2019 graduate served as a loadmaster in the USAFR

Gretta Vieths, 29, graduated from Inver Hills Community College in 2019 with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), the college’s most popular transfer degree. Gretta was serving as a loadmaster in the U.S. Air Force Reserve at the time. She is currently earning an A.A.S. in Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology at Dakota County Technical College with plans to graduate in May 2026.

“My main goal at Inver Hills was to complete all my generals and then transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree and become a commissioned officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force,” Gretta said, noting that an epilepsy diagnosis forced her to abandon those plans. “My goal at DCTC is to get into the electrical workforce immediately after graduation. I’m unsure at this point what path in the industry I plan to take.”

Gretta served in the USAFR for six years, reaching the rank of senior airman (E-4). She deployed to Qatar and flew missions all over Southeast Asia. She received Aircraft Dispatch certification from Academy College in 2018 and worked for the Department of Defense as an airfield management shift lead at Fort Snelling for three years before arriving at DCTC.

“What I liked best about serving in the Air Force was the sense of purpose and endless opportunities it gave me,” she said. “From my time in the military, I gained a huge sense of self-accountability, maturity, work ethic, and problem-solving skills—all of which are helpful to excel as a college student.”

When asked what advice she would give someone thinking about joining the U.S. military, Gretta said, “View everything as an opportunity, not an entitlement. Opportunities are what you make of them and a good opportunity should never be passed up. You never want to find yourself regretting not taking an opportunity! Joining the military can be an intimidating and overwhelming life and career move, but it will likely unlock potential and capabilities you never knew you had.”

More about Gretta…

Originally from Eagan, Minnesota, Gretta graduated from Eastview High School, Class of 2014. Her family includes her boyfriend, Ryan, who works as a heavy equipment operator for Luhman’s Construction, and their two dogs, Riley, 7, a pit bull mix, and Sioux, 13, a red Lab.

Gretta’s parents live a few hours north of the Twin Cities; her father, Dan, is a technical writer for Beckman Coulter, and her mother, Laurie, is retired. Gretta has a brother, Karl, and sister-in-law, Emili, who live in Kansas, and a twin sister, Heidi, who lives near Blaine.

In her free time, Gretta enjoys many outdoor activities with family and friends such as riding motorcycles, spending time on the river during the summer months, visiting new places, boating, fishing, and going to concerts.

“My time spent at home is usually filled with chores, occasional sewing projects, playing piano, and house projects such as a recent deck remodel and refinishing furniture,” she said. “I have lots of goals to slowly renovate my house. I love hosting friends for dinner and card games or spending time with people around town at various events.”

Gretta resides with Ryan, Riley, and Sioux in Hastings, Minnesota.

Gretta Vieths life gallery

Gretta Vieths • Q & A

What did you like best about attending Inver Hills?

For me, the veterans service coordinator was so helpful and resourceful as well as the Veterans Lounge. It felt like someone always had my back, and I always had a quiet place to study.

What were your favorite classes at Inver Hills and why?

One of the most memorable classes were Meteorology because I find weather interesting and also because it was useful at the time for working toward my private pilot’s license. The second most memorable class I took at Inver was Critical Issues in Human Biology. That class taught me to think critically about health and how to research scientific topics that are often skewed in the media or unreliable sources to get the real facts on health topics that affect all of us.

What inspired you to enroll in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology program at DCTC?

In 2017, shortly after I returned home from deployment with the Air Force, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. At the time, I was working on my private pilot’s license to pursue my dream career of being a pilot, both for the Air Force and a civilian pilot. The diagnosis immediately squashed that dream as well as my Air Force career as a C-130 Loadmaster.

I then spent the next seven years working desk jobs mainly in the aviation industry trying to establish myself in a new career. After lots of frustration and disappointment, I decided to quit aviation altogether and start a new career from scratch doing something more hands-on and learning a skill that would also benefit me as a homeowner.

I decided on Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology because I envision endless opportunities as an electrician. It’s not a desk job—it’s something that will give me responsibility and therefore a purpose, and I knew it would give me the challenge I need in a career.

Three words that describe you as a college student:
GROUNDED. COMMITTED. GRATEFUL.

What are you looking forward to most after graduating from DCTC?

I’m looking forward to having a job that will keep me challenged and engaged. Then once I learn enough, I can’t wait to tackle all the electrical projects at my house!

What advice would you give military veterans about transitioning to college life?

College is just a steppingstone to get to where you ultimately want to go in life, but it should be taken just as seriously as a career. Just like in the military, it’s important to balance your priorities and also to advocate for yourself in regards to your own success.

Three words that describe you as a U.S. Air Force Reserve veteran:
DRIVEN. MINDFUL. ADVENTUROUS.

What person has influenced your life the most and why?

Probably my mom, Laurie. While I have had so many mentors along various paths in my life, my mom has influenced me in how logical, frugal, humble, and hardworking she is. She grew up on a farm and learned from a young age that family, morals, and work ethic are important.

My mom is also the person who has supported me in everything I’ve done, encouraged me at my highest highs and been there for me during my lowest lows. She is the person who has let me gently fall in life so I could learn how to get myself back up and grow into an independent person.

I still talk to her almost every single day, even if it’s just to ask her how to make gravy from scratch, how to keep my flowers alive, or just to rant about how expensive groceries are. I think above all else, her positive attitude is the biggest lesson I’ve learned from my mom. A positive attitude keeps me humble, gets me through frustrating times, and increases my patience level.

If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?

Make summers in Minnesota last for nine months out of the year.

One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:

REWARDING

Gretta Vieths • 12 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Paddleboarding, swimming, weightlifting
2. Place you would most like to visit: Italy
3. Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Airdropping personnel from a Lockheed C-130 Hercules
4. Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Donate to the MikeRoweWorks Foundation 2) Build accessible homes for disabled and homeless veterans in need 3) Build my dream house
5. Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Yellowstone
6. Time period you would explore if you could time travel: The 1980s
7. One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Build my dream home on a dream property
8. Your national bird if you were your own country: Probably an owl because they are self-motivated, problem solvers, and logical thinkers
9. Dream occupation: Lockheed C-130 Hercules pilot
10. Person you would most like to meet: Mike Rowe
11. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Patience
12. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Lack of awareness of what we are really consuming through food, water, soaps, clothing, pollutants

Learn more about earning an Associate of Arts (A.A.) at Inver Hills by contacting:

Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
866-576-0689
College Center

• Want more information? Fill out an inquiry form.
• Ready to apply? Fill out an application.
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Want to connect with an advisor? Check out our virtual drop-in hours or email admissions@inverhills.edu to request a campus-based or phone appointment.

More about earning your Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree at Inver Hills…

Our #1 transfer degree!

The Associate of Arts (A. A.) degree is an ideal choice if you want to complete your general education requirements and complete the first two years of your bachelor’s degree.

At Inver Hills, you’ll have the added advantage of working one on one with your program faculty. That’s something you probably won’t find as a freshman or even a sophomore at the university level.

Undecided? No problem. Many students start college unsure of what they want to study. Get started and explore all of your options. Attend an A.A. Info Session to learn more!

Planning your degree

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), is a general education curriculum that makes up the core of the AA degree. While taking courses from 10 goal areas, you will build your skills, broaden your knowledge, and explore possible majors. When complete, the MnTC transfers as “gen eds” to a variety of institutions, including all Minnesota State universities and the University of Minnesota.

Check with the school you plan to transfer to for up-to-date program information and transfer requirements.

Health & Physical Education

You must take 2 credits in Health (HLTH) and Physical Education (PHED) coursework to complete your Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree.

Electives

Electives are additional Inver Hills courses that meet liberal arts, prerequisite, or degree requirements at your intended transfer school. All courses must be 1000 level or above.

Check with your destination college for up-to-date program information and transfer requirements. Inver Hills academic advisors and counselors are very helpful in planning for transfer.

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Transfer Pathway Options

A.A. Transfer Pathways are special A.A. degrees that allow you start your major early and seamlessly transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at any one of the Minnesota State universities.

After finishing your Transfer Pathway degree, you will be guaranteed junior-year status on admission to the university you’ve chosen. You also have the assurance you can earn your bachelor’s degree after completing an additional 60 credits (for 120-credit programs).

You must still meet any special admission requirements for your chosen major and are not guaranteed admission into the major itself.

Transfer Pathway A.A. degrees

• Communication Studies
• Economics
• History
• Individualized Professional Studies
• Mathematics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Spanish

A.A. with Emphasis

The A.A. with Emphasis allows you to thoroughly prepare for your chosen major at a corresponding bachelor’s degree program at several public and private four-year colleges and universities. We strongly recommend that you work with an Inver Hills counselor or advisor when making your transfer plans.

Emphasis areas

Anthropology
Gender and Women’s Studies
Social Justice

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COLLEGE’S MOST POPULAR TRANFER DEGREE…