When Vishwas moved from India to Minnesota nearly three years ago, life was full of transition. His wife’s new role at Medtronic brought them to Bloomington, and while she began her work, Vishwas navigated life on a dependent visa, waiting for his work permit to be approved. Instead of letting the waiting period slow him down, he chose to use the time to grow.
“I thought, okay, let me upgrade my skills and do something productive,” he shared. That decision led him to Normandale Community College, a place he now describes as feeling “like home.”
Vishwas initially explored other community college options, but something kept pulling him toward Normandale. After meeting Maryam Abdulahi from the Admissions office, who connected him with Ashley Wells, he tried to get started. The first attempt didn’t work out, but Vishwas persisted. After another round of exploring options, he returned to Normandale, and this time, everything aligned. “It all worked out well, the way I wanted,” he said. “I joined, and I’m so glad I did.”
With an interest in business and marketing, Vishwas enrolled in the Business and Marketing Certificate program. Over his time at Normandale, he completed courses such as Legal Environment of Business and Business Technology Software. Two courses stood out the most: Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing, both taught by Business Instructor Dale Hommes.
“He’s a very good professor. He understands everything and makes the class so interesting,” Vishwas said. “I used to get ready early just to be there on time for his 9 a.m. class.” He also enjoyed classes with Accounting Instructor Gerald Swarsensky, whose fun and quirky teaching style made learning memorable. Vishwas is proud to have served as vice president of Normandale’s Business and Accounting Club while earning a 4.0 GPA when he graduated from Normandale in May, 2026.
Beyond academics, what impacted Vishwas most was the sense of belonging. “Normandale feels like home,” he reflected. “You meet a lot of people who are friendly and helpful. I miss it now, I wish I could have taken more courses.” He credits Normandale with helping him grow personally and professionally, especially in learning how to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
While Vishwas doesn’t plan to return as a student right now, he hopes to stay connected through volunteering. He has already spoken with Basic Needs Lead Coordinator Paige Wheeler about opportunities and is excited to remain involved with the campus community.
Currently, he volunteers with the Red Cross, continuing his commitment to service while preparing for future career opportunities once his work permit is finalized. His message for anyone beginning their journey at Normandale is simple: “Just go for it.”
He also encourages students to choose in-person classes whenever possible. “In online classes, you don’t get to interact with professors as much. In-person is better, you learn more.”
As his story is shared, Vishwas hopes it inspires others who may be navigating similar transitions.
“Anything you need, you can reach out to me,” he said warmly. “I’m always here for Normandale.”
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