Inver Hills Magazine Fall 2011

A publication of Inver Hills Community College

‘A small way for us to give back’

Inver Hills earns reputation of military-friendly college

New at Inver Hills bachelor’s in social work

David Page

named MnSCU Educator of the Year

Anthropology department

thrives on relatable lessons, field experiences Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 1

Inver Hills Magazine Fall 2011

Published twice annually for friends of Inver Hills Community College.

Editor: Helen Clarke Ebert Art Director: A. J. J. Courteau Photographers: Travis Anderson, Jerry Lee Contributing writers: Helen Clarke Ebert, Rachel Hanson, Jason Lachowsky, Nick Lemmer, David Page Send comments and suggestions to hebert@inverhills.edu. © 2011 Inver Hills Community College Inver Hills Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.

The information in this publication is available in alternate form through the Disability Services Office, (651) 450-3628.

6 PACE students provide fall clean-up services to local senior citizens 8 Feature: ‘A small way for us to give back’

Inver Hills earns reputation of military-friendly college

12 Page named MnSCU Educator of the Year

IHCC instructor has transformed EMS education in state

14 College of St. Scholastica offers bachelor’s degree program at Inver Hills 16 Column: Education doesn’t end with a degree earned 18 ‘Everyone needs to know how humans work’

College’s blooming anthropology department thrives on relatable lessons, field experiences

22 Spotlight: Kevin Gyolai, dean of science, technology, engineering and mathematics Departments 2500 80th Street East Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 651-450-3000 www.inverhills.edu

A member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

2 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

From the President................................................. 3 News & Notes........................................................ 4 From the Alumni Association................................. 7 Programs & Majors............................................... 13 Registration Guide............................................... 17 Workforce Development & Continuing............... 20 Education Classes From the Foundation............................................ 23 On the cover: Army veteran Heidi Schultz found new direction at Inver Hills after falling in love with nursing while volunteering at an Iraqi hospital during her second deployment. Schultz is on track to graduate from Inver Hills’ Associate Degree in Nursing program this spring.

From the President

President’s Advisory Committee

Dear friends in the community,

Joe Atkins Minnesota House of Representatives LaDonna Boyd Dakota Electric Association Cindy Bultena Woodwinds Health Campus Jennifer Gale River Heights Chamber of Commerce Dick Graham Elderwise Consulting Jayne Hager Dee University of Minnesota Extension Service Jim Hartshorn

Inver Hills begins its 41st year facing new challenges and new opportunities. Community colleges historically have been the melting pot of higher education — a place where anyone with the willingness to learn could succeed. That has not changed at Inver Hills. But the challenges facing our students are significant: the ongoing recession, personal and family issues that hinder learning, and uncertain future prospects. The opportunities that we offer at Inver won’t solve every student’s issues, but we are united in pressing forward to educate and train as well as we can, and to raise our students up to success.

The new chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Steven Rosenstone, and the system’s Board of Trustees are dedicated to the success of our students. They realize that the opportunity to find meaningful work in our area of Minnesota is goal No. 1 for our students. Thanks to the fine work performed by recently retired Chancellor James McCormick, Inver Hills and MnSCU are positioned to move forward and address our current and future challenges.

City of West St. Paul Mark Hoffman Thomson Reuters Legal Mark Jacobs Dakota County Workforce Council Nancy Schouweiler Dakota County Board of Commissioners George Tourville City of Inver Grove Heights John Vukelich East Metro Family Practice Roy Wallace The Wallace Group Deirdre Wells ISD 199 Asad Zaman Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy

Inver Hills can meet the challenges placed before it because of our excellent faculty and staff. Like Dave Page, our Emergency Medical Services instructor who recently was named ay the MnSCU Board as one of the educators of the year within our system of colleges (see page 12). Or Vice President of Student Services Barbara Read, Ph.D., who facilitated our faculty and staff through a rigorous reexamination and restructuring of the college’s orientation process that resulted in a more studentinformed beginning to college. As a college, we are piloting an early alert system that attempts to keep students from making the initial mistakes that can detour them from academic success. And we were recognized by G.I. Jobs Magazine as a Military Friendly School once again this year, and achieved Yellow Ribbon status by coordinating a community network that proactively supports and recognizes service members and their families (see page 8).

Inver Hills continues to enroll students who are financially strapped, but driven to succeed. To that end, we have invested college funds in the new Finish What You Start Grant (see page 4) to encourage students to plan well for the college experience and to reduce overall indebtedness when they leave. We also have benefitted from a grant that is funding an improved process of analyzing veterans’ academic and training experiences in the military to allow more realistic credit for prior learning. And finally, we are in the second year of a five-year grant from several sources that allows our foundation to make small, one-time grants to assist students in severe need.

We recognize that the need for higher education and training is more important than ever, and will continue to strive to make Inver Hills an accessible and affordable place to achieve a college education. We hope that whatever your education needs or interests might be, we can meet them.

Sincerely,

Tim Wynes President Inver Hills Community College Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 3

News & Notes Public invited to Interesting Conversations series The Inver Hills Academy for Lifelong Learning continues to offer educational programming to community members free of charge each fall and spring semester. The Academy’s fall 2011 Interesting Conversations with Interesting People series already has featured presentations on theatre, war-torn East Africa, wind energy and social networking. Coming up are a Nov. 17 presentation by Inver Hills President Tim Wynes and local scholars of public policy called “Electing Our President: It All Begins in Iowa,” and a Dec. 1 panel of health care professionals and advocates, addressing “How Healthy is Our Health Care System?” For more information, visit www.inverhills.edu/all.

College launches new Finish What You Start grant This fall, 150 new Inver Hills students became the first to receive the newly established Finish What You Start grant, which provides assistance in tuition, books and fees to those students who might otherwise be unable to afford a college education. The creation of this grant is part of the college’s broader goal of making higher education accessible and affordable by helping students reduce overall indebtedness. In total, grant recipients will receive $1,750 in financial assistance, including $250 in book vouchers their first semester, and $500 in each of three subsequent semesters, which can be applied toward book vouchers or as tuition and fees assistance. For more information on the grant, visit www.inverhills.edu/grant.

Inver Hills campus is now tobacco-free As part of the institution’s philosophy to create a clean, safe and healthy learning and working environment, Inver Hills became a tobacco-free campus as of Aug. 17. The new policy — the recommendation of the college’s Tobacco Policy Taskforce — prohibits smoking and smokeless tobacco use in all college facilities and on all college grounds. Tobacco use will be limited to private vehicles and designated college parking lots.

The Tobacco Policy Taskforce was formed in fall 2010 and charged specifically with finding a solution for the tobacco situation on campus. The group worked for several months to gain feedback from the campus community and draft the policy, 4 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

which then was presented to the Student Senate, faculty shared governance, and representatives of the AFSCME and MAPE unions prior to approval.

During the spring and summer of 2011, college officials worked to educate current students and employees on the new policy, as well as provide resources for smoking cessation through the college’s Health Service.

Rosenstone takes over as MnSCU chancellor Steven Rosenstone began service Aug. 1 as the fourth chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. He succeeds James H. McCormick, who retired.

Rosenstone holds a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He was professor of political science at Yale University until 1986 when he joined the University of Michigan to serve as professor of political science and program director at the Center for Political Studies. Recruited to the University of Minnesota in 1996 to serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Rosenstone revamped the undergraduate experience, created state-ofthe-art facilities and forged new partnerships with businesses, communities, cultural and civic organizations. He served as the university’s vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs from 2007 until leaving that post this summer.

Network Technology & Security program recognized nationally Inver Hills was recognized in June as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The college joins an elite group of 13 community colleges across the nation to receive this honor, which recognizes the college’s Network Technology and Security program’s curriculum in cybersecurity education. The designation came after a rigorous evaluation of the Network Technology and Security program, which offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and several

News & Notes advanced certifications. Inver Hills is the only twoyear college in Minnesota to receive the designation. The University of Minnesota, Metropolitan State University, St. Cloud State University and Capella University have received similar recognition.

Local PTK chapter named to nation’s top 100 The Inver Hills chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society was named to the national organization’s “Top 100 Chapters” list in 2011. About 700 PTK chapters exist throughout the country. This marks the second time the local chapter has landed on the list. One project that brought the group recognition this year was its B.R.E.A.T.H.E. initiative, which strives to improve students’ personal success by increasing their awareness of effective online learning strategies. The system currently is being used by online instructors at Inver Hills and other Minnesota colleges and high schools for first-time online students.

English faculty publishes debut novel ‘Golden Jeep’ English faculty Ellen Lansky’s debut novel “Golden Jeep” was published in September by North Star Press of St. Cloud. Telling the story of Lucy Glass, the book traces a young woman’s path as she negotiates between losing a mother and bearing a child. Lansky wrote the first draft of the novel in 2005 while on sabbatical. A reading and book signing was held Oct. 11 at Inver Hills.

Music faculty accepted to fellowship in Germany Music faculty Andy Martin was selected as a fellow of the Methods of Popular Music Analysis Summer Academy put on by the Arbeitskreis Studium Populärer Musik (ASPM) and held at the Institute of Musicology and Music Pedagogy at Osnabrueck University in Osnabrueck, Germany.

Fellows were chosen through an application process and represented 15 countries from four continents. Martin and the other fellows worked closely with a panel of internationally recognized popular music scholars on a variety of methods and problems of popular music analysis. The proceedings — including an essay written by Martin — will be published in an essay collection by the publisher Ashgate in London.

Political science faculty receives National Endowment for the Humanities grant for third year In a highly competitive process, political science instructor Zack Sullivan was accepted to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) summer 2011 workshop “Thomas Jefferson: Legacies & Landmarks,” which took place at the University of Virginia-Monticello and the Library of Congress. This marked the third consecutive year Sullivan was chosen as an NEH Summer Scholar.

Psychology faculty, registrar participate in leadership academy Psychology instructor Jason Kaufman and Enrollment Services Director and Registrar Matt Traxler are participating in the year-long Luoma Leadership Academy. They were nominated for inclusion in the leadership development program by Inver Hills administration. The Academy was developed by The Chair Academy, a national organization dedicated to creating world-class training programs for academic and administrative leadership in post-secondary institutions. The program includes on-site training, a practicum experience involving implementation of an individualized professional development plan, and a mentor and coaching program.

Online course passes national peer review process Mathematics instructor Carrie Naughton recently put her MATH 0840 Introductory Algebra course through the Quality Matters peer review process, a nationally recognized program designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. Colleges and universities across the country use the tools in developing, maintaining and reviewing online courses and training faculty. Introductory Algebra is the first course at Inver Hills to receive the Quality Matters recognition, having passed the review process in its first effort.

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 5

PACE students provide fall clean-up services to local senior citizens

BY JASON LACHOWSKY PACE students participate in the fall 2010 clean-up effort

Again this November, students enrolled in Inver Hills Community College’s Preparing to Achieve a College Education program (PACE) will participate in an annual fall clean-up effort. The volunteer activity benefits local senior citizens who need assistance tidying up their yards during the fall season.

This is the second year students have offered a helping hand to local seniors, and that hand has been received with gratitude.

“Many seniors commented that they would not have been able to rake the leaves without their help,” Joan Wormer, Inver Grove Heights Senior Center coordinator, said of the 2010 effort.

Some seniors lack the means to pay for lawn care or do not have a family member close by to help out, Wormer said. Aside from raking leaves, PACE students also wash windows and trim bushes.

The fall clean-up and other service learning activities encourage community involvement and demonstrate the benefit Inver Hills has on the surrounding area. “[Having] Inver Hills students visit [seniors’] homes was a great idea,” Wormer said. “Many seniors enjoyed their conversations with the students.”

Approximately 20 students volunteered at eight homes during the fall 2010 clean-up effort, according to program organizer Amanda Jaworski, who serves as student success coordinator and PACE advisor at Inver Hills.

“The students want to give back to the local community,” Jaworski said. “This isn’t a mandatory activity to participate in PACE. It’s inspiring how many participate without hesitation.”

Jaworski said the effort also is a great opportunity for students to bolster their résumé in a competitive job market.

Partnering again with the Inver Grove Heights Senior Center, the 2011 class of PACE students have identified new homes they will visit on Nov. 5. Jaworski hopes to find local businesses willing to donate supplies so the event can take place funded entirely by contributions. While PACE represents a smaller cohort of students this year, the group is just as eager to participate.

The PACE program attracts students who are enthusiastic about college and the opportunities education affords. Launched in June 2008, PACE is a twoyear program that offers underrepresented students — including students of color, low-income students and first-generation college students — the opportunity to take college courses while still in high school.

Taking courses on Saturdays during the academic year and three days a week during the summer, PACE students can earn up to 20 college credits before they complete high school. The program helps students develop their personal and career goals before they graduate.

For more information about PACE and the annual fall clean-up effort, contact Amanda Jaworski at ajawors@inverhills.edu or (651) 450-3863.

6 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

Make a difference. Mentor a student.

Alumni Association Board of Directors

So you’ve graduated from Inver Hills and continued in your career journey.

Perhaps you’ve gotten a few more years of education under your belt. Perhaps you have a good job that is satisfying and challenging. Your success reminds you of all that hard work and dedication you put into your journey. Why not share your experience? Now there’s an easy way to help Inver Hills students and alumni who are exploring new career paths and opportunities. It’s called the Mentoring Network, and it’s hosted through the Inver Hills job search website. This site is exclusively available to Inver Hills students and alumni who want to find jobs or connect with alumni.

William Blair Anderson

Registering is easy. The website is www.collegecentral.com/inverhills. After clicking on “Alumni,” choose “Mentoring Network” to join, and enter the access code: oncourse. A few short questions will help match students and alumni to potential mentors. The Inver Hills Career Center can help with any questions you may have. Reach Career Center staff at (651) 450-3301.

Carver County Reyne Branchaud-Linsk Retired Melanie Hamilton Julie Jacobson Bob Isaacson Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Mary Maher Mark Mohr Pat Murphy

Your Mentor Profile is password-protected, and your contact information is not shared. It’s the mentor’s responsibility to decide the initial type of contact communication, such as by phone or by email. From there, the mentor and the student choose how and if further communication is desired. Some students may have questions that can be answered in an email and others may want to connect with you for a longer discussion. The mentor has the freedom to determine the length of the communication and types of information provided to the student. The Mentoring Network also provides an opportunity for alumni to connect with each other for the purpose of career development and for networking.

Bruce Nelson

We hope you will take advantage of the Inver Hills Mentoring Network.

We’ll bet that you will get as much out of helping a student as they get out of this service. Make a difference in a student’s life. Register today!

Dean Swenson

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Pat Schlagel Fairview Southdale Hospital Connie Schmidt Merrick, Inc. Dane Smith Growth and Justice Wings Financial Federal Credit Union

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 7 Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 7

Feature

‘A small way for us to give back’ Inver Hills earns reputation of military-friendly college

BY HELEN CLARKE EBERT

A

s a little girl, Heidi Schultz reveled in shining her dad’s boots and ironing his uniform. Then, when she was a senior in high school, Sept. 11 happened.

“A bunch of things culminated together,” Schultz, now 27, recalled. “I was at a transition point in my life and didn’t know what I wanted to do. So I enlisted at 17 while I was still in high school.”

Two tours and 10 years later, the Hastings native is a thirdsemester nursing student at Inver Hills. She credits her time with the Army National Guard with helping her discover that she was meant to be a nurse.

“I always knew I wanted to end up somewhere in the medical field, I just didn’t know where,” Schultz said.

Returning from her first tour to Baghdad, Iraq, in September 2005, things were a bit complicated. She started attending Inver Hills in pursuit of an associate in arts degree through the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, earned that degree and transferred to the University of Minnesota. But things just weren’t clicking for her, so she left the university and took a year off before being deployed to Balad, Iraq, in June 2008.

“On the one night a week that I was off duty, I volunteered at the hospital in Balad,” Schultz said. “I saw a lot of really traumatic things there, and it felt like such a good fit for me to work in the field and continue to be able to help people.”

So three days after returning from that tour in 2009, she started classes at Inver Hills. She took a variety of required courses while waiting to gain official admission into the college’s nursing program. And because she had worked as a registered Certified Nursing Assistant prior to her second deployment, Schultz hoped she would have a better chance of getting admitted into the competitive program.

“I found out that my CNA expired when I was overseas, so I lost my certification,” Schultz said. “I had worked nine months full time as a CNA, which is a huge deal for getting into the program.”

8 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

Inver Hills student Heidi Schultz on duty in Iraq.

Working with college Veterans Coordinator Sue Flannigan, Schultz filed a petition through Inver Hills to explain her circumstances to the nursing department.

“I still remember the exact day that I got in,” Schultz recalled with a smile. “I had been on my game about calling the right people and checking on my status, and the dean of nursing actually called me on my cell phone after I got out of class to tell me I was in.”

“It’s been said that every person who goes to war comes back as a different person. I strive to make sure each and every one of those individuals gets what they need to succeed in college and in life.

It’s a small way for us to give back to those who have made so many sacrifices for our country. I can’t think of anything better to do.”

– Sue Flannigan, IHCC veterans coordinator Now on track to graduate from the program this spring, Schultz sees her experiences in Iraq as a major asset to her current status as a student and her future career as a nurse.

“Because of my background — because of what I’ve done, where I’ve been and how I’ve handled myself — it’s been applied to my life, and that’s an asset and should be seen as one,” Schultz said.

Upon enrolling at Inver Hills for that initial A.A. degree, Schultz received 18 credits — mostly in elective courses — for her military experience.

That’s been the maximum number of credits awarded to veterans for many years, Flannigan said, but it’s changing at Inver Hills. The college recently received a grant to develop the Maps to Credentials program, which allows veterans to receive additional program-specific credits by identifying which classes in their chosen program can be deemed fulfilled by their military experience.

“In the past, a student would have to petition to prove that they had gained enough experience outside the classroom to fulfill a course’s requirements,” Flannigan said. “We think this will be a much more reasonable process.”

And for good reason. Flannigan currently is working with 320 students who are using a variety of military benefits to attend Inver Hills, and she believes another 500 students are enrolled in the college and not utilizing her office’s services. Besides helping students get credit for their military experience, Flannigan said she assists veterans and servicemembers from the day they consider enrolling at Inver Hills all the way past graduation.

“By the time they leave my office after that first meeting, all they have to do is attend SmartSTART [registration],” Flannigan said. “The college’s Veteran Services office really is a onestop shop for any assistance a veteran needs. We have a lot of connections here.”

Along with college resources, the Veteran Services office hosts visits from the St. Paul Veterans Center and Minneapolis VA Medical Center staff, and Flannigan helps students work through home-life issues, deployments, training and medical appointments. Her goal, she said, is to bring awareness to campus and make sure veteran and military students and their family members don’t feel overlooked or left behind.

Members of the 34th Red Bull Division of the Minnesota National Guard walk on the Inver Hills campus in July as part of a one-year reintegration event that involved 300 servicemembers and their families. The college offers free event space for military events.

“It’s been said that every person who goes to war comes back as a different person,” Flannigan said. “I strive to make sure each and every one of those individuals gets what they need to succeed in college and in life. It’s a small way for us to give back to those who have made so many sacrifices for our country. I can’t think of anything better to do.”

One person grateful for that effort is Marcus Kuboy who, like Schultz, enlisted in the Army seeking some answers.

“I was working a job in retail management at an oil change shop, but I wanted to do something that had more purpose to it,” the 33-year-old Inver Hills alumnus said. “I looked into firefighting, but I didn’t have anything special to make me a standout – Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 9

but I decided that so much physical time on my feet probably wouldn’t be as good of a fit for me anymore,” Kuboy said, acknowledging that his dreams of becoming a firefighter were shattered as a result of his injuries. “I shifted gears, and social work seemed to be a better fit.”

Kuboy started attending Inver Hills in fall 2009, pursuing an A.A. degree through the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. He completed his coursework here this past summer, and is now on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work from The College of St. Scholastica. He takes his classes on the Inver Hills campus through a new partnership the schools launched this fall that allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree locally Inver Hills alumnus Marcus Kuboy on duty in Iraq.

like a military or medical background – so at the ripe old age of 27, I joined the Minnesota National Guard.”

After one year of training as an Army medic, Kuboy found himself deployed to Iraq’s Al-Anbar Province.

It was March of 2006, and he was serving as a medic in a one-year tour slated to end March 15, 2007. The unit was extended, and on March 23 – just eight days after he was supposed to have left Iraq for good – Kuboy’s entire life changed.

While on presence patrol in a rural area of Fallujah, a roadside bomb went off underneath the vehicle Kuboy and four others were traveling in. The blast catapulted the vehicle 25 feet into the air and slammed it back into the ground on its roof. Kuboy was ejected and knocked unconscious.

The vehicle’s driver was killed immediately, and three others were injured.

Kuboy woke up in Germany with two broken feet, two open fractures 10 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

on his lower legs, a broken lower back, a broken arm, a jaw that had been broken in eight places, nine fractured teeth, and his head had been cracked open.

“There’s an initial reaction that it was a pointless injury — a pointless death,” Kuboy said of the timing of the event that severely injured him and killed a man he served with. “But in reality, it doesn’t change anything.

We all showed up and we all agreed that we were going to do anything that was asked of us, and that’s what we were doing.”

Kuboy spent 10 months in recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — then located in Washington, D.C. — and six months at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. When he finally was able to live on his own again, he spent another year and a half in outpatient rehab with the VA. “After all of that, I was still looking into going into the medical field,

through CSS. Kuboy plans to eventually earn a master’s degree and land a job doing advocacy and counseling for veterans.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about veteran suicides, and typically they’re

Scholarships for Veterans Inver Hills offers three scholarships specifically for veteran and military students and/or their families.

• Two Goodrich Veterans Scholarships are available to veterans or individuals currently serving in the military. Values are $2,000 and $500.

• The Veterans Scholarship is available to a veteran or individual currently serving in the military, valued at $500. This is funded through Inver Hills employee giving.

• The Veterans Club-Carol Juers Memorial Scholarship available to from people who will isrefuse to take adirection veteran,from spouse of a veteran or teach child people who can of a veteran, valued at $250. them how to and copeiswith things that are

driving them to those places,” Kuboy said. “If I can get into a position where I can assist anybody who might be going into that direction and prevent just one person from that course, it brings all the meaning into the world into what I’m trying to do.”

Acknowledging that he came back from Iraq with his own cases of posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, Kuboy believes that ability to relate is proof enough that there’s a great need for veterans to attain higher education and work alongside civilians.

“When I came back, I felt naturally scattered; I felt somewhat displaced wherever I went,” Kuboy said. “You’re in an environment where you feel like you’re supposed to be normal and feel normal, but you don’t.”

Sometimes having four appointments a day at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Kuboy depended on Flannigan and college policies to help him stay on track with both his classes and his recovery. At one point, he had to drop his classes mid-semester because of two important surgeries, and with the help of Flannigan and a counselor, he made sure his academic record wasn’t tarnished with “incomplete” marks.

lives are going to be messed up. Being in the military is like me dropping you off in the middle of Ethiopia and you trying to fit in. Imagine someone who’s been on active duty for four or five years and then they come back and want to try to get their life together — to try to figure themselves out.”

One thing Kuboy feels strongly about is the importance of access to higher education for servicemembers and veterans.

“Education can be very valuable to people coming back from war,” Kuboy said. “When I got hurt and was sitting in the hospital, there were two things that were of high priority to me: taking advantage of the time and enriching the relationships that I had with people that were close to me, and experiencing whatever new things that I could. Pursuing my course in education brings a lot of satisfaction in both of those categories for me.”

In addition to resources available through the college’s Veteran Services office and the Veterans Lounge, Inver Hills offers scholarships for veterans, workshops and networking events, and free event space for community organizations affiliated with the military. The college also has an established Yellow Ribbon Committee, whose members plan Veterans Day and other military-related events, and have established a stitching, quilting and crocheting group whose proceeds benefit military families.

For more information on how Inver Hills serves veteran and military students, staff and their family members, visit www.inverhills.edu/ studentresources/veteranservices, or contact Sue Flannigan at (651) 4503862 or sflanni@inverhills.edu.

“A doctor appointment with the VA is not the same as an appointment would be for the rest of us,” Flannigan said. “Part of my job is to be an advocate for these students — to make them aware of the laws and options we have to protect them.”

Even something as seemingly simple as the college’s Veterans Lounge has been a blessing for veterans on campus.

“Having a place to connect — that’s a big deal for me,” Schultz said. “A lot of us are going to come back, and our

From left, Governor Mark Dayton, Inver Hills President Tim Wynes, Veterans Coordinator Sue Flannigan, Yellow Ribbon Committee member Denise Hammer and Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash recognize the college’s Yellow Ribbon Company designation during an August ceremony at Inver Hills. Photo courtesy of Inver Grove Heights Patch.

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 11

Page named MnSCU Educator of the Year IHCC instructor has transformed EMS education in state

BY NICK LEMMER

Practicing emergency medicine is all David I. Page has ever wanted to do.

“I grew up in Mexico City near a Red Cross hospital, and I can remember ambulances streaming by,” Page, an Emergency Medical Services instructor with Inver Hills, recalled. “I had to convince my parents I wasn’t throwing my life away when I started paramedic training.”

In April, Page was named Educator of the Year by the Board of Trusties of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The award recognizes faculty members with a record of exceptional professional accomplishment and excellence in teaching. One of 33 faculty members nominated out of more than 19,000 system-wide, Page shared the stage with three others who received the system’s highest teaching honor.

But convincing his parents — both university professors — was the first of many challenges he’s had to tackle in his 25-year career in the field.

Early in his career, Page addressed the fact that the study of emergency medicine was not being done in an academic setting where students could earn college credits and receive a degree. So in 1992, he and a colleague worked to transition the Ramsey County Hospital training center to the Inver Hills campus.

“Our vision was that we would have a national center of excellence, proving that paramedic education deserved a degree,” Page said.

He also saw the need for better ways to test and assess a student’s mastery of the diverse curriculum.

12 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

Inver Hills Emergency Medical Services instructor David I. Page, right, works with two students in the program.

As Tia Radant, Inver Hills’ interim director of emergency services puts it: “He generates good ideas — great ideas, in fact — that push his students and colleagues to think outside the box and deliver EMS education in a dynamic way.”

And it shows. Page co-authored the standard EMS textbook and has created evaluation methods in use today by more than 700 EMS programs. His innovative work appears in leading trade and scholarly journals, and he is a frequent speaker at national conferences.

When asked what he is most passionate about, Page points to the lack of diversity in the EMS workforce.

“After 20 years of actively trying to recruit and include people of diverse backgrounds, it is disappointing that there continues to be so few people of color,” Page said.

So in partnership with the city of Saint Paul and Ramsey County, Page and Inver Hills staff founded the EMS Academy. The program recruits young men and women from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to attend paid training toward an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate.

Recognized as a best practice by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the academy begins its fourth session this winter.

Inver Hills EMS graduate Dwayne Gibbs was the first African American paramedic in the Saint Paul Fire Department. A firefighter for 10 years and now a chaplain, Gibbs valued the chance to study under Page.

“Dave took a special interest in seeing that I made it and became a good paramedic,” Gibbs said. “Dave is the best educator I’ve ever met — intense and talented. Inver Hills is very fortunate to have him.”

Programs of Study Advanced Network Technology Certificate Art A.F.A. Associate of Arts Biology A.A. with Emphasis Biology A.S. Building Inspection Technology Certificate Building Inspection Technology Core Certificate Building Permit Technician Certificate Chemistry A.A. with Emphasis Chemistry A.S. Child Care Teacher Certificate Community Health Worker Certificate Computer Science A.S. Computer Programmer A.A.S. Construction Management A.S. Construction Management Certificate Contemporary Business A.S. Contemporary Business Practice A.A.S. Criminal Justice A.S. Criminal Justice (Pre-CCJLE) Certificate Customer Service Certificate Early Childhood Education A.S. Education Foundations A.S. Emergency Medical Services A.S. Emergency Medical Technician Certificate (pending MnSCU approval) Engineering Fundamentals A.S. Environmental Science A.S. (pending MnSCU approval) Exercise Science A.S. (pending MnSCU approval) Gender and Women Studies A.A. with Emphasis (pending MnSCU approval) History A.A. with Emphasis Human Resource Management Certificate

Human Service Assistant Certificate Human Service Worker A.S. Individualized Professional Studies A.S. IP Telephony Certificate IT Help Desk Certificate Law Enforcement A.S. Legal Administrative Assistant A.S. Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Mathematics A.A. with Emphasis Microcomputer Software Support Specialist A.A.S. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Certificate Music Industry A.F.A. (pending MnSCU approval) Network Technology and Security A.A.S. Network Security Certificate Nursing A.S. Nursing Assistant Certificate Office Technology Certificate Paralegal A.S. Paralegal (Post-graduate) Certificate Paramedic Certificate Physical Education A.S. Political Science A.A. with Emphasis Professional Writing Certificate Project Management Certificate Psychology A.A. with Emphasis (pending MnSCU approval) Sales & Marketing Certificate Small Business Development Certificate Sociology A.A. with Emphasis (pending MnSCU approval) Supervision Certificate Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate Theatre A.F.A. (pending MnSCU approval)

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 13

College of St. Scholastica offers bachelor’s degree program at Inver Hills SUBMITTED BY THE COLLEGE OF ST. SCHOLASTICA

Crystal VanCanneyt has just started working on her bachelor’s degree in social work at Inver Hills Community College, thanks to a new partnership between Inver Hills and The College of St. Scholastica. This opportunity marks the first time Inver Hills has offered a four-year degree from a private college.

Easy access is essential

VanCanneyt is back in school after graduating high school 10 years ago. For her, the sooner she can get started on her career, the better.

“St. Scholastica’s good reputation, along with the fact I can complete my degree faster, made me decide to study here at Inver Hills,” she said, adding that the program’s accelerated learning option allows her to complete her degree more quickly than what may be considered traditional.

But it’s not just the accelerated learning that’s a big bonus. For many adult and part-time students, being able to juggle life, a job and education is a tricky task at the best of times. Having the ability to learn in a place you are familiar with and is easy to commute to can make all the difference.

“Being able to walk across the Inver Hills campus to take a course from St. Scholastica is a dream for students who have completed their Associate of Arts qualifications here,” said Thomas Reis, an instructor in the Human Services Department at Inver Hills.

Reis noted that historically Inver Hills has been a feeder school for the St. Scholastica social work program, but most students had to attend the private college at its central St. Paul or Duluth campuses, or complete the program through online classes. For many, those options meant their work, school and family lives became more difficult to manage, if not impossible.

“Ease of access is important for a course such as this,” said Lee Gustafson, chair of the Social Work

14 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

Department and program director at St. Scholastica.

“When you’re working with adult students who have other commitments, being able to make learning easier is crucial.”

Gustafson said little things like parking, commute time and knowledge of a campus can go a long way to make the learning experience better. He noted that focus groups of social work students at the central St. Paul campus all said Inver Hills would be an easier place to complete their degree.

“Inver Hills is more accessible to social work students looking to become St. Scholastica undergraduates now,” Reis said.

This certainly is the case for VanCanneyt — she’d already taken classes at Inver Hills and was familiar with the campus, and she liked that she could take the St. Scholastica adult-accelerated classes at the same location.

“It’s much easier for me than traveling to downtown St. Paul,” she said.

Online options mean control, freedom

Students can customize their learning to suit their needs.

“We offer hybrid learning for some of our classes — like using face-to-face and online components together — because that’s where the momentum of higher education learning is going,” Reis said.

“The social work program on the Inver Hills campus is unique and personalized. It offers night classes and provides different timeline options of completion,” added Marcia Runnberg, St. Scholastica’s coordinator for the program. “It also helps students more quickly and easily define academic and career goals because St. Scholastica is physically on the Inver Hills campus and there are clear communication channels between St. Scholastica, advisors and students. Inver

“There’s going to be an urban practice focus to the social work program at Inver Hills, certainly,” Gustafson added. “There’ll be different practice emphases, and some of the coursework will obviously be in a very different field setting.”

Students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in social work through a new partnership between Inver Hills Community College and The College of St. Scholastica celebrate the first day of classes in September.

Hills students will be better informed and can make decisions earlier as a result of the partnership.”

The program is designed for students who have completed a minimum of an Associate of Arts degree or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum from the community college. Students may enroll with St. Scholastica in either fall or spring semesters on a full- or part-time basis. The program offers accelerated learning with evening classes and a cohort model of delivery, while integrating Catholic Benedictine values in social justice and the human condition.

An urban emphasis

The program at Inver Hills is the third distancelearning partnership St. Scholastica has established with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system for its social work program. Inver Hills joins Central Lakes College in Brainerd and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet in offering the program through a partnership, as well as the St. Scholastica Duluth campus, which offers the program in a traditional undergraduate format. Each college brings with it unique local and social issues that students learn from and possibly work in – and Inver Hills is no different.

“The Inver Hills campus offers a diverse range of topics with inclusion of immigrant, refugee and veteran issues,” Runnberg said.

Reis notes that the ability to pursue a four-year social work degree in the metro area of St. Paul means students will have to gain the skills necessary to be “dropped into any environment.”

“Students here generally want to stay in the Twin Cities, and this partnership gives them a good foundation to successfully achieve that,” he said.

The future of social work at Inver Hills

The social work undergraduate degree currently is the only St. Scholastica program offered through Inver Hills. Students are encouraged to explore the possibility of taking various online St. Scholastica courses while at Inver Hills, but both schools are willing to develop the relationship and offer students more choices in person.

“We will be working with our colleagues at Inver Hills to determine whether there are additional programs to offer there as well,” said Beth Domholdt, vice president for academic affairs at St. Scholastica.

VanCanneyt is glad that, thanks to the partnership, she’s now able to earn her B.A. in social work and jump right into the field, using her newly-acquired skills. She also is excited that she’s able to earn advanced standing and have the chance to complete a master’s degree in social work in just one year.

“A master’s degree is definitely a consideration,” VanCanneyt said. “I may have to work full-time for a while and then return to school for an M.S.W., but it’s great that I’ll have the skills and qualifications to return and advance my career so easily.”

For more information on this program, contact admissions representative Jay Parsons at jparsons@css.edu or (877) 537-5265.

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 15

Faculty Column

Education doesn’t end with a degree earned

BY LINDA SEIFORD, Ph.D.

Linda Seiford, psychology faculty

The beginning of a new academic term is exhilarating. Students arrive, excited to begin new chapters in their lives. Instructors return, eager to share knowledge of subjects for which they have tremendous passion. Administrators and staff members emerge, prepared to manage and direct the tremendous energy. The campus is alive — full of dreams, opportunity and hope.

However, it isn’t always easy to take that first step — that step into the unknown. For any individual, the exploration of unfamiliar territory usually involves a mix of excitement and anxiety. I began my academic journey at Inver Hills many years ago. I remember feeling delighted to be in college, but somewhat nervous about the new role I was attempting to occupy. I had no real idea as to where my academic journey would lead or really what my future would look like. I just knew that continuing my education was the next logical step.

One step led to another and one challenge led to the next. I continued to explore my interests and push beyond my comfort zone, which ultimately resulted in my earning a Ph.D. in psychology. Even with several degrees in hand, I still continue to drive forward. I realize that it is just as important to continue to develop as it was to take those first steps.

An education and the pursuit of knowledge should not end with the acquisition of any degree.

This past summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a neuroanatomical dissection of the human brain and spinal cord at Marquette University. I am fascinated by the human body, the brain and neurology, so when the opportunity presented, I made the arrangements. Just as any student beginning a new course, I arrived eager to 16 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

learn but certainly not without some nervous energy.

I realized that I would be in the company of amazing scholars and researchers, and I fully understood that I was being allowed to experience something that many individuals never do.

Individuals read about the brain, its structures and how it enables humans to function, but rare is the opportunity to actually hold a human brain, to touch its delicate structures, to explore its incredible intricacies. The experience touched me in a profound way. Not only did it give me a deeper knowledge of and greater appreciation for this amazing organ that enables life, but it also gave me a broader appreciation for education and for those who were so passionate about education that they allow us to learn from the bodies they leave behind.

One year ago, I was offered the opportunity to return to Inver Hills — this time, as a member of the psychology faculty. I never dreamed this would be a possibility when I first set foot on campus as a college freshman. I was, however, open; open to the potential opportunities that education would make available if I pushed beyond my comfort zone.

As settle into this new academic term, I challenge you to push beyond what is comfortable — to strive to create your best self. To be open to experiencing things you might never have thought possible. While we all may be at differing points in our educational journeys, we are all on the same path of lifelong learning; a path that creates stronger individuals, healthier communities and an improved world.

Linda Seiford is a member of the psychology department faculty at Inver Hills Community College.

To reach her, send an e-mail to lseiford@inverhills.edu.

Start your future today!

Spring semester begins Jan. 9, 2012 Regular Admission

Regular admission is for students who plan to pursue a degree or certificate at IHCC or plan to transfer to another institution. To apply, go to www.inverhills.edu/applyonline. A one-time, nonrefundable $20 application fee is required.

Limited Enrollment

Limited enrollment is a temporary enrollment status designed for students who are not seeking a degree or certificate, do not want financial aid and know the specific classes they want to take. Limited enrollment students are ineligible for financial aid, veteran benefits and academic counseling services. Limited enrollment applications are accepted by mail, fax or in person during the open registration period. Use the limited enrollment form at www. inverhills.edu/forms. A $20 nonrefundable application fee must be included.

Registration www.inverhills.edu/courseregistration New students accepted under regular admission will register during SmartSTART orientation. New students enrolling through limited enrollment register in person, by mail or by fax using the limited enrollment registration form.

Current or returning students should register online. For log-in or registration assistance, contact the Enrollment Center.

Register as early as possible during registration periods.

Classes may fill at any time. The college reserves the right to change class locations, instructors and other conditions that do not alter the scheduling of the class. If times, days or dates are changed, students will be notified.

Selecting classes www.inverhills.edu/classschedule Use the course registration link on the college homepage for information about classes, including course descriptions, prerequisites, schedule and other details. Current students also can log into their E-services account to view courses and register. Class sections may be added, canceled or filled at any time. The online listing reflects the most accurate class information.

Spring 2012 Enrollment Calendar Priority registration begins..........................................Oct. 31 Open registration begins............................................Nov. 15 Payment due for registrations through Dec. 8..........Dec. 14 First drop for non-payment.........................................Dec. 15 Spring semester begins.................................................Jan. 9 Payment due for registrations Dec. 9-Jan. 13........... Jan. 13 Last day to add/drop classes (no obligation)............ Jan. 13 Second drop for non-payment ....................................Jan. 17 Last day to withdraw from first-half classes..............Feb. 13 First-half classes end.................................................March 2 Second-half classes begin...................................... March 12 All unpaid account balances due........................... March 15 Late fee will be added..............................................March 16 Last day to withdraw from full-term and second-half classes....................................................April 18

Tuition www.inverhills.edu/courseregistration/tuitionpayment.aspx Tuition and fees are set by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Included with tuition are fees for student life/activities, technology, parking and student association. Students who register for classes must pay tuition or make arrangements to do so by the tuition due dates found in the academic calendar online.

Financial Aid www.inverhills.edu/studentresources/financialaid The financial aid office can provide information on federal, state and local financial aid programs and scholarships. Aid in the form of state grants, need-based aid, loans and work-study are available. Students must apply for financial aid online at www. fafsa.ed.gov. Inver Hills’ school code is 006935. For more information, stop by the financial aid office in room 257 of the College Center, call (651) 450-3518 or e-mail finaid@inverhills.edu.

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 17

‘Everyone needs to know how humans work’ College’s blooming anthropology department thrives on relatable lessons, field experiences

BY DAVID PAGE

M

egan Wrzosek has always been fascinated by Egyptology.

gy. Nienow eventually would like to offer courses on North American Indians and visual anthropology as well.

Instead of starting out broadly and working toward a specialty while in college, Nienow did the opposite.

When she entered the University of Wisconsin-River Falls last year, she signed up for cultural anthropology — whetting her appetite for information about human cultures. But she wasn’t so enamored with the school.

It was a trip to Fort Berthold in North Dakota that flamed Nienow’s own passion for anthropology.

“I started as a history major while at La Crosse,” he said. “I didn’t take a single anthropology class. Then I studied archaeology at William and Mary for my master’s program, and eventually earned a Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Minnesota in 2007.”

“River Falls didn’t suit me,” Wrzosek said.

She began looking for an alternative place to hang her academic hat, and decided to try Inver Hills.

“When I took a tour of Inver Hills, I liked the campus and the small class sizes,” Wrzosek said. “If it were a fouryear school, I’d stay here. I love it!”

Part of the Wrzosek’s attraction to Inver Hills was the recent creation of an anthropology department at the college by Jeremy Nienow, Ph.D.

“We were able to do some field survey work while there,” he said, “and I found some obsidian flakes and trade seed beads. I was hooked at that point — much to the dismay of my parents.”

Because anthropology is the study of humanity, it is the basis of all academic disciplines, Nienow claims, so it’s a good minor for anyone going into advertising, social services, economics or any other subject.

“Everyone needs to know how fear works, for example,” Nienow said, “how humans work.”

In between, Nienow worked as a contracting archaeologist on several projects. In the late 1990s, for instance, he led a civilian crew doing shovel testing and surface survey work at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin.

Any federal project that will disturb habitat needs to have an inventory of cultural resources, so that’s why he was brought in.

“Up until a couple years ago, an individual from the sociology department taught a couple anthropology classes at the college,” Nienow said.

“He retired, and I was hired to teach them.”

In the last year, anthropology split from sociology, and Nienow added five courses to the catalog, including Introduction to Archaeology and Introduction to Biological Anthropolo-

18 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

Anthropology instructor Jeremy Nienow, center, works with students in his “Introduction to Anthropology” course.

“Although I had to shave and get a haircut to get a military ID, I really liked that job,” Nienow said. “But I almost got killed a couple times. We had to learn the difference in color between live and practice rounds.

During that period, live rounds were painted green and dud rounds blue.

Over time, they’d fade to the same color, so we’d have to be very careful.”

Since coming to Inver Hills, Nienow has continued to keep busy.

Besides planning new classes, he has brought the Midwestern Archaeology Conference to campus. He also is a board member of the Council for Minnesota Archaeology.

In keeping with his archaeology interests, what most excites Nienow is getting his students’ hands dirty — literally. One of his lesson plans involved having students do survey work at the old art kiln on college property. He also has provided students with the opportunity to do field work at Hastings’ LeDuc Mansion, which is run by the Dakota County Historical Society.

Nienow plans to continue working with the Historical Society on projects at the LeDuc Mansion and hopes to get some Legacy Funding to support a survey class working at a Dakota County ghost town.

“If the class runs, it will give students some field experience,” Nienow said. “We will teach the ethics and regulations involved in archaeological work, as well as some museum studies. Of course there will also be some actual archaeology, such as shovel testing.”

Nienow and the current executive director of the Dakota County Historical Society not only share an enthusiasm for old things, they both are Warhammer aficionados. Nienow planned to co-teach a class with Inver’s former Dean of Students Landon Pirius on online gaming until Pirius accepted a job elsewhere.

Forty-one students are enrolled in Jeremy Nienow’s ANTH 1100 class this fall.

Over the course of the past year, Inver’s anthropology department split from the sociology department and added five new classes to the college catalog.

“I still hope to teach an anthropology class on the subculture of gaming,” Nienow said.

Another way Nienow engages Inver Hills students is through the school’s Anthropology Club, for which he is the advisor.

The club’s current president, Billie Navarre, is the mother of one child with another one on the way.

“I started in the paralegal program,” Navarre said, “but once I took Introduction to Anthropology, I switched majors.”

Navarre, who has been on campus for four years, founded the club last year at Nienow’s suggestion.

Club treasurer Mike Endres also has spent parts of the last four years at Inver Hills and has taken every anthropology class offered at the college. Endres hopes eventually to work with geological information systems, using ground penetrating radar to do archaeology.

“I’m really excited about the school’s articulation agreement with Moorhead State [Minnesota State University Moorhead],” Endres said.

“All my credits from Inver Hills will transfer there.”

Not all club members are anthropology majors, however. Malanie May, a nursing student, joined the club after helping Navarre at a table recruiting members. May is looking forward to the events the club plans to sponsor this year, such as trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the ceramics smash.

“We smash up unwanted pieces of pottery from the art classes, mix them up and then try to recreate them— just like a 3-D puzzle,” Navarre said.

With a good core of interested students and an enthusiastic instructor, it looks like many students will “dig” anthropology at Inver Hills for the foreseeable future.

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 19

Workforce Development & Continuing Education

Update your skills. Improve your life.

The Center for Professional and Workforce Development provides professional continuing education and industry certification courses for employees in the workforce, as well as training programs customized to the specific needs of businesses, offered on campus or on site.

Information Technology Contact Tim Flug at (651) 450-3531 Excel 2007 Intermediate Fri., Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $149 Excel 2007 Advanced Wed., Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $149 Access 2010 Basic Tues. & Thurs., Oct. 18 & 20, 5:30-9:30 p.m., $149

Access 2010 Intermediate Tues. & Thurs., Nov. 15 & 17, 5:30-9:30 p.m., $149 Access 2010 Advanced Tues. & Thurs., Dec. 13 & 15, 6-9:50 p.m., $149 IT Essentials: PC Hardware & Software Mon. & Wed., Oct. 17-Dec. 14, 6-9:50 p.m., $750

Object Oriented Programming Wed., Oct. 5-Nov. 16, 5:30-9:30 p.m., $650 VoIP Quality of Service Wed., Oct. 19-Dec. 14, 6-9:50 p.m., & Sat., Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Nov. 19 & Dec. 3, 8:30 a.m.2:30 p.m., $775

Business and Entrepreneurship Contact Peter Hoch at (651) 450-3763 Introduction to Internet Marketing Tues., Nov. 1, 6-10 p.m., $199 Thurs., Nov. 3, 2-6 p.m., $199

Becoming a Consultant Tues., Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-noon, $99 Tues., Nov. 8, 6-9 p.m., $99

ProWrite — Professional Writing Certificate Thurs., Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-noon, $99 Tues., Nov. 15, 6-9 p.m., $99

Advertising and Marketing Your Small Business Thurs., Oct. 20, 6-9 p.m., $99 Thurs., Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-noon, $99

How to Write a Business Plan Fri., Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-noon, $99 Wed., Oct. 12, 6-9 p.m., $99

Retirement Planning Sat., Oct. 22 & 29, 9 a.m.-noon, $49 Tues., Oct. 25 & Nov. 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m., $49 Thurs., Oct. 27 & Nov. 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m., $49

20 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

Health Care, EMT & Nursing Contact Kris Hanson at (651) 450-3696 Advanced Cardiac Life Support Sat., Dec. 3 & 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., $225

Team Code Sat., Nov. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., $150

Advanced Cardiac Life Support Refresher Sat., Dec. 3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., $115

24 Hour EMT Refresher Fri. & Sat., Dec. 2, 3, 9 & 10, 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays, St. Paul Fire Station 51, $195

Introduction to Basic Phlebotomy Techniques Sat., Dec. 3, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $145 Introduction to IV Skills Sat., Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-noon, $120 Introduction to ECG Interpretation Sat.. Nov. 5, 12:30-4:30 p.m., $100 Introduction to 12-Lead ECG Interpretation Sat., Nov. 12, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., $115

First Responder Refresher Thurs., Fri. & Sat., Dec. 15-17, 6-10 p.m.

Thursday & Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, $165 CPR for the Healthcare Provider Sat., Oct. 22, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $75 Sat., Nov. 19, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $75 Sat., Dec. 17, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $75

CPR for the Healthcare Provider Refresher Thurs., Oct. 20, 6-10 p.m., $55 Thurs., Nov. 17, 6-10 p.m., $55 Thurs., Dec. 15, 6-10 p.m., $55 Living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder Wed., Dec. 7, 6:30-9:30 p.m., $40 Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program Oct. 19-Nov. 20, 4:30-9:30 p.m., Woodbury Care Center, $799 Nov. 28-Dec. 19, 3-9:30 p.m., $799 Nursing Assistant Exams Sat., Nov. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $125, plus a $59 money order to Pearson Vue due day of exam Sat., Dec. 3, 10 & 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $125, plus a $59 money order to Pearson Vue due day of exam

Youth Programs Computer Technology Academy for High School Students – Computer Geek U (Course #IT9006-41) Date: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Nov. 1-17 Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Location: Inver Hills Community College, Business building, room 142 Tuition: FREE

Online Courses Inver Hills offers hundreds of great online courses — from Creating Web Pages to Accounting Fundamentals, Speed Spanish and Grant Writing — and everything in between.

Each course comes equipped with a patient and caring instructor, lively discussions with your fellow students and plenty of practical information that you can put to immediate use. Our instructors include some of the most well-known and trusted names in online education, and our dedication to customer service is second to none.

You can take all of our courses from the comfort of your home or office at the times that are most convenient to you. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to download a certificate of completion.

View our online course offerings at www.inverhillstraining.org, and select “Courses.”

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 21

New STEM dean strives to meet workforce needs, increase enrollment of underrepresented students

BY RACHEL HANSON

Kevin Gyolai, Ph.D., joined Inver Hills on June 30 as dean of the college’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) division.

“I’ve really been able to start at my own pace and get my feet wet,” Gyolai said. “The open culture here has been something that I’ve really appreciated.”

Holding a doctorate degree in cellular and molecular biology from North Dakota State University, a research one (R1) institution, and having received grant funding in the past from NASA and the National Science Foundation, Gyolai is very passionate about STEM education. That passion shows through in his vision for the division at Inver Hills.

“I’ve been very impressed with the dedication and skill of the STEM instructors at Inver Hills,” Gyolai said. “I’m excited about forming a collaborative vision for the future.”

A significant part of his vision for the division is to meet workforce needs and increase enrollment amongst underrepresented students.

Before joining Inver Hills, Gyolai served for 17 years as faculty with North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. He rose to the rank of professor and was a pioneer in online and blended course delivery. He also served as chair of the mathematics and science department during his time there.

While at NDSCS, Gyolai worked with cohorts of students — a majority of whom fell into groups that traditionally are underrepresented in STEM fields. The STEM definition for underrepresented students most often includes first-generation students, low-income students, students of color and female students.

“It is because of my experience in working with underrepresented students that I have such a passion for increasing enrollment in that group,” Gyolai said.

22 | Inver Hills Magazine | Fall 2011

STEM dean Kevin Gyolai

The majority of Gyolai’s educational experience has been practical, including studies on how STEM education differs between European and American colleges. Gyolai believes that understanding how Europeans educate their scientists and integrating some of those components into how we teach in the United States could be important to student success.

“Europeans take a much more practical approach in their STEM education,” Gyolai said, “as compared to the theoretical approach that we take in the United States.”

His goals for his first year as dean at Inver Hills include assessing the needs, wants and pressing issues of the faculty and staff in the STEM division, creating a strategic plan, and exploring how to obtain state and federal funds to provide new opportunities for students and business and industry partners.

“It’s extremely important to me to convey my passion for STEM education,” Gyolai said. “I’m looking forward to what we can do together at Inver Hills.”

From the Foundation

Did you know … ?

IHCC Foundation Board of Directors Beth Asmussen Hennepin County

• A recent study indicated that 70 percent of jobs in Minnesota require post-secondary education, yet only 40 percent of the population has a post-secondary degree.

• Individuals with an associate degree earn 22 percent more than those with a high school diploma; 62 percent more if they have a four-year degree.

• Nationally, enrollment at community colleges is on the rise, with 35 percent of first-time college freshmen enrolling in community colleges.

Beth Baumann City of South St. Paul Laurel Boerger Xcel Energy, Inc. Trent Bowman PCL Construction Cathy DeSutter Don Stevens, Inc. Scott Ganje Bremer Bank

The Inver Hills Foundation is responding to the need to make higher education more accessible to more students in our community. Last year, the Foundation awarded $168,000 in scholarships to 324 students. Local foundations, businesses, individuals, alumni and employees made gifts of $5 to $85,000 to support college programs and students. Donors include: • College employees who make significant payroll contributions to various scholarships.

• The 3M Foundation, which supports a group of underrepresented students, called 3M Scholars, every semester to graduation. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and have a plan to graduate in three years or less.

• The CHS Foundation, which sponsors a scholarship to support students who are studying science or environmental studies.

• Friends and family members who have created scholarships to remember loved ones and to honor others who have had a significant impact on their lives.

• The Travelers Foundation, which provides scholarship support and career exploration opportunities to a group of students who are overcoming barriers to attend and succeed in college.

• The Kopp Foundation and Scholarship America, which provides emergency financial assistance that helps students stay in school and complete their degree.

• Goodrich Corporation’s Veterans Scholarship, which supports veterans and individuals currently in the military.

• The Katherine B. Andersen fund of The Saint Paul Foundation, which, through a generous matching grant, will grow our scholarship endowment fund to more than $1 million.

The Foundation is grateful to all these individuals and organizations that have made a commitment to our students and our community.

Dick Graham Elderwise Consulting Rita Hall St. Joseph’s Hospital Mike Haverkamp American Bank Jessie Headrick CHS Foundation Thad Hellman Target Corporation Connie McCoy Key Community Bank Larry Margolis Inver Hills Community College (retired) Lynn Moratzka Dakota County (retired) Susan O’Brien South St. Paul Foundation (retired) John Pain Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems William Raker U.S. Federal Credit Union Gerald Sakala Simley High School Bill Welp Attorney at Law

Ex-Officio Members Brent Glass Inver Hills Community College

Gail Morrison Executive Director Inver Hills Foundation

Gail Morrison Inver Hills Community College

Inver Hills Golf Classic helps students stay in school CLASSIC It was a beautiful day for golf and for helping Inver Hills students THE

GOLF AUCTION DINNER

Ken Slipka Mid-America Properties (retired) Tim Wynes Inver Hills Community College

Distinguished Members

stay in school! The 15th annual Inver Hills Golf Classic was held June 27 at Southview Country Club. The annual event is instrumental in helping to build the success of the college’s scholarship program, raising more than $19,000 this year alone. Many of our scholarship recipients would not be able to attend college without some kind of financial help.

LaDonna Boyd

More than 70 golfers enjoyed the meticulously-kept par 71 course at Southview. Golfers were joined by other guests for social hour, an elegant dinner and one of the best silent auctions around. Guests haggled over event tickets, jewelry, purses, floral baskets and other coveted items, and went home with some great deals. Miguel Ramos, a representative from the Minnesota Twins organization, was the guest speaker and spoke passionately about the importance of a good education.

Paul Verret

Inver Hills is grateful to all the golfers, dinner guests, volunteers, auction donors and event sponsors who helped to make this a successful event.

John Jensvold Alexandra (Sandy) Klas Robert Klas Bill Lucking

Fall 2011 | Inver Hills Magazine | 23

2500 80th Street East Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-3224

ECRWSS Residential Customer

Enrolling is easy with SmartSTART orientation.

Complete your application, registration and orientation all in one visit — with staff available to help each step of the way.

Choose one of the following convenient dates, and register online at www.inverhills.edu/smartstart.

Tuesdays, Nov. 15 & 29 • 2-5 p.m. • College Center Thursday, Nov. 17 • 9 a.m.-noon • College Center Thursdays, Dec. 1 & 29 • 9 a.m.-noon • College Center Tuesday, Dec. 13 • 2-5 p.m. • College Center Tuesday, Jan. 3 • 2-5 p.m. • College Center Wednesday, Jan. 4 • 9 a.m.-noon • College Center

It is strongly recommended that you take the assessment Admissions team members Paula, Daniel, Sean and Jenna are tests prior to arriving for your SmartSTART session. Though ready to help. Call (651) 450-3902 to set up an appointment. it is possible to complete the assessments on the same day, it may slow your registration process. Take the assessments seriously; it determines your course placement level, which can affect your course success and length of program.

For more on assessments, visit www.inverhills.edu/studentresources/assessmentcenter.

For questions or more information, send an e-mail to enrollment@inverhills.edu.

Visit Us We welcome prospective students and their families to weekly general information sessions (including campus tours) held throughout the year. For directions and campus maps, go to www.inverhills.edu or call the Information Center at (651) 450-3000.

General Information Meetings Day sessions are held at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in room 290 of the College Center: Oct. 5 & 19; Nov. 2, 16 & 30; Dec. 14 & 28; Jan. 4 & 18; Feb. 1, 15 & 29; and March 14 & 28. Evening sessions are held at 6 p.m. Thursdays in room 290 of the College Center: Oct. 27, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12 & 26, Feb. 9 & 23, and March 8 & 22.

Nursing Information Meetings Staff from the nursing program regularly hold information meetings for prospective students. For a complete list of upcoming sessions, visit the nursing department online at www.inverhills.edu/departments/nursing/index.aspx.

Adult Accelerated Program (ASAP) Learn about options for adult learners to accelerate the path to a college degree. Upcoming information meetings will be held: • Monday, Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m., room 290 of the College Center, Inver Hills Community College 24 Inver HillsDec. Magazine | Fall 2011 • |Tuesday, 6, 5:30 p.m., room 290 of the College Center, Inver Hills Community College