Community - Summer 2015 by Metropolitan Community College

Just Ask

Art instructorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family touched by disease page 11

CONTENTS 2 Criminal Justice A career that rewards 3 Smashing barriers Construction student builds her own career pathway

5 Fighting fire with education Program gives students opportunity to see dream 6 Custom guitar comes to life

Local musician sculpts personal masterpiece

7 Two is better than one Bilingual staff and faculty help students with education 8 A whole new world International students come to MCC for education 9 Shining bright in the City of Lights Culinary students cater Las Vegas event

10 A family affair Student sees herself, family attend MCC 11 Just ask Art instructor’s family touched by disease 13 Around the College 14 Earn and learn MCC students have a clear path toward careers

15 Choosing your path

Gear up to make the most informed choice

16 Prepare for fall

Start your college journey on the right foot

17 Commitment to excellence

Six instructors receive teaching awards

19 High above Earth

Balloon launches give students glimpse into space

20 One step at a time

Adult Education department gives students keys to success

21 Leading the way in Nebraska

New recognition from national organization confirms mission

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Summer 2015

Volume 3, Issue 2

“Community” is a quarterly publication of Metropolitan Community College. Contact the editor at 402-457-2414 or marketing@mccneb.edu. Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Statement—Metropolitan Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability or sexual orientation in admission or access to its programs and activities or in its treatment or hiring of employees.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE A career that rewards

CC’s Criminal Justice program offers a wide array of options that enable students to meet their goals within two years. A degree in criminal justice can put students on the path toward a career in law enforcement, corrections and the justice system. Graduates will have the ability to work in a profession that has some of the most demanding, exciting and rewarding opportunities in the workforce.

To find out more about this program and other programs, visit mccneb.edu/future.

Employers in the criminal justice field carefully select candidates. MCC helps prepare its students for this tough field with dedicated faculty who have real-world experience and can give students the skills to succeed.

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Smashing barriers Construction student builds her own career pathway

orking outside on a blustery spring day at a muddy construction site may not be somebody’s ideal image of a workplace environment. But for one MCC student who likes to get her hands dirty, it feels like home. Melissa Burris, married mother of two, instructs and leads her coworkers like a seasoned veteran at the construction site off of Dodge Street in Omaha. She looks like she’s at home. A little more than 97 percent of the construction industry is made up of male workers according to a 2014 report by National Women’s Law Center. Those numbers are roughly the same as they were more than 20 years ago. But working in a male-dominated field hasn’t phased Burris. “I have always liked being hands-on and fixing things. My father owned his own sign company growing up, so I had a good idea of what hard work looked like. I loved playing with Lincoln Logs as a young kid and have always enjoyed being part of something from start to finish,” she said. But it wasn’t easy for Burris to discover her passion. She waited tables at a lounge and was without a high school diploma until one day when her young son encouraged her to pursue her education. “Life got in the way during my teenage years, and I was unable to finish high school. My son said I should pursue my dreams, and I found myself shortly thereafter obtaining my GED,” she said. One thing led to another, and soon enough, Burris was enrolled in classes at MCC. She is now on track to graduate this year with an associate degree in construction management, something she says is only the beginning. "I want to transfer to a four-year school where I can earn my bachelor’s degree in construction management,” she said.

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Before she even graduates from MCC, Burris has climbed the ladder at Lueder Construction Company, a local construction firm that has provided services to the area since 1884. When a multi-million dollar church project was taken on by the company, Burris was named to a project manager position for the upstairs portion. As if that wasn’t enough responsibility, Burris was also named superintendent for the downstairs portion after a torrential downpour flooded the basement. “Within a few weeks Melissa demonstrated the passion and drive necessary to run a project. Her knowledge and expertise took some of the heavy burden off of our other management staff, and she has excelled at her position,” said Mike Langford, vice president at Lueder Construction Company. While Burris has only been at Lueder for close to a year, she is confident in her abilities as a leader in the field due to her knowledge base gained at MCC. “I feel like MCC changed my life. Prior to college I didn’t feel like I was going to go anywhere in life. But college gave me that want and desire to be a better person. I owe a huge thanks to the teachers at MCC as well as everyone who has supported me through my journey.”

I feel like MCC changed my life.

A little more than 97 percent of the construction industry is made up of male workers according to a 2014 report by National Women’s Law Center.

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Fighting fire with education Program gives students opportunity to see dream

id you know in 4th grade what you wanted to be when you grew up? Maybe it was a firefighter, someone who was looked at as a hero and servant to their community. Well, young students in the Junior Fire Cadet Program can now make that dream a reality sooner rather than later. A collaborative effort of the D.R.E.A.M. after-school program at Howard Kennedy Elementary School, the Omaha Fire Department, and the EMS and Fire Science programs at MCC, the Junior Fire Cadet Program is designed to allow students to think about careers outside the box. It gives young students the opportunity to learn about fire science and EMS fields and be part of a group, all while having fun. A concise, clear curriculum is provided to all instructors, who are real firefighters and EMS providers in their community. The volunteers’ objective is to maintain a consistent delivery in meeting the objectives of the program. The program is an academic year-round program that targets students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Howard Kennedy Elementary School. Each student is provided with a T-shirt, dress shirt with patches and rank badge, and a program notebook. The students engage in fire department operations, fire safety, discipline, physical fitness, citizenship, volunteerism and career planning. Along the way, students can achieve rank advancement and even partake in a graduation ceremony held at the end of each phase, where they will receive their rank badge, certificate and recognition for their hard work.

The Junior Fire Cadet Program is designed for students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grade at Howard Kennedy Elementary School.

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One of the goals is to introduce young students to careers in public service with a clear pathway from 4th grade through college. After the program, the idea is for students to move to the Junior Explorers Program with OFD before entering high school and college programs geared toward fire science and EMS fields. “I’d like to recognize some key members of the community who helped make this possible,” said Stacey Ocander, dean of health and public services at MCC. “Battalion chiefs Tim McCaw and Joe Salcedo, Peggy Dean and Jeff Strawn at MCC, and Raymone Sazone, were all instrumental in making this a reality.” Sazone, site director for the D.R.E.A.M. after-school mentoring program at Howard Kennedy Elementary School who originally came up with the idea of the Junior Fire Cadet Program, thinks the program can be a major difference maker in the students’ lives. He stated, “A program like this allows students to know that whatever their dreams are, they’re attainable and that there are people in the community who care about their success.”

Custom guitar comes to life Local musician sculpts personal masterpiece

eorge Walker has been playing the guitar for more than 20 years. Over the last two decades, he has become familiar with the acoustic, classical and electric guitars, which translates to well over 400 variations. His infinite experience playing various kinds of guitars means he was able to narrow down the different qualities found in a guitar that would meet his needs. When Walker learned about the How to Build a Guitar noncredit class offered through MCC’s FabLab, he knew he needed to enroll. “This was my opportunity to make a guitar with the corrections necessary to have a piece that would suit me perfectly,” said Walker. When he stepped into the classroom the first day, he knew he would be making a custom guitar but was in awe when he was presented with blocks of both mahogany and maple wood, which he would eventually sculpt and shape, cutting the edges and sanding the curves. Walker sculpted the head, fingerboard and the body, which were eventually bonded together to become his custom guitar. Once the shaping was finished, he took on the task of soldering the electrical components together, which proved to be a challenging task, and one of the most important steps in the project. Walker has the fine-tuned ear of a seasoned musician, so he knows all too well the importance of having a really good electromagnetic pick-up because this is the part of the guitar that delivers the vibrations from the strings to the amplifier, allowing for quality sound. Said Walker, “It was impressive that MCC provided all the materials and equipment needed to create these personal masterpieces.” Nowadays Walker uses his instrument to both perform and teach. He plays at the Potbelly Sandwich Shop in northwest Omaha every Thursday over the lunch hour and at Little Espana in Rockbrook Village every other Sunday during brunch. His passion for both music and science, as well as his love of learning and teaching, has also allowed him to translate the knowledge he gained in the MCC class to the STEM classes he teaches at multiple area middle schools. “I encourage the students to play the instrument because I want them to see firsthand that anything is possible,” Walker finished.

To sign up for FabLab classes, visit mccneb.edu/future.

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Two is better than one Bilingual staff and faculty help students with education

he U.S. education system is an eclectic mix of cultures and language backgrounds. Add international students to that, and there are hundreds of languages spoken in classrooms across the country. The faculty and staff at MCC recognize this fact and have made strides in better serving students of the four-county area by equipping themselves with language skills that reach beyond the English language. “My talent as a bilingual staff member has added value to our Military/Veterans Services mission by creating a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success of our student body,” said Armando Perez, veterans certifying official in the Military/ Veterans Services department, located at the South Omaha Campus. Perez, who can speak, read and write in Spanish, also knows basic Italian. Other MCC staff who are bilingual include Nancy Canales, student services assistant at the Fremont Area Center. Canales, whose first language course was at MCC, can speak fluently in Spanish and has a keen interest in the language. “I loved it so much that I continued my courses and even got involved in the community, volunteering my time at a local church helping translate,” said Canales. “I’m now considered fluent in Spanish, and it helps me register ESL students for classes as well as translate in meetings students may have with advisors or instructors.” Canales also has found success outside of MCC utilizing her bilingual skills, working part time for Fremont Health as a medical interpreter. An important job that allows medical personnel to act quickly in an emergency or other situation, a medical interpreter helps patients get the care they need in the language they are comfortable with. For more information about MCC’s ESL courses, visit mccneb.edu/eslx.

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“My bilingual skills have come into use many times. It’s helped me communicate with students from Cuba, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic,” she said. MCC’s bilingual services are not limited to just staff. Faculty at the College help students learn and understand material in class. Math instructor Zaher Kmail agrees with Canales in that his bilingual skills have come in handy. “My ability to speak Arabic has helped me build bridges in our community of international students at the College,” he said. Kmail, whose native language is Arabic, says he also finds common ground in the subject of math. “Math is a unique subject because it speaks a universal language, and many international students feel empowered by this.” For students whose native language is not English, instructors and staff members like Kmail, Canales and Perez are there to help them achieve their academic and career goals while making them feel comfortable and welcome in the community.

A whole new world

International students come to MCC for education

magine living in a foreign country where the language is not your primary one. Now imagine living there while trying to get your education. Going to school, working and still having a social life is hard enough as a young adult. That is the challenge faced by many of the College’s international students. Thankfully, there is the team at MCC’s International Student Services to help them out.

One of the important factors is that the student must maintain a full course load. Additionally, it can be hard for students to adjust to the style of teaching in the U.S. “International students can utilize the learning and tutoring centers that MCC offers to help ease them into the college lifestyle,” said Greelis-Mattos. “There are also plenty of organizations here to help them feel a sense of belonging.”

“It can be hard to build a new life, especially when alone. Finding a sense of belonging is one of the keys to success for an international student,” said Naomi Greelis-Mattos, academic advisor in International Student Services. “We help these students adjust to their new lives while guiding them along their educational journey.”

Organizations like the MCC Global Student Club, a club that holds weekly meetings and volunteers at events like the MCC International Fair that takes place each spring. The club also plays sports and recently attended a conference on global citizenship at Central College in Pella, Iowa.

Housed on the College’s Fort Omaha Campus in Building 5, the International Student Services program can assist College applicants and students with admission, change of status, course load, academic transfers, program extensions and other matters that can get rather complicated.

The success of International Students Services can be measured by the fact that at any given time, there are 20-40 students who have been approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months. Many of who work locally.

“The process an F1 student must go through to get their education can be a confusing one,” said Greelis-Mattos. “We have to make sure we are following the guidelines the government has set for international students with daily reporting and other procedures.”

Said Greelis-Mattos, “We take great pride in helping these students reach their goals. Creating a more diverse community is one of the great things about Omaha."

F1 students are those who are in the U.S. on an F Visa, a non-immigrant status that allows the individual to pursue an education. In most years, there are close to 500,000 F Visas issued in the U.S. This year at MCC, there are close to 225 F1 students. At MCC, the students come from all corners of the globe. The countries with the most international students at the College include China, Vietnam, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan and Colombia. Many of them are finding success in areas such as business, healthcare, ESL and liberal arts. The students even continue their education locally at four-year institutions like the University of Nebraska at Omaha or Bellevue University.

The countries with the most international students at the College include China, Vietnam, Burkina Faso, Tajikistan and Colombia.

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Shining bright in the City of Lights Culinary students cater Las Vegas event

as Vegas is considered one of the pinnacles in the world of entertainment and hospitality. In the industry, you have made it as a professional if you have worked at an event in Las Vegas. Nine MCC students from the Institute for the Culinary Arts received the opportunity to do just that with Omaha catering company Catering Creations. A company owned and operated by Jeff Snow and his wife, Jennifer, Catering Creations is in the business of catering events with quality ingredients and superior hospitality. Those attributes are upheld by the staff that they employ. Utilizing the MCC students’ top-notch culinary skills, the team set out to plan their catering strategy for Premonition, an event that featured unique culinary displays and showcased the latest in the field of culinary arts with special twists. Premonition was also a part of the 2015 Catersource and Event Solutions Conference and Tradeshow, which is one of the premier trade shows in the industry where caterers and hospitality professionals from around the globe gather to discover new trends, techniques and ideas to improve their own events. “The logistics and planning are the hardest part of catering. No one really understands what really goes on months before the event. Most people think we cook some food and then show up and serve it,” said Snow who, in addition to his position at Catering Creations, is also an MCC adjunct culinary instructor. “The event is only as good as the planning.”

The event is only as good as the planning. – Jeff Snow MCC adjunct culinary instructor 9 • community • mccneb.edu

Knowing that industry professionals were the attendees, the pressure was on. Executing the plan weeks beforehand, MCC students prepared everything from “potions” containing herbs and spices to a crab falafel that guests could order through a customized 8-ball. In total, students prepared more than 30 different kinds of dishes and variations to serve to event attendees. Once in Las Vegas, the students used the kitchens at the famous Caesar’s Palace to finish their preparations. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Azalia Pruitt. Pruitt, an MCC culinary student, felt that she learned much more than just honing her cooking skills. “I learned that even when you are worn down and ready to throw the hat in the bucket, you have to keep pushing yourself." Pruitt, whose plans are to move from a supervisor to a managerial position running banquet events, knows the experience was invaluable. “I was able to see the larger aspect of running events and helped in the prep and execution. To do it at a place like Las Vegas is even more gratifying!”

Tera Kucera

Culinary students cater Las Vegas event

A family affair Student sees herself, family attend MCC

t age 43, Tera Kucera thought she was done with certain things. She had all but raised her two girls; the youngest was a junior in high school. She had gone to college years ago — did not finish — yet she enjoyed a successful career managing multiple locations for a video store. Then in February 2013, Kucera’s life was upended when her mother, Patricia, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Kucera, along with other family members, became primary caregivers for Patricia until she passed away in December 2013. The death of a parent is one of those critical junctures in life that can lead to an epiphany of sorts. As she grieved for her mother, she also had a revelation: Life is too short to not do what you love.

In other words, at MCC you got the same lecture and same teacher but at one-third the cost of tuition at a university. In spring 2014, Kucera took her first class at MCC. She also convinced her older daughter, Taylor, to go back to college. Now, she and her two daughters all go to college at MCC. And since they live in Fremont, Nebraska, they try to carpool as much as possible. Last fall all three took a biology class together.

“I enjoyed my job, but I have always had an aspiration to be a writer,” said Kucera. This is a woman who has always kept a journal. She loved to read. She loved the whole world of literature, words and understanding the world better through writing. And her epiphany — life is too short to not do what you love — kept nudging her: move forward with your dreams and go back to college … but where?

Kucera is now a full-time student pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts, with plans to transfer to the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She still wants to write but has changed her major from English to history. Kucera has not only made the Dean’s List every quarter at MCC, she was also inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for liberal arts and sciences, and she won a spot on MCC’s Student Advisory Council. Oh, and one more thing: Kucera applied to AmeriCorps and now works at a homeless shelter in Fremont in her spare time. For this service, she stands to win a $2,150 scholarship to UNO.

With her daughter’s encouragement, Kucera began researching MCC. She found that a lot of instructors there also teach the exact same courses at four-year universities.

Of her decision to go back to college, and in particular to MCC, Kucera says, “I am so happy. I have had amazing teachers, and I have enjoyed every second of being here.” community • mccneb.edu • 10

Art instructor’s family touched by disease

t’s a joyous time bringing a new life into the world. One doesn’t assume the worst about their new child’s health. You assume everything will be perfectly normal and that the usual hardships of raising a child, like finding a reputable daycare, changing diapers and ensuring the household is childproof, will be all you endure. But for MCC adjunct art instructor Rachel Mindrup, a harsh reality set in just a few months after giving birth to her son Henry. At just four months old, little Henry was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, an incurable genetic disorder that harms the nervous system and can cause tumors all over the body in vital areas like the brain and spinal cord. The Mayo Clinic describes Neurofibromatosis as usually producing benign tumors that can sometimes be cancerous. Neurofibromatosis is a progressive and unpredictable disease that can affect hearing, motor skills, the heart and cause a host of other health problems. It’s sometimes referred to as the worst disease you’ve never heard of and never affects its patients in a repeatable manner from person to person. “It was shocking, and we didn’t know how to process it,” said Mindrup. “You don’t count on having a child with an incurable disorder.” At first, Mindrup wanted to hide her son’s disease in hopes that it would help him live a normal life and not feel like an outcast in his preschool and kindergarten years.

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“I didn’t want him to be labeled,” she said. “I wanted him to be like everybody else.”

“It sounds great to hide the disease in theory, but after a while we knew it was no longer possible,” said Mindrup.

Mindrup was soon inundated with requests from patients around the world after sharing the paintings on social media. Using water colors, Mindrup draws inspiration from Johannes Vermeer, a 17th century Dutch artist whose paintings are of people in an interior room doing something they have a passion for. Mindrup has now completed close to 130 watercolor paintings and 18 oil paintings of individuals with Neurofibromatosis.

When Reggie Bibbs, founder of the Just Ask Foundation, entered Mindrup’s life, everything changed. Bibbs also has Neurofibromatosis and is famous nationwide, having had multiple stories done on his condition.

Now 11-years-old, Henry has battled each day. He has a couple of brain tumors, and although he has trouble tying his shoes or buttoning a shirt, he has fought and is a happy 5th grader.

“Reggie is an absolute inspiration to my family. He isn’t afraid of the cameras and is out in the open about his condition. He helped me and my family start doing more things and living life the way it should be lived,” said Mindrup.

Mindrup said, “I began doing these paintings to raise awareness for this terrible disease, but what it has taught me is that you can love who you are and not be afraid to face life’s challenges.”

But Henry wasn’t like everybody else. He began having motor skill issues and learning problems that are invisible to the eye.

Mindrup volunteered her artistic talents and approached Bibbs with the idea of creating a portrait of him, showcasing his disfigurement and not hiding his disease to help raise awareness. After all, the idea behind his foundation is for onlookers to ‘just ask’ him about his condition. Bibbs loved the painting so much that he recommended his friend, who also has Neurofibromatosis, have a portrait done by Mindrup. The trend took off.

Mindrup teaches classes in life drawing, art fundamentals and painting. She has been teaching at MCC close to 20 years.

facebook.com/ManyFacesNF

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AROUND THE COLLEGE Nebraska agriculture highlights sustainability lecture series Nebraska agricultural expert William Powers was a guest speaker at MCC’s Sustainability Leadership Presentation Series this past spring. His lecture “Sustainable Farming and Foods in Nebraska” discussed sustainable agriculture and foods in Nebraska over the last 40 years. From water conservation to knowing where food comes from, principles of sustainability are becoming more of the narrative in our daily lives. Sustainable agriculture and sustainable foods grow handin-hand and are at the forefront of the sustainable movement. Powers and a group of listeners discussed the progress that has been made, what is happening today, and how the public can be part of changing the landscape of food and farming in Nebraska and the Midwest. Additional lectures regarding a variety of sustainability topics can be heard throughout the academic year on the first Thursday of each month. For more information, visit mccneb.edu/cps/green/SLPS.asp.

More than 15,000 books given to families MCC, AIT Worldwide Logistics, Cargo Zone, Metro, AmeriCorps, Lutheran Family Services and the Omaha Public Library gave away more than 15,000 new books across Omaha in April. The annual Books by the Busload event has now given away close to 100,000 donated books via Metro buses during its five years in existence. Area residents were invited to browse the books in a library-like setting aboard the stationary buses and take home titles for free. Fiction and nonfiction books were available for all ages and reading levels.

Conference gives high school students chance to network, learn The fourth annual Young, Gifted Black Girls Conference featured sessions on topics such as lessons on tenacity and resiliency, tips about fashion and self-confidence, perspectives from current college students about their experiences, financial literacy and money management, and sexual health education and awareness. Students also had the opportunity to network with professionals from the Omaha community. “We need to find solutions to decrease Omaha’s numbers of AfricanAmericans living in high poverty,” said Cynthia K. Gooch, Ph.D., associate vice president for equity and diversity at MCC. “This conference conveyed strategies that attendees can use to achieve their academic and life goals and help make them successful in life.”

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Earn and learn

MCC students have clear path toward careers

any long-term career opportunities stem from internships. But landing one is no easy task. MCC information technology students may have an easier road, however. Thanks to a partnership forged between the College and Mutual of Omaha in late 2013, students who have completed at least three of the key information technology courses offered at MCC and have demonstrated necessary competencies could be recommended for a paid internship.

transmission, storage and retrieval of data via computers and software programs, all things that impressed and excited Thomas.

The internships last between nine and 12 weeks, and students recommended may also be eligible for internships with companies other than Mutual of Omaha.

The job prospects for information technology students are also strong. Positions in the industry such as computer network architects, database administrators, Web developers, information security analysts and computer programmers can all expect to have a median income of greater than $60,000 per year.

“We call this our ‘Earn and Learn’ model,” said Art Brown, information technology instructor at MCC. After the internship period and phase one coursework at MCC is completed, participants are either accepted into the employer’s permanent workforce, matched with another participating employer or are referred back to the College to continue working on their education. “Our model at MCC is great because students have a clear pathway toward success,” said Brown. “They’ll either be placed with Mutual of Omaha, one of our other partners or can continue building their credentials here.” One of those students to be placed with Mutual of Omaha is MCC student Nathan Thomas. Thomas, who has enjoyed working on computers for many years as a hobby, saw the information technology field as a career choice after touring MCC. Information technology jobs generally involve the

“It’s hard beginning your career, but the internship model for information technology students at MCC is ideal because it helps get your foot in the door and build your career at a strong company like Mutual of Omaha,” said Thomas.

Our model at MCC is great because students have a clear pathway toward success.

11 MCC students are now employed at Mutual of Omaha through partnership.

To learn more about MCC information technology courses, visit mccneb.edu/info.

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Choosing your path Gear up to make the most informed choice

reparing for and choosing a college can be daunting for high school students. There are several tasks that should be addressed while preparing to graduate and researching colleges. If you have a high school junior, he or she should be meeting with their counselor at the beginning of the year to discuss college goals and for feedback on what is needed to remain on track. Counselors can also help prepare a list of questions to be asked when visiting college campuses as well as assist in making sure they are taking classes that are challenging. This is also the time when they should do research online: search scholarships, online college applications and financial aid. When reviewing the college application, think about it as similar to a job application – it is an opportunity to showcase the extracurricular activities they have been involved in and any part-time jobs, internships or job-shadowing they have done in areas that interest them. If your high schooler has not already considered taking the ACT exam, they need to register and be prepared to take it in the spring, particularly if they plan to attend a four-year university. If they plan to attend a two-year community college to obtain their associate degree, they may be required to complete an assessment to help determine proper course placement. MCC offers the Compass® assessment at no charge. Once they have done some research and have begun to narrow down colleges, plan visits as a family. This is also a great time to attend college fairs. After carefully weighing their options and making their decision, take the necessary steps to complete the college application.

For more information on dual enrollment courses and career academy, visit mccneb.edu/secondarypartnerships.

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As a high school senior who has not yet chosen a college, there are still many tasks that should be completed before making a decision. At the beginning of their senior year it is strongly advised to keep a calendar to help keep track of exam, scholarship, financial aid and application deadlines. If your high schooler did not take the ACT during their junior year or is not satisfied with the scores he or she received on the test, they should sign up to take it around this time. They need to be sure to keep in contact with their school counselor to make sure they are on target to graduate as

planned. This is also the time to get a step ahead by taking dual enrollment courses; by doing so, they will have a head start to their college education. MCC offers a variety of dual credit classes, which transfer just like classes taken on campus.

and cons of each school to help with their decisions. Go over the list together as a family and with a guidance counselor. The more feedback they get, the better and more informed decision they will make.

If they have not visited the schools they are considering, plan to do so as soon as possible. Ask them to make a list of the pros

Regardless of the college they choose, they need to be sure to fill out the FAFSA application as soon as possible after Jan. 1.

Prepare for fall

“Having a roadmap in place will keep you on track and make registering for classes much less daunting. Knowing which classes you are starting out with will determine if you need to take the Compass assessment. This assessment helps determine proper course placement,” said April Winans, academic advisor.

Start your college journey on the right foot

fter researching your options, you have chosen to attend MCC. We welcome you and want to do everything we can to assist in your success. There are tasks that need to be tackled before registering for classes followed by a few steps that will help create a smooth path to reach your educational goals. To get started, you will want to apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA form if you have not already done so. If you need assistance, we are here to answer questions and assist you with completing the form. Once you have checked this off your list, your high school transcripts need to be sent to directly MCC’s Records Office either by mail or electronically to transcripts@mccneb.edu. After transcripts are received, you can set up an appointment at any student services location to meet with an advisor to create an academic plan.

You are nearly there! Complete your application and once approved, register for your classes. You can do this online as well. With class schedule in hand, plan to visit the campuses you will be attending classes at and find the building and classroom you will be in. This will help make your first day in class less stressful. While on campus, stop by student services for your student ID and parking permit. Books can also be purchased at four of the MCC locations or online. Once you have books in hand, you are ready to embark on your future at MCC. For more information, visit mccneb.edu/future. Use the checklist provided to make sure you complete each step of the process needed to start your journey on the right foot.

Checklist Apply for financial aid.

Submit application.

Submit high school or transfer transcripts.

Create academic plan with academic advisor.

Pick up student ID and parking permit.

Take Compass assessment.

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Commitment to excellence Six instructors receive teaching awards

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aring, enthusiastic and positive. These are all words one might use to describe teachers who go above and beyond for their students. Six teachers with these traits were presented with MCC’s Excellence in Teaching Awards at the Academic Affairs Awards Reception. The awards are given annually to full-time and adjunct faculty for their dedication to professionalism, commitment to learning, and relationships with students and colleagues. The following faculty were honored this year.

Steve Nichols, a full-time faculty member in business management, was nominated for his pioneering initiatives and innovative instructional process that utilizes flipped classrooms, videos and the College’s learning management system, highlighting that the student preparation comes from more than just textbooks. Last year, Nichols went on to receive the International Teaching Excellence Award, an award given to two recipients out of 10 global regions by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Kojo Allen, a full-time faculty member teaching psychology and sociology, was recognized for his willingness to expose students to diverse learning opportunities outside his classroom. Allen’s nominator pointed out his community work and ability to broaden his students’ horizons.

Nichols’ message to students was, “Working hard is important, but believing that you can succeed is just as important. Trust what you know, learn from your courses and don’t worry about grades. If you accomplish the first two, the grades will take care of themselves.”

Said Allen, “My words of wisdom to my students is that they can do anything they purpose in their hearts to do and be a light bearer and give a helping hand to other students.”

Carolyn Cotton, an adjunct faculty member in health information management systems, was nominated for her outstanding professionalism and unique relationships she has built.

Deb Holst, a full-time faculty member teaching reading, was given an award due to her caring mentality and commitment to help each student reach his or her potential. The nominator for Holst highlighted her creative spirit and willingness to tackle new objectives.

Working hard is important, but believing that you can succeed is just as important.

– Steve Nichols

business instructor

Victoria Hecker, an adjunct faculty member in English, was recognized for her professional and positive attitude. Hecker’s nominator also highlighted her work on new methods of teaching. Rachel Mindrup, adjunct faculty member in arts, was nominated for her enthusiastic demeanor and in-depth knowledge about art. The nominator for Mindrup highlighted her persistence and work to be a role model for her students.

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High above Earth Balloon launches give students glimpse into space

eaching near space with lifting gas and in-depth research may sound like something out of the blockbuster movie “Interstellar,” but in actuality, it’s something that MCC students have accomplished in physics instructor Kendra Sibbernsen’s class. The class, Special Topics in Physics: High-Altitude Ballooning, is a workshop-style class where students engage in a hands-on project that tests their skills in science and math while working together to launch a balloon into space. This past year, it was incorporated into MCC’s General Physics II course. The process begins with students filling a weather balloon with a lifting gas, which takes about an hour to take the payloads to an altitude of roughly 100,000 feet. The balloon collects data along its journey with an antenna transmitting the information back down to the team, who record it on a computer. After the balloon bursts due to high altitude, its

equipment plummets back down to the surface where Sibbernsen’s team of students retrieve their data equipment, sometimes hours away from the original launching point. “The region of the stratosphere that the balloons reach is a relatively unstudied area of near space,” said Sibbernsen. Near space is an area of Earth’s atmosphere that is between 65,000 and 328,000 feet above the surface. This includes the stratosphere, mesosphere and parts of the thermosphere, making it the area above commercial flight patterns but still underneath satellites. Near space is also the area that known skydiver Felix Baumgartner skydived from after he reached 24 miles into the air. Sibbernsen’s class balloons often reach 100,000 feet. “This area of space allows our students to ask questions that may be unanswered so that they

For more information on MCC’s math and natural sciences programs, visit mccneb.edu/mathnaturalsciences.

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can participate in cutting-edge science,” said Sibbernsen. “It also teaches them how to think critically, work in groups and important engineering principles. The class is an intermediate step between model rocketry and producing satellites for students wanting to pursue a career in those types of areas.” The class has even helped lead one student to a project with the NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia, where the student tested a new highefficiency solar panel at high altitudes for possible uses with unmanned aerial vehicles. And with a grant from the NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium, Sibbernsen is able to continue teaching students who want to become the next great scientist. Sibbernsen stated, “The high-altitude ballooning workshop is great because it gives our students ownership of their project, using their curiosity to fuel the experiment.”

One step at a time Adult Education department gives students keys to success

ften the first step to earn a better paying job is to possess a GED or high school diploma. This step is critical in achieving goals and creating a better life. The MCC Adult Education department helps with just that by providing individuals the opportunity to improve their career skills on the pathway to a diploma or postsecondary education after earning their GED. Their goal is to open doors to better paying jobs, new careers, higher education and brighter futures. The department offers an array of services to support students, including distance learning through a hybrid I-Pathways program, Read Right® tutoring, a three-week GED Fast Track program, or self-paced study options at a computer center with access to Web-based learning tutorials and one-on-one tutoring. The department also offers subjectspecific classroom instruction in writing, math, social studies and science. Another service the department offers is career exploration and planning, something crucial to attaining a higher paying job upon receiving a diploma. GED graduates often become immediately eligible for decent paying jobs such as office assistants, healthcare aides, cosmetologists, and hospitality and transportation industry positions. Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests that there are more than 100 different kinds of jobs requiring a GED or high school diploma that pay an average of $20 per hour or more. That number, of course, grows stronger when a two- or four-year degree is added into the mix. “One of our main goals is to get students on the track toward receiving a postsecondary degree in addition to their GED,” said Chris Swanson, adult education program officer for the Adult Education department at the College. “The road starts with a GED. Then the pathway opens up for endless possibilities.” For more information about the Adult Education department and other career skills services, visit mccneb.edu/lws. community • mccneb.edu • 20

Leading the way in Nebraska

New recognition from national organization confirms mission

Students in the manufacturing and technology programs will have the opportunity to utilize a new hub for innovation at the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology, set to be complete by 2018.

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ake a look around you. See a chair, a computer or a cellphone? Those items and their components were produced by manufacturers here in the United States and around the world. So it is probably easy to guess that it is a big business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the manufacturing industry supports more than 17 million jobs in the United States, which is roughly one in every six private-sector jobs. Also, U.S. manufacturers contribute trillions of dollars to the economy, a number that has steadily increased since the recession seven years ago. All alone, the U.S. manufacturing industry would be the ninth-largest economy on Earth. Who says this country no longer produces like it once did? That same growth in the manufacturing industry can be seen at MCC. The College is a recent addition to The Manufacturing Institute’s M-List. The College is also the first educational institution in Nebraska to receive such a distinction. The M-List recognizes high schools, community colleges and four-year institutions that are educating manufacturing students to industry standards. Specifically, these institutions offer students the opportunity to earn NAM-endorsed manufacturing skills certifications as a standard part of their manufacturing education programs.

We pride ourselves in meeting the needs of the workforce.

“We pride ourselves in meeting the needs of the workforce at MCC. Meeting those needs in the manufacturing industry is vital to this region’s success in the global economy,” said Tom Pensabene, executive director of MCC’s workforce innovation division. “Our recognition as a new member of the M-List helps to affirm our commitment to the mission of supporting manufacturers with highly qualified and skilled workers.” The Manufacturing Institute is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the institute is committed to delivering leadingedge information and services to manufacturers in the United States. That same commitment is also evident in North Omaha, where the College is in the process of building a $90 million expansion project at the Fort Omaha Campus. As part of the expansion, students in the manufacturing and technology programs will have the opportunity to utilize a new hub for innovation at the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology. Data gathered in 2013 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $77,506 annually, including pay and benefits. Many of those workers are the holders of two-year associate degrees earned from places like MCC. The average worker in all industries earned $62,546. Said Pensabene, “People all around the world are always going to need goods produced by manufacturers. Our goal at MCC is to give an opportunity to Nebraskans to improve their job prospects in an industry that is one of the strongest in the world.”

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Metropolitan Community College P.O. Box 3777 Omaha, NE 68103-0777

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