Connection
Mott Community College
April 2016
AAWCC Chapter of the Year
MCC Welcomes Sean Astin as Part of the Ballenger Lecture Series
MCC Supports the Community
Campus Clowns Keep Spreading the Anti-Bullying Message
Faculty & Staff Paths to Excellence & More
MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CONNECTION
M C C FA C U LT Y & S TA F F M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R
APRIL 2016
All about
April
April was the second month in
an early Roman calendar, but
became the fourth when the
ancient Romans started using
January as the first month.
The Romans called the month
Aprilis. It may come from a
word meanting ‘to open’, or it
may come from Aphrodite, the
Greek name for the goddess of
love.
Small animals that hibernate
are usually coming out of their
burrows in April. The birds fly
back northward or they settle
down to have their families.
The bees and butterflies begin
to gather nectar from the first
flowers of the season.
In some parts of the world, it’s
planting time. In other parts,
it’s the harvest season. Professional baseball begins in April.
Then the amateur athletes
begin to go outside in the warm
weather. Spring cleaning starts
and people start mowing their
yards again.
April Fools’ Day, or All Fools’
Day, is the first day of April.
No one knows where the custom began, but some historians
believe it started in France.
They had a New Year’s festival
that was celebrated from March
25 to April 1, and they would
then exchange gifts. But, later,
King James IV changed the
holiday to January 1 for New
Years. The people that still celebrated it April 1 were called
‘April fish’ and sent mock
presents.
AAWCC Chapter of the Year
The MCC chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges has been named the Chapter of the Year by the National
AAWCC.
Founded just last year, the Mott chapter exists to support the development of educational, career, and life opportunities for everyone and to
encourage women employed at community colleges.
A major initiative for the Mott AAWCC was their support of the American Cancer Society through “Think
Pink Month” in October 2015. Their efforts, along with other departments, raised over $10,000 in support
of cancer research and treatment.
The AAWCC is looking forward to another exciting year in 2016!
MCC Welcomes Sean Astin as Part
of the Ballenger Lecture Series
Mental Health advocate and award-winning actor Sean
Astin will speak about mental health issues and bi-polar
disorder as part of the Ballenger Eminent Persons Lecture
Series on campus April 7. The presentation will be at
7 p.m. in the Ballenger Field House. The event is free
and open to the public.
Mott, Motown & More
Celebrity Lip Sync Show 2016
May 12 or May 13 • 7 pm
Mott Memorial Auditorium
Mott Community College
Presented by
Past performers: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Van Halen, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Prince,
Carlos Santana, The Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, Boys to Men, Jimmy Buffett and many more!
As an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution, the College encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. The college does not discriminate in
educational or employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran’s status, age, disability unrelated to an individual’s ability to perform adequately, height, weight,
marital status, political belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with Title IX should be directed to: Dean - Enrollment, Retention, and Registrar - Records & Registration, 1401 E. Court St., Prahl College Center - PCCLL, Flint, MI 48503, (810) 762-0370.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with Section 504 compliance should be directed to: Director - Admissions & Student Success Services, 1401 E. Court St., Prahl College Center - PCC1130, Flint, MI 48503, (810) 232-8225.
AC
AROUND
US
P
CA M
Lt. Eric McElroy and Denis Smalley completed the rigorous Maltz Challenge on March
18 in 30 minutes. The Challenge includes running, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and other
fitness events. Nice work!
John Dempsey, MCC instructor, will be exhibiting his artwork as part of a group show titled
“Pure Flint-A Collective of Flint City Artists” at the Spinal Gallery in Grand Rapids. The
Opening Reception will take place on April 9th with the show running through April.
El Nita Blount of Auxiliary Services, Vanessa Bowie of Student and Administrative Services,
and Janine Johnson of Health Services have been recognized by their colleagues for their hard
work with a Kudos and Compliments Award. Congratulations and keep it up!
Former MCC Librarian Denise Hooks received the Librarian of the Year Award from the Michigan Library Association for her continuing
contributions to the library community. Denise currently serves as the Director of the Midwestern Michigan Library Cooperative.
Brandon Townsel, of MCC Workforce Development, is working hard
to support the community. After a photo of Brandon wearing a “Flint
Lives Matter” shirt, of his own design, went viral, Brandon created a
line of clothing and dedicated a portion of the sales to help the local
community.
On March 16, Brandon made a $500 donation to Flint Kids, a
community organization currently raising money and taking action to
support the long-term health of the children of Flint. Donations support
early childhood education and educational support services, access to
infant and child behavioral health services, nutritional education and
more.
Brandon is hoping to sell enough shirts to make another donation to
Flint Kids in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in purchasing a shirt
can visit http://therhinestonehouse.com/flm_bt
New Roles for Some
Familiar Faces
As part of the ongoing focus on Student Success, seven faculty
members have taken on new roles as Academic and Student
Success Specialists. The expanded ranks now include Dr. Mari
Yancho, Ronda Smalley, Katie Kiacz, Erica Ogburn, and Dr.
Kindra Conley as Academic Success Specialists, and Dr. Lydia
Lewis and Keith Allen as Student Success Specialists.
This group, along with the existing Specialists, will help
students plan their education and complete their chosen degree
pathway.
MCC to Offer Online Mental Health Screening
To increase awareness and encourage early intervention for eating disorders, substance use, mood and anxiety disorders, Mott Community
College’s (MCC) Counseling and Student Development Division (CASD) is offering online mental health screenings.
Similar to many physical illnesses, early recognition and treatment offers the best opportunity for recovery from mental health issues. The
anonymous and confidential screening tool is designed to help students examine any thoughts or behaviors that may be associated with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder. After completing the
self-assessment, students are connected with MCC’s resources and educational articles.
Direct students who may need help to counseling.mcc.edu, where they can click on the Personal Counseling tab and find the “Begin your
screening here” button.
MCC Connection • Page 3
Campus Clowns Keep Spreading the Anti-Bullying
Message
The Mott Campus Clowns wrapped up their Winter season with 18 anti-bullying shows, an appearance in the Philadelphia St.
Patrick’s Day Parade, and book readings at Brownwell STEM Academy, all in the last four weeks! This is the first time the troupe
has participated in the book readings, but hopes to include them again in their continuous effort to spread the anti-bullying message.
MCC to Offer 9.5-Week EMT Training
MCC is offering new EMT Training course that will prepare students to take the NREMT National Certification exam in just 9.5 weeks.
The training course runs April 25 through June 29 from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Thursday at the Institute for
Medical Simulation MCC Southern Lakes Branch Center at
2100 W. Thompson Road, Fenton. Cost is $1,500 per student
and financial assistance is available. To register call
810-762-5000.
“This is a great opportunity for someone interested in taking
that first step into a medical career,” said Cindy Sanders,
Director of the Institute for Medical Simulation at Southern
Lakes, “you have to be a certified EMT before you can become a paramedic,” she explained. “It is also a good professional certification for those already working in criminal
justice, or as police officers or fire fighters,” she added. In
addition to the EMT Course, continuing education credits
will be available for EMS personnel.
MCC Connection • Page 4
Southern Lakes Institute for Medical Simulation Hosts
Residents in Training
On March 9, Emergency Medicine Residents from two of the sixteen programs within the Statewide Campus Community participated in simulation
training sessions at Southern Lakes Branch Center.
Henry Ford Macomb participated in the morning session that included an
adult and a pediatric scenario. The residents had the opportunity to diagnose
and treat the patients while gaining experience they can apply to real life
medical emergencies.
Mercy Health Muskegon also participated in scenarios with an adult and
child. In addition, they were able to practice ultrasound. Both the residents
and facilitators appreciated the video feedback and the large rooms for the
scenarios. Although it is a long drive, the group plans to visit again in May.
The Sweet Smell of Service Learning at Bake Fresh Friday
There are never too many cooks in the kitchen on Bake Fresh Friday! MCC students rolled up their sleeves and tied on aprons to teach
residents at Carriage Town Ministries (CTM) some basic baking skills
and produce freshly baked breads and desserts for those residing in and
visiting CTM for dinner Friday, March 18.
Students from the Baking and Pastry Arts Program at MCC, under the
direction of Chef David Miller, worked one-on-one with CTM residents
as part of a Service Learning project.
The project is funded by a matching grant of $1,300 from Rotary District
6330 and the Genesee Valley Rotary Club. The grant provides all the
baking ingredients and some equipment needed for the day. Genesee
Valley Rotarians will be on hand to help stir, mix and knead.
Honors Students Build Their Team in the Honors Retreat
MCC Honors Students participated in the annual Honors Retreat in February. The group worked with Shannon Sabo and Jeff Kowalewski to
complete team challenges in the RTC.
MCC Connection • Page 5
News from the Psychology Club
Three outstanding Psychology Club members, Annabelle Ward, Aimee Rushka and Vincent Rogers will be transferring to the University of
Michigan after completing the Winter semester.
The Club will be holding elections in April for their leadership positions. Encourage your students to join the club today!
The Psychology Club will also be attending the annual Meeting of Minds research conference at UM-Flint in May. Deadline for conference
registration is April 8.
GRiT Plans Earth Day Festivities
The Green Initiatives Team
continues to push MCC
employees to think green with
their 2016 Recycling
Challenge. The team
challenges you to recycle as
much plastic as possible in
March and April and help
spread the word about the
FREE curbside recycling
available to Flint resident by
calling 800-438-0966.
Mott will be celebrating Earth Day on April 16
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Kettering
University and UM-Flint. Event booths are still
available for free. Visit earthday. mcc.edu for
more information.
GRiT is also doing a planting project at their
booth during Earth Day to help Flint residents
grow their own food to mitigate lead exposure.
MCC Connection • Page 6
FREE BOTTLED WATER
FAUCET FILTER REPLACEMENT
CARTRIDGES AND TEST KITS
AVAILABLE AT MCC
Tuesdays & Thursdays
2:30-5:30 pm
Wednesdays
10:00 am-12:00 noon
Ballenger Field House
If you live in the city, or receive your water at home from the City of Flint, you can pick up bottled
water at the Ballenger Field House. Go to the Athletics Department Main Office, BFH 103, to receive a
case of water per visit during the designated times. Just bring your student or faculty and staff IDs and
you’ll be able to receive a case of water.
If you, or someone you know, would like to donate water to the College for our campus community, or
if you have any questions about the water distribution process, contact Al Perry at (810) 762-0419 or
al.perry@mcc.edu.
MCC Connection • Page 7