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College of Business and Management

Azure Davis ’11, Princeton, was recently featured in Minneapolis-Saint Paul Business Journal as executive director and founder of Ruff Start Rescue. Over the past decade, Davis has grown the organization to a staff of 38, with more than 650 volunteers, and 500 to 650 animals in foster care at any given time.

Jared Gwaro ’24, Brooklyn Park, was recently featured in Kenyan diaspora news outlet Mwakilishi.com for his inspiring story of immigrating to the U.S. through the Diversity Visa Lottery.

Edrich Neville Ndofor ’22, Minneapolis, was recently featured in The Hans India, discussing the power of data management in modern organizations. Ndofor is researching the use of AI to predict and prevent migraine crises, aiming to improve clinical outcomes in healthcare.

Amanda Stone ’24, West Saint Paul, recently started Clean Up Bookkeeping, providing external bookkeeping, payroll, notary services, and more for small to mid-sized businesses.

College of Community Studies and Public Affairs

Kristin Burgess ’11, Gaylord, recently graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. Kristin continues to proudly serve in multiple roles at �鶹ֱ��.

Todd Lee ’07, Howard, South Dakota, was recently named superintendent of Swanville Public School.

David Nguyen ’14, Saint Paul, currently works at the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans and uses his degree to support the organization, team, and the veterans he serves.

Robert Timmerman ’08, Burnsville, was recently appointed city auditor for the City of Minneapolis. With nearly two decades of experience in public service, Timmerman previously held leadership roles at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Office of the Legislation Auditor, and the Department of Revenue.

Paul Tupy ’02, Oroville, California, was recently appointed as director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the state of California by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Maurice Ward ’25, Brooklyn Park, was recently profiled in the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, chronicling his rise from incarceration, through founding a nonprofit focused on reentry support, to his campaign for the Minneapolis City Council’s Ward 5 seat.

College of Individualized Studies

Andre Anderson ’23, Blaine, ran the Twin Cities Marathon through the organization, A Mile in My Shoes, a Twin Cities nonprofit that pairs local runners with people in substance-use recovery programs. Anderson works at Metro State as a reentry coordinator for students recently released from prison. He is also currently enrolled in Metro’s Master of Public Leadership program.

Peter Bell ’76, Minneapolis, was recently honored by the Citizens League for his significant contributions to the civic fabric of Minnesota.

Wendy Berry ’16, West Saint Paul, was recently named interim co-president of Literacy Minnesota. Berry serves as director of human resources for Literacy Minnesota.

Marcia Cole ’94, Minneapolis, was recently named Fellow & James Renier Chair in Security Technologies at the University of Minnesota. Prior to this role, Cole was a lecturer in the program.

Jolanta Young ’16, Inver Grove Heights, was recently featured in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian about co-founding the cultural fashion and arts company, Mum & Me Production, and its upcoming show in New York’s Fashion Week called “Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Meets Trinidad Carnival—A Celebration of Culture, Fashion, and Art.”

College of Liberal Arts

Tracy Byrd ’14, Minneapolis, was recently featured in Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine’s “Stars of the North” spotlight on Minnesotans who made a lasting impact this past year in education. Byrd is a ninth-grade English teacher at Washburn High School and earned his teaching degree from Metro State in 2014. Byrd was named Teacher of the Year in 2024.

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Brett Anderson ’14, Minneapolis, recently named president and CEO of Ebenezer Senior Living, the largest senior housing network in Minnesota.

Jane Mugambi ’17, Mankato, recently published a memoir titled, “Echo of my Father’s Voice: A journey from Israel to Mount Kenya to America: A Memoir,” now available on Amazon.

Lyna Nyamwaya ’09, New Hope, recently launched a campaign to succeed Rep. Cedric Frazier in the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 43A. Nyamwaya believes her years of experience in nursing and entrepreneurship have equipped

College of Sciences

Michael Agerbeck ’16, Fridley, was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who for his 20 years of excellence in manufacturing and production. A U.S. Army veteran, Agerbeck studies chemistry at Metro State.

Kevin Day ’20, Eagan, recently won Best Paper Award at the International Cyber Security Conference. Day’s work addresses the growing threat of Android banking malware, designed to steal sensitive financial information from users.

Farris Hassan ’13, Lakeville, recently celebrated the grand opening of Mamas Market & Deli, a women-led, community-driven grocery, deli, and specialty coffee shop located in Saint Paul.

Henriette Mambe Tago ’20, Saint Paul, was recently profiled in the Case Western University News, The Daily, as one of eight standout graduates of their class of 2025. Originally from Cameroon, Mambe Tago pursued a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry at Metro State before going on to fulfill her dream as a dentist.

Mike Nurmela ’17, Lakeville, recently received the Cyber Summit Visionary Award. Nurmela works at US Bank as a senior information security engineer.