BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

In the predominantly male-dominated field of the ski industry, 2009 GCC graduate Judy Kaczor is killing it! Judy went into the Ski Area Management (SAM) program because she loves the slopes, with the initial intention of working on the retail side of the industry. With the help of Jim Vander Spoel, Ski Area Management instructor extraordinaire, she realized she would rather be in the trenches. The SAM program provided her with a well-rounded background of the industry and boosted her confidence through knowledge and experience.

As part of the program, Judy started interning at Boyne Highlands Resort, remained on staff, and has been in the industry ever since. She eventually took a job with Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont as the only female groomer. She worked her way to becoming the resort’s Grooming Manager, where other females are now also employed and states, ‘I wouldn’t be where I am today without the SAM program.” Like any industry, there have been bumps along the way, but overall, she has felt welcomed with open arms. The laid-back vibe in the ski industry allowed her to excel and has been welcoming from day one, so anyone questioning this field should set aside those doubts and just go for it!

Arnold (Jim) Vander Spoel, current Director of the Ski Area Management and Mt. Zion Operations at Gogebic Community College was the recipient of the 2021 Midwest Ski Area Association (MSAA) Jim VanderKelen Achievement Award at the MSAA Industry meeting and trade show held in Lake Geneva, WI on August 15-18, 2021. Congrats, Jim!

OUR STUDENTS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Gogebic Community College had the pleasure of having international students on campus this year! One of those students, Marie Louise De-Jong (pictured), came to Ironwood from the Netherlands to play basketball for the Samsons. Living in the dorms provided her with multiple opportunities to be involved with student activities. Marie was a friendly face working at both the Welcome Desk and in the Samsons Canteen and always wore the biggest smile. She thoroughly enjoyed her time at GCC and plans to come back in the fall and visit all the friends she's made.