Accomplishments:

  • As chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Sen. Pappas established Summer Bridge Programs to prepare high school students for college, provided increased child care grants for students and established the DREAM Act which allows students who have graduated from a Minnesota High School and who have lived in the state for three or more years to qualify for resident tuition rates in our public higher education systems.
  • In 2010, Sen. Sandy Pappas received a top score of “Excellent” from the Minnesota Nurses Association for her voting record.
  • As a member of the Capitol Investment Committee, Sen. Pappas has secured bonding appropriations for the Mississippi Riverfront’s Upper Landing and Raspberry Island, the Ordway Center for Performing Arts and Union Depot

Awards:

  • Women Candidate Development Coalition, Political Excellence Award, 2010
  • Minnesota Public Health Association, B. Robert Lewis Award, 2010
  • Central States Conference on Teaching of Foreign Languages, Senator Paul Simon Award, 2008
  • Latino Scholarship Fund, Recognition for Providing Access to Higher Education Opportunities, 2008
  • Minnesota State College Student Association, Legislator of the Year, 2008
  • University of Minnesota: Alumni Association, Recognition for being a Legislative Champion for Minnesota Biomedical Research Program, 2008
  • Metropolitan State University, Member of Alumni Association Board, 2005-2008
  • Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Legislator of the Year, 2007
  • Minnesota College Career Association, Champion for Student Access to Higher Education Award, 2007
  • Conservation MN, Perfect Score Award, 2007
  • University of Minnesota: Alumni Association, Legislator of the Year, 2007
  • Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, Recognition for Leadership and Outstanding Efforts, 2007
  • Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Legislator of the Year, 2007
  • Minnesota College Career Association, Champion for Student Access to Higher Education Award, 2007
  • Smoke-Free Ramsey and The Association for Non-smokers-MN, Recognized for supporting Freedom to Breathe Act, 2007
  • Midwestern Higher Education Compact, Recognition of Appointment, 2005-2007
  • Family and Children Services, National Family Week Advocacy Award, 2006
  • Minnesota Conference of the American Association of University Professors, Friend of Higher Education Award, 2006
  • Allina Hospitals and Clinics, Legislator of the Year, 2005
  • Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures, Pro Lingua Award, 2005
  • Metropolitan State University, Alumni of the Year Award, 2003
  • Minnesota State College Student Association, Senator of the Year, 2003
  • Metropolitan State University, Women of Vision and Courage Award, 2003
  • Women Legislators’ Lobby, WiLL Pacesetter Award, 2001
  • Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action, Leadership in Economic and Social Justice Award, 1999
  • Loa Veterans of America, Inc., Recognition for Authoring Loa Veteran License Plate Bill, 1995