Also:
- Outstanding Students Award reception presentation
- Fatima Ayour delivers Outstanding Students Spring 2021 reception speech
Fatima Ayour of Savage has been selected a spring semester Outstanding Student at Metropolitan State University.
Ayour is one of 10 Metropolitan State students recognized at the President’s Outstanding Student Award Reception on May 1, 2021. President’s Outstanding Student Award recipients are nominated by their professors and advisers and selected based on their academic excellence, community service, academic innovation in the educational program and professional achievement.
Ayour double-majored in Management Information Systems and Business Administration to graduate magna cum laudeand was chosen Outstanding Student in the university’s College of Management. She is one of 1,018 students receiving bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at Metropolitan State’s 108th commencement exercises, which will be celebrated with an online ceremony on May 8, 2021.
Enrolling at Metropolitan State with the intention of finding a career path that is influenced by her passions and happiness, Ayour says “I came to Metropolitan State University with an open mind and a passion to advance my knowledge. I picked Metropolitan State University because of the university's high degree of diversity and inclusion. I have received several recommendations from alumni who had positive things to say about the school.”
Ayour transferred to Metropolitan State in 2019 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Normandale Community College. The transition from community college to the university environment was not always easy. “The most challenging [thing] about my college experience was maintaining my mental health. These past two years have been very emotionally draining,” Ayour says. “I was at my lowest points in life. I reached out to my family, friends, and professors for guidance, and they were a significant influence in helping me see the light—I appreciate my professors and advisor for doing everything in their ability to make my educational experience feel valuable and welcoming.”
With her new degree and skills, Ayour plans to transition to a new chapter of her life and career.
She is currently employed as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens Pharmacy. “I hope to continue working on myself in becoming the successful, influential woman who I admired as a child. I plan on continuing my career in the workforce to gain more real-world experiences. I'd like to get my master's degree somewhere at some point in the future as well.” she says.
She lives in Savage with her parents, Houcine and Maryam Ayour, and siblings, Khadija, Noussaiba, and Khalid. She is a 2017 graduate of Prior Lake High School.
“My parents gave up everything to give me and my siblings better opportunities and a chance at succeeding. If it wasn't for their sacrifice and bringing us to America, I would have never gotten the privilege to gain this level of education,” Ayour says. “I am beyond grateful and humbled to be given the opportunity to further my education. As a Moroccan American first-generation student, it has been an honor to receive this award as well as be recognized for all my handwork and grit. I'd like to express my deep gratitude to my parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and mentors who have all helped me along the way.”