B U S I N E S S
A N D
L I F E
AN INDELIBLE IMPRINT
WELLS LEAVES LEGACY OF INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING ON LIVES AT EAST LANSING HIGH SCHOOL
A COMMITMENT TO CARE
Schools work with health providers to combat nursing shortage
CREATING A CULTURE OF LEARNING Letting employees expand intellectual curiosity
PLUS
August 2022
NOTABLE NEWS, Good Reads and more
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publisher’s note
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An Ideal Start to the School Year
tend to get a bit sentimental as the sunset of summer approaches and we sit on the cusp of a dawning school year. My thoughts turn back to my own school days and the things I might have done a little differently as well as the memories I wouldn’t change a bit. There’s so much bubbling hope and exuberance that comes with youth. Some mistakenly call it naivete, but those are just the stink-eye cynics who think bitterness is some sort of rite of passage that comes with age. It’s been said that the generation currently making its way through the educational ranks, Generation Z, has an exceptionally strong streak of idealism, and that brings me great joy. Idealism as a concept gets a bum rap. The naysayers try to use it as a backhanded compliment, saying that idealism exceeds realism. That, frankly, is a bunch of malarkey. Idealism is practical and an excellent agent of positive change. If we’re not able to envision a better world — how do we get there? Not only that, but idealists are inclined to be problem-solvers who aren’t just looking to improve themselves but are seeking out the best in others and world issues impacting them. It’s been noted there is an emphasis on others among today’s youth and young adults — that they value individual expression, respect cultural differences, are concerned over the welfare of the planet, and place a premium on action over words and authenticity over aesthetics. That, of course, is a broad brush, but I don’t see anything necessarily negative in there. Placing a value outside of the self, building up instead of tearing down and desiring something better seem not just reasonable but downright decent — and needed. Given that Generation Z is growing up and entering what is, in all honesty, a terrifying world of our own making, maybe a little bit of idealism is just what we need. There will always be individuals who view the combination of youth and idealism with disdain, crying, “But they want to change everything!” All I can do is take a look around and think, “I certainly hope so.”
517 Business and Life, Volume 4, Issue 6, August 2022.
Publisher Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz
517 Business and Life (USPS#020-807) is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan.
Managing Editor Mary Gajda mary@m3group.biz
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203-3333 or visit 517mag.com to subscribe. Postmaster: Send address changes to 517 Business and Life, 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright @2022. 517 Business and Life. All rights reserved. Editorial office: 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. 517mag.com
Creative Director Chad Hussle chad@m3group.biz Lead Editor Christopher Nagy Contributors Rich Adams Teece Aronin Shelley Davis Boyd Kyle Dowling Mary Gajda Rich Keener Christine MacIntyre Metro Melik Christopher Nagy Ashley Nance Omar Sofradzija Graphic Designers Kathryn Aspin Audrey Spring Kameron Chauvez Client Strategists Megan Fleming megan@m3group.biz Melissa DeMott melissa@m3group.biz Photographers Mary Gajda Kyle Dowling Metro Melik
Tiffany Dowling Publisher
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A Common Goal FOR A COMMON GOOD Formerly known as Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, Children Trust Michigan is the only statewide organization solely focused on child abuse and neglect prevention. We provide education, guidance and resources, as well as raise critical funds for our network of partners in all 83 counties. Every child in Michigan deserves a safe, healthy and happy childhood. Like you, we won’t give up on the mission to enrich the futures of children and families for generations to come. Together, we can end a cycle of abuse and neglect.
It matters to us, and we believe it matters to all.
michigan.gov/childrentrustmichigan 517 3
With a class available last summer in nearby Chicago, I knew I needed to take my skills to the next level.
What Is A Rëzo Certification?
Calling all curlies! Did you know? - in June 2021 I traveled to Chicago to complete a specialized Rëzo Certification course for cutting and coloring curly hair!
During the 2-day course, held at Solo Salon Elizabeth in Chicago, Nubia Suarez demonstrated her curl techniques in person. She explained in detail how to create volume and how to blend curl textures together. She gave each stylist (each given a curly haired mannequin) one-on-one suggestions and feedback, and asked that we not leave class until we had every question answered!
The Rëzo Academy, founded in 2018 by curl specialist Nubia Suarez, travels around the world to instruct small groups of licensed cosmetologists on best curl practices. The brand’s mission is to “empower the curl community, celebrate textured hair and promote healthy hair habits, all through expert curl education and product knowledge.”
On the second day of the course, stylists were shown how to properly highlight curly hair and create a harmonious color balance. The course also covered
Continuing Education Matters By Liz Winowiecki, Owner of Hair United
curl-specific topics such as texture, density, hydration and drying methods. Would YOU like to book a Rëzo Curly Cut or Color? Book at Hair United Online: www.HairUnitesUs.com Instagram: _hairunited_
Liz Winowiecki (owner, Hair United) graduated from the University of Michigan in 2007 (B.A. in English and Linguistics) and the Douglas J Aveda Institute for Cosmetology in 2012. Profile photo by KyLee Carter
To learn more about RËZO CUT + RËZO LITES: www.RezoAcademy.com | Instagram: @nubiarezo @rezoacademy
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contents
August 2022
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A Commitment to Care
An Indelible Imprint
Schools work with health providers to combat nursing shortage
Wells leaves legacy of insight and understanding on lives at East Lansing High School
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contents
business
lifestyle
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AREA SNAPSHOT
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TRENDS
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NOTABLE NEWS
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STATE/NATIONAL
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ON THE RECORD
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PERSPECTIVES
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BIZ TIPS
A Snapshot of Local Business News Affecting the 517 Top Postsecondary Degrees Professional Highlights from the 517 Region A Brief Look at State and National News Affecting Our Region The Crossroads of Supply and Demand
Creating a Culture of Learning
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PLACES
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GOOD READS
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RECIPE
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HOME HELPERS
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NONPROFIT
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PLAY
Dancing’s Lifelong Lessons
DEPARTMENTS
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WRAP UP
A Feast of Friends La Chat Gourmet serves up camaraderie along with culinary classes ’Hacking Deficit Thinking’ New book for educators co-authored by woman with local ties Southwest Crispy Chicken Wrap Back to School Fire safety
Delivering Dreams for a Decade Lansing Promise marks 10 years of local scholarships Visit 517living.com for More Lansing-Area Activities
SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT
Your Spit Could
SAVE YOUR LI FE The year was 2010 — just yesterday — when I first learned that periodontal (gum) disease and endodontic disease (an advanced strep infection from tooth decay), might be responsible for heart attack and stroke. I was shocked into action. You see, 15 years before that, my dad struggled with uncontrollable gum disease and suffered SEVEN miserable strokes before his death at the early age of 73. If I had only known then, what I know now … Today, the connections between cardiovascular disease, dementia and oral disease are considered common knowledge. But we still need to spread the word. We also need to encourage all dental and medical health professionals to utilize the advanced testing protocols that dictate high risks and learn how to modify the patient’s risk factors to meet these diseases on a cellular level.
them were teeming with strep bacteria (the kind we find in endodontic disease) and 35% from the high-risk bacteria we find in gum disease.
What can you do? One, if you are cavity-prone, ask your dentist for a strategy to change that. Far beyond patching holes (with fillings and root canals), your hygienist and dentist can help you develop a multifaceted approach to restoring the acid-base balance in your mouth. Two, ask for a thorough periodontal examination, complete with a microbial profile of your mouth. It only takes a drop of your spit. Through saliva testing, we have excellent technologies to precisely identify the concentrations of the high-risk bacteria.
In their new book, “Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain,” Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen reveal plenty of up-to-date evidence that the presence of certain dangerous strains of oral bacteria can make all the difference between vascular health and life-threatening disease. Turns out, among the 700-plus identified strains of bacteria that live in the mouth, there are five hostile villains that intensify all the components of cardiovascular disease:
Stabilizing that profile is not as easy as getting a “deep cleaning” and/or doing better with your brush and floss. It requires a very personalized strategy that might dictate systemic antibiotics, topical antimicrobials, an anti-inflammatory diet, identification of yeast (fungal strains), addressing food/chemical sensitivities, gaining blood-sugar control, good sleep quality and innovative home care strategies.
• People with gum disease actively convert “good” cholesterol droplets (HDLs) to the “bad” ones (small, dense LDLs). They end up with an average of double the LDL load.
It sounds overwhelming, but even if you do one or two of these things, it can make a big difference! It generally takes a minimum of four to six months for this microbial shift to occur, and it’s a critical component in reducing your risks of heart attack, stroke and dementia.
• Chemicals produced by these dangerous oral bacteria make the walls of all your arteries more permeable for the LDLs to invade. • Some of these bad bugs sneak into the artery walls to multiply and make a plaque of their own. This bacterial plaque grows and then ruptures (akin to a pimple popping) on the inside of an artery. A blood clot forms immediately, causing a heart attack, stroke or deep vein thrombosis. In fact, a recent study exposed that many of the blood clots removed from heart attack patients (during bypass surgery) contained loads of oral bacteria. Seventy-five percent of
I like to think of it this way: “On a good day we save a smile, and on a great day we save a life!” Dr. Susan Maples is a dentist in Holt. She is also a speaker, health educator, and author of “BlabberMouth! 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You to Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life” and “Brave Parent: Raising Healthy, Happy Kids (Against All Odds) in Today’s World.” Reach her at Susan@DrSusanMaples.com
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for a complimentary initial consultation.
As the only Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) in Lansing*, she believes that freedom and independence are core values of successful women, regardless of marital status.
Stephanie Milosavlevski
CFP®, CDFA® Financial Advisor 2139 Commons Parkway Okemos, MI 48864 • 517.253.8563 stephanie.j.milosavlevski@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com /stephanie.j.milosavlevski
fnbmichigan.com COMMERCIAL | PERSONAL
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*Source: Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFATM). Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S. The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC. Not Federally Insured | No Financial Institution Guarantee | May Lose Value © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., All rights reserved. 3711737ACMR0821
business
AREA SNAPSHOT p.11 TRENDS p.19 NOTABLE NEWS p.20 STATE/NATIONAL p.26 ON THE RECORD p.28 PERSPECTIVES p.29 BIZ TIPS p.30
SYLVAN SUCCESS Sylvan Learning of Lansing/ East Lansing focuses on building confidence in students and igniting a passion for learning through individualized, personal tutoring programs. Being a locally owned business is a huge benefit for students. “When they join the Sylvan family, they get the benefit of a locally owned business and the backing of a global, research-based company with proven results,” said Jessica Rollins, owner and executive director. “Also, we work with students pre-K through adulthood; so no matter where their child is in their school journey, we can help them catch up, keep up or get ahead.” For more about Sylvan Learning, visit locations. sylvanlearning.com/us/lansing48912-mi.
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A NEW GENERATION OF EYDE
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business / AREA SNAPSHOT
A snapshot of local business news affecting the 517 CRUMBL COOKIES COMES TO DELTA TOWNSHIP BY RICH ADAMS
Tame your inner Cookie Monster. Crumbl Cookies, which offers freshly baked cookies and ice cream, is opening up a location in Greater Lansing. The company was founded in 2017, and at first only served chocolate-chip cookies for takeout and delivery. As the company grew, additional iconic cookies were added. Crumbl Cookies has expanded to 300 bakeries in 36 states, making it the fastest-growing cookie company in the United States. Franchise owner Andrew Lord said the company remains a family-owned business regardless of how quickly it grows. “We’re excited about making a home here in Lansing and helping to satisfy the area’s sweet tooth,” Lord said. “We’re passionate about cookies, and about our mission of bringing family and friends together over the world’s best box of cookies.” The bakery will be located at 501 N. Marketplace Blvd., directly across from the Delta Crossings development. Martin Commercial Properties, a privately owned real estate service and development company, represented Crumbl Cookies in leasing the location. “As a family-owned business, Crumbl is focused on contributing to the livelihoods of its local franchise partners, managers and bakers,” said Martin’s Associate Retail Adviser Carson Patten, who facilitated the transaction. “We’re very pleased to welcome them to mid-Michigan and to enjoy their delicious product, too.” Lord said the Delta Township location is the first of several Crumbl Cookies locations planned in the Greater Lansing area. Martin will also help Crumbl secure the additional locations.
FARMERS MARKET RETURNS TO CAPITOL LAWN BY RICH KEENER
An effort returns this month to “Capitol-ize” the importance of agriculture to Michigan’s economy for state lawmakers. On Aug. 18, dozens of Michigan farmers, bakers, craftspeople and market gardeners of various stripes will inhabit the east lawn of downtown Lansing’s stateliest building for the second time this summer to sell their goods at the Farmers Market at the Capitol. Their offerings will include fruits, vegetables and flowers; eggs and meat; artisan cheeses; soap, honey and beeswax products; and more. Jenny Radon, programs manager at the Michigan Farmers Market Association, expects about 65 vendors and between 6,000 and 8,000 customers. Radon is passionate about ensuring those who make the laws in our state understand the vital significance of farmers and agricultural businesses in Michigan. “We’re trying to figuratively and literally put Michigan agriculture on our state legislators’ doorstep, showing them how important agriculture in the state of Michigan is, and how important farmers markets are across the state and in their communities,” Radon said. Vendors at the market, such as Sharon Ostrowski, owner and operator of SharKar Farm in China Township, also understand the market’s significance beyond just providing another venue for their goods. “It gives the legislators an opportunity to come out and say, ‘Hi,’ and see what we do as farmers and craftspeople,” Ostrowski said. Radon said the market benefits both the vendors and downtown businesses. “This is a great opportunity for folks who are working downtown to swing by on their lunch break, do a little shopping, maybe grab some lunch and support other small businesses,” she said. The first day of the 2022 Farmers Market at the Capitol was July 21. In addition to Aug. 18, the market will be held Sept. 29. Visit mifma.org/for-shoppers/farmers-markets-at-thecapitol/ for more information. 517 11
business / AREA SNAPSHOT
NELSON STEPS DOWN FROM ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER ROLE BY RICH ADAMS
RED CEDAR PROJECT UPDATE BY TEECE ARONIN
A $256 million mixed-use real estate development linking Michigan State University, the Michigan Capitol and neighborhoods along the Michigan Avenue corridor is on track to being fully leased. The Red Cedar development boasts a wide range of business and housing offerings, and RedCedarFacts.com, the development’s website, indicates the site is expected to attract more businesses, grow jobs, and spark community investment through features such as hotels and student housing. Gus Cook, Continental Real Estate’s senior vice president of development, said some of the businesses signing leases include Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a takeout food operation called the Old Bag of Nails Express and a market-rate apartment project. Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists opened at the site in mid-May. Mark Stiles, director of marketing and events for Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists, said the new storefront joins other locations in Jackson and Ann Arbor. The business helps patients with issues such as pain management, migraines, strength and mobility. Red Cedar Lodge, which offers independent living, assisted living and memory care services, opens at the site this fall. “Red Cedar Lodge is the first luxury senior living community available in Lansing,” said Executive Director Kelly Wriggelsworth. “Our residents will enjoy an unparalleled lifestyle, delicious food, constant activities, amenities that can rival a great hotel and even a daily happy hour.” The Red Cedar project is expected to trigger regional growth, supplanting what had contained blighted areas and stimulating the Michigan Avenue corridor, city of Lansing and surrounding areas. 12
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Ask Joan Nelson what her greatest achievement is in the development of the Allen Neighborhood Center and the pronoun “I” won’t appear in her answer. Nelson, who is stepping down as director of the center after 22 years, spreads the credit among those involved in founding and maintaining the neighborhood’s programs — the farmers market, Hunter Park GardenHouse, the Food Hub/Veggie Box program, the incubator kitchen and more. The center was born as part of the Eastside Healthy Communities Summit, a health initiative with Sparrow Health System. “The eastside summit morphed into Allen Neighborhood Center in 2000 when Bruce Bragg, then the head of the Ingham County Health Department, secured funding to support a brick-andmortar operation for us,” Nelson said. The other three founders — community activists Rick Kibbey, Ruth Leyrer and Diane Harte — asked Nelson to be director. Nelson explained challenges facing eastside families include 25% are at or below the federal poverty line and 80% live under the median income of Michigan residents. “Older housing stock, much of it in the rental market and not well-maintained; food insecurity; lack of health coverage; and poverty all compelled creation of a nonprofit that could link eastside residents with resources and help build capacity to ameliorate these conditions,” Nelson said. After 22 years at the helm of what has become a teeming center of neighborhood activity, what’s Nelson’s next step in life? “After I leave here in August, I’m going to chill for a couple of months before deciding what is next,” she said. “I will undoubtedly work, perhaps in similar ways or not. I am relishing the opportunity to reflect on new possibilities. I am always available to support ANC in any way folks there think would be helpful.”
NEED T R A I N I N G SUPPOR EED T R A I N I N G SUPPORT NEED T R A I N I N G SUPPOR EED T R A I N I NNEED G SUPPORT NEED T R A I N I TNRG A ISUPPOR NING EED T R A I N I NSUPPORT? G SUPPORT NEED T R A I N I N G SUPPOR EED T R A I N I N G SUPPORT NEED T R A I N I N G SUPPOR EED T R A I N I N G SUPPORT NEED T R A I N I N G SUPPOR EED T R A I N I N G SUPPORT NEED T R A I N I N G SUPPOR EED T R A I N I N G SUPPORT CONNECTING WITH BUSINESS. STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE. camw.org
1-800-285-WORK
Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578-6563 (Voice and TDD). Funding for Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor and the State of Michigan. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.
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The Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards Thursday, Oct. 6 | Eagle Eye Banquet Center
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PLAY, EXPLORE AND SUPPORT LOCAL Dozens of attractions, indoor activities and outdoor recreation spots are ready to welcome you. From museums and science centers to arts and family friendly fare, you’ll discover adventures for all ages right in your own backyard! Plan your summer fun at lansing.org GREATER LANSING CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Lansing.org
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FEATURE
A COMMITMENT TO CARE SCHOOLS WORK WITH HEALTH PROVIDERS TO COMBAT NURSING SHORTAGE
SCHOOLS WORK WITH HEALTH PROVIDERS TO COMBAT NURSING SHORTAGE
BY OMAR SOFRADZIJA
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COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the everyday heroism of nurses, amplifying the critical role they’ve always had on the medical profession’s front lines by helping others to overcome health challenges, whether simple or serious. That outbreak also put a tremendous amount of stress on an already pressure-packed role, exhausting veterans and creating skyrocketing demand for more nurses just as a population that is growing older is driving the need for long-term care and at-home nursing services. According to the University of California, San Francisco as many as 1.1 million new nurses are needed nationwide to prevent a shortage, as an aging nursing workforce and the stress associated with that line of work is resulting in burnout and turnover. “Health care is very rewarding and very challenging. However,
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we need people,” said Nina Favor, interim nursing program director and director of clinical, lab and simulation in the health and human services division of Lansing Community College. Her program teaches nearly 500 nursing students at a time. “We need people who are full of integrity. We need people with dignity and compassion. And we also need people who have a sense of humor,” Favor said. “We take care of people who are vulnerable, and they have a lot going on, and they need someone that can get the right training and have the right tools to help them in their time of need.” The pandemic has both encouraged and discouraged interest in nursing as a career. “It has done both, actually,” Favor said. “I have seen students say that’s OK; they’re not going to enroll because of COVID, in regard to receiving the vaccination. We’ve also seen students with an increased passion wanting to make sure that they do their part during the pandemic.”
The need for nurses crosses all health care settings and scenarios, said Kim Garza, Davenport University’s associate department chair for nursing in Lansing, where the program has as many as 32 students at a time. “(Supplementing) our mental health is needed. Our elderly need their care. Our children, everybody needs it,” Garza said. “And then you think about cardiac and diabetes and cancer (care). You can never just focus on one (area). … Every one of them need more nurses.” A wide range of needs means there is just as wide a range of opportunities in nursing. “There is so much flexibility in nursing. There are so many opportunities and so many channels. It really does work with a work-life balance, depending on what your goals are for the future,” Favor said. “You can work the weekends only, or you don’t have to work weekends. You can work nights or days. You can travel. You can work on a cruise ship. You can work from home. There are so many benefits.”
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FEATURE
“WE’RE TRYING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY AND KEEP UP WITH THAT,” SAID KIM GARZA.
Nursing student niches of interest are “a little bit all over the place,” Favor said. “One of the things is traveling nursing,” involving short-term assignments across the country and around the world. “A lot of students are really, really excited about doing that. We have a lot of our students go into ICUs (intensive-care units), and a lot of our advanced students tend to gravitate to the emergency room. So, we’re seeing a little bit of everything after COVID.” There’s also variety in the types of students at both LCC and Davenport, ranging from traditional admits just out of high school, to health care professionals looking to upgrade their credentials and training, to adults in their 50s and 60s looking for career reinvention. “We’re looking for people from all segments right now. The reason why we say that is because I believe with the right training, the right environment and the right mindset, people can take care of other people,” Favor said. “We
will open our doors to any student that has integrity and dignity and wants to give to their community.” Both LCC and Davenport have created partnerships with health care organizations regionally to help fill the nursing pipeline. LCC is teaming up with Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital for an “Earn While You Learn” pilot program geared toward nursing students needing to earn money while going to school. According to Favor, students work at Sparrow for 20 hours a week while classes are in session and 40 hours per week during break times. “The goal is to have students, once they complete our program, work at the hospital,” Favor said. “It’s a win-win to help students pay for their college education and for the hospital to have nurses.” Davenport partners with many hospitals and community colleges to upskill both potential and existing health care staff and, in turn, solve
real-world problems. For instance, Davenport worked with a Grand Rapids hospital to provide the hospital with more surgical nurses for which there was a need, according to Garza. Davenport also offers scholarships to employees at partner health care organizations to help upgrade existing staff. “We have custom programs we set up with other hospitals to address specific needs. Davenport doesn’t shy away from creating custom opportunities to serve our community,” said Amy Larson Miller, Davenport’s executive director for communications and public relations. “A challenge for them is an opportunity for our students.” That’s keeping the programs both at LCC and Davenport in a constant state of evolution to ensure they’re addressing tomorrow’s challenges, not yesterday’s. “We’re trying to meet the needs of society and keep up with that,” said Garza.
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CONGRATULATIONS!
CONGRATULATIONS! Dave Drayton Retires
Thank You for your 46 years of service. Your friends at the Lyman & Sheets Insurance Agency
a serious buyer who can finance a home purchase, giving you negotiating power in a competitive market. An MSUFCU preapproval comes with a rate guarantee to help ease your mind as you search for the perfect home.
5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE BUYING A HOME By Deidre Davis, MSU Federal Credit Union’s Chief Marketing Officer
1. Look beyond the down payment. Saving for a down payment is an essential step in the homebuying process but you should also budget for other expenses. These include a home inspection and short-term rent should you sell your house before finding a new one, or fees if you need to break your current apartment lease. You’ll also need to factor in property, school and other taxes that will be part of your monthly payment.
4. Be open to change. You might have to change your “must-have” list based on your budget or what is available — or possibly delay buying until you can afford all that you want. Also, don’t stress over features such as paint colors or a minor upgrade. Much can be changed to suit your wants and needs without a lot of trouble.
2. Get a preapproval. A preapproval is a letter from your lender indicating the amount and type of mortgage you qualify for. It demonstrates you are
5. Do the home inspection. No house is perfect, and an inspection
If you are in the market for a new house, being prepared is key. There are several things to do before you complete the purchase. Here are five things to add to your to-do list:
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3. Ask all of your questions. Ask your real estate agent and lender questions. You hired the agent for their expertise and the lender will determine your mortgage terms, so understanding the process is crucial to achieving your homebuying dream.
is an important step to find items that need to be fixed, or larger issues that could become deal breakers. If you encounter a safety or structural issue, it’s vital to fix the issue or walk away. MSUFCU offers a wide range of mortgage products, from a First-Time Home Buyer program to conventional or adjustablerate mortgages, as well as home improvement loans and home equity lines of credit. Members can also easily apply for preapprovals and mortgages through the MSUFCU Mobile app. For more information, visit msufcu.org/homeloans.
DEIDRE DAVIS
Chief Marketing Officer MSU Federal Credit Union deidre.davis@msufcu.org | 517-333-2424 Headquarters: 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823
business / TRENDS
TOP POSTSECONDARY DEGREES SIX FIELDS ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THE DIPLOMAS Ah, the college years. That special time in life when you really come into your own and develop into a unique individual like no other. Well, at least in some respects anyway. When it comes to fields of study, you’re probably not that different from a lot of people on campus. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, six broad fields of study account for more than half — 58% — of bachelor’s degrees issued. BUSINESS There are a lot of reasons why a business degree remains a popular choice — the high demand for graduates and a juicy starting salary being among them. A business degree provides a large umbrella for a diverse array of specializations, from accounting, finance and management to marketing and economics. HEALTH PROFESSIONS Health professions prepare students to become medical or wellness professionals. Health professionals work
in health settings to help cure and prevent disease and injury. Some health professionals directly interact with patients while others work in labs or teach. Health professionals contribute to society in numerous ways by keeping everyone healthy. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HISTORY Centered around the human world and society, the field of social sciences investigates the economy, human behavior, social institutions and politics. In college, social sciences majors build
strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which can be leveraged on the job market for an array of industries and jobs. Political science, geography and anthropology fall into this category. PSYCHOLOGY While considered among the social sciences, the NCES broke out psychology into its own category in its listings. Psychology remains one of the most popular majors among college students because it provides them with the opportunity to further their degrees and explore a variety of
career paths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychology jobs are expected to grow at 8% from 2020-2030. BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES Biological and biomedical sciences is all about studying life. With many options for majors and concentrations, this is a field that may be appealing for students who love math, science, nature and the environment. In addition to general biology, a wide range of specialized fields
are also covered in this category, such as ecology, zoology, immunology and neuroscience. ENGINEERING Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Scientists and inventors often get the credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but it is engineers who are instrumental in making those innovations available to the world.
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business / NOTABLE NEWS ws ur ne it yo AG.COM m b su 17M @5
INFO
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 517 REGION Sparrow Receives “A” grade for Patient Safety Sparrow Medical Group has been nationally recognized for patient safety, receiving an “A” grade in a new scorecard of nearly 3,000 general acute-care hospitals throughout the country. The grade from the Leapfrog Group recognizes the commitment of Sparrow’s physicians and caregivers to protecting patients from medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms. The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization committed to health care
quality and safety, uses more than 30 performance measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign an “A” through “F” grade. MI-ACE Announces 2022 Public Policy Pioneers The Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network announced the selection of three trailblazers as its 2022 Public Policy Pioneer honorees: Casandra E. Ulbrich, the State Board of Education president and vice chancellor for institutional advancement at the
University of Michigan-Dearborn; Jean Ledwith King, a pioneering lawyer who fought sex discrimination in education, sports, employment and politics; and Lottie Wilson, an African American suffragist and artist. The nonpartisan Public Policy Pioneer recognition began in 2013 to champion Michigan women who advocated the causes of equality, dignity and access as well as encouraged women’s voices in political decision-making. All three women were formally recognized at the MI-ACE Women’s Network’s June conference.
A HEALTHIER TAKE ON HEALTH CARE COVERAGE
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BCB144885_MIBC_517_bus-and-life_17.25x5.125_Ins_8-1-22_F1.indd 1
McLaren Residents Recognized for Research Three McLaren Greater Lansing residents earned awards for their
Dr. Jones and Dr. Evan Guay
research presentations during Graduate Medical Education Inc.’s 17th annual Mid-Michigan Regional Research Day on April 21 at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Dr. Ethan Ruhland earned first place for case presentation with “Fracture of an Exeter Femoral Stem with Extensive Ipsilater Peri-Acetabular Osteolysis.” Dr. Evan Guay earned first place for oral presentation with “Effects of SARS COVID-19 on General Surgery Cases — and vice versa — on a Community Hospital.” Dr. J. Beau Liljenquist earned second place for oral presentation with “Investigating the Effects of Endocuff on Polyp Detection and Miss Rate in the Right Colon.” Faculty and other experienced researchers from McLaren Greater Lansing, Michigan State University’s Colleges of Osteopathic and Human Medicine, and other mid-Michigan organizations teamed up to support the research projects presented by fellows, residents and medical students. The mentors provided inspiration, conversation and advice to the students.
Sarah Lehr, photo credit: WKAR-MSU
WKAR Receives Edward R. Murrow Award WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University was honored with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for an investigative report on ballot measures ahead of the November 2021 elections in Michigan. Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards.
You want to get to theget care they and — soand do we. At we. BlueAtCross, work provide Youyour wantemployees your employees the careneed they— need so do Blue we Cross, wehard worktohard to provide the best in Michigan. With more more eff icient, higherhigher qualityquality care, and thecoverage best coverage in Michigan. Withplan moreoptions, plan options, more eff icient, care, and access access to no-cost programs such assuch Coordinated Care Core, Blue aCross to smarter care care to no-cost programs as Coordinated CareaCore, Blue plan Crossadds planup adds up to smarter and better coverage for youfor and your so you so can attract the best and keep too. it too. and better coverage you andemployees, your employees, you can attract thetalent, best talent, anditkeep
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6/29/22 10:44 AM 1 6/29/22
business / NOTABLE NEWS “Group is Backing a String of Marijuana Proposals in Michigan, But Its Donors Are a Mystery,” by WKAR politics and civics reporter Sarah Lehr, won the award for investigative reporting in the small-market radio division. The story examined the unclear origins of various funding sources responsible for the 2021 ballot measures that would allow the presence of marijuana businesses in certain Michigan counties and cities.
You are braver than you think. You are more talented than you know. You are capable of more than you can imagine.” Bazonzoes Opens Marijuana Drive-up Window Bazonzoes Provisioning Center opened its third location at 920 American Road in south Lansing with the first driveup window in the area. The business celebrated with a grand opening in June that featured a ribbon-cutting with the Greater Lansing Chamber of Commerce, vendors, performances, giveaways and games. “We are just honestly excited to welcome our third location into the Bazonzoes collective, and so all of the events, performances and deals that day will ultimately just be a giant party reflecting that excitement and passion for Bazonzoes,” said Erin McCann-Sabo, chief people officer at Bazonzoes. Origami Announces Achievements Tom Judd, director of quality assurance at Origami Rehabilitation, was selected as the recipient of the Public Awareness Award presented by the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. Judd played a pivotal role
Gretchen Priess
Sparrow Clinton Nurse Recognized for Service Registered nurse Gretchen Priess has been honored for four decades of compassionate care. Priess was recognized at the annual nurses’ tea celebrating National Nurses Week. Priess, who earned her nursing degree from Northern Michigan University, considers becoming a nurse one of her greatest accomplishments. She credited her fellow caregivers and the work climate at Sparrow Clinton for supporting and holding her interest in nursing through the years. As a veteran nurse, she offered these words of wisdom to anyone who seeks clarity in their career: “Believe in yourself.
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Origami West, at 137 S. Marketplace Blvd. in Lansing.
Tom Judd
in various public awareness efforts, most recently being his work advocating for a fix to the auto no-fault legislation. In June, Origami Rehabilitation celebrated one year of serving the community at its satellite location, Origami West, at 137 S. Marketplace Blvd. in Lansing. The satellite location offers the same outpatient services available at the Mason location.
becomes financially unable to meet its obligations. Rishar will serve in a citizen’s capacity alongside the state’s top life and health insurers.
David Freestone
Sparrow Physician Named Ithaca Person of the Year Sparrow Medical Group physician Dr. David Freestone was recently recognized by the Gratiot Chamber of Commerce as Ithaca Person of the Year. Freestone has been caring for patients at the SMG Ithaca location for more than 21 years. During that time, he served as practice leader and chief of staff, on the Sparrow Carson Hospital board of directors, and as chairman on the Sparrow Carson Foundation Development Council. “I’m honored to be given this award and feel there are many very deserving people in the area due this award,” Freestone said. Rishar Appointed to State Insurance Nonprofit Edge CEO Lorri Rishar has been appointed to the board of directors of the Michigan Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. The Michigan Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association is an association of life and health insurance companies authorized to write life, annuities or health insurance in Michigan. The association protects Michigan insurance policyholders, within limits, in the unlikely event that a member insurer
Horizon Welcomes Rogers as Branch Manager Mark A. Rogers is the new branch manager of Horizon Bank’s locations at 1600 Abbot Road in East Lansing and 2151 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos. He will oversee the daily retail operations along with managing sales and service. Rogers has 14 years in a combination of retail, business banking and treasury management experience in southeast Michigan. Prior to that he was a partner in a gourmet Chicago-style pizza restaurant business. Before entering the pizza business, he worked in corporate sales. Okemos Music Academy Expands in New Location Okemos Music Academy has moved to a state-of-the-art, 4,000-square-foot building at 2220 University Park Drive in Okemos. A grand opening at the new site was held June 10 with a ribbon-cutting, open house and activities.
The event included live music from former academy student and “American Idol” contestant Jacob Moran.
“We’ve doubled our size from our previous facility, which allows for a better music lesson experience and plenty of social distancing. Everybody’s got to come and see this place,” said academy Director John Dewey. WKAR News Earns Excellence in Journalism The radio news team at WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University has earned six Excellence in Journalism Awards from the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, including one first-place award. Al Martin won a first-place award in broadcast videography; Sarah Lehr won a second-place award in broadcast investigative reporting as well as a second-place honor in sports reporting; Kevin Lavery earned second place in education reporting; Sophia Saliby drew a fourth-place spot in general news reporting; and the team of Lehr, Lavery and Karel Vega took fourth place in community/local news reporting. Autism Foundation Recognizes Local Women The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation held the UNITE awards ceremony during a cookout at the Celebrate Meridian Event at Central Park and Marketplace on the Green to honor women whom DeGroat described as impacting his “spirit and love.” DeGroat honored community advocate Linda Sims; state Rep. Sarah Anthony; state Rep. Angela Witwer; diversity and inclusion facilitator Maxine Hankins Cain; former Grand Ledge Schools paraprofessional Jody Klaver; Delta Township Trustee Fonda Brewer; Associate Vice President of External Affairs, Development and K-12 Ops at Lansing Community College Toni Glasscoe; and M3 Group President and CEO Tiffany Dowling with awards. DeGroat said these women have inspired him throughout his journey with autism and feels they deserve recognition for their work within leadership and their efforts with the community as well.
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S P E CS I APLE C A IDV A LEARDV T I SEERM T IESNETM E N T
Community Community colleges colleges are often are often the springboard the springboard by by which which adults adults withwith littlelittle to no tocollege no college experience experience launch launch themselves themselves into into newnew careers careers and and better better prospects. prospects.
AAPATHWAY PATHWAY FOR FORALL: ALL:
SUPPORT SUPPORTANDANDAFFORDABILITY AFFORDABILITY MEAN MEANSUCCESS SUCCESSATAT LANSING’S LANSING’SCOLLEGE COLLEGE BY ANDY BY ANDY BRENT BRENT Community Community colleges colleges provide provide opportunity. opportunity. Often, Often, the the combination combination of affordability, of affordability, locallocal accessibility accessibility and and personalized personalized support support means means the difference the difference between between a a lifetime lifetime of success of success or struggle or struggle for those for those fromfrom underserved underserved backgrounds backgrounds and/or and/or marginalized marginalized communities. communities. According According to statistics to statistics gathered gathered by the by American the American Association Association for Community for Community Colleges, Colleges, more more thanthan 40%40% of allofundergraduates all undergraduates in the in U.S. the U.S. enroll enroll at community at community colleges. colleges. More More thanthan 55%55% of Native of Native American American undergrads, undergrads, 52%52% of Hispanic of Hispanic undergrads undergrads and and 43%43% of of Black Black undergrads undergrads enroll enroll at community at community colleges. colleges. ThirtyThirtysix percent six percent of those of those whowho attend attend community community colleges colleges are the are first the first in their in their families families to attend to attend college college at all. at all. For Lansing For Lansing Community Community College College (LCC) (LCC) student student Bebeto Bebeto Nyongobela, Nyongobela, these these statistics statistics are not are abstract. not abstract. “LCC “LCC guided guided me to mewho to who and and where where I want I want to be,” to be,” Nyongobela Nyongobela said.said. “It supported “It supported me financially, me financially, personally personally and and gavegave academic academic resources resources for my for my education. education. Coming Coming fromfrom another another partpart of the of world, the world, I faced I faced poverty, poverty, discrimination, discrimination, wars. wars. However, However, in in my family, my family, we are we optimistic are optimistic thatthat education education is key is key for success. for success. ThatThat is one is one reason reason my parents my parents brought brought me here. me here. I want I want to be toabe veterinarian a veterinarian and and believe believe LCCLCC is the is backbone the backbone helping helping me reach me reach thatthat goal.” goal.”
In Michigan, In Michigan, the Michigan the Michigan Reconnect Reconnect educational educational program program makes makes college college possible. possible. Michigan Michigan Reconnect Reconnect provides provides tuition tuition so adults so adults aged aged 25 and 25 and older older maymay enroll enroll in Michigan in Michigan community community college college degree degree and and professional professional training training programs. programs. The The opportunity opportunity for free for free in-district in-district tuition tuition (with(with tuition tuition covered covered up to upthe to in-district the in-district equivalent equivalent for for those those attending attending out-of-district out-of-district schools) schools) has already has already generated generated a groundswell a groundswell of engagement. of engagement. The The opportunity opportunity Michigan Michigan Reconnect Reconnect affords affords people people is real. is real. The The U.S.U.S. Bureau Bureau of Labor of Labor Statistics Statistics estimates estimates the median the median annual annual income income for workers for workers withwith an an associate associate degree degree to be tomore be more thanthan $50,000, $50,000, while while the median the median income income for those for those withwith onlyonly highhigh schoolschoollevellevel credentials credentials is less is less thanthan $37,000 $37,000 per per year.year. LCCLCC Associate Associate ViceVice President President for External for External Affairs, Affairs, Development Development and and K-12K-12 Operations Operations ToniToni Glasscoe Glasscoe seessees Michigan Michigan Reconnect’s Reconnect’s benefits benefits to to bothboth students students and and the regional the regional economy. economy. “Michigan “Michigan Reconnect Reconnect is a game is a game changer changer for adults for adults whowho haven’t haven’t attended attended college college or those or those whowho are returning,” are returning,” Glasscoe Glasscoe said.said. “LCC’s “LCC’s faculty faculty and and staffstaff are dedicated are dedicated to to making making suresure all students all students havehave the academic the academic support support to to be successful be successful inside inside and and outside outside the classroom. the classroom. It will It will undoubtedly undoubtedly change change the lives the lives of individuals, of individuals, families families and and communities. communities. We at WeLCC at LCC are extremely are extremely proud proud of this of this two-twofold fold program program because because it creates it creates a pathway a pathway for students for students to have to have the skills the skills and and knowledge knowledge to obtain to obtain a good a good paying paying job, job, and and provides provides a vital a vital talent talent pipeline pipeline for businesses.” for businesses.” Though Though the rewards the rewards are attractive, are attractive, there there are challenges are challenges for for adult adult learners. learners. According According to the to Lumina the Lumina Foundation, Foundation, 58%58% of those of those older older thanthan 25 who 25 who enroll enroll in college in college mustmust workwork to to afford afford theirtheir housing, housing, transportation transportation and and incidentals incidentals while while attending attending school. school. Twenty Twenty six percent six percent of adult of adult learners learners return return to school to school while while raising raising children. children. Furthermore, Furthermore, many many adult adult learners learners can can feel feel overwhelmed overwhelmed by academic by academic taskstasks afterafter years years – or –even or even decades decades – away – away fromfrom the classroom. the classroom. ThatThat is where is where LCC’s LCC’s is academic is academic support support shines shines through, through, as personified as personified by the by Academic the Academic Success Success Coach. Coach. For students, For students, academic academic success success coaching coaching at LCC at LCC means means a one-on-one a one-on-one relationship relationship withwith a full-time a full-time academic academic professional. professional. All students All students receive receive an opportunity an opportunity to to engage engage withwith success success coaches, coaches, by request by request or referral, or referral, and and many many student-coach student-coach relationships relationships begin begin at new at new
or
“LCC “LCC provides provides anan exceptional exceptional education education at at anan affordable affordable cost. cost. Our Our advisers, advisers, tutors, tutors, success success coaches, coaches, counselors counselors and and other other professionals professionals work work tirelessly tirelessly to to remove remove barriers barriers forfor students.” students.”
Shigematsu Shigematsu Memorial Memorial Garden, Garden, LCC Downtown LCC Downtown Campus Campus Photography Photography by Kevin by Kevin Fowler Fowler
student student orientation. orientation. Success Success coaches coaches buildbuild relationships relationships withwith students students to facilitate to facilitate trust, trust, and and fromfrom thatthat foundation foundation buildbuild a plan a plan to keep to keep students students on track. on track.
to enter to enter into into dynamic dynamic careers careers afterafter two two years, years, rather rather thanthan fourfour or more or more for those for those withwith bachelor’s bachelor’s degrees. degrees.
Sarah Sarah Garcia-Linz, Garcia-Linz, academic academic success success coach coach director director at LCC, at LCC, oversees oversees a program a program meant meant to engage to engage withwith students students on aon productive, a productive, goal-focused goal-focused basis. basis.
Two-year Two-year colleges colleges often often offeroffer smaller smaller classclass sizes, sizes, flexible flexible schedules schedules and and convenient, convenient, accessible accessible locallocal campuses campuses thatthat are less are less intimidating intimidating for first-time for first-time college college students. students. TheyThey alsoalso savesave students students thousands thousands in student in student loans. loans.
“Academic “Academic success success coaches coaches provide provide support support and and guidance guidance to LCC to LCC students students in order in order to teach to teach skillsskills and and overcome overcome any any barriers barriers getting getting in the in way the way of their of their academic academic success,” success,” Garcia-Linz Garcia-Linz said.said. “We“We alsoalso workwork withwith students students on things on things like time like time management, management, organization, organization, online online course course navigation navigation and and understanding understanding the the skillsskills needed needed to be toabe successful a successful college college student.” student.”
According According to the to Georgetown the Georgetown study, study, compared compared to other to other public, public, two-year two-year institutions institutions in Michigan, in Michigan, LCCLCC ranks ranks thirdthird in 10-year in 10-year ROI ROI and and second second in 15-year in 15-year ROI.ROI. The The sustained sustained success success of LCC’s of LCC’s graduates graduates can can be credited be credited to the to college’s the college’s dynamic dynamic course course delivery, delivery, concentrated concentrated academic academic support support for all forstudents, all students, and and faculty faculty whowho educate educate withwith success success in mind, in mind, using using real real world, world, professional professional experience. experience.
Community Community colleges colleges are apt are to aptserve to serve adult adult learners learners exactly exactly because because theythey are affordable, are affordable, and and because because theythey offeroffer academic academic support support thatthat guides guides students students through through theirtheir courses courses of study of study toward toward career career goals. goals.
LCCLCC Provost Provost SallySally Welch Welch understands understands the atmosphere the atmosphere created created by faculty by faculty is anisimportant an important aspect aspect of the of the college’s college’s value value to the to communities the communities it serves. it serves.
“LCC “LCC provides provides an exceptional an exceptional education education at anataffordable an affordable cost,” cost,” Welch Welch said.said. “Our“Our advisers, advisers, tutors, tutors, success success coaches, coaches, counselors counselors and and other other professionals professionals workwork tirelessly tirelessly to to remove remove barriers barriers for students. for students. Our Our programming programming is designed is designed to help to help students students achieve achieve short-term short-term workwork credentials, credentials, return return to college to college to upskill to upskill theirtheir current current job, job, move move up inup in theirtheir company company or career, or career, and and earnearn degrees degrees thatthat transfer transfer to fourto fouryearyear institutions institutions or provide or provide licensure licensure for in for in demand demand health health carecare and and technology technology jobs.jobs. LCCLCC provides provides an an ThisThis is because is because community community colleges colleges costcost less less thanthan four-year four-year exceptional exceptional education education withwith a great a great return return on investment.” on investment.” universities, universities, and and because because community community colleges colleges educate educate a a significant significant portion portion of their of their students students specifically specifically for roles for roles LCCLCC is proud is proud to accept to accept applications applications for enrollment for enrollment in the in workforce, the workforce, allowing allowing community community college college graduates graduates at any at any time.time. To apply, To apply, visitvisit lcc.edu/youbelong. lcc.edu/youbelong. A comprehensive A comprehensive 20192019 study study conducted conducted by Georgetown by Georgetown University University analyzed analyzed federal federal datadata to rank to rank 4,500 4,500 colleges colleges and and universities universities nationwide nationwide based based on the on return the return on on investment investment (ROI)(ROI) theirtheir graduates graduates received. received. The The datadata collected collected identified identified that,that, eveneven 10 years 10 years or more or more afterafter graduation, graduation, community community college college graduates graduates often often get get more more for their for their money money thanthan graduates graduates of four-year of four-year schools. schools.
business / STATE/NATIONAL
A BRIEF LOOK AT STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS AFFECTING OUR REGION SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE CONTINUES TO STYMIE ECONOMY BY CHRISTINE MACINTYRE
Today’s digitally driven world is seemingly consuming more semiconductors than ever, and the consequential shortage has placed a damper on automotive companies around the globe. These digital and processing chips go into everything from smartphones and automobiles to refrigerators and televisions. Basically, anything that’s computerized or uses radio waves utilize these compact, albeit powerful, components of daily life. The COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated the shortage, as manufacturers’ production suffered disruptions. The lack of availability has further exacerbated the U.S. economy’s inflationary state, as demand continues to soar and manufacturing capacity falls short. “The chip shortage cost the U.S. economy $240 billion last year, and we expect the industry will continue to see challenges until at least 2024,” Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said in the company’s recent earnings call. He cited foundry/manufacturer capacity and constrained availability of key manufacturing tools as factors leading to a lengthier estimate than the previously projected finish line for 2023. “Intel is rising to meet this challenge,” he said of Intel’s recent series of investments to geographically diversify production. “These investments position Intel to meet the future growth.” Meanwhile, both consumers and merchants are champing at the bit, as the shortage is realized across the board. The automotive industry is just one of those taking a huge hit. The
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scarcity of semiconductors has led to plant shutdowns and has sent new vehicle inventories available to dealerships into a dinosaur-like state. Ford Motor Co. is one major automaker that reported a decline in the first quarter, which included a 26% decline in March. “At present time, incoming vehicles are those that were ordered by customers dating back six to eight months,” said Mark Woodard, who works in new vehicle sales at LaFontaine Ford in Lansing. “There’s no inventory or stock to put on the grounds.” He added that the only new vehicles available for sale are those that were originally ordered by customers but fell through for various reasons. “Ford is continuing to convey to us that this year’s third and fourth quarters will start to see a better flow of chips to factories, which should help them to increase production,” Woodard said. Dealerships are scrounging to fill the gap left in available inventory. “It’s put us in a position that we’ve had to purchase a lot of preowned vehicles,” said Woodard. When asked if in his 45 years in the industry he’s ever seen anything like this, he replied, “Never. Never ever have I seen anything like this, especially not on this scale. It’s pretty intense.”
UNDERSTANDING CRYPTOCURRENCY BY CHRISTINE MACINTYRE
In layman’s terms, cryptocurrency is decentralized digital money designed for virtual use, yet the concept may seem daunting if you’re new to the crypto landscape. “Crypto encompasses a wide swath of projects,” said engineer, economist and CEO of Barefoot Mining Bob Burnett. “Bitcoin is not a company — it’s an entire alternative monetary network.” The concept isn’t new, but the trend has surfaced within the last several years. Bitcoin, the first established cryptocurrency, became publicly available in 2009. Since then, cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Litecoin have emerged to compete with Bitcoin. “Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies are supported by a technology known as blockchain, which maintains a tamperresistant record of transactions and keeps track of who owns what,” according to a blog from the personal finance company NerdWallet. “The creation of blockchains addressed a problem faced by previous efforts to create purely digital currencies: preventing people from making copies of their holdings and attempting to spend it twice. “Individual units of cryptocurrencies can be referred to as coins or tokens, depending on how they are used. Some are intended to be units of exchange for goods and services, others are stores of value, and some can be used to participate in specific software programs, such as games and financial products.” Yet now that what crypto is has been explained, the bigger question may be how do you use it? Payments are made by using
a wallet installed on a computer or mobile device. The wallet acts as an interface with the crypto and is used to send or receive payments, according to Investopedia. “Most cryptocurrency exchanges provide a wallet for their users that lets them transfer funds to other exchange users or make payments using services that are compatible with the exchange’s services,” Investopedia wrote. “Many wallets can use your device’s camera to scan QR codes to create unique addresses for sending and receiving crypto. Some even have near-field communication capabilities that let you make touchless payments in cryptocurrency.” Like anything else there are pros and cons to crypto. Pros include fewer fees, peer-to-peer capabilities and the anonymity that comes with it. Under the cons list, the price volatility associated with it, the unregulated nature of crypto and the risk of loss need to be considered. However, more businesses are accepting crypto as payment, including Microsoft, PayPal, Starbucks and AT&T — and some brick-and-mortar retailers are beginning to jump on the bandwagon as well.
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business / ON THE RECORD
THE CROSSROADS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND ON THE RECORD WITH TRAVIS ROBERTS OF TRI-AREA TRUCKING SCHOOL BY ASHLEY NANCE
When you think of truck driving, what image comes to mind? Perhaps it’s Cledus and the Bandit outrunning Sheriff Buford T. Justice in the 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit.” Well, the industry has come a long way since the movie premiered more than four decades ago, said Travis Roberts, director of Tri-Area Trucking School. Roberts tells of a 20-year-old recent graduate who “walked into a trucking job where he works Monday through Friday, is home every night and his starting annual salary is $73,000.” Gone are the days when those who wanted to make a good living as an over-the-road driver were away from home as many as eight days at a time. However, faced with the challenges of the current job market, employers are now paying their local drivers as much as over-the-road drivers, sometimes more — and they get to be home in time for dinner and their kids’ soccer games. Roberts said some local businesses “are paying drivers with less than a year of experience $85,000.” He smiled as he lamented how the school is struggling to find instructors because it can’t compete with the salary drivers are making on the road. In February, a federal regulation went into effect requiring drivers of everything from school buses to big rigs to have their
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commercial driver’s license certification. Overnight, demand for training outstripped supply. Tri-Area Trucking School was able to adapt quickly and is now booking months out. Also seeing an opportunity, many fly-by-night schools have popped up to fill the gap and charge exorbitant prices, but Tri-Area Trucking is more interested in its good reputation in the industry, the quality of the training and keeping tuition affordable. The cost of a full CDLA certification training program, including big rigs and everything else, is $4,900, while the CDLB program — for buses, dump trucks and delivery trucks — is $1,900. Don’t let the cost of the training deter you, most employers are eager to pay for training to get their recent hire certified. Michigan Works! also offers assistance and loans options as well. By the way, truck driving is not the Wild West profession some think it is. Any type of suspension or revocation of your driver’s license can delay your CDL up to three years. Certain felonies, such as drug convictions or arson, automatically disqualify a driver from ever obtaining a CDL. Medically, your blood pressure and blood sugar need to be within certain ranges, and sleep concerns are also a factor. To learn more, check out Tri-Area Trucking School at triareatruckingschool.com.
business / PERSPECTIVE
DANCING’S LIFELONG LESSONS A Q&A WITH CHILDREN’S BALLET THEATRE BOARD CHAIR SUE POWERS BY MARY GAJDA
THE CAST OF CBT’S “SLEEPING BEAUTY.”
Q& A
Can you give a brief overview of Children’s Ballet Theatre and describe its mission? Children’s Ballet Theatre is an independent, nonprofit company dedicated to quality, youth-oriented ballet for children ages 8 to 18. Dancers study technique at their home dance studios, then work with the company to create memorable, fun performances.
CBT’s mission is to provide a youth-oriented, community-based ballet performance company in Michigan with the highest possible dance, artistic and performance standards, while fostering a greater appreciation of ballet as an art form. Why it is important to provide access to the arts? We believe that the arts can challenge our perspectives, giving us new ways to see and experience the world, cultivating the values of diversity, tolerance and empathy. The arts also bring us joy, help us express our values and build bridges between people. The arts are a fundamental component of a healthy community, strengthening communities socially, educationally and economically — benefits that persist even in difficult social and economic times. What are some of the important life lessons learned by dancers? We pride ourselves on trying to ensure that CBT is a great place for young dancers to
grow into not only better dancers, but to learn important life lessons such as teamwork, responsibility, discipline, professionalism, making good choices, time management, service to others and being part of something bigger than themselves. Over our 40-plus years, we have seen so many of our dancers grow up into amazing adults who significantly contribute to our world. Your biggest event of the year is coming up this fall. Tell us about that, as well as how the community can support you. Our annual “Nutcracker” is our next big event and is performed during Thanksgiving weekend. It provides our audience a wonderful opportunity to experience this much-loved holiday classic and a can’tmiss local tradition. In addition to “The Nutcracker,” the company performs classical ballets during our annual spring performance. We are a nonprofit arts organization that relies on donations and ticket sales to fund our operations. If interested in learning more, people can visit our website at cbtdance.org.
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business / BIZ TIPS
CREATING A CULTURE OF LEARNING LETTING EMPLOYEES EXPAND INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY BY SHELLEY DAVIS BOYD PRESIDENT OF INTEGRARE COLLABORATIVE
I must start by confessing that I am addicted to learning. At any given time, you can find me reading two to three books at once, taking a class on how to knit a blanket, teaching myself to can vegetables … you get the gist. When it comes to the workplace, I’m an advocate for weaving the importance of learning into the fabric of the culture. Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” The important word in that quote is knowledge. While formal education has been part of my journey, it’s not the right fit for everyone. In our fast-paced world of technology and global growth, organizations would do themselves a disservice if they didn’t encourage and provide an opportunity for intellectual curiosity and development for their employees. While some companies can provide ongoing, formal opportunities or resources for professional development, such as conferences, embedding learning as a priority can happen without breaking the budget. The following are a few ways that I recommend as initial steps toward a culture of learning: Give Employees an Hour I have successfully empowered employees by allowing them to take one hour per week during business hours to pursue something they are interested in, either personally or professionally. I encourage them to block
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the hour off on their calendar each week and commit to using that time for something that makes their hearts sing. Establish Mini Development Sessions Take five to 10 minutes of your regular staff or department meetings for professional development. For example, you could establish a rotation schedule, so each person has the opportunity to share something they’re interested in with the rest of the team. This could be sharing a video, an article or a slide-deck presentation. In addition to the shared knowledge, it gives folks the chance to develop their presentation skills in a safe space. Encourage Job Shadowing Over time I have observed numerous employees who don’t know how the pieces of the organizational puzzle fit together. Encouraging job shadowing is a great way to provide transparency into how other teams support the organization’s goals and could spark interest in a different career path within the company that they had not considered. Investing in your employees’ personal and professional development will positively impact your culture and, likely, your bottom line. Employees who feel invested in and cared for will bring more richness and diversity of thought to the conversations and work. That’s what I call a win-win.
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Adult learners should consider going back to school, too By Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! When you think about back to school, we all usually think about similar things — restocking school supplies, getting new school clothes and making new friends. While all of these things are generally associated with children and teenagers, they can also be applied to adult learners as well. “Of Michigan’s Hot 50 jobs — those jobs projected to have high growth and high wages — 80% require education beyond high school. And that was before the pandemic,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director of the Michigan College Access Network. “Every economic indicator points to a nearly universal requirement of certificates and degrees for the new jobs created post-pandemic.” Luckily for adult learners at all education levels, there are resources and ways to meet the education requirements for these career opportunities and set yourself up for success. The Potterville Adult Education (PAE) program is moving into the Lansing American Job Center as of July 1, 2022. The program provides individuals 18 years and older in the tri-county region — Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties — the opportunity to earn a High School Equivalent (HSE) certificate in addition to offering Adult Basic Education (ABE) designed for adults whose math and reading skills are below ninth grade level. “We are excited about calling the Lansing AJC our home base. We are grateful for the support of CAMW! and to be in such a perfect location,” said Julie DeRose, Director of PAE. “PAE is committed to its mission to create a safe, caring and respectful environment for learning in which students acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to succeed in life and in work. We will do this by serving the tri-county region with both in-person and virtual classes.” The PAE program believes everyone is entitled to receive a quality education and each individual — regardless of age or previous school history — should be given an opportunity to acquire the skills needed for success in life and work. PAE has provided services to thousands of adults in our region for over 20 years and CAMW! is proud to host them within our facilities, providing access to HSE certification and ABE services to more residents in
our region. To learn more about PAE, please visit pottervilleadulteducation. com/ or contact the CAMW!’s front desk at (517) 942-5500. Comparably, Michigan Reconnect is dedicated to helping Michiganders achieve their post-secondary educational goals. The program, which was announced in April of 2020, is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for an individual to attend their in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount to attend an out-of-district community college. The program is aimed at moving Michigan closer to reaching the governor’s goal of attaining 60 percent postsecondary educational attainment by 2030. Individuals can use the scholarship to complete an associate degree or a Pell-eligible skill certificate program.
To be eligible for Reconnect, you must: • • • •
Be at least 25 years old when you apply Have lived in Michigan for a year or more Have a high school diploma or equivalent Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)
Learn more and apply today at michigan.gov/reconnect/ community-college. Pursuing higher education beyond high school, including professional certificates, degrees or apprenticeship credentials, prepares individuals with the tools and experiences needed to better survive economic uncertainty and allows them to thrive. As we enter “back to school” months, consider reframing the idea that back to school is just for our youth and teens. Back to school is beneficial for adult learners, too. Carrie Rosingana is the CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!. Visit camw.org for assistance with career exploration or staffing needs. CAMW!, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, offers services in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties at our Lansing, St. Johns and Charlotte American Job Centers. 517 31
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Dobie Road Move forward this summer with Dobie’s Outpatient Therapy and Wellness Programs!! Outpatient Clinic
•The Outpatient Clinic at Dobie is your local non-profit center for superior Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Warm Water Aquatic Therapy for community members age 10-110. •Dobie’s state-of-the-art outpatient gym and warm water pool allow our therapy team to use many different techniques to help relieve pain and increase functionality, balance, and strength!
Community Wellness
•Community members 18 and up can register on our website for Arthritis Foundation® certified warm water aquatics classes or “Ai Chi” (Tai Chi in the pool) classes, both just $5 each! •Our 24/7 fitness center is also open to those 18 and up for just $15/month and is SilverSneakers® and PeerFit® certified.
IMPROVING YOUR LIFE IS OUR MISSION!
www.dobieroad.org 3860 Dobie Road • Okemos • 517-381-6169 32
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PLACES p.34 GOOD READS p.36 RECIPE p.37 HOME HELPERS p.38 NONPROFIT p.44 PLAY p.46
SCHOOL RULES The future looks just a tad different for students heading into the school year in the Lansing School District. The district announced three primary changes to the academic calendar, with preschoolers shifting to a Mondays-Thursdays schedule. Additionally, schools will not have classes during Thanksgiving week and teacher professional development days will shift from Wednesdays to Fridays. Other changes coming for all Michigan students include the passage of House Bill 5190, signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in mid-June. The bipartisan bill updates Michigan’s high school curriculum to include a financial literacy course for the first time in state history. The bill will prepare young Michiganders for the future and empower them to take control of their finances. The legislation would add a halfcredit personal finance course as a high school graduation requirement, starting with ninthgraders in 2024.
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lifestyle / PLACES
A FEAST OF FRIENDS
The spectacular oven for wood-fired cooking classes.
LE CHAT GOURMET SERVES UP CAMARADERIE ALONG WITH CULINARY CLASSES
PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY METRO MELIK Everything from Denene Vincent’s garden can be used for cooking in one way or another, including the Gertrude Jekyll climbing rose. 34
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A customized sign provides a welcome entrance at 11874 Bunker Highway in Eaton Rapids.
Do what you love, and you’ll never work. That phrase — or some rendition of it — has been attributed to everyone from Mark Twain to Confucius; however, it is fully embodied by Denene Vincent of Le Chat Gourmet Culinary Arts in Eaton Rapids. Vincent is an artist who has taken the ingredients of her childhood, work experiences and a “life stumble” or two and mixed them with the passion of making food accessible for the young and young at heart. She’s doing exactly what she was meant to do. There was a time in art school when a teacher shared with Vincent that he thought she was a good artist, but her passion was probably elsewhere. When Vincent questioned that thought, the teacher explained that no matter the assignment, Vincent made the subject food related. Even during breaks, she was reading cookbooks. So, Vincent took that outside observation and began learning the art of baking, working from midnight to 8 a.m. to pay for school. She has a vision of getting people excited about having a zest for living, an appetite for life and teaching people about the joys of cooking. Throughout her career, she often heard people express interest in learning a bit of what she knows without having to go to school and learn things on their own time. That became the foundation of what was to become Le Chat Gourmet Culinary Arts. Growing up, Vincent’s grandmothers, who each in their own way showed her details that wouldn’t necessarily be found in a recipe book, taught her to immerse herself in whatever dish or meal she was preparing. That vision from a lifetime ago is fully realized by visitors arriving at Le Chat Gourmet, where a sense of how important nature is when it comes to immersing yourself in the culinary arts becomes immediately apparent. Vincent’s on-site gardens are a cornucopia of farm-to-table goodness where at least some element of every plant can be placed on a plate to be eaten. Taking classes at Le Chat Gourmet is meant to be accessible for anyone who has a knife, whisk, spoon and skillet. Students arriving for a cooking class get to meet chef Vincent. By the time they are departing they have experienced conversation, camaraderie, culinary arts and have made new friends. And each return visit feels like coming home. For more information, visit lechatgourmet.com.
The kitchen is fully stocked with tools for culinary students.
Le Chat Gourmet has plenty of room for classes.
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lifestyle / GOOD READS
‘HACKING DEFICIT THINKING’ NEW BOOK FOR EDUCATORS CO-AUTHORED BY WOMAN WITH LOCAL TIES BY 517 STAFF
A new book for educators is about to make the rounds; and while we haven’t read it, what makes it enticing for our 517-area teachers is that one of the authors has strong ties to the region. Dr. Kelsie Reed is a 2011 graduate of Holt High School and still has family here. She is now a practicing school psychologist in Maryland. Reed wrote “Hacking Deficit Thinking” with co-author Dr. Byron McClure. The book offers reframes that will change the way educators think about themselves, their students and their work. As explained in the book, it is “intended primarily for teachers; administrators; and school-based support staff such as school psychologists, counselors and related service providers. It will also be helpful in teacher training programs or other graduate preparation courses that set the foundation for future educators.”
“WHEN WE BLAME OURSELVES OR OUR STUDENTS FOR THINGS THAT GO WRONG IN OUR CLASSROOMS, WE ARE LEFT FEELING
“BYRON AND I TRULY PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO THIS BOOK,” said
Reed. “We know that the field of education is experiencing so much right now — the stress of attempting to return to ‘normalcy’ post-schoolbuilding closures in 2020, the pressure to be everything for everyone, the blame when things go wrong, etc.” The two said there is an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed.
Byron McClure
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Kelsie Reed
UNEQUIPPED, UNSUCCESSFUL AND OVERWORKED,” said Reed. “When we learn to shift our thinking to focus on the strengths that we possess, the nontraditional strengths our most historically marginalized students and families possess, and the capacity of our schools to cultivate and shine light on those strengths — we feel empowered, and our students feel empowered.” “Hacking Deficit Thinking” provides a number of hands-on strategies that educators can incorporate immediately. While rooted in best practices and evidence-based findings, the authors said they did the heavy lifting and translated all of it into user-friendly and easily digestible material. For more information, visit hackingdeficitthinking. com and watch for the release of the book this fall. Have you read an amazing book our readers would want to hear about? Send us a message at info@517mag.com.
lifestyle / RECIPE
SOUTHWEST CRISPY CHICKEN WRAP
BY 517 STAFF
INGREDIENTS
CHICKEN TENDERS
For your ranch sauce • 1/3 cup of ranch dressing • 1/3 cup of salsa • A heaping spoon of taco seasoning
Premade or make your own (see sidebar) Filler • 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese • 1 large tomato, sliced or diced • 1/2 cup of frozen sweet corn, thawed • 1/2 cup of black beans, rinsed/drained • 6 leaves of romaine lettuce • 6 tortillas
Directions Whisk your ranch sauce. Spread about a tablespoon of the sauce on half of a lightly warmed tortilla and layer your ingredients. Be careful not to pack them too full. Drizzle a touch more ranch sauce. Fold the end of your wrap and roll inward. Secure with a toothpick and enjoy.
CRISPY CHICKEN TENDERS Cut thawed chicken breasts into strips. Next, roll them into a mix of one egg and some melted butter. Finally, roll them into your favorite flavor of Shake and Bake, panko or Italian bread crumbs. Air fry or bake in the oven until done.
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lifestyle / HOME HELPERS
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ACCORDING TO THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION, SMOKE ALARMS WERE EITHER MISSING OR TAMPERED WITH IN 58% OF FATAL CAMPUS FIRES.
HAVE AN ACTION PLAN
Encourage the students in your life to walk the perimeter of their college home noting fire exits and planning a clear escape route in the event of an emergency. Tell them to share the plan with roommates so that they can look out for each other. STAY ALARMED
BACK TO SCHOOL FIRE SAFETY TIPS EVERY COLLEGE STUDENT SHOULD REVISIT
BY 517 STAFF
September is Campus Fire Safety Month, so the back-to-school issue of 517 Magazine offers a great advance opportunity to help raise awareness about the threat of fire for college students who live both on and off campus. Fires in student housing cause an average of one death, 32 injuries and $15 million in property damage each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. With 92 colleges and universities in our state — including Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, Davenport University, Olivet College and others — getting the word out is important. We spoke with First Alert, the well-known home and fire safety brand, to get some tips on products and practices that help prevent fire injuries while at school.
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According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke alarms were either missing or tampered with in 58% of fatal campus fires. An easy way to combat this is by ensuring living spaces are properly equipped with enough smoke alarms, which should be installed on every level of the home, inside every bedroom and in the main corridor outside each bedroom area. KEEP THE KITCHEN SAFE
Did you know that nearly 75% of all fires in dormitories begin in the kitchen or cooking area? Send your students to campus with a fire extinguisher at the ready. First Alert has an easy-to-use device called EZ Fire Spray that functions like an aerosol spray can. DON’T ASSUME
Students may note fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on a walk-through, but don’t assume they are working. They should be checked, and new batteries should be installed where needed throughout the home. DON’T GET OVERLOADED
Laptops, stereos, fans, curling irons and various appliances take up a lot of outlets. Be aware of overloaded circuits and having too many extension cords.
DON'T MISS THE INAUGURAL
BRUNCH BASH BRUNCH BASH BRUNCH BASH BRUNCH BASH With mimosas as far as the eye can see, live music & more, you'll want to grab your besties & join us on Sunday, September 4 at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo.
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JOIN THE TEAM! VISIT OUR CAREERS PAGE TO SEE IF THIS SEAT BELONGS TO YOU.
WWW.M3GROUP.BIZ/CARE E R S
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lifestyle / FEATURE
AN INDELIBLE IMPRINT WELLS LEAVES LEGACY OF INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING ON LIVES AT EAST LANSING HIGH SCHOOL BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY PHOTOS BY MARY GAJDA
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FEATURE
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ndrew Wells’ answer started off strong before he realized the full emotional weight of his response. Then his voice caught in his throat, and he paused and offered an unnecessary apology. What are you going to miss the most? “The kids, the students. The students mean a lot to me. … “I’m sorry. …“They mean a lot to me. … And I’m going to really miss them.” It was less than two weeks before Wells would exit the office where he had worked at East Lansing High School for the past five years and say goodbye to the school district he called home for his entire 34-year professional career. There were wide-open and unwritten opportunities that awaited him in retirement. Yet there was so much more he was leaving behind — lives changed, lives mentored, lives molded and improved. There will be a first day of classes at East Lansing High School for the 2022-2023 school year; however, there will also be a void left by the departure of a man who made a profound difference for students, staff and parents as the school’s principal since 2017. “Mr. Wells has been a staple in the East Lansing Public Schools community for over 30 years. He has touched the lives of thousands of students and families throughout his tenure in the district,” said Superintendent Dori Leyko. “Mr. Wells’ positivity, wisdom and love for students will be missed by all who knew him. We are so fortunate to have had such an impactful leader in the district for so many years and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.” Wells’ ties to the school district extend beyond his professional tenure. He attended the former Hannah Middle School in the district and can also count himself among the vast ranks of East Lansing High School graduates.
“MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO EAST LANSING PUBLIC SCHOOLS.”
“My whole life has been somehow connected to East Lansing Public Schools,” Wells said. Wells always had an interest in working with people, and his father, a teacher, inspired him to consider the educational realm as a way to exert a positive impact and influence on others. Yet Wells’ path to the administrative side of education was far from traditional in that it didn’t pass through a classroom. However, if he was never a teacher, he was practically everything else. “I actually started in the district as a lunch monitor, right after I graduated from Michigan State University, just to be around kids and to kind of be a part of the fabric of a middle school and be able to support students,” Wells said. “I was a paraprofessional in the district, a coach for high school boys’ and girls’ basketball and track. I was a community liaison where I served the capacity of working with special-needs kids, helping them navigate school. I was also an equity officer in the district at one point.
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I TOLD THE KIDS IN MY GRADUATION SPEECH THIS YEAR THAT MY GOAL WHEN I WAS GROWING UP WAS TO BE AN NBA BASKETBALL PLAYER. I ENCOURAGED THEM TO SET GOALS TOO; BUT I SAID, ‘REMEMBER, YOUR GOALS MIGHT CHANGE. YOUR GOALS DO CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME.’ MY GOAL CHANGED. AND I REALIZED THAT MY CALLING WAS TO GIVE BACK TO MY COMMUNITY. AND I SAID TO THEM, ‘BEING A PART OF YOUR LIFE IS MY NBA.’ THAT’S THE WAY I VIEW IT.
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“The opportunity to be a part of the educational system and, through coaching and working with kids, being a positive influence in their lives was always something that I enjoyed doing,” he added. “I feel like it was my calling. We all have things that we feel comfortable with. I think my comfort is connected to the ability to help people be as successful as they can in life. I’ve never been a teacher, but I always say that coaching is parallel to teaching because you use some of the same methods that you do in that arena as you do in a classroom setting.” Eventually Wells became principal at both Whitehills and Glencairn elementary schools, associate principal at East Lansing High, and the high school athletic director before being named ELHS principal five years ago. “My focus as principal was creating an environment of collaboration and building a sense of community within the walls of East Lansing High School — and that sense of community be extended to the community at large,” he said. “This high school is such an important piece to the East Lansing community at large. The high school is the marquee as far as schools are concerned in the East Lansing community. “I also wanted to create a sense of family,” Wells continued. “When I took over the reins, I met with almost every individual teacher one-onone to gain an understanding of the culture of the school and the mindset and capture common
themes. From there I was able to build a collective vision for the school, and one thing that I really felt strongly about was establishing a family-like atmosphere in the school. Our mantra nowadays is still East Lansing family or EL family. East Lansing family strong. All of those things make a big difference and give a sense of pride.” Being in the same hallways where he once stood as a student brought both a familiarity and a newness. “First of all, there’s been a demographic shift in East Lansing High School. Going to go back to when I was a student here, we had about 1,500 students and about 1% or slightly more than 1% were minority students at the school,” Wells said. “Today we have about 33-34% minority students, so there’s been a shift in cultural demographics.”
FEATURE
AP ART STUDENTS PAINTED A MURAL WITH WELLS LOOKING OVER THEIR ART IN HIS SIGNATURE SHOES.
The pandemic also caused shifts in the way education and communication was delivered. Plus, there were the obvious changes in technology since he was a student, which gives today’s students an educational advantage but is also a bit of a double-edged sword. “The difference is now with social media being a part of everybody’s life, it creates obstacles and sometimes challenges because students today have technology at their fingertips,” Wells said. “I had to learn how to problem-solve face to face. Now people problem-solve on a social media platform, and they don’t have that face-to-face encounter. Therefore, it creates a divide in building relationships with people. … I think it’s a different time; but, then again, when you think about high schoolers, we’re also thinking about an age group anywhere from 14 to 18 years old. You’re dealing with students who are very inquisitive about life, some students who feel like they’re kind of floundering and trying to find their way. I think that was the same way when I was in high school.” Wells struggled to distill his years in East Lansing into a single highlight. There have been just too many. Instead, he mentioned a personal summit as well as a broader achievement. For the former, serving as an elementary principal for his son and daughter was a special moment — as was being able to hand his son a high school diploma as his son walked across the commencement stage.
“The other thing has been to be a part of something that I believe is just simply great. East Lansing High School is noted as one of the best high schools in the state of Michigan. I’ve been able to work with some very fine educators who give their hearts and souls to educating students every single day,” Wells said. “That’s a tremendous highlight.” That commitment and passion to be a part of something bigger, greater and more meaningful may ultimately be Wells’ true legacy in the EL family. “I hope I’m remembered as a person who truly believes in people and that I want everyone in the school to experience success in whatever their endeavors might be. I want them to know that I believe in bringing people together and being a part of something very special: the East Lansing family,” Well said. “I want that East Lansing family to carry on and to continue to improve and be the shining stars in this community. “I love East Lansing. I love East Lansing schools, and this has been a great journey. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he added. “I told the kids in my graduation speech this year that my goal when I was growing up was to be an NBA basketball player. I encouraged them to set goals too; but I said, ‘Remember, your goals might change. Your goals do change from time to time.’ My goal changed. And I realized that my calling was to give back to my community. And I said to them, ‘Being a part of your life is my NBA.’ That’s the way I view it.” Nothing but net. 517 43
lifestyle / NONPROFIT FEATURE
DELIVERING DREAMS FOR A DECADE LANSING PROMISE MARKS 10 YEARS OF LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS BY ASHLEY NANCE
The Lansing Promise has been providing scholarships to Lansing School District graduates since 2012. In the decade since it began, more than 1,600 scholarships have been awarded to students seeking to continue their education at the college level or enter the skilled trades. The Lansing Promise is a place-based scholarship that ensures every kid that lives and goes to school within Lansing School District boundaries can access postsecondary education. According to Justin Sheehan, executive director of the Lansing Promise, it focuses on helping students in three specific ways: • Identity: “Every human being is inherently worthy. Students and their families need to feel worthy of the work we’re doing, the investment that people are making in them, and ultimately a postsecondary education and career before they will actively pursue their dreams,” Sheehan said. • Belonging: “It can be hard to go into a setting where you don’t see anyone you can relate to,” he said. “We take groups of students to tour the Michigan State University campus then eat together at Brody’s; and just like that, MSU is 10 minutes away, not a lifetime.” • Opportunity: “Every student who lives, attends and graduates within the Lansing School District boundaries can have a full ride to Lansing Community College for an associate degree program, with all books, course fees and tuition paid,” Sheehan said. “Alternatively, they can have $10,000 applied to their tuition at MSU, Olivet College or Davenport University. We’re also looking into adding skilled trades programs and journeyman’s programs.”
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The Lansing Promise operates through a public-private partnership. “One part is the Lansing Promise Zone Authority, which Lansing School District helped get started and is quasigovernmental,” Sheehan said. “The other is the Lansing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) governed by a 21-person board, and an additional fund that has allowed us to become financially sustainable and expand what we can offer students.” Sheehan said there are several ways community businesses and residents can get involved in helping the mission of the Lansing Promise. • Join the Promise Community Council. “We seek and welcome a diversity of thought on all our boards and councils because, while it does make decision-making harder, it also makes the answers and decisions we come to better,” he said. • Mentor students and young adults. “We want kids in shops, in factories and in offices meeting people and discovering what they do — and don’t — want to do after high school,” Sheehan noted. “Mentors can work with kids in grades 6 through 12 or work with young people ages 18 to 24.” • Donate. “We are incredibly grateful to those who come to our benefit dinners, give to Lansing Promise through a will or trust, and more recently appreciated stock,” Sheehan said. “Michigan State University Federal Credit Union also facilitates our Children’s Safe program, where Promise Pledges are put in a student’s dedicated account as soon as kindergarten.” Learn more about the Lansing Promise at lansingpromise.org.
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214 s. washington sq • (517) 367-7400 517 45
lifestyle / PLAY
After Hours at the Zoo
t ent a cont more G.COM A 517M
ZOO NIGHTS Aug. 18 Take the opportunity to see Potter Park Zoo after-hours. Visit with the animals and enjoy yard games with friends, all while savoring tasty treats and drinks from local establishments. Tickets to the 21-and-over event are $15 for zoo members and $20 for nonmembers. Each guest will receive three drink tickets upon entry, with additional tickets available for purchase. Visit potterparkzoo.org/event/zoo-nights-1/ for more information.
THIS MONTH’S EVENTS Editor’s note: Please call event venues directly to make sure times and dates haven’t changed due to cancellations and postponements related to COVID-19.
Ingham County Fair Aug. 2-6 The annual Ingham County Fair is here again. Bring the family to see all the live animals, from horses to cows to rabbits. There will be food, fun, games and rides the whole family can enjoy. Visit fair.ingham.org to find a schedule or purchase your tickets and ride wristbands.
JazzFest Michigan Aug. 4-6 JazzFest Michigan is a fantastic three-day, open-air festival in Old Town Lansing. JazzFest showcases diverse styles of jazz and attracts well-known and up-and-coming musicians from across the state and around the world. Come for the music but stay for the familyfriendly activities. For the performer lineup and schedule, visit micharts.org/about-jazzfest.
Follow our friends at 517living.com for other upcoming events in the region.
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49th Annual Island Art Fair Aug. 6 The Island Art Fair is a juried fine arts and craft show located in historic downtown Grand Ledge, and it is one of the longest-running shows in Michigan. Over 100 artisans and craftsman will fill Grand Ledge Island Park with beautiful handmade products. Admission is free, along with a free shuttle to the event. Visit Facebook at facebook.com/events/1608932622817478/?acontext= %7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22 mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_top_tab%22% 2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]% 2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D for more information.
St. Johns Mint Festival Aug. 12-14 Join the celebration in St. Johns and be a part of the yearly Mint Festival. Festivities include a craft show, rodeo, kids’ entertainment, a parade, music, dancing and much more. Visit mintfest.org for the schedule. Lansing Pride 2022 Aug. 13 The nonprofit Lansing Pride is hosting a “celebration of love and diversity” in Old Town. The event promises live entertainment, vendors, merchandise and more. All are welcome to come out and show support, while enjoying entertainment along Turner Street and browsing more than 30 vendors. The kids’ activity center, by Sir Pizza, includes fun stuff like “Storytime with a Drag Queen.” Visit lansing.org/event/lansing-pride-2022/39941/ for more details. Sounds of Summer Concert Series Showdown Aug. 26 The Sounds of Summer Concert Series Showdown takes place at the Lake Lansing Bandshell with free parking and admission thanks to the generous support from local citizens, businesses and foundations. Concessions are available. Visit friendsofinghamcountyparks.org for more information.
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WRAP UP
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Mechanical engineering refers to a broad range of jobs in the engineering industry. These workers spend their time researching, designing, developing, building, testing and inspecting mechanical devices. The devices a mechanical engineer works on may include engines, tools, thermal sensors and large machinery apparatus. A bachelor’s degree is often the base needed for the work.
MIND AND THE MACHINE 5 great jobs in manufacturing and the education you need to have them
BY KYLE DOWLING
Manufacturing offers myriad employment opportunities that pay well and allow you to see the results of your work. The list of available jobs in the industry is endless, but here are five interesting options to consider. 48
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INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN An instrument technician has nothing to do with musical inclinations. They are expected to inspect, test, calibrate and repair monitor devices. They closely read out the data of their various devices using scientific and analytical software specific for the device. Instruments may range from electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or nuclear devices. This position requires a high school diploma, but an associate degree or higher is preferred. CAD DRAFTSPERSON A computer-aided design draftsperson is an individual who utilizes specific software to create plans and schematics for engineers, architects and product manufacturers. CAD professionals collaborate with engineers to transform designs into technical drawings and must have outstanding listening and collaboration skills. A certificate in CAD drafting or an associate degree is preferred. CNC OPERATOR A computer numerically controlled operator is a highly skilled production and manufacturing worker who is skilled at using a CNC machine. An operator must be able to read technical drawings and calibrate the machine to manufacture the desired product to specifications. The necessary skills and experience for this job can be gained through technical schools. INDUSTRIAL PAINTER An industrial painter uses various painting techniques to paint industrial buildings and equipment. Industrial painters are expected to prepare and apply paints and maintain equipment. They must be able to apply paint, varnishes and other coatings to metals, woods and plastic surfaces. A high school diploma or equivalent and professional painting experience are preferred.
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