NHCC Fall 2012 Magazine by North Hennepin Community College

Apply Now Fall Classes Start Aug. 27

Preparing Minnesotans for the Workforce of the Future

Invest in Your Future Join the 12,000 students who chose to invest wisely in their future at North Hennepin Community College this year. Save $10,000 (or more) on an education that rivals that of other prestigious and much more expensive colleges and universities in the area. Our classes, certificates, and degrees are designed to prepare you for the workforce while also transferring readily to most four-year baccalaureate programs.

Compare the cost of tuition and fees for just one year: NHCC .......................................................................................$ 5,220 University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.....................................$11,287 Rasmussen College .................................................................$17,085 Brown College ........................................................................$17,496 Minnesota School of Business /Globe College ......................$18,787 Augsburg College...................................................................$27,628 Minnesota College of Art & Design ......................................$29,700 2011-12 tuition and fees information from www.mnscu.edu.

Make your story ... financially smart Apply online today at www.nhcc.edu or call to schedule a campus visit at 763-488-0390

In This Issue

4 Preparing Minnesotans for the Workforce of the Future

10 Alumna Sue Culver Has a Career So Good It’s RiDQulous

18 Being Bilingual and Doing Her Own Thing – Yazmin Carrillo Vasquez

Also: 3 8 12 14 16 20 22 23 24

Message from the President

28 30 36 38

Homeless Youth Find Help, No Questions Asked

NHCC to Offer New Mobile App Courses

Making Strong Connections – NHCC Faculty & Bridge Engineer Paul Backer Project Managers: The People Who Get Things Done Beyond the Research Paper Rock On, Girl – Krystal Vierkant, Alumna and Owner of Rock On Enterprises

Breaking Language Barriers – Customized Training with Teleflex We Love Chemistry Professor Dr. Peng Zhao

Running Effective Meetings

Fat Nat’s Offers Home Cookin’ With a Kick Driving Change... Kathy Sandeen, a Model NHCC Foundation Board Member

Kicking Challenges and Obstacles to the Curb The Benefits of Sharing – Buffalo High School and NHCC Credit Course Listings

34 Five Fitness Resolutions for Summer and Beyond

now A pply for Fall Semester

Classes start August 27

page 38

Credit Course Listings

Improve quality, efficiency, and productivity

Develop talent in hard-to-fill positions

Reach strategic organizational goals

Increase profitability

Call 763-488-0475 to develop a custom training program for your organization.

Professional Training and Development

A Message from the President Our mission, “engaging students...changing lives,” has everything to do with helping the citizens of our great state to achieve their fullest potential through quality education, relevant career training, essential skill development, and personal growth. On the heels of a successful grand opening for our new Center for Business and Technology (featured on the cover), we decided to focus on workforce development in this issue of the NHCC magazine. Experts are forecasting that by 2018, 85 percent of new jobs created in Minnesota will require some post-secondary education, and over half of these will require a certificate or two-year associate’s degree. According to retired state demographer Tom Gillaspy, college degrees conferred will need to increase by 10 percent each year between now and then in order to meet the demand for skilled workers and to stimulate a more healthy state economy. Whether through successful transfer to four-year universities or through our certificates or occupational programs, North Hennepin Community College is committed to meeting this call-to-action with affordable, high-quality, flexible academic programs. So, if you haven’t visited our campus recently, I invite you to stop by soon. See for yourself how NHCC is positioned to meet the current and future needs of Minnesota’s workforce with our smart classrooms, cutting edge technology, and welcoming open spaces.

NHCC Magazine is published twice a year and is distributed without charge to alumni, students, faculty, community members, and friends of North Hennepin Community College. Please direct any correspondence regarding this publication to: NHCC Communications Office 7411 85th Ave. North Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 763-488-0390 or 800-818-0395 communications@nhcc.edu President John O’Brien Vice President of Academic Affairs Jane Reinke Vice President of Student Affairs Landon Pirius Marketing & Communications Director Carmen Shields Writers Jenny Caudill, Michelle Goode, Noemi López, Missy Lott, Janet McClelland, Jake Skurka, Amy Ward Graphic Designers Jenny Caudill, Janet McClelland, Alex Wasnick Mission Engaging Students, Changing Lives North Hennepin Community College creates opportunities for students to reach their academic goals, succeed in their chosen professions, and make a diﬀerence in the world.

Vision Opportunity without limits, learning without end, and achievement beyond expectation

Sincerely,

Dr. John O’Brien President, North Hennepin Community College

Opportunity for Input

North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College reserves the right to cancel, postpone and reschedule course offerings. Lack of English skills should not be a barrier to admission and participation. Visit our website at www.nhcc.edu for the most current class schedule information.

North Hennepin Community College is seeking comments from the public about the college in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. North Hennepin Community College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1972. The college will host a visit November 14-16, 2012, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. Comments addressing substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs may be submitted in writing to the following address: Public Comment on North Hennepin Community College The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1411 Comments may also be submitted on the Commission’s website at www.ncahlc.org. All comments must be received by October 1, 2012.

Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. For disability accommodations, call 763-493-0555. Minnesota Relay users may call 1-800-627-3529.

Preparing Minnesotans for

The Workforce of the Future T

raditionally in higher education, students are encouraged to take risks, spread their wings, and chase their dreams… making their story whatever they want it to be. In the shadow of the national recession, however, there are many students who seem to be more focused on finding or keeping jobs. Colleges like North Hennepin encourage students to reach their potential, while learning new skills and sharpening existing talents, to be more competitive in the keenly competitive job market. Education plays a key role in the creation of an adaptable workforce. By 2012, 70% of jobs in Minnesota will require post-secondary education. This is 7 percentage points above the national average of 63%. Minnesota ranks 3rd in post-secondary education intensity for 2018.

By 2018, 85 percent of the new jobs created in Minnesota will require some post-secondary education – and over half of these will require a certificate or two-year associate’s degree. Currently, the state is not on track to meet this demand, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is working hard to turn this trend around. Over the past few months, more than 40 listening sessions were hosted throughout the state to gain a better understanding of current and future workforce needs. Colleges like North Hennepin will use

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Percentage of jobs in 2018 that will require a post-secondary education, by state DC ND MN MA CO WA NE UT MD HI CT IL KS VA NH NJ OR NY AK MI WY MT VT IA SD WI ID RI CA AZ NC ME FL MO DE GA NM OH PA OK TX SC AL IN NV TN MS KY AR LA WV

45%

71% 70% 70% 68% 67% 67% 66% 66% 66% 65% 65% 64% 64% 64% 64% 64% 64% 63% 63% 62% 62% 62% 62% 62% 62% 61% 61% 61% 61% 61% 59% 59% 59% 59% 59% 58% 58% 57% 57% 57% 56% 56% 55% 55% 54% 54% 54% 54%

National Average 63% of all jobs will require post-secondary education by 2018

52% 51% 49%

50%

55%

60%

65%

70%

companies, graduated entrepreneurs who have started businesses in every town of our state, and educated the Minnesotans who knit together the fabric of our communities – from teachers and social workers to police officers and nurses. While NHCC’s occupational programs like nursing, medical lab technician, accounting, and paralegal translate directly to employment, North Hennepin is solidly positioned to economically provide the first two years of a four-year college education, enabling students to transfer into a variety of baccalaureate degree programs.

the data to align with local, regional, and state workforce needs.

to provide the resources to make those investments.”

Retired state demographer Tom Gillaspy (shown above) and state economist Tom Stinson have been presenting critical demographic realities and economic opportunities of the “new normal” for years.

For more than 150 years, the colleges and universities that make up the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system (MnSCU) have supplied skilled employees for new and growing

They recently shared with an audience of NHCC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members that college degrees conferred will need to increase by 10 percent a year by 2018 in order to meet the demand for skilled workers and to avoid slower economic growth. “The fiscal catch-22 is this...” says Gillaspy, “If we don’t make the necessary public investments in human capital, research, and infrastructure, then we won’t have the productivity gains needed

NHCC’s strong liberal arts core also directly provides the skills needed for the workforce. In fact, employers frequently make it clear how much they value employees with strengths in critical thinking, writing, communication, and creativity. As Minnesotans engage in five to seven different jobs in their work life, these core skills are the key to advancement and success. Our state’s community and technical colleges are perfectly positioned to meet the needs of the workforce today and into the future. As MnSCU chancellor

Minnesota’s Rank in Jobs Forecasted for 2018 by Education Level Education Level

2018 Jobs

Rank

Some high school, no degree

109,000

High school graduates

782,000

Some college, no degree

743,000

Associate’s degree

347,000

Bachelor’s degree

729,000

Graduate degree

293,000

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Steven Rosenstone has emphasized, “MnSCU’s role as a driver of Minnesota’s economy is more important than ever and we must enrich the education and lives of our students, create jobs, and contribute to the prosperity of businesses and communities across the state. The time to act is now and we are ready.” At North Hennepin, faculty and staff are thinking differently and working together with businesses in innovative ways. A good taste of this energy was apparent at Chancellor Rosenstone joins president John O’Brien and retired NHCC president Ann Wynia to celebrate the grand opening of the Center for Business and Technology.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

NHCC’s recent grand opening of the new Center for Business and Technology. NHCC’s expanded Center for Business and Technology was completed in February 2012. It now provides 13 additional classrooms, a series of unique classroom configurations, the latest in technology, a coffee shop, and a large multi-purpose conference space. In addition, NHCC’s new Bioscience and Health Careers Center was funded for design in 2008 and recently approved

by the legislature. It will host five lecture halls and thirteen new labs – including general science labs, general and simulation labs, medical laboratory science labs, and research labs. Construction is expected to begin this fall. “With the new learning space offered in the Center for Business and Technology, and the just-approved Bioscience and Health Careers addition, NHCC is positioned well to prepare Minnesotans for the workforce of the future,” says president O’Brien.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Making Strong Connections Paul Backer – Alumnus, Public Works Professor, and Lead Engineer of the Lowry Avenue Bridge

y definition, a bridge (noun) is a structure that provides a path over an obstacle; or to bridge (verb) is to join, unite, connect. Similarly, people and life’s events are interconnected. People encounter obstacles and overcome them with the help of other people. They cross paths and meet again under different circumstances. They proceed to the next level in life and encounter new people and things. From being an NHCC student to becoming an NHCC instructor while serving as a Hennepin County engineer, Paul Backer’s life is a bridging example. As an employee of Hennepin County, Backer was assigned lead engineer of the Lowry Avenue Bridge. He manages ten other Hennepin County technicians who are in charge of quality assurances, financials, and contracts; Ty Lin, the design firm; Lunda Construction, the general building contractor; and SRF Consulting, the primary consultant who coordinates all these things. Backer’s engineering expertise stems from a solid academic foundation obtained at NHCC. “Like many non-traditional students, I had obstacles to overcome. I had a full-time job and a family to support, but wanted to go back to school to expand my knowledge and advance my career in civil engineering. I chose NHCC because it was literally right next door to home and I was able to attend classes at night.” Backer completed his pre-engineering classes, transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering, and was promoted at Hennepin County. After some time, his then supervisor – who was also teaching at NHCC – was ready to retire from work and from teaching. He wanted Backer to be his replacement at the college. “I was intrigued, so I followed-up on his recommendation. Before long, I created a new curriculum for the Public Works certificate program. It included the technical aspects of the field, such as knowing math essentials, using Microsoft Office products, going on field trips to see what it’s really like on the job, and having hands-on training with construction materials.”

Backer has been teaching part-time at NHCC for nearly seven years now and also teaches at the University of Minnesota. “I really enjoy teaching. I like the connections I make with students and seeing them work together.” He also enjoys his working connections with Hennepin County. “I get to work with the general public within their communities and with companies from all over the world.” “It’s amazing to witness people and projects come together from beginning to end.” For more information about NHCC’s Pre-Engineering, Public Works, or other construction/trade programs, visit www.nhcc.edu/programs.

The Lowry Avenue Bridge

will adjoin north Minneapolis with northeast Minneapolis by providing a multimodal

path for motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians over the Mississippi River. The original structure was completed in 1905, but was closed in 2008 and imploded in 2009 after being deemed unsafe during a routine inspection. The new and improved bridge is expected to last at least 100 years and up to 500 years if properly maintained. It is scheduled to open later this summer.

Lowry Avenue

Bridge Features

41,575 feet long with 90 feet

high arches 479 million pounds of structural

concrete and 5 million pounds of reinforced steel, using posttension technology 4State-of-the-art basket handle

design 4High-efficiency and multicolor

LED lighting system 4Four lanes for traffic and wide

sidewalks on each side for pedestrians and bicyclists 4Anti-icing and underground

storm water treatment systems 4Environmentally cleaner, safer,

and parts from old bridge were completely recycled 4Scenic areas that overlook

downtown Minneapolis

Enroll now in North Hennepin Community College’s

L.E.A.D. Academy – Learn, Engage, Act, Develop • Build leadership skills with select, non-credit courses • Earn a leadership certificate • Offer leadership training in your organization

Leadership Breakfast Lecture Series Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders September 13, 20, and 27 – 8:00 to 9:30am Cost is $45 per session or $40 if you register by August 17

Call 763-488-0475 or email protraining@nhcc.edu

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Alumna Sue Culver Has a Career J

ust about everyone is familiar with the menu: Blizzards, Peanut Buster Parfaits, Banana Splits… DQ cakes, chili dogs, and now, Orange Julius drinks... What started as a single store serving a soft, frozen, dairy treat in Illinois more than 70 years ago, is now a popular 6,000+ franchise system throughout the United States and 19 other countries that continues to grow. Sue Culver is the Vice President of Retail Merchandising at DQ’s headquarters, American Dairy Queen Corporation, located in Minneapolis. With nearly 300 corporate employees, it occupies six floors, and Culver and her creative

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

team of 10 are stationed on the third. Sprinkled throughout the building are nostalgic pieces of DQ history. The research and development department continually develops and tests new products. And, to top it off, the main lobby keeps a freezer full of Dilly Bars to treat guests. “I get to work with the nicest people, at a fun place, where delicious treats are created and then distributed throughout the world. What’s the downside?” Prior to DQ, Culver attended NHCC and graduated with her liberal arts degree in 1973. She focused her degree on studio

and graphic arts, and built a professional portfolio to use with job prospects. At the time, the portfolio element was not offered at any other local college, not even four year institutions. “NHCC was near my home in Brooklyn Center where I was born and raised, tuition was affordable, and the facilities were modern. But the portfolio piece of the program is what appealed to me most.” Lance Kiland was one of Culver’s art professors, who left a lasting impression throughout her career. “He prepared his students for the real world. Our projects

So Good It’s RiDQulous were career based and so were our deadlines. I was a full-time student taking classes during the day, but often times my classmates and I would stay after well into the evening to work on our art projects.” From NHCC, Culver transferred to the University of Minnesota, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1975. She immediately found work as a graphic designer and an art director for a couple of advertising agencies before joining DQ in 1989. Today, Culver is in charge of the point-of-purchase marketing kits for all the franchise stores. “One of DQ’s latest initiatives is implementing digital menu boards. They allow us to electronically display our in-store menus, along with animated graphics. This technology is not only more appealing to the customers, but also more efficient for employees and cost-effective for the stores. Digital merchandising is the future and will continue to evolve.”

employees who are also good workers, meaning they have great social skills and are open to change. It’s important too that employers invest in their talented and good employees through professional development in order to keep them motivated and current.” Sue’s “practical education” and portfolio from NHCC prepared her for a rewarding career at Dairy Queen. She credits the quality of the program and the outstanding faculty for giving her the foundation she needed to be successful in her field.

The Dilly Bar debuted in 1955. It continues to be one of Dairy Queen’s most popular products.

For more information about NHCC’s programs, visit www.nhcc.edu.

Culver has received numerous awards and recognitions. She is a renowned speaker on digital merchandising and also belongs to the Digital Signage Expo Advisory Board, which puts on the world’s largest international trade show regarding digital signage, interactive technology, and out-of-home networks. When asked about current needs of employers in the graphic industry, Culver indicated that there is a growing demand for digital animators. But she also said that talent isn’t the only thing employers are looking for. “Employers want talented

Last September, DQ began testing 40- and 46-inch digital menu boards in 12 franchise locations. In 60 to 80 percent of the cases, the items featured on the digital displays sold more than the same items in stores without digital displays.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Project Managers: The Peopl W

hen an exciting new product hits the store shelves, a multi-million dollar rocket is successfully launched into space, or a wedding comes off without a hitch, a project manager has most likely been involved. Any successful complex endeavor requires a leader who can grasp the scope of the project, keep the schedule on track, manage the budget, coordinate the efforts of others, and ultimately fulfill the demands of the project “owner” – the key stakeholder.

Job Outlook Although the economy has declined dramatically in the last few years and many organizations have downsized, the global and long-term employment outlook for project managers is promising. In fact, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI), there

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

is a growing shortage of project talent as organizations have begun to recognize that project managers (PMs) can improve business performance in any organization. A study by the Anderson Economic Group reported that an average of 1.2 million project management positions will need to be filled each year through 2016. The median annual salary for project managers in the U.S. is $105,000, which means that half of all project managers earn more than that. And, unlike many professions in the current economy, compensation for project managers has not remained flat. A report from PMI indicates that during the 12 months of 2011, over 70 percent of project managers saw their salaries and bonuses increase.

Career Tracks Project Coordinator Many people enter the PM field by starting out as project coordinators – setting up

meetings, maintaining calendars, generating and distributing meeting minutes and reports, and otherwise supporting the work of the project manager. Assistant Project Manager Assistant PMs might not necessarily work directly for a project manager, but may be assigned very specific parts of the project to manage. They meet regularly with the PM to report on their progress and determine ways to handle problems. Project Manager These managers run projects themselves or lead a team and delegate tasks to its members. PMs report to the owner of a project, which could be their company’s senior management or an outside agency. Senior Project Manager Many large organizations that tackle multiple projects at once may employ a senior project manager who supervises other project managers and decides which projects take priority. A senior project

e Who Get Things Done manager typically has 10 or more years of experience.

more than 80 percent of high-performing projects use a credentialed PM.

Certification

Professional certification in project management is available through the Project Management Institute, which grants the profession’s most globally recognized and respected credential – Project Management Professional (PMP). To obtain the PMP credential, applicants must satisfy requirements involving education and experience, agree to a code of ethics, and pass the PMP certification examination.

Certification recognizes demonstrated competence in leading and directing project teams and demonstrates a high level of competency and dedication to the profession. One-fifth of the world’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) – or more than $12 trillion – is spent on projects and

According to PMI, the average annual salary for PMP certified project managers in the United States is about $14,000, or 16 percent, more than the salaries of those without the PMP certification. For more information on how to enter this growing profession, go to www.nhcc.edu/pm or call 763-488-0475.

Learn the skills of effective

Project Management NHCC offers the most affordable path to PMI certification in the Twin Cities Sessions start this fall – register today For more info, call 763-488-0475

NHCC offers several Project Management training options: Students at any and all levels of project management experience are welcome. Our professional training programs are delivered by certified instructors who are actively employed as project managers. And, North Hennepin Community College’s Project Management courses cost less than any other college or university in the Twin Cities. Pursue PMP Certification® – Take the 35-hour Project Management Professional Series. Earn a Project Management Leadership Certificate – Learn the skills to manage projects and people. Maintain your PMP Certification® – Earn PDUs with NHCC’s PMI-endorsed advanced courses. Explore Project Management as a new career – Learn the basics in just five evening sessions. Get customized Project Management training for your employees – At your workplace or on our campus.

Ready to get started? Enroll today at www.nhcc.edu/pm North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Beyond the Re by NHCC Student Jake Skurka

North Hennepin’s English faculty are dedicated to teaching students more than just how to write.

he majority of students at NHCC are required to take College Writing I and College Writing II as part of their associate’s degree, and these courses combined sometimes run in excess of 50 sessions a semester. For many students, their adventures in college English end there, but they don’t have to. Despite these classes consuming most of the time and talent of English instructors, the department and its faculty are dedicated to teaching students more than just how to write. “While our English faculty all have expertise in teaching college composition,” said Dean of Liberal Arts Suellen Rundquist, “some of them have MFA degrees in Creative Writing. Others

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

have completed PhDs in English with concentrations in specific genres of literature. Several faculty members are published authors. At NHCC, we encourage students to explore the possibilities offered by our talented faculty.” A brief examination of the online catalog shows a total of 13 unique courses beyond the college writing suite that were offered in spring 2012. These courses investigate many diverse topics, from language structure and poetry to graphic novels. Many of the instructors at NHCC have designed these classes around their own interests and specialties, and teach them with an enthusiasm and intensity only they can bring.

Magazine Workshop One course that gives students advertising and editing skills sought by publishers, as well as an understanding of what makes good writing, is Magazine Workshop. Students work with each other and a faculty editor to produce NHCC’s award winning literary magazine, Under Construction. “Truly, Magazine Workshop is a studentcentered course,” said NHCC faculty Brian Baumgart. “Students experience student-led discussions, writing, editing, and publishing. The instructor is there to guide the experience, but more so to help them explore their own strengths and the complexities of writing. The class

search Paper is critical, energetic, and sometimes chaotic, but that is the nature of the publishing beast.” “Magazine Workshop forces the student,” said 2011 Under Construction editor Shane Blegen, “to stare down their sense of what they find to be tasteful and incisive work and view it through the lens of other people’s opinions. No person is an island. With the ultimate goal of producing a magazine that we, as editors, wish to represent our school’s literary and arts community, we have to learn to bring all our views together and show each other the merits we, as individuals, see in each piece.”

Graphic Novels Students often line up in huge numbers to take Graphic Novels, a course about the unique ways comic books and other graphic media tell their stories. This is a course where students bring their own experience and enthusiasm about the subject to life. “Graphic Novels is fueled by the passion that students bring to the class," said the course’s designer Steve Matuzak. “Those who’ve read graphic novels before taking the class are excited because they get to deepen their understanding and appreciation of something they love, while those who’ve never read them before share in the thrill of exploring undiscovered terrain. Class discussions are akin to bottled lightning.”

A Sampling of Some of NHCC’s Unique English Classes

Survey of American Literature II In addition to Introduction to Literature, there are a host of so-called literature surveys, designed to provide students with a broad overview of one area or time period in literature. Though many students are introduced to the history of American authors and books in high school, Survey of American Literature II aims to provide a more extensive exposure to America’s literary scene in the post-Civil War era. “What I find valuable in this course is that its writers reflect the evolution of American thought,” said the instructor, Bill Matsen. “Also reflected are changes in what might be termed the American character, but still remain relevant today.”

Magazine Workshop ENGL 1250 – 2.0 credits Instructor: Jean Fouilloux

Reading Plays ENGL 1450 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Steven Matuszak

Technical Writing ENGL 1940 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Cynthia Johanek

Writing Creative Non-Fiction and Memoir ENGL 2010 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Lisa Whalen

Writing Stories ENGL 2020 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Brian Baumgart

Writing: From Structure to Style ENGL 2320 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Brigid Bechtold

Even in this job-focused time, it’s clear students realize great value from English electives, whether to enrich understanding of their interests or to explore brand new topics.

American Indian Literature

For more information on NHCC’s English courses, go to www.nhcc.edu or call 763-424-0390.

Survey of American Literature I

Jake Skurka graduated recently from NHCC with an Associate in Fine Arts in Creative Writing. He plans to attend St. Cloud State University to continue his education after taking a few more classes at NHCC this fall.

Survey of British Literature I

ENGL 2380 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Ana Davis

American Working-Class Literature ENGL 2390 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Michael McGehee

ENGL 2450 – 3.0 credits Instructor: William Matsen

ENGL 2550 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Nancy Shih-Knodel

Mystery and Detective Fiction ENGL 2950 – 3.0 credits Instructor: Katherine Green To see more English course offerings, go to www.nhcc.edu.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Rock On, Girl! Starring Krystal Vierkant, Alumna and Owner/CEO of Rock On Enterprises, Inc.

rystal Vierkant moved around a lot growing up – from Crystal, Loretto, and Maple Grove, Minnesota to graduating high school from Becker. Shortly after high school in the late 90’s, she lived and worked in Monticello. At the same time, she took a series of accounting classes at NHCC. After looking around at other colleges, Vierkant decided on NHCC because “it just felt good.” She described the people and the financial aid support as “most helpful.” Plus, her teachers “rocked.” “The things I learned about accounting have helped me a lot throughout the years as a business owner. Even if a business plans to hire an accountant, it’s important to know and understand the bottom line in order to make sound decisions and ask the right questions.” But never in a million years did Vierkant think she would become a business owner or that her business would be

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

so successful. She worked for a number of companies, including banks and trucking companies, doing different accounting tasks. Her direction in life changed after she took over the payments on a single semi truck and trailer from someone who was going out of business. She named her rock-hauling business “Rock On Trucks” because she liked the sound of it. “Life doesn’t always go as planned, but you need to be flexible enough to change.” Today, Vierkant is the proud owner and chief executive officer of Rock On Enterprises, Inc., which consists of Rock On Trucks, as well as Rock On Properties, Rock On Rocks, Rock on Repair, and Minnesota Tarp and Liner. This year, Vierkant celebrates over ten years of business. In the past year and a half alone, business has more than doubled – she went from having just 14 trucks and drivers to 41 in order to accommodate the growing number of client projects. Most recently, she built

a brand new building to expand her business office functions, and has installed new networking and dispatching technologies. And she hasn’t even celebrated her 40th birthday! Vierkant now owns a total of three buildings, which sit on nine acres of land in Waite Park, Minnesota. Besides the business office building, the two other buildings are referred to as the “store” and the “shop.” The store, and the yard outside of it, stocks all sorts of rocks. “We sell and transport aggregates in bulk to agencies working on municipal projects, complexes having large landscaping jobs, even residents just wanting to decorate their yards.” The shop is a garage. “This is where we repair semi trucks and install tarps and liners in large trailers.” Countless tools and parts are housed inside the shop, while tons of trucks are parked outside.

Rock On operates like a well-oiled machine because of its employees. They include four office personnel, one sales person, one shop manager, five mechanics, three dispatchers, and 41 drivers. Kevin, Vierkant’s husband, is the operations manager and who oversees all the sales and shop operations. In addition, Rock On contracts with 40 dedicated owner/operated truckers, and up to 20 to 30 brokers, depending on the size of certain projects. It has about 50 dedicated clients and 150 random clients, with approximately 100 loads on any given day. Major projects have included the TCF Bank Stadium, Target Field, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport runways, and several freeway renovations throughout the Twin Cities. “We are family-oriented at Rock On. We have been able to sustain as a business because respect and fairness are reciprocated amongst employees and clients alike. We work as a team, and no one person is above another, including myself. While I trust my competent staff to do the tasks that are delegated to them, I will help with anything from answering phones, cleaning, and entering data if it is needed to get a job done for a client.” Because of her success, Vierkant was recognized as Accomplished, Ambitious, and Under 40 in the St. Cloud Times, received the Best Young Entrepreneurs Award by Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, and noted as one of the Small Business Success Stories Superstars in Twin Cities Business magazine. She also belongs to many professional organizations including the Association of Woman Contractors, Association of General Contractors, Association of Building Contractors, American Subcontractors Association, National

Federation of Independent Business, Minnesota Asphalt Paving Association, and Minnesota Trucking Association. Outside of work, Vierkant volunteers at her church, the local Habitat for Humanity, and other benefits that support victims of cancer. But she values the time she spends with her husband and children most. “In business and in life in general, everyone should at least have a basic understanding of accounting.” For more information on NHCC’s accounting degrees, certificates, and courses, visit www.nhcc.edu.

Krystal Vierkant pictured with her first truck – the one that got her started on the road to business with Rock On.

Brush up on your

accounting skills with these non-credit courses from NHCC. Excel Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .starts July 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$179 Access Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .starts July 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$179 Peachtree Accounting . . . . . . . . . . .starts July 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$319 Excel Intermediate . . . . . . . . . . . . .starts July 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$179 Payroll Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . .starts August 6 . . . . . . . . . . . .$319 Excel Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .starts August 16 . . . . . . . . . . .$179

For the full schedule of classes, go to www.nhcc.edu/ptd or call 763-488-0475.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Being Bilingual... Doing Her An Interview with Biology Student Yazmin Carrillo Vazquez by NHCC Staff Writer Michelle Goode

here’s an intriguing young lady I’ve been seeing around campus lately – walking the halls with books in hand to her classes, running the Hispanic Student Association’s events, and representing the college in an unscripted television commercial where she professes, “I love this place!” I approach her and ask if I can highlight her in the NHCC magazine. With a muy bonita smile she says, “sure,” and hands me her daughter’s birthday invitation containing her contact information. Her name is Yazmin Carrillo Vazquez, and this is her story...

Can you tell me about your family?

My daughter is four years old. Her name is Nimzay, which is my name spelled backwards. We currently live with my parents Veronica and Sergio, who have been married for 23 years. I also have two younger brothers, Sergio and Noe. My family is very closeknit. In fact, Nimzay considers me AND her grandma “mom” – she calls me “mami” and her grandma “mama.” Where are you from?

My parents, brothers and I were all born in Puebla, Mexico. We moved to Brooklyn Park in 2001 and just recently moved to Hopkins. Nimzay was born in Minnesota. Do you speak English and Spanish?

Yes, and I believe it’s one of my strongest assets. I use it at home, school, work, church, everywhere. Actually, everyone in my household speaks English and Spanish, or “Spanglish.” Nimzay, for example, speaks Spanish to her grandpa; both Spanish and English to her grandma; and English with me, her uncles, and at daycare. Also, the school she attends will be teaching her Chinese.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Own Thing When did you start attending college at NHCC?

I enrolled in the biology program in the fall of 2010, right after I graduated from Champlin Park High School. I’m the first in my family to go to college. What has been your college experience so far?

Overall, it’s been great, but not always easy since college and this country are new to me and my family. However, my high school counselors helped me by providing information about college options. Once deciding on NHCC, attending orientation aided with my transition into college. I also had great teachers. My strengths weren’t English reading and writing, but professor Shirley Johnson made reading activities fun. She also made me feel special by simply knowing my name and asking about my daughter – it’s so nice that she remembers these things. Dr. Nancy ShihKnodel was another favorite professor. She provided invaluable insights on my written papers.

Monday through Saturday from 8am to 4pm, so I will be away from my daughter and work. It will be difficult, but my parents have been very supportive and believe that my hard work will pay off for me and my daughter. My goal is to own my own clinic by the time I’m 30. As long as I can remember, my father has always told me to open my own business. He says to not let others decide what I do – do my own thing. I also want to own my own home with a big back yard, so Nimzay and I can have a St. Bernard dog. We love animals!

The Piñata Song At Nimzay’s birthday party, the grown-ups sing the Piñata Song as the children take turns hitting the piñata: Dale, dale, dale, no pierdas el tino; Porque si lo pierdes pierdes el camino.

What advice would you give other students?

Translation:

If you have questions, get them answered. Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t sit in doubt.

Hit it, hit it, hit it Don't lose your aim Because if you lose it You will lose your way.

For more information about North Hennepin Community College and Student Life clubs and organizations, visit www.nhcc.edu.

My fellow students have been priceless too. I’ve worked with peer tutors on biology assignments, learned leadership skills through my role as president of the Hispanic Student Association, and made many friends. What do you plan to do after college?

I plan to transfer to the University of Minnesota to become an orthodontist. Recently, I was accepted into their dental experience program, which is very selective and rigorous. It requires me to live on campus for an entire month this summer,

NHCC’s Hispanic Student Association at Cinco de Mayo campus event.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Breaking Language Barriers Forward-thinking companies, such as Teleflex, Inc. are empowering employees through customized training

ome may see a lack of English language fluency as a problem in the workplace. Other employers understand that fluency in a language other than English can be a real advantage. In fact, local organizations are working hard to hire and retain English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) employees who have extensive product knowledge, valuable skill sets, AND the advantage of knowing more than one language. In 2006, Minnesota’s foreign born workforce was 240,000 or 8 percent of the total workforce. And that number continues to grow. According to a 2012 study, there are 51 languages spoken in Minneapolis public

schools with 29.6 percent of students speaking a primary language other than English. There are 21 languages spoken in Brooklyn Center schools, with 28.6 percent considered ESOL students. The fact is Minnesota’s workforce is becoming more and more diverse. Forward-thinking companies – such as Teleflex Medical OEM – are in tune with these employment trends. Recently, Teleflex executives turned to North Hennepin Community College to help them implement new manufacturing practices and continuous improvement strategies (Lean/Six Sigma and Good Manufacturing Practice), while also ensuring that the training programs are

easily understood by their non-native English speaking employees. “The inspection and approval processes for medical devices continue to become more stringent,” says Lucian Bejinariu, Lead Operations Manager at Teleflex. “Our Plymouth teams possess a high level of product knowledge, but we provide on-going training to help them keep pace with ever-changing industry standards and regulations. We asked NHCC to help us develop effective training for our employees, including a specialized track for our employees whose primary language is something other than English.”

Dale Mize facilitating Teleflex Green Belt training in a classroom at NHCC.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Through a Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grant, NHCC was able to incorporate a number of strategies to help Teleflex’s ESOL employees benefit from the company-wide training program. “We designed a uniquely-tailored prep course and replaced text-heavy instruction manuals with easier-to-understand graphic presentation tools,” says Beth Schaefer, NHCC Program Development Director. “Most people, no matter what their primary language is, will benefit from the visual representation of information over pages and pages of written instructions.”

Call 763-488-0475 or visit nhcc.edu/ptd

Professional Training and Development at North Hennepin Community College

NHCC trainers presented the material in an interactive way, making the employees more enthusiastic about the sessions and the information more valuable. “At one point, we had more volunteers for our Green Belt training sessions than there were spaces available,” says Samuel Miriello, Division Environmental Health & Safety Manager and Grant Project Manager for Teleflex.

In addition to the type of customized training services that helped Teleflex reach their goals, NHCC’s Professional Training and Development division offers a number of certificate programs and open enrollment courses.

Specializing in catheter design and production, Teleflex offers its own products and configurations, while also providing products to other medical device manufacturing companies. Since the training program started two years ago, the company has almost doubled its square footage and increased its workforce by 25 percent at its Plymouth plant.

• • • • •

“The training provided by NHCC has had a positive effect in areas of production outside the initial scope, enticing more open communication between all Teleflex employees,” says Miriello. “I’d recommend it to any organization who wants to increase the effectiveness of its training programs and improve internal communications.” To customize a professional training and development program for your company, visit www.nhcc.edu/ptd or call 763-488-0475.

Stay competitive and prove that you're serious about your career. Our certificate programs can help you seek greater opportunities and recognition, or simply enable you to keep up with changes in your field. Regulatory Affairs Entrepreneurship for Communities of Color Strengths Training Leadership (LEAD Academy) Information Technology

Sharpen your skills or learn some new ones with NHCC’s open enrollment courses to meet your educational and career needs. • Accounting • Business Skills • Computer Foundations • Creative Writing • Graphic Design • Human Resources • Leadership

• Microsoft Office 2010 • Project Management • Strengths Series • Web Design • Work Readiness /Job Support Network

Call 763-488-0475 or visit www.nhcc.edu/ptd.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

“We Love Dr. Zhao!” Chemistry Professor and Winner of NHCC’s Excellence in Education Award

ominated by his peers and students alike, Dr. Peng Zhao recently won NHCC’s Excellence in Education Award, which recognizes important contributions to student success. “I feel very happy, very proud, because my hard work is appreciated – especially by my students,” says Dr. Zhao. A second-generation chemistry professor, Dr. Zhao was headed for a career in pharmaceutical research. Until, as a teaching assistant earning his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota, he realized that he really liked communicating with students, learning from them, as well as teaching them. “I decided to choose teaching as my career.” It was a good choice. “Students want to get a good grade, of course, but they learn so much more when they actually like the class,” says Dr. Zhao. One of his students admits suffering from anxiety attacks when taking exams, but rarely gets them when taking Dr. Zhao’s exams, “not because he makes them too easy, but because he has taught me so well.” And a group of students add, “We LOVE Dr. Zhao!” His peers echo similar testaments. “Often there are students huddled around his desk. He is truly gifted in his ability to explain the same concept in a different manner so that each student can understand. His enthusiasm shows through in his patient explanations and elegant use of analogies.”

“ He is truly gifted in his

ability to explain the same concept in a different manner so that each student can understand.

”

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Dr. Zhao’s students will remain on his mind as he performs research in China this fall. “I will be taking the pulse of the industry, so I can better advise my students.” He also plans to write his own lab manual, so students can access it electronically and save paper (money and trees) on one less textbook. In addition, he will be formulating ideas for future research that he will engage in with his NHCC students – who, he believes, receive the same quality of education as students who attend major universities. “A lot of my students go to medical school and pharmacy school, and they compete very well with the rest of the students in the world.” For more information about NHCC’s chemistry and other programs, visit www.nhcc.edu/programs.

Restaurant Review

Fat Nat’s Offers Home Cookin’ with a Kick Y

ou wouldn’t know it at first glance, but less than four miles east of the NHCC campus lies an oasis of home cooking goodness. That is, if you trust the multitude of four- and five-star online reviews and award plaques lining the wall of Fat Nat’s Eggs in Brooklyn Park. Located in an unassuming strip mall touting “Breakfast and Lunch!” – Fat Nat’s is your small town diner set down in the middle of the ‘burbs. Step inside and you’ll find high-backed booths, large tables with plenty of elbow room, and

a counter with a row of stools that looks into an open kitchen. The place is clean, and the décor is no frills. One of the most distinct items is an antique Coca-Cola cooler – a nod to the small town diner of yesteryear.

benedict, including one served with spicy avocado verde. Described as traditional breakfast fare with a Mexican twist, owner Jeff Nat takes pride in the salsas made daily with only the freshest ingredients.

But the food is what makes Fat Nat’s shine. Large portions satisfy even the “fattest” of appetites. Patrons rave about the warm and crispy American fries, flavorful pancakes so large they cover the plate, and spicy chorizo. A breakfast specialty is their six varieties of eggs

Yes, there really is a “Fat Nat.” Jeff Nat opened the original location in New Hope in 2003, bestowing his childhood nickname to the enterprise in the process. He and wife Lisa, who both grew up in the area, expanded to the Brooklyn Park location in 2008. Fat Nat’s Eggs, Brooklyn Park, is located at 8587 Edinburgh Center Drive. Hours are Monday through Friday 5:30am to 1:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 6:00am to 2:00pm. Visit their website at www.fatnatseggs.com.

Huevos Rancheroes Chorizo is a yummy dish of chorizo sausage and black beans topped with scrambled eggs and melted pepper jack cheese, served on top of two crisp tortillas with a side of their homemade red salsa.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Driving Change Showcasing Kathy Sandeen, a Model NHCC Foundation Board Member

elaxing on a floral patio on a sunny summer afternoon, Kathy Sandeen reminisces about past times that weren’t always rosy… Sandeen was born and raised in south Minneapolis. After her father died, Sandeen and her three siblings were single-handedly supported by their mother. “Like many prospective students, I wanted to go to college, but just couldn’t afford it.” So, instead, Sandeen went to work. She started off in the banking industry and began a family before working as an office assistant at the General Motors/ Win Stephens Buick dealership. Recognizing her product knowledge and people skills, Stephens himself offered Sandeen a position in the commercial fleet department selling vehicles to corporate clients. “Mr. Stephens said to me, ‘I think you would make a great sales person!’” But Sandeen doubted herself at first. This position was typically held by men, and she had small children to take care of at home and would be unable to work evenings. Yet, Stephens believed in Sandeen. “He gave me an opportunity to work from 9 to 5, so I put the pedal to the medal.” Sandeen recalls her first corporate client. “A man dressed in grubby clothes, along with his wife, walked in and asked to speak with the fleet person. When a male co-worker came to get me, he had a smirk on his face because he didn’t think the

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

man would amount to much. The man, too, seemed a bit surprised that he was dealing with a woman. After apologizing for his appearance, the man revealed that he was Mr. Pillsbury of Pillsbury Corporation. Not only did I sell him a personal vehicle, but Pillsbury Corporation purchased many vehicles for their fleet. His wife and I exchanged smiles, basking in the situation. A great lesson was learned that day – never judge.”

Sandeen also recollects being the only woman at GM School, where they trained employees from things like sales tips to engine parts. In addition, she remembers not being allowed to golf on certain courses with her male counterparts. Once again, Stephens spoke up on her behalf. “He told them that if they wouldn’t allow me to play, then he would pull the entire company from their courses. They let me play.”

Later down the road, Sandeen worked as a community relations director for the General Motors/Luther Brookdale dealership. She, along with Ron Murray, the general manager of General Motors/Luther Toyota dealership, were instrumental in helping to establish the $10,000 Luther Toyota endowment at NHCC (which was featured in Time magazine). Sandeen’s career in the male-dominated auto industry would continue to soar for over 30 years. She was hailed as being one of the first female national fleet sales directors for General Motors. She also volunteered in her community as a board

member and ambassador of the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Brooklyn Center Business Association. During Sandeen’s three full terms on the NHCC Foundation board, she actively served on the advisory, executive, gala, and scholarship committees. She plans to continue to support the college and its mission to provide quality education to students. “Being involved with the NHCC Foundation is very important to me. It raises scholarships for students, so they can have access to higher education – an opportunity I never had.”

In the meantime, Sandeen and her husband of 49 years are enjoying retirement in Elk River. They have three daughters together. The oldest daughter and her husband are both graduates of NHCC. The middle daughter tragically passed away, and an NHCC scholarship was recently established in her honor. And the youngest daughter has a successful career in annuities insurance. To support the NHCC Foundation or become an NHCC Foundation board member, call Jennifer SummerLambrecht, NHCC Foundation Executive Director, at 763-424-0909 or visit www.nhcc.edu/foundation.

The NHCC Foundation would like to thank retiring board members Kathy Sandeen, Terry Sharp, and Jim Snoxell for their dedicated service and support to the college and its students! Terry Sharp

Jim Snoxell

Terry Sharp has served on the NHCC Foundation as a board member and former president, and was a recipient of NHCC’s Presidential Medallion Award.

Jim Snoxell, too, has served on the NHCC Foundation as a board member and former president.

Currently, Sharp is the Global Industry Relationships Manager at Caterpillar Inc. He has been with the company since 1978 and has held numerous executive-level positions within the communications and marketing departments. A Chicago native, Sharp has spent the last 23 years in Maple Grove. He has an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, and a B.S. in business and marketing from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois. In addition to serving on NHCC’s Foundation board, Sharp has also served on other local and national boards, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG Joint Management Committee, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Transportation Information Program, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce, and Maple Grove Parks and Recreation.

He presently chairs the Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., business law and nonprofit organizations department and works primarily with the firm’s business, corporate, and nonprofit clients. Prior to earning his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, Snoxell attended Carlson, receiving honors for both. Since then, he has been elected nine times as a Minnesota Law & Politics “Super Lawyer” and speaks for various Minnesota Continuing Legal Education programs. He also authored the Minnesota Mechanic’s Lien Practice Manual, a reference book for real estate attorneys in Minnesota. Furthermore, Snoxell is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, Ramsey County Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and Minnesota Association for Justice. He has served for the TwinWest Chamber Foundation and is a current member of the St. Anthony Park Booster Club and the director of the Brooklyn Center Business Association.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

NHCC to Offer Mobile I

f you’ve ever updated your Facebook page from your iPhone, played a quick game of Words With Friends on your iPod Touch, or pointed your iPad at the night sky to identify a constellation of stars, you know how important apps are to your mobile experience. The market for mobile software applications has exploded due to the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. Experts predict that in the next year – or sooner – at least 80 percent of people will access the internet from a mobile device rather than a computer. The market for mobile apps is growing, creating more demand for mobile app developers. According to Renae Fry, NHCC’s Dean of Business and Technology, surveys of area employers – especially in the medical technology and insurance industries – show that the need is great for people who write the code that makes mobile apps work.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

In response, North Hennepin Community College is launching two new mobile application development courses in the fall, making it one of only a few institutions in the state preparing students and working professionals for advancement in this fast-growing, highly technical field. “North Hennepin has always been responsive to workforce needs, and we want to make sure our students are staying current with the latest technology,” Dean Fry says, “It makes sense to include mobile application development courses in our curriculum.” Rob Weber, co-founder of W3i and an alumnus of NHCC, was one of the business owners who encouraged the college to add these courses. “Mobile technology is causing the most tectonic shift in computing of our generation, and the world lacks competent talent in the

field of mobile application development,” he says. “Our company employs dozens of mobile app developers and, like other fast-growing technology companies, we are always looking for this type of talent.” NHCC’s new courses are designed for students or working professionals who have a computer programming background and want to learn to develop apps for Apple’s iOS. With an excess of 315 million iOS devices in use worldwide, more than 500,000 applications, and 25+ billion app downloads, Apple is one of the leading mobile platforms. "The two courses we are offering will cover the foundations of iOS programming and Objective-C, the prevailing language in iOS development,”

App Courses says Ted Volk, NHCC Computer Science faculty. “Programming for Apple mobile devices is not easy to learn. The students have to grasp some non-trivial abstract concepts and, at times, apply the engineering way of thinking. But those who succeed will have a big leg up in today’s marketplace." A recent study by Analysis Group found that Apple and its app revolution have directly or indirectly created 514,000 jobs in the United States. Of those, 210,000 were iOS jobs. Mobile Application Development was one of eight “dream jobs” identified by CBS News Money Watch in 2011. Using statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, salary sites, and professional trade groups and recruiters, the projected job growth for mobile app developers was 131 percent, with top earners’ annual salaries of $115,000.

Register now for these new courses, starting August 27, 2012. Objective-C for Mobile Programming CSCI 2400 – 4.0 credits Delivery: Hybrid Classroom/Online

Introduction to Mobile Programming in iOS CSCI 2500 – 4.0 credits Delivery: Hybrid Classroom/Online

North Hennepin Community College offers computer science courses and certificates in internet programming, application programming, game development, and object-oriented programming. For more information, or to register for the new mobile programming courses, go to www.nhcc.edu.

Rob Weber has a unique vantage point on the software development marketplace. He and his two brothers, all NHCC graduates, founded W3i, one of the fastest-growing and successful entrepreneurial companies in Minnesota. The Sartell-based company is a leader in monetization and user acquisition services for mobile and desktop apps. W3i’s 100 technology experts collaborate with clients to execute programs that quickly deliver users and revenue. They developed InstallIQ, an intelligent installation management system for mobile and desktop, that offers insight into users’ app activity and interaction with their devices. Weber has worked with many of the world’s leading mobile app developers and says this field is the “hottest trend in technology of our generation.”

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Homeless Youth Find Help, No O

n any given night in our community, dozens of young people are homeless and hungry. They’ve had to leave their homes due to family conflict, abuse, neglect, residential instability, or other unfortunate hardships. They sleep in cars, abandoned buildings, under bridges, or, if they’re lucky, on the couches of friends or relatives. “Couch-hopping is fairly common,” says Pastor Rachel Morey of Brooklyn Mosaic. “Of the 45 beds available to young people in the Twin Cities, none of them are here in the suburbs.”

Pastor Morey wasn’t the only one to recognize the growing problem of homelessness in the region. Police departments, social workers, faith-based organizations, and area school administrators have all been noting the increasing numbers of young people going without food and shelter. In 2011, Brooklyn Center schools had 57 homeless youth (almost 4 percent of their population), and there were 221 homeless students in Osseo schools. So, last summer, in association with the Community Emergency Assistance

Program (CEAP) and YMCA Youth Intervention Services, Pastor Morey’s fledgling Mosaic ministry opened the No Barriers Food Shelf one evening a week in a spare room of Brooklyn United Methodist Church in Brooklyn Center. Young people are not asked for identification, nor are they required to prove their need. They just started coming – and they’re still coming. “Twelve people showed up the first evening,” Pastor Morey explained. “Then, before long, we were the most-used youth food shelf in the Twin Cities. We serve 45 to 60 people two nights a week – Wednesday and Friday.”

Pastor Morey and Jill Westbrook sort and package baby supplies for teen moms – one of the groups of homeless youths who visit the food shelf.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Questions Asked People between the ages of 14 and 21 can get up to 50 pounds of food, toiletries, and basic necessities a week. The food often consists of flour, sugar, and other cooking staples because when couch-hoppers are able to contribute food to the household, they’re often able to stay longer. North Hennepin Community College’s Student Nursing Association (SNA) was one of the groups who heard about the No Barriers Food Shelf and wanted to help. SNA President and highest honors student Jill Westbrook was already a big believer in helping others. Two to three times a year for the past six years, she had been making trips to bring much-needed medical supplies to a large urban hospital in Honduras. “I first heard about the food shelf when Pastor Morey came to speak to NHCC’s Student Senate,” Jill says. “We saw how much they were helping youth in our area – without stipulations, without questions.” Last year, Jill organized food drives, which included friendly and lively competitions

among nursing students and faculty that brought in more than 2,500 pounds of food. “Jill started bringing us trunkloads of food,” laughed Pastor Morey. “We’re running out of room for it all!”

Challenging Her Classmates to Help Others

Other groups at North Hennepin Community College have also gotten involved with the food shelf. One of the first to sign up to help was Kari Christensen, a service learning student who stayed on well past her assigned internship to become a regular volunteer worker. Twenty-two of Robert Hansen’s Criminal Justice students heard about the food shelf and promptly signed up for 30 hours of service each. NHCC’s music and theatre faculty held food drives as part of their productions and performances this past year and NHCC’s Student Volunteer Club included the food shelf as one of their projects. For more information on the No Barriers Food Shelf, go to www.brooklynmosaic.org. To learn more about student groups and activities at NHCC, go to www.nhcc.edu.

Of the more than 12,000 students at NHCC, 40 percent are classified as low income and 76 percent rely on financial aid to help pay for college. Some students are homeless and others face the hardship of not being able to afford enough food. It’s difficult to perform well in college without proper nourishment. This fall, thanks to the work of students Vicki Herrmann and Jan Schutz, NHCC will be starting its own food shelf called the Food Cupboard. The food shelf will help those who are unable to get to area food shelves because of inadequate access to transportation. For more information, contact Kitty Hennemann, Director of Student Life, at 763-424-0803.

Jill Westbrook was recently chosen by her fellow students to speak at graduation, which for NHCC’s nursing program is called the Pinning Ceremony. Here are some of her inspirational words from that day. “WE MADE IT! With passion and determination, we have completed the program. We made it to graduation and now I want to challenge us all to not only survive, but to thrive.” “Let’s make a difference in someone’s life by stepping back, looking at the bigger picture, and doing what we can for those around us.” Jill has represented NHCC at two nursing conferences, including the National Student Nurses Association Convention, after which she was eager to come back and share with her classmates the latest news on technology, research, testing, and job outlooks.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Kicking Challenges and Obs by Noemi López, Writing Tutor for North Hennepin Community College’s Student Support Services /TRiO office

elissa Jacobson has experienced more than her fair share of challenges in life. But she isn’t the type of person who simply meets challenges. No, she’s the type who tramples over them and kicks them to the curb. For Melissa, these challenges began when she and her twin sister were born thirteen weeks premature. A lack of oxygen to Melissa’s brain led to the development of cerebral palsy, a condition that she has lived with ever since.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

tacles to the Curb Spending childhood in a wheelchair had its difficulties. Melissa recalls wishing she could join her siblings as they bounded across jungle gyms. Yet she excelled in many areas, including academics and varsity floor hockey. She graduated from high school at the top of her class. Unfortunately, her first experience at another college was not a positive one because that school was ill-prepared for students with disabilities. Melissa candidly explains, “I fell behind in classes there and was told that I wasn’t ready to be a college student. I knew I could do it, but I wasn’t given the assistance they promised me. So, I ended up dropping out.” Back at home, devastation soon spiraled into deep depression. Thankfully, Melissa’s aunt recognized the warning signs of suicide, and brought Melissa to the Courage Center. “It was a hard year,” Melissa admits. “But when I started getting better, my counselor recommended that I go to NHCC. I liked it because it had the accommodations I needed. I applied to TRiO, and it was a program that helped make the transition easy.” Now, with the support of her TRiO advisor, Michael Birchard, Melissa is well on her way to bigger and better things – namely, medical school. “I have always wanted to study medicine because I’ve been going to doctors my whole life. They are my inspiration. I feel I could bring a different perspective to a hospital setting, and be empathetic to a wide population.”

Not everyone has been supportive of her dream. When she started telling people that she was going to tour the medical school at the University of Minnesota (U of M), some said she was crazy. But Michael was on board. “Melissa came to me and said that she wanted to visit the U of M. She’d done all sorts or research on the school, and I said, ‘Okay, let’s set this thing up.’” On the day of the tour, Melissa was both nervous and excited. She and Michael explored the campus and met with an advisor in the disability office and a medical school admissions representative. “She was totally prepared,” Michael reports. “She had three pages of questions!” Reflecting on the experience, Melissa says, “I came away knowing that medical school is going to be daunting, but not impossible. My situation is unique because most other students’ disabilities are not visible. There might be more barriers for me, but I’m hopeful. Positive.” So what has Melissa learned from beating the odds and accomplishing new heights? “I don’t have to allow others to tell me who I am. I don’t have to prove anything or be anyone that I’m not,” she says with pride. Upon hearing that many view her as “inspirational” or “amazing,” Melissa just smiles. “I don’t like to see myself as extraordinary or deserving of a lot of acknowledgement. I’m just a normal person. But if I can be inspirational to someone, that’s great!”

Student Support Services/ TRiO is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education that provides academic support to students who meet at least one of the following criteria: • First generation (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree) • Low income • Documented disability TRiO’s mission is to help students recognize their strengths, develop their skills, and achieve their academic goals. Services are free to program participants thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and in-kind support from NHCC. Enrollment is limited to 230 students per year. How does TRiO help students? • Personalized academic advising, including degree program planning, career exploration, assistance applying for financial aid, scholarships, study abroad opportunities, and academic progress monitoring • Regular, weekly, one-on-one sessions with professional tutors in the areas of math, science, writing, and study skills • Specialized workshops, such as financial literacy training • Guided tours of four-year colleges and universities • Cultural events, educational tours, recognition celebrations, and other original events For more information about NHCC’s Student Support Services/TRiO program, go to www.nhcc.edu or call 763-424-0937. North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Running Effective Meetings I

t’s comedic fuel for shows like The Office and Scott Adams’ Dilbert comics: the inefficiency of poorly run meetings. Boring, pointless meetings take up the majority of the workday for many – frustrating employees and costing organizations thousands of dollars each year. Percentage of Non-Productive Time by Managerial Function Management Function

% Unproductive Time

There are good meetings and there are bad meetings. Bad meetings drone on forever, never seem to get to the point, and participants leave wondering why they attended. On the other hand, effective meetings leave people energized with a feeling of accomplishment. So, what makes the different between a good meeting and a bad meeting? Effective meetings really boil down to three things: 1. There is a clear a purpose 2. Time and resources are used wisely 3. Participants feel heard and included.

General Management

29.7

Human Resources

31.9

Sales/Marketing

33.6

Purpose

Manufacturing

34.9

Finance

38.7

Overall Average

33.4

Too often people call a meeting to discuss something without really knowing what a good outcome would be. Do you

want a decision? Do you want to generate ideas? Do you want status reports from team members? Going into the meeting with a clear purpose will help you to be able to answer this question: “At the close of the meeting, I want the group to…” Time and Resources Time is a precious resource, and no one wants his or her time wasted. In order to use time most effectively, meetings should start on time, follow an agenda, and end on time. Furthermore, only those who need to be there should be invited. The agenda should include discussion topics in order of priority, indicate who is responsible for facilitating each discussion item, and allocate a certain amount of time to each topic.

Effective meetings boil down to three things: 1 There is a clear purpose 2 Time and resources are used wisely 3 Participants feel heard and included

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Inclusion Ideally, you should send the agenda to meeting participants in advance so that they have an opportunity to provide feedback. This also gives them some time to prepare for the topics that will be discussed, creating more informed, productive conversations. The meeting facilitator’s job includes shifting conversation from those who seem to be dominating the discussion by asking others for their ideas, summarizing what was said after each item, making note of items that need further discussion, ensuring the meeting stays on topic, and following up after the meeting with notes. Notes should include the item, discussion points, action, and person responsible for action. With a solid objective in mind, a tight agenda, and a commitment to involving the meeting participants in the planning, preparation, and execution of the meeting, you are well on your way to chairing great meetings.

North Hennepin Community College offers a four-hour class to help meeting facilitators make the most efficient use of their time and limited resources by holding effective meetings. Attendees will learn how to plan a meeting, create agendas, involve participants, invite constructive conflict and guide the group toward consensus, navigate group dynamics, and create follow-up structures to keep momentum going after the meeting is over. We Have to Stop Meeting Like This: Running Effective Meetings is approved for three PDU’s from PMI and is part of NHCC’s L.E.A.D. Academy series of leadership certificates. Visit www.nhcc.edu today to register for this course or to learn more about L.E.A.D. Academy. Call 763-488-0475 or email protraining@nhcc.edu with questions.

Leslie Shore has a Master of Arts in Human Development and is an instructor at North Hennepin Community College, Concordia University, and Metropolitan State University. As founder of the organizational and communications effectiveness firm, Listen to Succeed, Shore brings more than 35 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience to her consulting practice. She facilitates seminars and workshops on the topics of listening, communication, diversity, educating adults, teamwork, and employee retention. In addition to this continuing education course, Shore also teaches Four Keys to Basic Workplace Skills Certificate, Listening Is Leading, and There Are Lots of I’s in Team: Get Them to Work Together.

We Have to Stop Meeting Like This:

Running Effective Meetings Classes start in the fall. Go to www.nhcc.edu/ptd for dates and times. Location: NHCC’s Center for Business & Technology (CBT), 85th Avenue North in Brooklyn Park Price: $139 Instructor: Leslie Shore This course is approved for 3 PDU’s from PMI and is part of NHCC’s L.E.A.D. Academy series of leadership certificates. To register for this course or to learn more about L.E.A.D. Academy, visit www.nhcc.edu/ptd. Call 763-488-0475 or email protraining@nhcc.edu with questions.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Five Fitness Resolutions for Su by Missy Lott, NHCC Physical Education Faculty

ith summer well underway, it’s important to think about your summer fitness goals. We often save our resolutions for January 1st but why not set some for the summer too? It’s a great way to re-commit to a fit and healthy lifestyle and to keep yourself on track. Since the weather is warmer, most of us prefer to be outside. Here are some ideas to get out of the gym, yet still maintain a healthy life. 1 Walk Anywhere One Mile or Less

Set a goal this summer to walk anywhere that’s within one mile of your house. Whether that’s Target, the grocery store, or to the RedBox, it doesn’t matter. By the time the summer’s over, you’ll be a lot leaner and more fit as a result. According to www.thewalkingsite.com, the average person's stride length is about two and a half feet long, which translates to just over 2,000 steps to walk one mile, and 10,000 steps for a five mile walk. A sedentary person averages about 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day, so adding one mile

to your daily routine can easily kick you out of that sedentary category. If you are already a walker or a runner, think about incorporating a mini boot camp into your walk/run. Bring your TRX outside, do pushups off a picnic table, try some squats every five minutes, and anything else to challenge the norm. 2 Try Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is one of the best ways to get in shape quickly and can really add more muscle definition to your upper body. Now is the perfect chance to learn this activity. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a free, family-friendly program called I Can Climb! designed especially for firsttime climbers. Harnesses, helmets, and other gear is provided by qualified DNR professionals who’ll teach you the basic skills you need to get to the top. Then head out on a camping trip to test your skills on a real mountain! Go to www.dnr.state.mn.us /state_parks/can_climb.html for more details and to sign up for your first one-hour lesson. You can also check out Vertical Endeavors (VE) for lessons. With approximately 28,000 sq. ft. of climbing walls and 50-60 foot tall climbing walls, VE-Minneapolis is one of the biggest and tallest climbing facilities in the country. Check them out at www.verticalendeavors.com.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

mmer and Beyond 3 Visit the local Farmers Market

The summer season brings an endless supply of different fruits and vegetables. Head to the local farmers market for homegrown, local produce at a great price to supplement your diet. Make it a mission to get, at the very least, five to ten servings each and every day. And make sure to mix it up throughout the week so you get plenty of different nutrients in your diet. Farmers markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. From the traditional mercados in the Peruvian Andes to the unique street markets in Asia, growers all over the world gather weekly to sell their produce directly to the public. Produce found at farmers markets is especially flavorful and highly nutritional because it’s picked at the peak of freshness. And, since locally grown produce doesn’t travel as far to get to your table, the difference in mileage helps save fossil fuels. 4 Eat Breakfast Every Day

One of the most important elements of a well-rounded diet is starting your day off with breakfast each morning. While in the winter you may forego getting up to prepare that omelet in order to stay warm in your comfortable bed, with the sun rising earlier in the summer months, make it a goal to prepare something nutritious each

morning before you head out to work. Not only will you improve your health, but you’ll boost your metabolism as well. Metabolism is the rate at which your body operates as it performs its daily functions. Your metabolism slows down while you sleep and doesn’t speed up again until you eat. That’s why eating breakfast is so important – it gets your body’s metabolism back in balance. 5 Learn a New Water Sport

Another fantastic resolution would be to learn a water sport. Get out onto a local river nearby and test your kayaking and/or canoeing skills, or try stand up paddleboarding (SUP), a growing global sport with its origins in the Hawaiian islands. An ancient form of surfing, SUP came about as a way for surfing instructors to manage large groups of students – standing on the board gave them a higher viewpoint. Paddleboarding is easy to learn. In about an hour you can become very comfortable on your board. Stand up paddleboarding is also more popular with women because of their lower center of gravity, and, in fact, women are often more skilled at paddleboarding than men. Check out Three Rivers Park District for lessons and outings at www.threeriversparkdistrict.org.

Strawberry Spinach Salad From www.penzeys.com 1 pint strawberries, quartered or sliced 1 lb. spinach, washed well, stems removed, and torn into bite-size pieces 1 cup salted pecans, chopped, and roasted at 325 degrees for 10 minutes Dressing: ¼ cup Penzey’s Raspberry Enlightenment 1 tablespoon white vinegar ½ cup sugar ½ cup vegetable oil ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. mustard powder 2 tablespoons whole blue poppy seeds In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and mix well. In a serving bowl, combine the strawberries, spinach and pecans. Toss to combine. Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving or serve on the side. Makes six servings. Nutritional information (one cup of salad with one tablespoon of dressing): 280 total calories; 200 calories from 23g of fat; 0mg cholesterol; 220mg sodium; 20g carbohydrates; 5g fiber; 4g protein

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

The Bene by the Acting Clerk/Treasurer of Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose

he folks at Buffalo High School (BHS) and North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) have been sharing space for over 20 years, and it has been a beneficial partnership. NHCC has had its main campus in Brooklyn Park since 1966. In the late 1980s, the college decided to start a College Comes to You program and chose BHS as their only offcampus site. The only thing they needed from us was for our teachers to share their classrooms in the evenings. A teacher’s classroom is like his or her home, with teacher and student materials sorted, stacked, and arranged for efficient use the next day. It isn’t easy to let strangers into your “house” while you’re not there, but for over 20 years, the faculty at BHS have done just that. BHS science teacher Kip Wold even offered up some much-coveted storage space so the NHCC biology instructor wouldn’t have to lug bulky lab equipment back and forth. The custodial staff is also gracious enough to adjust their cleaning routine and come back later in their shift to clean the classrooms that are being used that night. The Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Community Education staff provided the local contact for the partnership and publishes course offerings in the seasonal Community Education brochure.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Sharing. We teach it at home, school, and places of worship. We want people, businesses, and government to share with us. When we’re called on to share what we have, sometimes we can do it effortlessly, but we usually realize how difficult it is to share something when it is something we hold dear.

efits of Sharing Schools, Patti Pokorney

From an efficiency viewpoint, it’s nice to see the high school classrooms being used around the clock and not just the athletic and performance areas. But what else do we get out of this shared partnership? About 158 local citizens take NHCC classes at the BHS campus. Most of these students combine classes offered there with classes offered online and at NHCC’s main campus in Brooklyn Park. A student needs about 12 to 15 credits per semester to earn an associate’s degree in two years, though many take fewer credits and add on a semester or two. It is possible to earn an entire associate’s degree by taking only NHCC classes at the Buffalo location. I enrolled at NHCC about six years ago when I decided to switch careers. At $174 per credit, NHCC was the least expensive and closest college where I could learn to be a medical laboratory technician. After getting out in the work world in my newly chosen profession, I learned that the course work and training at NHCC is highly valued by employers. Not all NHCC students are looking to earn a degree or a certificate. Some want to brush up on reading, math, business, or nursing skills for advancement at jobs

they already have. And not every student is a 19-year-old high school graduate. Forty-five percent of NHCC students are over age 25. About 68 percent are first generation college students (neither parent completed a four-year degree). That means that the NHCC registration staff is highly skilled at helping families navigate the roads that lead to higher education. Students who plan to complete their general education courses at NHCC and then transfer to a four-year college or university are able to participate in an honors program. Once accepted, their

honors enrollment automatically transfers (with an automatic scholarship) to St. Cloud State or Hamline Universities. NHCC also offers study abroad and opportunities for faculty-mentored student research. My hat is off to all those at NHCC, BHS, and our local Community Education office who make this shared effort for higher education available to all of us. For more information on taking college classes in Buffalo, go to www.nhcc.edu/ buffalo or email cbaines@nhcc.edu.

NHCC biology faculty Debra Moberg shares lab space with Buffalo High School science teacher, Boyd Emmel. Here she works with Angela Swanson, who is taking college courses at BHS before entering NHCC’s nursing program.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

at North Hennepin Community College CERT

AAS

AFA

Accounting Accounting Essentials Accounting Technology General Accounting Small Business Accounting

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Building Inspection Technology Construction Management Public Works

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Computer Science Application Programming Computer Science Game Programming Internet Programming .NET Programming Object-Oriented Programming Web Graphic Design and Programming and e-Commerce

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38 North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012 34 nity College / Fall 2011

AFA

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Engineering

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English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

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Pre-Engineering

Academic English Language

Business Business Administration Business Communications Essentials Business Computer Systems and Management Business Management Business Principles Career Essentials Desktop Publishing E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Finance and Investments Finance Management Leadership Essentials Life and Career Skills Marketing Marketing and Sales Microsoft Office Web Graphic Design and Programming and e-Commerce Word Processing

AAS

Construction Programs

American Sign Language American Sign Language

Criminal Justice Law Enforcement

Art and Design Graphic Design Studio Arts Web Graphic Design and Programming and e-Commerce

CERT

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

Accounting

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Film and Theatre

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Emphasis in Film Theatre

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Health Careers

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Histotechnology Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Nursing Program - Mobility Option Nursing Program - Two Year Option

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Individualized Studies

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Liberal Arts / General Studies

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Associate in Arts / MnTC Creative Writing Emphasis in History

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Individualized Studies

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Music

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Music

Paralegal Paralegal

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Physical Education and Fitness

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Personal Training Physical Education

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Science and Math Biology Chemical Technology Chemistry Mathematics

North Hennepin Commu-

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Common Myths that Stop People from Starting College Myth: I can’t afford it.

Fact: Tuition and fees are substantially lower at NHCC than at traditional four-year and private two-year institutions. And NHCC students are awarded more than $35 million each year in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study and loans.

Myth: I don’t have the time.

Fact: With day, evening, weekend, accelerated, and online

4-Year Degrees at NHCC NHCC has partnered with area universities including Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, St. Cloud State University, and others to allow you to earn your advanced degree on our Brooklyn Park campus. Bachelor degree programs are offered in Business Administration, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Construction Management, Operations Management, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science. Find out more about this convenient option at www.nhcc.edu

classes, you’ll find what you need to fit college into your busy life.

Myth: It will be a waste of time because I’m not sure what I want to do with my life.

Fact: If you enroll in our Associate of Arts degree program to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be exposed to subjects you may not have explored before and be on your way to transfer when you ARE ready to decide. If you’ve been meaning to get your college degree, NHCC can help get you started. Don’t put it off any longer – visit www.nhcc.edu.

Degree and Certificate Programs offered at NHCC Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) 40 credits Designed for transfer, the A.A. Degree fulfills lower division general education requirements at all MnSCU institutions and some private institutions. The MnTC requirement for the A.A. degree includes 40 credits in all 10 goal areas. Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree 60 credits Designed for transfer, the A.A. Degree fulfills lower division general education requirements at all MnSCU institutions and some private institutions. The MnTC requirement for the A.A. degree includes 40 credits in all 10 goal areas. Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) Degree 60 credits Designed for transfer to BFA or BA art programs, the A.F.A. degree may also be used for career preparation. The MnTC requirement includes 24 credits in six goal areas. Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree 60 credits Designed for transfer, the A.S. degree may also be used for career preparation. The MnTC requirement for the A.S. degree includes 30 credits in six goal areas. Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree 60-72 credits Designed for career preparation, the A.A.S. degree may also be used for transfer. The MnTC requirement includes 20 credits in three goal areas. Certificate Programs 9-30 credits Designed for career preparation and enhancement, most credit certificate programs can be completed in either one or two semesters and give students a solid foundation of knowledge in a specific field.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Courses offered Fall 2012

Get the full details to plan your schedule online at www.nhcc.edu

Academic Development

Art

ADEV 0940 ADEV 0951 ADEV 0952 ADEV 0961 ADEV 0962 ADEV 0963 ADEV 0964 ADEV 1000 ADEV 1010 ADEV 1950 ADEV 1950

ART 1040 ART 1100 ART 1101 ART 1160 ART 1270 ART 1301 ART 1302 ART 1310 ART 1340 ART 1361 ART 1362 ART 1401 ART 1402 ART 2180 ART 2540 ART 2550 ART 2601 ART 2740 ART 2781 ART 2782 ART 2901 ART 2902 ART 2970

Building A College Vocabulary College Reading and Learning Strategies I College Reading and Learning Strategies II College Learning 1 College Learning 2 College Learning 3 College Learning 4 Career Planning Job Seeking Skills Reading College Textbooks Reading College Textbooks: Examining Race in America

Accounting ACCT 2100 ACCT 2111 ACCT 2112 ACCT 2200 ACCT 2230 ACCT 2250 ACCT 2260

The Accounting Cycle Financial Accounting Managerial Accounting Applied Accounting Capstone Course Computerized Accounting with QuickBooks Small Business Payroll Small Business Income Taxes

Introduction to Art Creative Suite: Art, Design, and the Web Photography I Digital Photography Digital Video Production Two Dimensional Design I Two Dimensional Design II Three Dimensional Design Fundamentals of Color Ceramics I Ceramics II Drawing I Drawing II Art History: Pre-History to the Age of Cathedrals Illustration Typography Graphic Design I Jewelry Workshop Quiltmaking Workshop I Quiltmaking Workshop II Desktop Design I Desktop Design II Art Appreciation Field Trip

American Sign Language ASL 1101 ASL 1102 ASL 1400 ASL 1990

American Sign Language I American Sign Language II Fingerspelling and Numbers American Sign Language

Anthropology ANTH 1010 ANTH 1020 ANTH 1990

Introduction to Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology Introduction to Anthropology: Physical Anthropology, Archaeology & Prehistory Anthropology of Religion

Arabic ARBC 1030 ARBC 1101

Arab Cultures Introduction to Arabic

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Biology BIOL 1000 BIOL 1001 BIOL 1002 BIOL 1101 BIOL 1120 BIOL 1130 BIOL 1200 BIOL 1230 BIOL 1231 BIOL 1350 BIOL 1360 BIOL 1650 BIOL 1990 BIOL 2030 BIOL 2100 BIOL 2111 BIOL 2112

Life Science Biology I Biology II Principles of Biology I Human Biology Human Biology with a Lab Current Environmental Issues Medical Terminology I - Basics Medical Terminology II - Application Biology of Women Biology of Women with a Lab Human Biology Series: Food has Changed Nobel Conference: Our Global Ocean Plant Biology Microbiology Human Anatomy and Physiology I Human Anatomy and Physiology II

View complete course details online at www.nhcc.edu

Building Inspection Technology BIT 1050 BIT 1150

Foundations of Construction Codes and Inspections Residential Plan Review and Field Inspections

Business BUS 1000 BUS 1010 BUS 1100 BUS 1110 BUS 1200 BUS 1210 BUS 1220 BUS 1300 BUS 1400 BUS 1410 BUS 1430 BUS 1440 BUS 1450 BUS 1600 BUS 1610 BUS 1700 BUS 1810 BUS 2010 BUS 2310

Career Planning Job Seeking Skills Introduction to Business and the American Economy Essential Employment Skills Principles of Management Managerial Communication Effective Supervision Legal Environment of Business Business Mathematics Introduction to Business Finance Financial Statement Analysis Personal Financial Planning Investments Principles of Marketing Consumer Behavior Introduction to International Business Entrepreneurship Internship Business Introduction to E-Commerce

Chemistry CHEM 1000 CHEM 1010 CHEM 1030 CHEM 1061 CHEM 1062 CHEM 2061 CHEM 2062

Computer Science CSCI 1000 CSCI 1020 CSCI 1035 CSCI 1040 CSCI 1130 CSCI 1150 CSCI 2001 CSCI 2020 CSCI 2030 CSCI 2050 CSCI 2400 CSCI 2500

Computer Basics Beginning Web Page Programming Introduction to Computer Programming with Games Beginning Microsoft SQL Server Introduction to Programming in Java Programming in C# for .NET Structure of Computer Programming I Machine Architecture and Organization Database Management Internship Computer Science Objective-C for Mobile Programming Introduction to Mobile Programming in iOS

Construction Management/Supervision CMSV 2875 CMSV 2885 CMSV 2890

Mechanical and Electrical Systems Construction Estimating Building Organization and Technology

Economics ECON 1050 ECON 1060 ECON 1070

Economics of Crime Principles of Economics Macro Principles of Economics Micro

Education Chemistry and Society Introduction to Chemistry Introduction to Physical Sciences Principles of Chemistry I Principles of Chemistry II Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry II

EDUC 1280

Diversity in Education

Engineering ENGR 1000 ENGR 2301

Introduction to Engineering and Design Statics

English Communication Studies *Previously designated Speech (SPCH) courses COMM 1010 COMM 1110 COMM 1310 COMM 1410

Fundamentals of Public Speaking Principles of Interpersonal Communication Intercultural Communication Human Communication Theory

Computer Information Systems CIS 1000 CIS 1101 CIS 1102 CIS 1200 CIS 1210 CIS 1220 CIS 1250 CIS 1300 CIS 1310 CIS 1320 CIS 2310

Electronic Keyboarding Communications Business Computer Systems I Business Computer Systems II Word Processing Desktop Publishing Decision Making Excel Photoshop Essentials for Business Introduction to Internet The Whole Internet Web Tools Introduction to E-Commerce

ENGL 0900 ENGL 0950 ENGL 1112 ENGL 1150 ENGL 1201 ENGL 1202 ENGL 1250 ENGL 1450 ENGL 1900 ENGL 1940 ENGL 2010 ENGL 2020 ENGL 2320 ENGL 2350 ENGL 2380 ENGL 2450 ENGL 2550 ENGL 2950

Preparation for College Writing I Preparation for College Writing II College Writing II Introduction to Literature College Writing I College Writing II Magazine Workshop Reading Plays Introduction to Creative Writing Technical Writing Writing Creative Non-Fiction and Memoir Writing Stories Writing: From Structure to Style Women and Literature American Indian Literature Survey of American Literature I Survey of British Literature I Mystery and Detective Fiction

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Fall 2012 Course Schedule

English for Speakers of Other Languages

History

ESOL 0800 ESOL 0830 ESOL 0860 ESOL 0880 ESOL 0900 ESOL 0930 ESOL 0960 ESOL 0980 ESOL 1080 ESOL 1230 ESOL 1260 ESOL 1280

HIST 1010 HIST 1020 HIST 1110 HIST 1130 HIST 1200 HIST 1220 HIST 1270 HIST 2700

College Vocabulary Development I Reading Skills Development English Language Skills Development Listening and Speaking Skill Development College Vocabulary Development II Academic Reading and Study Skills Academic Writing Skills Development Academic Listening and Speaking English Pronunciation College Reading and Studying Skills College Writing Skills Development Listening and Speaking for College Success

First Year Experience FYE 1020

First Year Experience

Histotechnology HTN 1000 HTN 2003 HTN 2100 HTN 2150 HTN 2200

Clinical Laboratory Basics Histotechniques III Special Stains Special Procedures Histo-Anatomy

Honors Seminar

Geography GEOG 1000 GEOG 1010 GEOG 1100 GEOG 1990

World History: Origins to 1300 World History: 1300 to Present History of Western Civilization Pre 1550 History of the Medieval West History of United States Through 1877 American Colonial History Race in America History and Popular Culture

Geography of the United States Physical Geography World Geography Geography of Africa

HSEM 1990 HSEM 1990

History of Christmas Children at Risk: Foster Care, Adoption, and Child Welfare

Interdisciplinary Studies Geology GEOL 1020 GEOL 1110 GEOL 1850 GEOL 1851 GEOL 1990

INTD 1040 Minnesota Field Geology Series: Volcanic, Plutonic and Metamorphic Geology Physical Geology Oceanography Oceanography Lab Nobel Conference: Our Global Ocean

Graphic Design *Previously designated Graphic Design (GDES) courses now listed under Art (ART)

Health HLTH 1030 HLTH 1050 HLTH 1060 HLTH 1070 HLTH 1250 HLTH 1600 HLTH 1900

Personal and Community Health Stress Management Drugs and Health Nutrition Wellness for Life First Responder Healthy Sexuality

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

INTD 1210

American Indian Culture - Indigenous Peoples of Minnesota The History, Philosophy, and Practice of Traditional Aikido

Math MATH 0700 MATH 0800 MATH 0901 MATH 0902 MATH 0980 MATH 1010 MATH 1130 MATH 1140 MATH 1150 MATH 1170 MATH 1180 MATH 1221 MATH 1222 MATH 2010 MATH 2220 MATH 2300

Basic Mathematics Pre-Algebra Introduction to Algebra Intermediate Algebra Pre College Algebra Survey of Mathematics Elementary Statistics Finite Mathematics College Algebra Trigonometry Pre-Calculus Calculus I Calculus II Probability and Statistics Calculus III Linear Algebra

View complete course details online at www.nhcc.edu

Medical Laboratory Technology

Nursing

MLT 1000 MLT 1200 MLT 2100 MLT 2150 MLT 2310 MLT 2320 MLT 2330 MLT 2340 MLT 2350 MLT 2360 MLT 2380

NURS 1211 NURS 1213 NURS 2211

Clinical Laboratory Basics Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation Clinical Chemistry Clinical Immunohematology Applied Phlebotomy Applied Hematology Applied Coagulation Applied Urinalysis Applied Microbiology Applied Immunohematology Applied Chemistry

Music MUSC 1130 MUSC 1150 MUSC 1160 MUSC 1170 MUSC 1180 MUSC 1200 MUSC 1220 MUSC 1241 MUSC 1251 MUSC 1300 MUSC 1350 MUSC 1501 MUSC 1510 MUSC 1600 MUSC 1610 MUSC 1801 MUSC 1810 MUSC 1830 MUSC 1850 MUSC 1860 MUSC 1870 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2010 MUSC 2170 MUSC 2241 MUSC 2251 MUSC 2970

College Choir Chamber Singers Large Ensemble: Concert Band Instrumental Jazz Ensemble Small Group Performance Ensemble Fundamentals of Music Survey of Western Music Music Theory I Ear Training and Sight Singing I Music in World Cultures History of Rock 'n Roll Class Guitar I Applied Music: Guitar Class Voice Applied Music: Voice Class Piano I Applied Music: Piano Applied Music: Strings Applied Music: Percussion Applied Music: Brass Applied Music: Woodwinds Advanced Applied Music: Brass Advanced Applied Music: Guitar Advanced Applied Music: Percussion Advanced Applied Music: Piano Advanced Applied Music: Strings Advanced Applied Music: Voice Advanced Applied Music: Woodwinds History of Music I: Medieval Through Classical Eras Music Theory III Ear Training and Sight Singing III Music Appreciation Field Trip

Natural Science NSCI 1010 NSCI 1020 NSCI 1030 NSCI 1050 NSCI 1070 NSCI 1120

Science of Disaster Workshop I Science of Disaster Workshop II Science of Disaster Workshop III Astronomy Concepts of the Stars and Universe Meteorology

Foundations in Nursing Health Assessment in Nursing Provider of Care II

Paralegal PLEG 1111 PLEG 1210 PLEG 1411 PLEG 1412 PLEG 1990 PLEG 2211 PLEG 2212 PLEG 2310 PLEG 2510 PLEG 2620 PLEG 2710 PLEG 2930

Introduction to Law and Paralegal Studies Computer Applications in the Legal Profession Litigation I Litigation II Bankruptcy/Creditor's Remedies Legal Research and Writing I Legal Research and Writing II Criminal Law and Procedure Contracts and Business Organizations Property Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration Legal Studies Seminar and Internship

Philosophy PHIL 1010 PHIL 1020 PHIL 1030 PHIL 1040 PHIL 1050 PHIL 1060 PHIL 1200

Introduction to Philosophy Ethics Eastern Religions Western Religions Introduction to Logic Philosophy of Religion Environmental Ethics

Physical Education PE 1010 PE 1040 PE 1050 PE 1151 PE 1250 PE 1260 PE 1270 PE 1400 PE 1430 PE 1440 PE 1500 PE 1740 PE 1750 PE 1810 PE 1820 PE 1990 PE 1990 PE 1990 PE 2101

Physical Fitness Volleyball Weight Training Golf I Wellness for Life Kinesthetic Learning Studio Cycle Women's Self Defense Tai Chi Chih Karate Foundations of Physical Education Hiking Yoga Step Aerobics Boot Camp Advanced Yoga Zumba Net Games Concepts of Personal Training

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

View complete course details online at www.nhcc.edu

Physics PHYS 1030 PHYS 1050 PHYS 1070 PHYS 1120 PHYS 1201 PHYS 1202 PHYS 1601 PHYS 1602

Sociology Introduction to Physical Sciences Astronomy Concepts of the Stars and Universe Meteorology Principles of Physics I Principles of Physics II General Physics I General Physics II

Political Science POLS 1100 POLS 1140 POLS 1700 POLS 2130

Spanish and Latin American Culture Beginning Spanish I Beginning Spanish II Intermediate Spanish I

Speech – see Communication Studies Theatre, Film & Television

General Psychology Psychology of Adjustment Psychology of Gender Child Development Adult Development Abnormal Psychology Personality Human Sexuality

Public Works PUBW 1030 PUBW 1050

SPAN 1030 SPAN 1101 SPAN 1102 SPAN 2201

Individualized Studies Development

Psychology PSYC 1150 PSYC 1165 PSYC 1170 PSYC 1210 PSYC 1220 PSYC 2320 PSYC 2330 PSYC 2340

Introduction to Sociology Social Problems/Deviance Introduction to Criminal Justice Police and Community Juvenile Justice Families in Crisis Minority Groups Introduction to Corrections

Spanish

American Government and Politics State and Local Politics World Politics Constitutional Law

Prior Learning Assessment PLA 1010

SOC 1110 SOC 1130 SOC 1710 SOC 1720 SOC 1730 SOC 1750 SOC 2210 SOC 2730

Public Works Management and Communication Public Works Operations and Maintenance

TFT 1210 TFT 1250 TFT 1260 TFT 1270 TFT 1280 TFT 1310 TFT 1320 TFT 1350 TFT 1500 TFT 1531 TFT 1540 TFT 1600 TFT 1610 TFT 2950

Introduction to Theatre Introduction to Film Introduction to Television Digital Video Production Introduction to Screenwriting American Cinema World Cinema The American Musical Theatre Acting I: Improvisation and Foundations Stage Combat I Acting for the Camera Theatre Practicum: Performance Theatre Practicum: Technical Theatre Appreciation Field Trip

Adult Learners Brush Up Your Skills and Get Ready for College – for Free! The College Prep Program at North Hennepin Community College offers free college prep courses designed to strengthen your academic and computer skills and help prepare you for college-level work. Complete courses on campus or online, start anytime! For more information on this FREE program, call 763-488-0445, visit the College Prep Center in LRC 154, or email mklis@nhcc.edu.

North Hennepin Community College / Fall 2012

Calendar Highlights Visit www.nhcc.edu/calendar for all event details. August 2012 27 Fall Semester Classes Start September 4 Performing/Visual Arts and Design Info Session Educational Services Building at 5:00pm

NHCC Faculty Art Exhibition Opens Opening Reception Thursday, Sept. 13, 12:00pm

11 19

Business Connections Expo from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Educational Services Building 5:00pm

Faculty Lecture: Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy Desta Gelgelu, Economics Faculty

7 12 14 20

Faculty Lecture: 12/21/2012 – What Will (and will not) Happen at the End of the Mayan Circle Jessica Warren, Physics Faculty Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band Concerts Choral Concerts Tuition Payment Deadline for Spring

Student Success Day / FREE College for a Day

October 2 Science/Health Careers Info Session 5

Educational Services Building 5:00pm

Faculty Lecture: A Sabbatical with the Newberys Bridget Murphy, English Faculty

December 5 Theatre Production: How I Learned to Drive through Sunday, Dec. 9 11 Paralegal/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Info Session

January 2013 11–12

Auditions for the Musical Avenue Q Production will run April 19 to 27

14 14

Spring Semester begins Ray Schoch Art Exhibition Opens Opening Reception Thursday, Jan. 17, 5:00pm

Abstraction Art Exhibition Opens Opening Reception Thursday, Oct. 11, 5:00pm

10 26 30

Fall Career Fair Theatre Production: The Three Musketeers through Saturday, Nov. 3 Liberal Arts/General Studies/Transfer Info Session Educational Services Building 5:00pm

November 2 Faculty Lecture: Aggregating Our Votes Through the Electoral College

5 12 13

Andra Samuels, Political Science Faculty

Priority Registration for Spring 2013 Semester begins New Student Orientation begins for Spring Mysticism and the Kabbalah Art Exhibition Opens Opening Reception Thursday, Nov. 15, 5:00pm

Business/Computer Science Info Session

Check Out NHCC General Information Sessions & Tours every Tuesday at 5pm Visit North Hennepin Community College any Tuesday at 5:00 pm in the Educational Services Building for a quick overview and tour of campus. If that time not convenient for you, make a personal appointment with a New Student Specialist or student ambassador by calling 763-424-0702 or 800-818-0395 or emailing info@nhcc.edu.

Educational Services Building at 5:00pm

Experience “College for a Day” FREE Tuesday, September 11 from 8am - 4pm Choose from more than 100 free workshops and classes to help you reach your career, education, finance, leadership, and personal potential. Topics include job seeking strategies; personal finance; project management; career exploration; leadership trends; study abroad; creative writing; and much more. You can also participate in free health and wellness activities like a 5K race, martial arts, and yoga.

For a complete schedule of activities, go to www.nhcc.edu/StudentSuccessDay.

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7411 85th Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Make Your Story... Extraordinary at NHCC Register now for fall classes.

“I’m striving to do something big in life. North Hennepin’s comfortable environment and great teachers help make it possible.” – Luz

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