Connection
Mott Community College
November 2015
MCC Faculty & Staff Paths to Excellence
MCC’s Winning Fall Fitness Team
New Courses
Culinary Arts Expands Program Offerings
14th Annual Halloween Celebration sets Attendance Record
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
NOVEMBER 2015
All About
November
November is the eleventh
month of the year in the Julian
and Gregorian Calendars and
one of four months with the
length of 30 days. November was the ninth month of
the ancient Roman calendar.
November retained its name
(from the Latin novem meaning “nine”) when January and
February were added to the
Roman calendar. November is
a month of spring in the Southern Hemisphere and autumn
Supporting our neighbors
with safe drinking water
Mott College is a proud supporter of the local schools and the children
affected by the unsafe drinking water in Flint. Dr. Brian Ivory and his
HONS 250 students completed a mini-service project in support of
Pierce Elementary. Clad in MCC apparel, the HONS 250 students delivered bottles of clean drinking water to the students at Pierce during
the recent Flint water emergency. The Foundation for Mott Community College coordinated donations from neighborhood residents, John
Krupp and Michael and Kay Kelly, as well as MCC faculty and staff.
in the Northern Hemisphere.
Therefore, November in the
Southern Hemisphere is the
seasonal equivalent of May in
the Northern Hemisphere and
vice versa.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a national
holiday celebrated primarily in
Canada and the United States
as a day of giving thanks for
the blessing of the harvest
and of the preceding year. It
is celebrated on the second
Monday of October in Canada
and on the fourth Thursday of
November in the United States.
Several other places around the
world observe similar celebrations. Thanksgiving has its
historical roots in religious and
cultural traditions and has long
been celebrated in a secular
manner as well.
We Are One Campaign Participation Soars
MCC faculty and staff continue to show that “We Are 1” through their support of the student and faculty
emergency funds. We Are 1 Campaign donations empower MCC to change lives, to enhance lives, and to
impact lives of MCC students and staff. Every gift is important, no matter the amount; every gift is vital to
the future of MCC.
The We Are 1 Campaign is ongoing and participants will be entered into the
weekly prize drawing through the week of Nov. 20.
Congratulations to Week 5 winner Joann (Jo) Marie Guigar, Week 6 winner
Lydia Lewis, Week 7 winner Desiree Londrigan and Week 8 winner
William Avery.
Don’t miss out on your chance to win! Donate today at:
www.mcc.edu/foundation/pdf_found/Pledge_Gift_Form.pdf#zoom=100.
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
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Dr. Beverly and the MCC Technology Club enjoyed burgers, supplied by the Bistro, and
conversation on Oct. 14. The cookout was in honor of the support the Technology Club
received from faculty and staff as they turned an old drum into a barbeque grill over the
summer. The Technology Club is currently working on a new project, an electric guitar, and is
searching for a celebrity musician to autograph the finished product for auction.
Annette Le Blanc married long time sweetheart Douglas Shaw on Sep. 5. The happy couple
have spent the last 18 years together. Congratulations Annette and Douglas!
Lapeer Extension Public Safety Officers Kris Surdu and Dave Bender, along with Sgt. Dunell
Chaney and the LEC staff hosted their second annual Halloween Safety Program for 55 Chatfield Elementary 2nd graders on Oct. 29th. After
the safety program, the officers served lunch to the children and provided them with Halloween Safety Kits. This program was made possible
with the assistance of LEC Site Manager Desiree Londrigan and donations from the S&M Bargaining Unit, the Lapeer Walmart and Lapeer
Meijer stores.
MCC Faculty and Staff Paths to Excellence
Heather Sisto, writing, storytelling, and Pilates instructor here at MCC was chosen to be one of fifty Michigan authors to showcase and sign
their books at Leon & Lulu on Oct 26. Heather’s book, V is for Vegetable, combines vibrant photography and clever verses in an alphabet
adventure in the vegetable aisle. For more information on Heather’s book, and to see other books by local authors, visit the Leon & Lulu site at
http://www.leonandlulu.com/events/books-authors/#!.
Chef Mark Handy was one of 26 chefs inducted into the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), the honorary society of the American Culinary
Federation (ACF), at their national convention in Orlando in August. Handy was one of only five chefs inducted into the AAC from the central
region of the U.S. this year, and is one of only 20 members from Michigan.
Wendy Early, recently retired from MCC’s Occupation al Therapy Program after 22 years of
service, was named to the Roster of Fellows by the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (MiOTA). The Roster of Fellows award recognizes members of the MiOTA who, with their
knowledge and expertise, during their career have made a significant contribution to the continuing education and professional development of members. Wendy, pictured below left, is congratulated by Ann Crites, upon receiving the Roster of Fellows Award.
“Wendy has worked tirelessly to create an excellent program that is highly respected throughout
the community. She has also been an active member in the state organization, MiOTA and the
community of Genesee County, and Mott Community College by volunteering for many roles
and committees during her time here,” said Ann Crites, faculty in Health Sciences.
Carol Van Buren has recently become a Certified Tourism Ambassador representing Mott at the Genesee Area Chamber of Commerce. As
a Certified Tourism Ambassador, Carol is part of a the CTA Network and is committed to helping Flint and Genesee County businesses and
stakeholders align their efforts to make Flint a destination tourists will love to visit again.
Chuck Breidenstien, adjunct Tech/BCON faculty member, will present an all-day certification program on Estimating for the Home Builders
Institute (HBI) in Las Vegas in Jan. 2016. The HBI is the educational arm of the National Association of Home Builders.
Breidenstein will also be hosting a live radio broadcast from the HBI show floor later in the week in conjunction with his program “The Inside
Outside Guys”, heard weekly throughout Metro-Detroit and several States. This annual HBI is the largest show of its type open to Housing
Industry Practitioners from all over the World.
Paul Rozycki, Political Science instructor, and Jim Hanley’s book “Politics and Government in Michigan” will be reprinted in an 8th edition.
The 7th edition is published by McGraw Hill Custom publishers and has been used by a number of colleges around the state as an introduction
to state and local government in Michigan. It has been updated and revised for over 30 years since its first use at Mott.
Anne Crites presented on the topic of fieldwork as a key component of the Occupational Therapy curriculum at the Michigan Occupational
Therapy Association (MiOTA) conference in early October.
Cheryl Shelton, Chief Technology Officer, was recently named Chair for the Board of Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties.
Her term runs from Oct. 2015 to Sep. 2016. The organization is dedicated to helping those in need and is located across the street from Workforce Development. For more information visit: www.ccsgc.org/centerforhope.
MCC Connection • Page 3
Workforce Development
Supports Congressmen
Kildee’s Job Fair
The MCC Office of Workforce Development works tirelessly to help to Genesee County residents improve their
workplace related skills and prepare for in-demand jobs.
On Oct. 15 they partnered with Congressman Kildee as he
hosted a Job Fair on MCC’s campus. The Job fair had an
excellent turnout with many local residents making meaningful connections with local businesses.
More Ways to Get Your News Out!
https://junebug.mcc.edu/idp/Authn/UserPassword The Portal Announcement system is a great way to get your news, events and
services recognized. It saves time and adds greater visibility to
your messages. Select Portal Notifications in the list of My Mott
Apps and remember to check the box to send the announcement
as an email.
Flint, Michigan and the Fate of the
American Metropolis
Dr. Andrew Highsmith “uses the case of Flint to explain how the perennial quest for urban
renewal—even more than white flight, corporate abandonment, and other forces—contributed to mass suburbanization, racial and economic division, deindustrialization, and political fragmentation” in his book, Flint, Michigan and the Fate of the American Metropolis.
He “challenges much of the conventional wisdom about structural inequality and the roots
of the nation’s “urban crisis’’ in this “one of the most comprehensive works yet written on
the history of inequality and metropolitan development in modern America.”
Dr. Highsmith will be visiting MCC on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. to discuss his research. The event will take place in the RTC Auditorium and is free and open to the public.
Please call the MCC History Program faculty at (810) 762-0332 for more information.
14th Annual MCC Halloween Party sets Attendance Record
“The 14th Annual Public Safety Halloween Celebration sets an attendance record as it drew over 2000 kids dressed in their Halloween
best. These local youngsters, and their families, celebrated Halloween with games, costumes, bounce houses, pizza and more. A special
thanks goes out to all of the Public Safety team for hosting another successful party and to all the volunteers who helped out at the event
and donated candy.”
MCC Connection • Page 4
Mott “Thought Pink” for Breast Cancer
The AAWCC at MCC would like to thank everyone who participated
in Mott’s Think Pink events in support of the American Cancer Society
and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Throughout the month of
October, MCC faculty, students, and staff, as well as Genesee County
residents, participated in four events to show their support for those
fighting breast cancer and breast cancer survivors. Altogether, over
$1300.00 was raised from the Pink, Paint, and Pour, the Pink Bear
Claw Sale, and the Let’s Bag Cancer Pink Bag Lunch Sale.
MCC Connection • Page 5
Commit to Fit with MCC’s Winning Fall4Fitness Team
Mott’s Fall4Fitness team made up of Stephanie Kile, Curtis Mitchell, and Al Perry—with team
cheerleader Mara Fulmer, took first place in the relay at the Fall 2015 Kick-Off Event for Commit
to Fit on Oct. 2. The team defeated Diplomat Pharmacy who was the reigning champion since 2014.
Congrats to our Champions!
The Commit to Fit! Fall 4 Fitness Challenge is a one-month physical activity challenge designed to
increase physical activity and promote wellness in Genesee County. The challenge ran from Oct. 1
through Oct. 31; even though the challenge has officially ended, MCC would like to follow in
Stephanie, Curtis, and Al’s collective “footsteps” and keep moving for fitness.
Global Learning Faculty Conversation
Don’t miss the International Education Week webcast “Global Learning Faculty Conversation:
High-Impact Learning Approaches for a Global Civil Society” Monday, Nov. 16, from 3 -4:30 p.m. in
CTL 3106.
As part of its International Education Week activities, NAFSA (The Association of International
Educators) will partner with the Alliance for Peacebuilding and the United States Institute of Peace to
present a Global Learning Faculty Conversation celebrating the peacebuilding capacity of international
education.
Throughout the conversation, presenters and participants will:
•Explore models for linking high-impact learning experiences focused on global citizenship with international education programs and academic coursework.
•Discuss pitfalls to avoid in developing high-impact learning experiences focusing on global citizenship, peace, and justice.
•Share strategies to empower students to become responsible global citizens both locally and globally.
Faculty Conversations are designed for faculty members, academic leaders, researchers, and international educators interested in student
learning outcomes and the educational experiences—curricular and co-curricular—created to help students gain and practice global knowledge,
skills, and perspectives.
RSVP to brian.harding@mcc.edu
Showcasing MCC Student Writing Talent
Several MCC students have their work showcased on MarketingNewAuthors.com (MANA). Their work is part of MANA’s new short-story
series where the author’s contribute more to their work over the course of several months.
MCC students currently showcased include:
Carol Brown, whose work is entitled, “Family—That Says It All.” Carol has 363 followers to date.
Cheryl Orth, whose work is titled “Minimized” and has 417 followers.
Kyle D. Bonds, recipient of one of the Spring 2015 Humanities Division Writing Awards, who is the author of “Captain Ambrose and the Airship Pirates.” His work has 300 followers.
Each short story series is very different and clearly demonstrates the skills of these MCC students. MANA invites all faculty and staff to take a
read. Just go to: http://manasunriser.blogspot.com.
MANA strongly encourages students and staff to submit work to this series or to its newsletter for writers, THE MANA SUNSET. The newsletter has had pieces from authors throughout the country including several MCC students. If you have a poem or short story, submit to: info@
marketingnewauthors.com for inclusion in both the newsletter and the short story series.
Writers retain full copyright, and there is no cost to submit. MANA is an international company serving people who love to read good writing
and produce good writing. It is a subsidiary of Robbie Dean Press, L.L.C., owned by MCC’s Dr. Fairy C. Hayes-Scott.
MCC Connection • Page 6
New Courses
Communications Courses Dig into Theory
The communications faculty have designed two new courses, COMM 140: Principles of Interpersonal Communication and COMM 220:
Intercultural Communication, that dive into the theories of communication and help students learn the skills they will need to be successful.
COMM 140: Principles of Interpersonal Communication; 3 credits
This course examines interpersonal communication by focusing on relationships through an understanding of self and others. Areas of emphasis include a focus on language, nonverbal communication, self-concept, identity
management, perception, listening, conflict, culture, emotions, ethics, and other
factors that impact relational communication.
Winter 2016: T/TH 11-12:25pm and M.W 12-1:25pm
Instructor: Blair
COMM 220: Intercultural Communication; 3 credits
This course examines intercultural communication by focusing on theories and methods that relate to the various dimensions of culture and how they impact effective
verbal and nonverbal communication. Using an international framework, this course
investigates the role of context, cultural competence, conflict, ethics, perception, and
privilege in a variety of persona, professional, and mediated settings.
Winter 2016: M/W 9:30am -10:55am
Instructor: Munoz
Reach out to Candice Muñoz at candice.munoz@mcc.edu or Elizabeth Blair at elizabeth.blair@mcc.edu for
more information on how these courses can be incorporated in your students’ pathways to success.
Culinary Arts Expands Program Offerings
The Culinary Arts department will be offering a new course in the Winter 2016 semester. The course, CULA 100: Introduction to Food Services, focuses on providing students with an introduction to the Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and
Food Management Programs. Students will learn the essential skills that they will
need to be successful in both the classroom and their career. This course will help
students lay the foundation for success in the food service and hospitality fields.
The course enables students to answer the questions--Where are you going, what
are you doing, and how are you going to get there?
Look for other new courses in Culinary Arts as the department looks to add two
new certificate programs in addition to the three Associate Degree Programs already offered.
New Psychology Club Draws a Crowd
Faculty members Phillip Nulph and Brian Littleton have launched the new Mott Psychology Club. The Club had
over 30 students attend the first meeting, where they decided to delve into the topic of Motivation and Emotion
for the Fall semester. Students are invited to attend the next Club meeting on Monday, Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the
MMB.
Check out the club on Facebook by searching Mott Psychology Club, on Twitter @mottpsychclub, or email at
psychologyclub@mcc.edu.
MCC Connection • Page 7
MCC Welcomes New AVP of Human
Resources
MCC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Gmeiner as the new Associate
Vice President of Human Resources. As AVP Mary will be a member of the MCC Executive Cabinet and work to implement policies designed to help MCC employees succeed.
Mary comes to MCC from Delta College where she served as Director of Human Resources and as a member of the Executive Council in charge of the leadership, strategic
planning, and administration of human resource talent. Mary also spent nine years as the
Washtenaw Community College Director of Labor and Employee Relations in addition to
working as a part-time faculty member at WCC designing and instructing online business
courses.
Help welcome Mary to the MCC family and support her efforts in promoting MCC
Employee Success.
A special thank you to Amberly Brennan, for her work as Interim Chief Human Resource
Officer during the past 16 months, and for supporting the MCC mission.
Familiar Face in a New Place
Dale Weighill was recently named the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Mott Community College. The position is new
and will oversee the combined department that includes the Foundation for Mott Community College and the Marketing and Communications
department.
From 2011 – 2015, he served as the Executive Dean of Professional Development & Experiential
Learning, at Mott. Prior to that, Dale was the President & CEO of Resource Genesee from 20002011, a not-for-profit organization that served the greater Flint community through a variety of
programs, including Leadership Genesee, 2-1-1, and Hands On Genesee. His professional career
also includes part-time teaching in Political Science at both Mott and Oakland Community Colleges
and a stint as a Legislative Assistant in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Dale has Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees – both in Political Science -- from American
University in Washington, DC and The University of Michigan in Dearborn, respectively. Dale has
held local elective office in Michigan twice, serving for six years as a school board member in the
metro Detroit area, with two terms as Board of Education President, and for four years as a City
Councilperson in Flint (including three years as Flint City Council Vice President).
Dale’s leadership and volunteer pursuits include the following: Former Chair of the Volunteer Centers of Michigan; Former Chair of the Volunteer Center National Network Council; Former Member
of the Points of Light Foundation Board of Directors; Former Member of the Michigan Nonprofit
Association Board of Directors; Former Member of the ConnectMichigan Alliance Board of Directors; Former Chair of the Genesee County Nonprofit Association; Former Member of the Boards of
Directors of the Salvation Army of Genesee County and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint.
New Hires
Mott College welcomed a number of new hires over the past month. They include:
Lynette Ryan, Administrative Assistant I in Academic Operations and Planning, Research & Quality, who joined the college Oct. 12.
Jordan Clark and Randall Wilburn, both Upward Bound Coordinators, who joined Mott Oct. 19.
Steven Banks, Upward Bound Coordinator, who joined Mott Oct. 26.
MCC Connection • Page 8
SOTA Students Get Taste of
Profession at Conference
Service Learning Focuses on
Food for English 101 Students
Students in Heather Sisto’s English 101 class volunteered at Harvesting
Earth Educational Farm on Oct. 13. Upwards of 22 students helped
haul lumber and break up plaster for the upcoming market. Some
helped in the hoop houses harvesting tomatoes and herbs and pulling
weeds. Everyone learned a lot about how urban farming is helping
blighted areas, as well as, teaching those communities about proper
nutrition.
Another 21 students in English 101 volunteered at the Food Bank of
Eastern Michigan on Oct.14 and another 19 volunteered on their own
on Oct. 16. Students sorted canned goods from paper products and other items and discarded damaged items. A total of 4,000 pounds of food
was boxed in two hours!
The Club SOTA students (from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program) attended the annual Michigan Occupational Therapy
Association Fall Conference Oct. 12 and 13 at the Grand Traverse
Resort in Traverse City. Students attended several workshops and
networked with Occupational Therapists and potential employers.
The faculty chaperones were Anne Crites and Wendy Early. SOTA
received assistance with funding for this trip through CLEF.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 3, 2015: MCC hosts elections on Nov. 3, 2015 for precincts 24, 27, 30, 38, 46, 47 and 48 in the Mott Event Center.
Support our students in neighbors as they cast their votes.
Nov. 19, 2015: Dr. Andrew Highsmith visits MCC to discuss
his book Demolition Means Progress-Flint, Michigan and the
Fate of the American Metropolis. The event will be held in
the RTC Auditorium from 1 to 2 p.m.
Nov. 20, 21, 22, 2015: Global Issues Film Festival comes to
MCC
We are One Sponsors
The Foundation for Mott Community College
would like to thank the following Sponsors of the
We Are One Campaign and Student Fall Rally.
Bear Bistro Restaurant, Applewood Café, Cork Restaurant,
501 Bar & Grill, 51 to Go Restaurant, Olive Garden Restaurant, Blackstone’s Pub & Grill, The Copperwood Grille, Signature Chop House,
Applebee’s Restaurant, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Italia Gardens, Churchill’s Food & Spirits, Sorrento’s Food & Spirits, Dale’s Natural Foods,
The Lunch Studio, Oliver T’s, Café Rhema, Mott Campus Book Store, Brick Street Bar & Grill, Sagano Japanese Bistro & Steakhouse,
Grand Med Spa in Grand Blanc, Hot Cups Coffee Flint Farmers’ Market, Hoffman’s Meats Flint Farmers’ Market, American Autoworks
Inc. in Flint, Flint Institute of Music, Coach Steve Schmidt, Metro PCS 808 S. Center Rd. Flint, Charlie’s Smokin BBQ, Hills Home Cured
Cheese, Flint Farmers’ Market Vegetable Stand.
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MCC Connection • Page 10