Community Magazine Volume 8, Issue 2

COMMUNITy the magazine of Metropolitan community college Volume 8, Issue 2

THE PAW PATROL

Fire Science instructor teams with canine colleague page 2

CONTENTS 1 2

A letter from the MCC Foundation

The paw patrol

Fire Science instructor teams with canine colleague

4

Program Spotlight:

Legal Studies

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Students set the goal, MCC helps pave the way 8 New academy gives working professionals an extra boost

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Paw patrol: Fire science instructor teams with Canine Colleague

Taste of success

MCC grad receives Sage Medallion

12 Art of design

Fashion and Interior Design students let Joslyn Art Museum inspire assignments

14 Groundbreaking signals new investment in South Omaha

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Groundbreaking signals new investment in South Omaha

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For the brand: Marketing TEAM dials up creative for ad campaign

15 Ph.D. student’s science journey started at MCC

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For the brand

Marketing team dials up creative for ad campaign

18 A growing trend

Horticulture expert shares tips for succulents

20 Having the drive

As a student and staff member, Champion sticks with MCC for 40 years

22 Five ways to give to students 24 Around the College

Volume 8, Issue 2 Community is a quarterly publication of

Metropolitan Community College. Contact the editor at 531-MCC-2876 or darayment@mccneb.edu.

Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.

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Having the drive: As a student and staff member, Champion sticks with MCC for 40 years

Credits Lead editor and contributor: Derek Rayment Assistant editors and contributors: Katherine Leszczynski and Jenny Milligan Lead art direction: Trevor Pikop Art contributors: Jade Dyer and Susana Ruiz-Morales

A Letter from THE MCC Foundation Dear friends and supporters, This magazine reflects Metropolitan Community College’s mission at work. It serves as a snapshot of who we are, who we serve, and the teamwork needed to advance our promise to deliver quality, affordable education to our students and communities.

In this issue, you will read how the MCC mission extends beyond our classrooms and campuses. The mission is at work when local business owners such as Jim Champion, former owner of Charlie Graham Body and Service, turn to MCC to complete a degree, and give back to students by leading workforce programs.

Our programs enliven our mission. The College's participation in Pride Month and Hubbard Sustainability Series offerings take important topics to our communities to promote dialogue and engage diverse audiences.

Additionally, you will read about how MCC and its partners have taken on yet another exciting challenge, expanding and renovating our beloved South Omaha Campus. This campus has served us well, changing over time to become what we needed it to be for our students and for our communities. And now, as we realize the vision of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the Automotive Training Center, we hold on to the best of what we already have, while enriching our South Omaha Campus with updated facilities, technologies, partnerships and approaches.

Speaking of capturing our mission, watch for our latest commercials. As described in this issue, they provide a unique perspective on all that MCC delivers to its students. The camera angles allow you to journey seamlessly through student pathways, glimpsing into classrooms and labs. We want you to engage with MCC fully and we hope these views into our programs encourage you to come to campus and experience all that awaits you.

Thank you for joining us as we partner for progress and advance our mission to be more and do more for our students, communities and you.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline C. Almquist, Ph.D. Executive director

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THE PAW PATROL

Fire Science instructor teams with canine colleague

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F

or Dave Sobotka, “Take Your Dog to Work Day” is every day. Sobotka is a Metropolitan Community College Fire Science Technology alum and adjunct instructor, and investigator for the Omaha Fire Department.

Sobotka’s dog, Alley, is more than a pet—for the last four years she has accompanied him when he is called to investigate a fire. She is the only dog in Nebraska used in arson investigation.

“Alley can be a useful tool. During an investigation, she uses her nose to identify if an accelerant was used and where a sample should be taken from. The sample is then sent to a lab where the specific accelerant is pinpointed,” explains Sobotka.

When they’re not investigating fires together, Alley accompanies Sobotka as he teaches classes in the MCC Fire Science Technology program.

“As her handler, she has to be with me all the time.

While she isn’t used as part of the curriculum, there are training opportunities during class that I can do with her,” he says.

Students benefit during these trainings in that they learn the benefit of using a canine in a fire investigation by seeing her in action. Faculty, staff and students who aren’t in the program also enjoy seeing her.

“If I walk into the Applied Technology Center without Alley, I’m asked about Alley before I receive a hello.

Everyone smiles the moment they see her—she’s a real morale booster,” Sobotka says.

It’s not all work and no play. When Sobotka and Alley are home, Alley lives the life of a typical dog, running around the yard, chasing rabbits and taking a good nap. The only difference between her and the other two family dogs is that she is a food reward dog. She has to work in order to be fed. Every feeding is a training, which means she trains every day. Though she lives with Sobotka and his family, she is property of the City of Omaha. Cost for her care, equipment and food are 100 percent donation driven, coming primarily from the First Responder Foundation.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN FIREFIGHTING OR WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A TOUR, VISIT MCCNEB.EDU/FIST.

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Program spotlight: Legal Studies

A

career in law can mean more than becoming a lawyer. There are many job possibilities for those looking to enter the legal field. At Metropolitan Community College, the Legal Studies program has options for those interested in pursuing a career.

The program has six tracks to choose from: Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Option, Paralegal Accelerated Certificate, Pre-Law Option, Legal Secretary career certificate and Immigration Law, Policies and Procedures.

Legal Administrative Assistant and Legal Secretary certificates and degrees prepare graduates to work within a law office at entry level. They may become administrative assistants, office supervisors or other members of supporting staff within a firm or office.

Depending on which program a student chooses, graduates may look into continuing their education at a four-year institution. The Pre-Law program at MCC is a great starting point for students who would like to go on to a four-year college or university and into the pre-law field.

The Immigration Law, Policies and Procedures certificate is online, and helps students secure jobs at nonprofits, local and federal government agencies.

For those looking to become part of a legal team, becoming a paralegal is a great option and the demand is high, says Andrew Sagartz, director of the Legal Studies programs at the College. Paralegals are able to do legal work like attorneys and lawyers, but can be a less expensive option for those who need legal assistance.

“Even though they are not qualified as attorneys, paralegals are trained in legal matters and provide important assistance to attorneys,” Sagartz says. “The demand for paralegals is

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so high because most people need legal help at some point in their lives, but hiring a private attorney can be very expensive. When law firms have paralegals on staff, much of the legal work can be done by them. They can do legal research, draft court documents or contracts, investigate facts and more. That said, a paralegal must always perform legal work under the supervision of an attorney, and they cannot give legal advice.”

Even after students within the Legal Studies program have chosen their preferred track, Sagartz says there is still collaboration between them all.

“Students in the Paralegal and other Legal Studies programs get to know each other well as they complete their programs of study, including the career plans of their classmates and the many options available,” he says.

To learn more about the Legal Studies program at MCC, visit mccneb.edu/legalstudies.

Yes, you can earn a certificate in this at MCC. Visit mccneb.edu/ce or call 531-MCC-2620.

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Students set the goal, MCC helps pave the way S

tudents’ goals may vary, but the resources Metropolitan Community College provides to help them reach their objectives are constant. Students may begin their education without having a clear goal in mind, or they may know what they want to do, but need

further assistance to achieve their dream. That’s where advisors, tutoring centers, instructors and more come in. Through a network of support systems, MCC can help meet the needs of our students as they make their way through college. When talking with students, the use of these resources is evident.

“My goal is to get my contractor’s license. I am working toward my associate degree right now. MCC has a great program—I haven’t seen anything like it. I enjoy the program and am learning a lot that I didn’t already know.”

FERRIS V., Construction Management

“I’ve been going to MCC for two years and have finished nearly all my prerequisites. I am taking the final three requisites and will then transfer to College of Saint Mary. MCC was a good fit for me because it’s been very inexpensive and the Math Tutoring Center and the instructors have really helped me with my courses.”

HALEY H., Nursing 6 • community • mccneb.edu

“Before starting at MCC, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I heard MCC had an Architecture program.

After my first two quarters here, I learned that I really liked architecture and now after two years, I’m graduating from the program and transferring to UNO where I will study architecture and become a licensed architect.”

COLAN M., Architectural Design Technology

“The first time I met with my advisor, she guided me through the classes I’d need to get into the Nursing program.

Right now, I am an RN Nursing student and have taken all my prerequisite courses at MCC. I want to be a nurse practitioner. My goal is to finish my associate degree and go on to finish my bachelor degree, and eventually to complete a doctorate program. I’ve been able to get through my courses more quickly because they are structured in quarters rather than semesters like they are at many other colleges. It’s also much more affordable.”

NAW Z., Nursing

“I am here to further my education and build my growing techniques with a focus on entrepreneurship. The College is helping me learn many things I didn’t know. I’ve learned a lot about my imports and exports when it comes to farming.”

BRANDON H., Horticulture Management

“My goals are to continue learning, applying my knowledge and creativity in my own projects and projects in my workplace. MCC helps me focus on my personal and professional growth. Each project in class opens possibilities to develop new ideas in areas such as art, design and video. I like innovation and learning about new technology, applying the knowledge when I design and develop projects.”

SUSANA R., Video/Audio Communications Arts community • mccneb.edu • 7

NEW ACADEMY GIVES WORKING PROFESSIONALS EXTRA BOOST

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ew professions span multiple industries. From working at an award-winning marketing agency to facilitating the next great automation process in manufacturing, professionals in the project management field have a lot of options. There’s plenty of room for growth and upward mobility, making lifelong learning a key component in achieving success.

Students in the academy can complete courses at their own pace. Classes are available during the day or evening at the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology on the Fort Omaha Campus. Classes are also available online. Upon successful completion, students will achieve the MCC Project Management Academy certificate.

Through Metropolitan Community College’s new Project Management Academy, those already working in the field can take their career to the next level. Students in the MCC Project Management Academy learn best practices through group exercises, case studies and real-world simulation to prepare them for the Project Management Institute® and Certified Associate in Project Management® exams, globally recognized industry certifications.

MCC and the PMI Heartland Nebraska/Iowa Chapter have also partnered to provide students of the academy mentorship and development opportunities. Through free memberships available through the academy, students can take advantage of PMI Heartland Chapter events, meeting face-to-face with professionals from local businesses, universities and organizations.

“The MCC Project Management Academy is a comprehensive education program suitable for professionals of all experience levels who are looking to further their career. Students will learn to think ahead and be flexible in a fast-paced environment by working as a team to complete projects,” explains Robert Caldwell, workforce training manager at MCC. “With a certification, individuals will be exceptionally skilled in project management and will be better prepared to work in many different industries, making them well-rounded professionals.”

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“The PMI Heartland Chapter is the premier organization for area project management professionals,” says Caldwell.

“Partnerships such as this one are important because they offer students more than just what they learn in the classroom. Students can connect with area professionals and begin their pathway into a successful career.”

For more information about the MCC Project Management Academy, visit mccneb.edu/wid.

Taste of

SUCCESS Accomplished chef receives Distinguished Alumni Award

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When he was a senior in high school, Tim Nicholson needed another class credit to graduate.

“I took a food class as a ‘baloney’ credit,” he says with a laugh.

He had no idea that one class would shape his future the way it did. Nicholson soon realized he enjoyed cooking.

His high school had a culinary team that participated in competitions that he joined and loved.

“We did really well,” Nicholson says. “I found that cooking was a fun outlet of artistry. It became something I got really interested in. I did well in math and sciences, but they never piqued my interests. This was a way to use science as a background—because cooking is very much a science—as well as an outlet in a creative way.”

With his newfound love for the culinary arts, Nicholson applied for and received the Board of Governors Scholarship at Metropolitan Community College. He enrolled in the Culinary Arts program.

“I was there before the [Institute for the Culinary Arts] building,” he says. “We did a lot of work with what we had.

We didn’t have the wonderful facility the College has now.

We had all the equipment we needed, but there were times when we had to build it to get work done.”

Nicholson says his instructors were helpful every step of the way through his time at MCC. “I give a lot of credit to my teachers. Brian O’Malley has been a huge asset to the program. There were people who cultured and nurtured young talent. They saw students who were eager to learn and allowed them to do more than just the standard curriculum,” he says.

Nicholson graduated from MCC in 2009. During his time as a student, he immersed himself in the Omaha restaurant scene. He started at a now-closed fish fry restaurant called Joey’s Seafood and Grill before moving to the kitchen at Embassy Suites in downtown Omaha. After that, he worked at Harrah’s 360 Steakhouse inside the casino, becoming the lead line cook at just 20 years old and then the sous chef at a steakhouse inside Horseshoe Casino shortly after.

After a few years, Nicholson tired of the corporate restaurant setting. He heard about the Boiler Room when it was just opening up and wanted in. He was offered an apprenticeship-style position at the Boiler Room by founder Paul Kulik, where he was basically trying out to join the staff permanently. After proving himself fit for the role, he was brought on officially as the sous chef in 2011.

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“This place has let me do whatever I want,” Nicholson says. “I come to Paul with ideas and have learned so much from him.”

“I give a lot of credit to my teachers.”

Nicholson was named the Boiler Room’s executive chef in 2017. The downtown restaurant focuses on seasonal fare and rotates its menu to highlight what is exceptional. He enjoys leading the kitchen and nurturing and helping the young chefs that come in.

“This place is driven by young talent. It’s not just me, it’s everyone in the kitchen. I think that’s what unique about this restaurant and how I lead,” Nicholson says. “I let those around me have an idea and make it happen. I will show you the right way to do it or we will learn the right way to do it.”

All of Nicholson’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has been nominated for multiple James Beard Foundation Awards, a prestigious culinary award given to chefs all over the world. He was also nominated for the foundation’s 2017-18 Rising Star in the Midwest.

“It’s still a surprise to be grouped with the other chefs,” he says.

“To be nominated and selected was pretty huge,” Nicholson says. “It’s crazy to be so recognized for doing what I am passionate about. Knowing that it was an award for the entire College itself, and that I was nominated by a peer, and selected by a distinguished board of people, I am very humbled from all the recognition.”

Nicholson is grateful to MCC for helping him fuel his passion and attain a career that he loves.

“It was incredible to be honored in front of loved ones, peers, those about to start their journey and those that have helped guide me to where I was standing that day,” he says.

“They nurtured that talent and eagerness to learn and excel.

That allowed me to see what this industry has to offer and what I can do outside of school.”

For more information about the MCC Friends and Alumni Network and to connect, visit mccneb.edu/FANS.

His alma mater has praised him too. The Culinary Arts program at MCC has given Nicholson the Sage Medallion, an alumni award for students within the program. Around the same time, he was named the 2019 Distinguished Alum by the MCC Foundation. community • mccneb.edu • 11

of

DESIGN

Fashion and Interior Design students let Joslyn Art Museum inspire assignments

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W ithin the marble walls of Joslyn Art Museum,

hundreds of works of art fill its many rooms and hallways. There are vibrant paintings, historical photographs, the instantly recognizable Dale Chihuly glass sculpture and more throughout the building for visitors to view. Choosing just one as a favorite could prove difficult.

Students from Metropolitan Community College’s Fashion Design and Interior Design programs visited the museum with instructor Nanci Stephenson. Their task: choose one work of art as their inspiration for a design of their own.

As part of a Color Theory class, students in both programs were given free rein of the museum to see what most caught their eye, with fashion students needing to create a sketch of a garment based on the piece and Interior Design students creating a window display.

This assignment is a chance to get outside the walls of the classroom and see how inspiration can be found in everything, Stephenson says.

“It provides them with the opportunity to be exposed to ‘actual’ great art that they are able to use as inspiration for their project and to experience the venue of the beautiful Joslyn Art Museum,” she says.

Everyone’s vision varied, with students being inspired by very different works of art throughout the Joslyn.

Magali Samaniego, an Interior Design student was inspired by the subtle shadings and humanistic themes of the renaissance works featured that day at the Joslyn. All of it was giving her ideas for her window displays.

“Sometimes, people don’t pay as much attention to [the older works of art],” she explains. “It has so much history to it.”

Classmate Carolina Gomez leans more toward modern design. Both took multiple photos of the Chihuly sculpture during their walk around the museum.

“I am always thinking modern,” Gomez says. “I might do a more eclectic style. I want to mix some old things and new things.”

This is the second year Stephenson has taken her students from both programs to the museum.

It’s always a popular field trip, she says.

“The students love it,” she explains. “In addition to getting them out of the classroom, they get excited about being about to evaluate and select a piece of art that becomes the foundation piece for their designs.”

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GROUNDBREAKING S I G NA L S N E W I N V E S T M E N T

IN SOUTH OMAHA

Business leaders and MCC representatives break ground.

City of Omaha mayor Jean Stothert speaks at ceremony.

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he College formally announced the expansion of the South Omaha Campus in September during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Automotive Training Center. The event kicked off the second phase of the campus redevelopment project, which includes construction of the $32 million dollar

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Automotive Training Center. The first phase, currently underway, involves a $10.5 million dollar renovation that will create the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, scheduled to open in fall 2020. The Automotive Training Center is expected to be completed in spring 2021.

Ph.D. student’s science journey started at MCC W

hen he was young, Sean Bresnahan was always curious about how things worked.

“I did a lot of tinkering around,” he explains. “I would take appliances from the house, open them up and see what was going on. I liked to watch animals outside, too, and see what they did.”

While Bresnahan has stopped taking apart appliances, his curiosity never ceased. Asking questions, forming a hypothesis and finding answers has become his educational, and eventually, his professional career.

Right after high school, Bresnahan enrolled at a regional four-year university as a Philosophy major, but he figured out it wasn’t the right fit for him. He decided to take some time off while he figured out what to do next.

“During that time, I was getting into gardening and sustainable agriculture. I was talking with some friends who live in Omaha and they said MCC had a great horticulture program,” he says.

Bresnahan enrolled in Horticulture classes in 2014, as well as biology and chemistry courses.

“It felt like things were tight-knit,” he says. “There was more opportunity for communication between classmates and instructors. It wasn’t scary to talk to my instructor or start study groups with your classmates. When you go back to a larger university, you have that skillset down and it feels more natural.”

During his time at the College, Bresnahan became friends with others in his class who were on track to enroll in the Neuroscience program at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He decided to do the same. He was able to

enter UNO with nearly all of his general education and lab courses completed. Bresnahan was then able to take more research and special topic courses.

Bresnahan spent most of his time at UNO between two research lab projects. The first focused on zebrafish and their molecular genetics; the second was building a computerbased project to show how HIV affects the level of proteins with large white blood cells in humans.

During his second lab, Bresnahan applied for a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, with a proposal to study the different roles bumblebees play within a colony.

“The goal is to figure out what is different in the brains of the bees that are active in the hive and those that are not.

Are they lazy or is something else going on?” he explains.

Bresnahan also received a fellowship at Penn State University and began his work there in August. He will also be researching neurobiology within bee colonies.

Ultimately, Bresnahan would love to lead his own lab as a college professor or work with a government agency that works with pollinators in a larger lab.

Looking back, Bresnahan says as a child he would never have imagined working so closely with bees and being a scientist.

“I was convinced I was going to be a musician or a pastor,” he says with a laugh.

To learn more about Bresnahan and his work, visit seantbresnahan.com. community • mccneb.edu • 15

For the Brand Marketing team dials up the creative for 2019-20 ad campaign

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here’s no shortage of stories to tell at Metropolitan Community College. Making the public aware of all the College offers is the job of the office of Marketing, Brand and Communication. You may notice MCC ads being displayed on billboards, websites, radio, television and streaming services or in newspapers. Each ad campaign is unique from year-to-year.

The most recognizable ads are the television commercials.

The commercials may shift from promoting trades to adult education services. Or they may promote high school dual credit offerings one year and continuing education programs the next. No matter the focus, the MCC marketing team uses a variety of creative approaches in commercial production.

This fiscal year’s commercials were filmed inside Innovation Central at the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology, a large indoor space that hosts everything from drone-flying classes to major conferences. Directed by Fred and Melanie Clark of Clark Creative Group, a local marketing agency, the commercials feature MCC students, faculty and staff.

“We wanted to be highly creative with our approach this year,” says Fred Clark, president of Clark Creative Group.

“Our objective was to incorporate the unique facilities at MCC, collaborate with various departments and capture the spirit of innovation currently happening at the College.”

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The commercials represent the third installment of the Empower campaign. Launched in 2017, the campaign focuses on how MCC empowers individuals, whether that’s pursuing their passion and making it a career, or attaining their GED. You may see the commercials on several different platforms. Nannette Rodríguez, MCC associate vice president for Marketing, Brand and Communication, says you have to know your audience and how entertainment is consumed differently today than it was even 10 years ago.

“We have changed our media mix to adapt to how consumers have shifted their viewing habits,” Rodríguez explains. “About 78 percent of households in the nation have some subscription service. We have to be strategic to keep up with our audience’s media diets and how our brand shows up for them during their day.”

The commercials this year include a 50’ x 50’ set within the triangles of the MCC logo, populated with various programs and services, featuring equipment, students and instructors. An overhead and an eye-level angle were used during the filming process.

“Our goal was to showcase the various pathways students can take at MCC,” says Clark. “Working with MCC is very unique from a marketing perspective. Not only do we need to appeal to specific targets for recruitment, ranging from kids to working with retirees, but we also need to speak to the community. It’s important that everyone understands the value [MCC] brings to our area.”

To view the commercials, visit youtube.com/mccnebraska.

“

we wanted to be highly creative with our approach this year.

“

-Fred Clark

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HORTICULTURE EXPERT SHARES TIPS FOR SUCCULENTS

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A

trend has sprouted in home and office décor— an increased number of succulents can be spotted throughout offices, homes and outdoor living spaces. The upsurge can be attributed to the rise in environmental consciousness, minimalism and better use of small spaces. Succulents grow in many colors, textures, shapes and sizes, making them an easy way to add charm.

“Indoor plants remind us of the world outside the home and office, and connect us to nature in a way that is essential, mentally and physiologically,” says Tyler Magnuson, Metropolitan Community College Horticulture Operations specialist and Culinary liaison.

It’s not just the succulent’s visual appeal that makes it an ideal addition to home décor, but also the simple care required. Unlike many other houseplants, succulents are low maintenance and require much less watering and little to no pruning.

“Succulents respond to changes in

daylight and the angle of the sun.

This will dictate when they need more water, and when they can be fertilized and, if necessary, repotted,” Magnuson says.

The best way to check if a plant needs to be watered is to feel the soil about an inch below the surface. If the soil feels very dry, it’s time to water.

During the growing season, which is when daylight hours are longer, you can expect to water once every 10-14 days. The general rule during the inactive growing season is to water once every three to four weeks.

Fertilizing and repotting should also align with the growing season.

“The best time to fertilize is in late winter or early spring, when there is increased daylight. Fertilizer should only be added in the spring when the plant is responding to the increased sunlight by putting out new leaves or shoots,” says Magnuson.

With proper watering and sunlight, succulents will thrive and even multiply, providing a feast for the eyes for years to come.

IF YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR HORTICULTURE, VISIT MCCNEB.EDU/HORTICULTURE TO LEARN ABOUT HORTICULTURE, LAND SYSTEMS AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN MCC NONCREDIT OFFERINGS AND CAN READ MORE ABOUT THEM AT MCCNEB.EDU/CE. community • mccneb.edu • 19

HAVING THE DRIVE AS A STUDENT AND STAFF MEMBER, CHAMPION STICKS WITH MCC FOR 40 YEARS

"I love interacting with the community.”

-Jim Champion

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It was a walk 40 years in the making.

Like hundreds of other students, Jim Champion walked across the stage and received his diploma at Metropolitan Community College’s 2019 Graduation Commencement Ceremony. But his educational journey was like no other.

At 58, Champion was celebrating completion of the Associate in Auto Collision Technology degree that he started just after high school.

During his senior year of high school, Champion took his first small engine class on the Fort Omaha Campus and was instantly hooked.

“I loved it,” Champion says. “I was leaning toward going that career route. They helped me get started.”

After graduating from high school in 1979, Champion enrolled in Auto Collision Technology and Automotive Technology classes at the College. Before completing his degree, he entered the workforce, joining Charlie Graham Body and Service near 42nd and Leavenworth streets as a collision technician.

After a few years working as a technician, Champion wanted to move more behind the scenes at Charlie Graham. He turned to MCC for help.

“I wanted to go more in the direction of management,” he says. “In 1986, I took Business Management, Accounting and other classes associated with management.”

It was around this time that Champion was given the opportunity to purchase Charlie Graham from the previous owners.

“I think the managers saw how dedicated I was to my classes and that I was putting the work in,” Champion says. “My wife and I bought it in 1987 and ran it for 29 years. It was a great match for us, with me doing the dayto-day duties and her doing the books.”

During his nearly 30 years as the owner, Champion served on boards for both the MCC Auto Collision Technology and Automotive Technology programs. He also donated tools and offered tours of his facilities to students.

In 2016, Champion and his wife made the decision to sell Charlie Graham. He stayed on for another year to help make a smooth transition for the new owners.

After the transition period was finished, Champion decided he wanted to finish the degree he started long ago.

He met with an academic advisor within the trades at MCC to see what it would take to finish his associate degree.

“I knew I had taken all those classes in the 1980s. I asked ‘Where do I stand? I would really like to graduate,’” Champion says. “It turns out I was only five classes away.”

Champion chipped away at the last of his classes, a mix of online and on-campus courses. Then, he was able to finish the degree he began 40 years prior and walk at commencement. The feeling of walking across the stage and completing his educational goals is like nothing else he’s experienced, Champion says.

“It was beyond my expectation,” he says. “It was electric in there. I was just blown away by it all.”

Even though he graduated, Champion hasn’t left MCC. He now works at the College as a pathway facilitator, helping industry partners connect with MCC automotive programs and get their employees the new or continued training they need to do their jobs.

“I keep that pipeline filled to help our industry partners find employees and keep them trained. I love interacting with the community,” he says.

Looking ahead, Champion is excited for the new Automotive Training Center that is coming to the South Omaha Campus in 2021. It will be a game-changer, he explains, for the local automotive industry, in which the College already plays a large role.

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FIVE WAYS TO GIVE TO STUDENTS

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he Metropolitan Community College Foundation connects community donors with meaningful giving opportunities that support MCC students. Whether one is interested in supporting education, workforce development, health/wellness or even artistic ventures, MCCF can put donations to good use right here at the College. There are many ways to support MCC. Following are a variety of opportunities to give, but there are many more. To see a full list of ways to give to the College, or to donate today, visit mccneb.edu/mccf.

SCHOLARSHIPS

PLANNED GIVING

Help pave the way for student success, literally, by purchasing a brick or bench placard. The brick can be engraved with a message that commemorates a friend, family member or alum of the College. Money from the purchase goes toward scholarships for students. Existing bricks can be seen on the Fort Omaha Campus near the Career and Academic Skills Center.

Sometimes called “legacy gifts,” this way of giving usually begins after a donor’s lifetime. Some examples include designating a gift—money, property or materials—in a will or listing the MCC Foundation as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy or IRA. To learn more about planned giving, visit mccneb.giftlegacy.com.

MATCHED GIFTS

Many businesses have programs that match all or a portion of an employee’s charitable donations. This mechanism can lead to doubling or tripling a donation amount to MCC. The Human Resources department of a company will know if that program is available for its employees.

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Many students attend MCC with the help of scholarships.

For some, these scholarships can make a college education affordable, when it may have previously felt out of reach.

Interested donors can support existing scholarships, or start a new one for a specific program or purpose. Visit mccneb.edu/scholarships to learn more about existing scholarships or how to create one.

BRICKS AND BENCHES

OMAHA GIVES

Once a year, Omaha Gives has a 24-hour window that celebrates nonprofits, including MCCF. Money given on this day goes toward MCCF and its continued work in supporting the students at the College. To learn more, visit omahagives.org.

SUPPORT STUDENTS IN UNIQUE WAYS BY GIVING TO: • STUDENT FOOD INSECURITY FUND • STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND • STUDY ABROAD STUDENT SUPPORT FUND VISIT MCCNEB.EDU/FOUNDATION OR CALL 531-MCC-2346.

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AROUND

THE COLLEGE Sustainability event discusses alternative energy A discussion on renewable energy came to MCC at Do Space as part of the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation Sustainability Series. Local topic experts Courtney Kennedy, program manager at Omaha Public Power District, and Darren Dageford, P.E., an executive director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, discussed renewable energy and how Nebraskans can make a difference in their community and in their own lives.

A question and answer session followed.

The sustainability series is a quarterly event featuring speakers informing the public about the importance of sustainability on a local, regional and national level.

Pride Month educational programs come to MCC The College hosted a series of educational programs in June to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Each program was free and open to the public and honored the theme, “Millions of Moments of Pride.” The series included a panel discussion featuring members of the local LGBTQIA+ community as well as lectures, videos and discussions.

MCC was also a sponsor at this year’s Heartland Pride Parade and Festival, an event held at Baxter Arena and in the Old Market of downtown Omaha.

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Pass to Class surpasses 1.5 million rides, extends program The Pass to Class program, in partnership with Metro transit, has surpassed 1.5 million bus rides. The milestone comes at a time when the College is extending the program to students in English as a Second Language noncredit classes. Pass to Class encourages ridership by offering a free bus pass for travel to and from College locations or for other education-related purposes.

“Pass to Class addresses issues of access and affordability for MCC students,” says Sally Hopley, coordinator of Sustainable Practices. “The program helps ensure that students have a way to get to class and have access to education. Additionally, Pass to Class helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars.”

The program has reduced an estimated 3,330 tons of carbon dioxide in the Omaha area, compared to single person car commutes, improving the local air quality. Bus passes are valid for a quarter before having to be renewed again and can be picked up at any Student Services location during the quarter.

Students bring home medals from national SkillsUSA competition MCC students won one gold medal and six bronze medals at the 55th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, held June 25-28.

Altogether, 21 students from MCC participated in the national competition.

Participants in SkillsUSA competitions race against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in various trade fields. To earn a spot in the national competition, students had to qualify through their state competition.

Bret Gleason (right) took home the gold medal in the carpentry competition while Eric Harris, Mathew Lane and Jose Villa won bronze medals in the college level chapter display. Logan Davidson, Nolan Mattingly and Andrew Nelson each won bronze medals for the high school level welding fabrication event.

The students’ trip to Kentucky was funded in part by donors through the MCC Foundation. community • mccneb.edu • 25

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

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