incoming students with effective pathways to rewarding, secure careers.
President Schroeder was taking the helm of a school whose main campus building wouldn’t be completed for three years. Classes ran all year and tuition was free. The first students attended class in rented space across an archipelago of buildings. Enrollment was three shy of 50.
Working three years straight with no time off, President Schroeder put in 60-hour weeks creating programs, hiring faculty and staff, buying equipment and coordinating everything on the fly. When the main building opened in Rosemount, Minnesota, in 1973, enrollment had reached 700 students in some 30 programs.
“We started with nothing and created programs that changed people’s lives.”
David L. Schroeder
Dakota County Technical College President
1970 – 1999
“By the time I finally took a vacation, I was totally wiped out. I went up north to our family cabin and sat in the woods for two weeks,” President Schroeder remembered with a smile. “But it was a fun time and everyone was up to the task.”
After two name changes, the tech institute, as it was nicknamed, became Dakota County Technical College in 1989. Six years later, when DCTC merged with other higher education institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Dave Schroeder assumed the role of president of the college.
“From the very beginning, our mission was Education for Employment,” said President Schroeder, who retired in 1999 and passed away in 2011. “When I look back on my career, I feel the strongest about serving students and getting them jobs.
“We started with nothing and created programs that changed people’s lives. It was hard to leave, but after thirty years it was time. I loved the place.”
Dave Schroeder Outstanding Student Award nominations are based on the following criteria:
- College involvement and participation
- Academic performance
- Service to community
- Other considerations, including perseverance in the face of adversity or unique challenges
Ali Hassan • Q & A
Ali Hassan
What inspired you to enroll in the Exercise and Sport Science program at DCTC?
I like working out, and I have played sports pretty much all my life. So, that’s what got me into this major. And I like being healthy and staying fit. Saying those words out loud or to myself sounds important to me. When I’m at the gym. I always try to become big, strong, and muscular.
What do you like best about attending DCTC?
I like being a DCTC student and getting involved in all activities and clubs on campus. I always love and enjoy the opportunities provided. Getting involved in clubs brought out the best in me. It really built up my resume and made me become a great leader and successful student.
Getting involved on campus also made me gain so many accomplishments and experiences I never had or got before. Such as becoming Lead Student Ambassador, President of the Unified Club, and CO Campus Liaison of the Student Senate. I felt like I met new friends every year, talking and interacting with them, showing them what DCTC is all about.
What do you like best about working as a student ambassador?
Being a great student leader. Greeting and meeting new students during special and big events like Open House and Ready, Set, Go. Bringing in the positive vibes and energy; telling them what the campus is all about; showing what classes or clubs offered. I like showing them there is always a chance to reach a higher level of success and always take opportunities provided for you. My message that I always give students at DCTC is that the quote that I heard all my life: “Never Give Up.”
Three words that describe you as a future college graduate:
HARDWORKING. PASSIONATE. RELENTLESS.
How did your involvement in the Rotaract Club teach you more about service, leadership, professionalism, and fellowship?
Rotaract is all about volunteering in different communities and making the world a better place. My favorite volunteer activity is always Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), where you dump foods into bags that are shipped to starving people all over the world. I always like the music playing in the background, keeps me going and vibing, and also makes me want to dance, trying to get the energy in the air going and making everyone have a good time.
What advice would you give students thinking about getting more involved in student clubs and activities on campus?
Just go for it if you see something that really inspires you or gets your attention. Don’t be afraid to go for it. Once you’re in, work hard and try to make the club the best one ever. Lastly, never give up. If anything doesn’t go as you planned or hoped, don’t stay down. Keep going, never stop.
What motivates you to serve the DCTC campus community in ways that are above and beyond your academic duties?
There are plenty of them, but the one that is important to me is helping and inspiring others. Getting to clubs or becoming a student ambassador really got me out of my comfort zone. Every new semester, I meet new friends, and I always tell them about my experiences and journey at DCTC. I always tell them never stop at all. You must always work hard and stay positive. I even try to get them into clubs on campus. If it happened to me, it can to you as well. That’s what I always tell them.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
Walt Disney and his quote: “If you dream it, you can do it.” Ever since hearing that line/quote, it’s been one of my inspirations in life. That’s why I keep going in life and try to accomplish something. Basically, it’s about following my dreams and achieving greater and higher levels of success.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Have everyone be treated the way they want to be treated. Stop the bullying or being disrespectful to others.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
ADVENTUROUS
Ali Hassan • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Boxing and running
Places you would most like to visit: England, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Going to NYC, visiting and driving through all five boroughs
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy myself and/or a family a house 2) Build a business or foundation of my own 3) Donate to a mosque or people struggling in life
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Ali: A Life, the Muhammed Ali biography by Jonathan Eig
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: Back in time so I can correct all the mistakes that I made
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Becoming an inspirational/motivational speaker
Your national bird if you were your own country: Peregrine falcon because they fly 240 mph- Dream occupation: Speaker, comedian, and pro boxer
- Person you would most like to meet: One of my childhood heroes, John Cena, a guy who inspired me to never give up and in life be yourself
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: How to manage time if you are really busy or have a lot on your plate
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Climate change; too much bad weather and rising temperatures
Learn more about the Exercise & Sport Science program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
Exercise & Sport Science program
The Exercise & Sport Science program offers two different, 60-credit degree awards: the Exercise Science Transfer Pathway Associate of Science (A.S.) and the Exercise & Sport Science Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). Both degree programs include technical courses and general education courses. The A.S. degree prepares you for transfer to a four-year college or university. The A.A.S. degree prepares you to go directly into the workforce.
Both programs are designed to give you the knowledge and skills required to work in the health, fitness, and sports industries. Technical information is combined with liberal arts and sciences coursework to equip you with the skills needed to work effectively with a variety of clients in health and fitness settings.
The 16-credit Personal Training certificate delivers hands-on, practical experience in the area of personal training. All courses are offered during fall semester. The EXER 2020 Personal Training and Exercise Leadership I course is offered in partnership with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). You will be prepared for the ACE Personal Trainer certification exam following successful completion of the course. You will be expected to become nationally certified as a personal trainer. DCTC provides discounts to national certification exams, but does not include the cost in tuition.
Why Study Exercise Science at DCTC?
- Discover your ideal fitness routine.
- Become your own personal trainer by learning all you can about nutrition, conditioning, and the best exercise programs.
- Work with athletes at all stages of their careers.
- Hit the workforce in great shape.
Awards
Exercise Science Transfer Pathway A.S. degree: 60 credits
Exercise & Sport Science A.A.S. degree: 60 credits
Personal Training certificate: 16 creditsDelivery: Course offerings include a mix of daytime on campus, online, and hybrid
Start: Fall semester or spring semester; full-time or part-timeExercise & Sport Science Program Planning Guide
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructor is a Bright Outlook Occupation. 🌞
Reported job titles
- Aerobics Instructor
- Fitness Instructor
- Fitness Specialist
- Fitness Technician
- Fitness Trainer
- Group Exercise Instructor
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Personal Trainer
- Private Trainer
- Yoga Instructor
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $47,600
10 percent of workers earn $33,440 or less
10 percent of workers earn $76,490 or moreUnited States
Workers on average earn $46,480
10 percent of workers earn $26,840 or less
10 percent of workers earn $80,740 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2020): 4,950 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 6,630 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): 34%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 1,060Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 350,100 employees
Projected employment (2033): 397,700 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 14%: Much faster than average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 73,700Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
