COMMUNITy the magazine of Metropolitan community college FALL QUARTER 2018
Capstone Project house moves to permanent home page 2
CONTENTS 1 2
A letter from the MCC Foundation
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Program spotlight: Small Market Farming
Moving day
Capstone project house moves to permanent home
Holocaust survivor credits MCC for fulfilling career 8 Full STEAM ahead Camp teaches kids art, biology
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Holocaust Survivor credits MCC for fulfilling career
Best study spots
10 A leader in cybersecurity education MCC earns national designation for cybersecurity 12 MCC named national training center for EPI-USA
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MCC helps truck driver shortage
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State of the arts
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A leader in Cybersecurity education
Nursing in the community gives students firsthand look at care
Elkhorn Valley Campus renovation creates new arts space
18 Culinary students and faculty explore Peruvian culture
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MCC helps truck driver shortage
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Culinary students and faculty explore peruvian culture
20 Stepping it up The Sage Student Bistro gets a makeover 23 Instructors create new resource center for ESL students
24 Around the College
Fall 2018
Volume 7, Issue 3
Community is a quarterly publication of Metropolitan Community College. Contact the editor at 531-MCC-2876 or darayment@mccneb.edu. Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.
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Credits Lead editor and contributor: Derek Rayment Assistant editors and contributors: Michael Gottschalk, Katherine Leszczynski and Jenny Milligan Lead art direction: Trevor Pikop Art contributors: Jade Dyer, Susana Ruiz-Morales and Chanea Robinson
A Letter from THE MCC Foundation Dear readers, Winter is a season that transforms the scenery and gives us an opportunity to look around through wind-swept snow and frosty lenses. Through the challenges of winter, we see the beauty and strength of unwavering trees encased in ice and the plants that refuse to disappear beneath a blanket of snow. It is fitting that many of the stories in this issue of Community speak of persistence and strength. MCC alumna, Lila Lutz, shares her harrowing experience of surviving the Holocaust, journeying to the United States and finally making her way to Omaha and Metropolitan Community College where she obtained her Practical Nursing degree. Other stories include our outstanding nursing program highlighted through the extraordinary work they accomplish in the community, and student study spots around campus–spaces that lend themselves to inspire focus and determination. As winter culminates the new season of growth, we have many projects and remodels to share with you. Elkhorn Valley Campus received an extensive makeover, creating new spaces for visual arts and computer classes. The Sage Student Bistro at the Institute for the Culinary Arts updated the space to accommodate more students and guests in the communityfacing learning lab. We are also proud to share photos of our Construction Education student-built capstone house moving to its permanent home in north Omaha. While many of us wait for the snow to melt, I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy the beauty of our community. Thank you for enriching the lives of students and strengthening the MCC mission this season and always. Very sincerely,
Jacqueline C. Almquist, Ph.D. Executive director
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MOVING
DAY Capstone project house moves to permanent home
Over the summer, Metropolitan Community College moved a home. A house that MCC students built inside the College’s Construction Education Center was moved to its permanent lot on the corner of 30th and Sprague streets. The house was relocated in three sections, being carefully moved out of the CEC lab and onto flatbed trucks.
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Students and instructors had been assembling the house, commonly called the Capstone project, for a year inside the CEC’s Capstone Lab. Students from every program (Architectural Design, Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, Electrical Technology, Plumbing Technology, HVAC and Welding Technology) were able to help in some way. “The house is an incredible milestone for MCC and exemplifies our promise to deliver education differently,” says Nate Barry, dean of Career and Technical Education at MCC. “No other industry has an impact on a community like the construction industry. Now, at MCC, that service-based learning is at the heart of the curriculum.” The house is being assembled on-site and will be for sale in coming months. Barry appreciates that a project from MCC can help change the lives of a family in the community. “Not only does it show the remarkable project-based learning that takes place within the Construction Education Center, but it shows how programs are collaborating to serve the community.”
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HELP LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR SOMEONE'S FUTURE Your purchase of bricks or a bench provides support to the MCCF Matching Scholarship Fund and also serves as a lasting tribute to MCC. Call 531-MCC-2346 to order. 4 • community • mccneb.edu
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
SMALL MARKET FARMING
The Small Market Farming associate of applied science degree is an ideal option for those who would like to turn their appreciation for gardening and plants into a career. Beyond general education requirements, the program is taught at the Fort Omaha Campus as part of Horticulture, Land Systems and Management program. The program offers many learning opportunities. Students in the program can expect to have hands in the dirt as well as classroom presentations, with an overview of the current study of urban agriculture, providing perspective on the program and development of the growing field. Students will not only explore types of urban agriculture, but also delve into the role plants play in urban sustainability and future urban environments. Small Market Farming studies are not just confined to studying plants. The program examines methods and applications of raising fish together with plants in closed recirculating systems. Students will learn the principles of
aquaponics and system designs, nitrogen cycling and water quality, fish and plant biology and health, with an emphasis on the flood and drain culture of tilapia, vegetables and herbs. Studies also include an introduction to small farm husbandry which covers the principles and practices of small animal husbandry, along with chickens and other poultry, rabbits and squab. Students will also learn the purchasing, housing, behavior, hygiene, nutrition, harvest and fabrication of the small animals. Knowledge of practices would be for naught without students learning how to manage and market the fruits of their labor. The business side of the degree includes an introduction to business and marketing, and provides an opportunity to prepare a business plan needed to successfully grow a small business. To learn more about the courses that make up the Small Market Farming degree, visit mccneb.edu/horticulture.
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Holocaust survivor credits MCC for fulfilling career ila Lutz is a woman in her 90s. She lives in an assisted living home in an apartment by herself. She is a retired nurse with a faint Polish accent. She enjoys knitting hats to donate to local hospitals for newborns in her free time.
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before Lutz. Harry was from Omaha, Nebraska.
“Knitting is my job,” she says with a smile, showing a neatly folded stack of colorful baby hats.
The couple had two children and ran a small general store near 24th and Hamilton streets for many years. After it closed, Lutz decided it was time to do something for herself.
Lutz’s life today is a far cry from what is was in the 1930s and 1940s. She is a survivor of the Holocaust. She along with some of her family managed to survive the horrific time before coming to America.
“I said ‘I want to go to school. I haven’t been to school yet,’” Lutz says. “So I went and applied at Metro Tech.”
Lutz’s family lived in Poland when World War II broke out. She and her family were forced to flee their village and move from city to city when the Nazis ordered them to. Conditions were extremely poor and difficult to live in. “It was many, many years ago, but I can still feel the lice in my hair,” she says. “Food was sparse.” Multiple members of Lutz’s family were killed during the Holocaust, including her mother, before Poland was liberated from Nazi Germany in 1945. But even after liberation, Lutz moved to Germany where things continued to be squalid and tough. “It was just a real hardship,” she says. “It was scary and dirty. You survived the best you could.” Lutz learned that her brother was still alive, and eventually reunited with him and her father in France. Soon after their reunion, the family made plans to join relatives in the United States, obtaining visas and taking a boat. She arrived in New York and stayed with relatives before meeting her future husband, Harry, a former prisoner of war who had been in the United States for a few years
“We were on a train for 31 hours,” she says. “Omaha was such a little town then. It ended at 72nd Street.”
Prior to 1974, Metropolitan Community College was named Metropolitan Technical College. Some classes were taught at the Omaha Public Schools’ TAC Building near 30th and Cuming streets. Lutz enrolled in Practical Nursing classes, graduating in 1976. “I didn’t have a high school diploma and they admitted me anyway,” Lutz says. “I loved going to school. I knew my future was going to be a lot better. Going to school saved my sanity and my life.” After graduating from MCC, Lutz got a job in a nursing home. She worked there for 10 years until her family moved to west Omaha. There she worked at Montclair Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for 15 years before retiring in the early 1990s. In retirement, Lutz continued to volunteer, both in Omaha and when she lived in Florida for 20 years. After returning to Omaha in 2016, she spoke about her life to high school students around the Omaha area. “I tell them my story and tell them they’re very lucky,” she says. “I always tell them to study. It will be the best thing in your life to study hard and get a good education and have a good working life.” community • mccneb.edu • 7
FULL STEAM AHEAD
Do Space camp teaches kids art, biology Science and technology often go handin-hand. During a recent robotics class at MCC at Do Space, children learned different ways to incorporate the two. MCC College for Kids hosted BioBoTs Day Camp, a free, one-day class for children to learn how biology and technology often work closely together. The camp was sponsored by the Peter Kiewit Foundation’s Summer Fun Program and taught by instructors from Prairie STEM, a local nonprofit that encourages students in Omaha Public Schools to get engaged through STEM activities. Bio-BoTs introduced children to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). Children began learning the basics of STEAM before getting deeper into each subject, says Chris Swanson, former manager of MCC at Do Space and now Scholarships director.
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“They started the kids off with what they know,” he says, showing that students had created “prosthetic” arms out of paper, crayons and twine. “They are learning the common programming language. They take them from knowing virtually nothing to being the experts.” Prairie STEM executive director Anna Sumner says the Omaha Public Schools children in the class came in saying they knew what they wanted to be when they grew up, with many saying jobs in STEAM fields. “They came in saying ‘I want to be a doctor. I want to be a nurse. I want to be an engineer,’” she explains. “This is the most focused group of students we’ve ever had.” Bio-BoTs helped teach the students how biology, art, math and robotics work together. Sumner says many of the students knew someone with a prosthetic limb and this class helped them to learn more about how they work.
“It became a real connection to the bio world,” Sumner says. “It helped them to understand why someone can’t have just a prosthetic hand and that it connects to other parts of the arm.” As the day camp progressed, students were able to build small batteryoperated robots that walked on their own and had to figure out the best way to make the robots operate. Sumner says while the children also learn STEAM subjects, they learn other important principles such as teamwork and problem-solving. “They do a lot of risk-taking, failure and persistence. What they try the first time might not work, but if they stick with it and persist, they can solve it,” Sumner says. “They’re starting to connect the pieces. It’s fun for me to see them connect the dots.”
BEST STUDY SPOTS College students spend a lot of time with their noses buried in their books. But who said they have to be doing that in a boring spot? Metropolitan Community College locations are dotted with interesting and inviting study spots that might make homework and studying a little more enjoyable.
CAREER AND ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER This seems like an obvious one, but there are so many hidden gems within CASC on the Fort Omaha Campus. With all kinds of seating options available, both out in the open or more secluded, the third floor is quiet and ideal to be able to plug into work. The first floor offers chairs similar to first-class seating on an airplane, with a seat that reclines and has higher walls. It’s also conveniently located around the corner from the MCC Bookstore that serves Starbucks coffee. Also scattered around each floor are partially closed off spaces with tables and desks, allowing group work without feeling disruptive or a private spot to hit the books.
ELKHORN VALLEY CAMPUS BACK PATIO Obviously this spot isn’t ideal year-round. But if it’s warm, get out there and soak it up. This patio gets afternoon sun, making it a toasty spot to catch some rays and catch up on homework. There’s plenty of shaded spots, too. Grab lunch at the Mojo Café, bring it out back and enjoy this hidden gem.
CONNECTOR BUILDING WINDOW ALCOVES It’s a study spot with a view. On the second floor of the South Omaha Campus’ Connector Building are a number of secluded nooks with windows on three sides that overlook the campus. They make it feel like being outside without actually being out in the cold or heat. They are great for sprawling out study materials alone or as a meeting spot with friends.
THE TERRACE Another seasonal favorite, the terrace on the second floor of the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology on the Fort Omaha Campus is like a private oasis. The rooftop is covered with succulents, making it feel more like being in the middle of a garden rather than a college campus. With no noise or distraction, this is the most tranquil place at MCC to escape to and get school work done.
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A LEADER IN CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION MCC earns national designation for cybersecurity 10 • community • mccneb.edu
Thanks to an expansion of cybersecurity program offerings, MCC has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense two-year education.
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hen the College’s Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology was in its planning stages, the goal was to bring programming that is in high demand and could train students for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs. That goal has been met with cybersecurity programming expansion and a new national designation highlights that growth.
“The partnership with Cyberworld Institute is a strategic complement to MCC’s line of existing credit courses. By offering high-end certification training, we are better positioned to support the needs of our rapidly growing cybersecurity and IT industries locally,” says Robert Caldwell, project manager at the MCC Workforce Innovation Division.
Metropolitan Community College has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense two-year education (CAE2Y) through academic year 2023 by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. MCC representatives were recognized this summer during a designation ceremony at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The ceremony was part of the National Cyber Summit, a gathering of the industry’s top professionals. The College was selected for the designation after the NSA conducted a thorough review of the College’s cybersecurity curriculum.
Under the agreement, MCC and CWI have collaborated on a training model that augments existing certification curriculum with hands-on experiential learning labs. Students can practice responding to real-life situations by participating in nationwide cyber range attack and defense exercises. MCC will create job-ready students with globally recognized vendor certifications at all experience levels, from beginners to expert users.
“The designation of National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense two-year education positions MCC on a national and international level to prepare students to contribute to the national defense,” says Gary Sparks, MCC faculty member and program director of the MCC Cybersecurity Center. The goal of the academic excellence program from the NSA and DHS is to reduce vulnerability in national information infrastructure by promoting cyber defense programming and producing professionals with cyber defense skills. All four-year, two-year and graduate level institutions are eligible for the designation as long as they meet a strict set of criteria. The national designation comes on the heels of a College partnership with Cyberworld Institute, an agreement that greatly expands the course offerings in cybersecurity and information technology.
Certificates include: Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Cloud Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, Certified Information Security Auditor, Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Network Defender, Chief Information Security Officer, CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+. All courses align with the Department of Defense’s cyberspace workforce framework. “Our partnership with Cyberworld Institute was a key part of being named a National Center for Academic Excellence,” says Sparks. “There are many open positions in the cybersecurity and IT industries regionally. Training students for these jobs will become easier thanks to this national designation and program additions.” For more information about MCC’s Center for Cybersecurity Education, visit cyberomaha.com.
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MCC NAMED NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER FOR EPI-USA W
ith the help of its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation, Metropolitan Community College’s Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology was chosen as the official data center training site for EPI-USA, an international leader in data center technician education. The College and EPI-USA introduced the partnership at a public announcement at CAET in August, with members of the College, community and press in attendance. Both the cyber defense designation and data center training hub announcement are strong indications that the College has kept momentum going since its Fort Omaha Campus expansion project opening, which included CAET, a building focused on workforce development. Through the partnership between MCC and EPI-USA, the College offers a wide range of globally accredited certified data center training courses in Omaha for information technology professionals.
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“MCC has long been a leader in data center training for the region,” says Tom Pensabene, Ph.D., MCC associate vice president of Workforce and IT Innovation. “By partnering with EPI-USA and becoming the National Training Center, we are better positioned to serve the rapid growth of data centers in the four-county area by providing training and new talent to keep them in operation.” While the trainings with EPI-USA are intended for current industry professionals in IT, the pathway from an associate degree to becoming an expert in the industry through additional training is clear. “MCC is about lifelong education, so whether someone wants to obtain an associate degree with a focus on data center operations or someone wants to further their knowledge in the field, CAET will be the place for them,” says Pensabene. With more than 15 certification offerings, EPI-USA trainings at MCC are for professionals with a variety of background and experience levels. Each certification can be completed in as little as two or three days and includes a final assessment which individuals must pass to become certified. The courses are aimed at building knowledge, skills and competences for employees who manage the facilities and other vitals in a data center. The partnership will not only serve business and industry through providing accessible certification training to local professionals, but will also put Omaha on the map as a destination for globally accredited data center training throughout the United States and Canada. EPI-USA chose MCC as their national training center because students can interact with an actual data center, located on the second floor of CAET. Donald Byrne, senior instructor for EPI-USA, believes the data center acts as a hands-on learning laboratory, helping students translate skills learned in the training to their careers. Byrne says that EPI-USA has seen IT professionals come from as far away as the Middle East and Europe to take EPI-USA led trainings, highlighting the importance of MCC being named the national training center. “The Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology on the Fort Omaha Campus was designed to create partnerships that would benefit the community and the local workforce,” says Randy Schmailzl, MCC president. “The partnership with EPI-USA is exactly that, a relationship that will assist in training incumbent workers and ensure the tech movement in Omaha continues.” For more information about EPI-USA courses at MCC, call 877-318-5344.
Left to right: Tom Pensabene and EPI-USA president David Montalbano
“By partnering with EPI-USA and becoming the National Training Center, we are better positioned to serve the rapid growth of data centers in the four-county area by providing training and new talent to keep them in operation.” – Tom Pensabene, Ph.D., associate vice president of Workforce and IT Innovation
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MCC
HELPS TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE There is a severe lack of truck drivers across America. In 2017, American Trucking Associations released findings that indicated a national shortage of 50,000 drivers and the need to hire roughly 90,000. The lack of drivers is increasing shipping costs and forcing companies to get creative in how they recruit talent. “In addition to the sheer lack of drivers, fleets are also suffering from a lack of qualified drivers, which amplifies the effects of the shortage on carriers,” says ATA chief economist Bob Costello. Helping train the next generation of truck drivers, the Metropolitan Community College CDL-A Truck Driving program offers courses that develop marketable skills, giving students a chance to create a qualified résumé and safe driving record. Courses prepare students for this
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in-demand career by training them on truck maintenance, cargo securement, emergency maneuvers and everything else that goes into operating a tractortrailer safely. The program goes above and beyond a typical truck driving training program by including customer service skill building, as well as a portion dedicated to training drivers how to spot signs of human trafficking. The CDL-A Truck Driving program provides students potential for immediate employment upon successful completion. Former MCC student Julius Reynolds says the lack of drivers and various opportunities in the industry is what lured him to become a truck driver. “I worked in construction and I saw the constant need for Class-A licensed drivers,” Reynolds, now a trucking company owner, says.
“The possibility of becoming a small business owner was enticing and making more money drew me to the program,” he explained. Reynolds says MCC was the perfect fit for him because he could continue working while taking classes in the evening. As someone now heavily invested in the trucking industry as an owner, Reynolds says he always refers people to the College if they are looking to get their CDL-A license. “[MCC] faculty and staff were always willing to take their time with me, making sure I learned everything I needed to know about truck driving,” he says. MCC offers CDL-A Truck Driving courses at the Applied Technology Center in Northwest Omaha. For more information, visit mccneb.edu/cdl.
NURSING
IN THE COMMUNITY GIVES STUDENTS FIRSTHAND LOOK AT CARE
In the medical field, nurses and nursing assistants help people of every age, background and from all walks of life. At Metropolitan Community College, students in the Associate Degree Nursing program get handson training working out in the community before they graduate. As part of their curriculum, students visit the Stephen Center, a shelter to help those in addiction recovery, in transitional living situations or with emergency needs in South Omaha, to treat those who might not normally have access to health care. “A lot of these people haven’t seen a doctor in 20 years,” says Nursing instructor Alex Winters. “The students get experience with those who are often marginalized.” The Nursing students perform basic health care procedures during their time at the Stephen Center says student Tracy McVay. But the students
are also able to just chat with the people, something the tenants appreciated. “We socialized because a lot of them just liked talking to someone,” McVay says. “We also did blood pressure checks and gave an anti-smoking presentation showing the effects of smoking and how they can quit.” Being out in the community helping those who are homeless and in need was eye opening says student Mirella Hernandez. “It was kind of surprising,” she explains. “There’s this image people have of ‘homeless’ and ‘needy’ and it isn’t necessarily like that. It’s nice [the Stephen Center] has that program for people.” Being able to help people in the community is valuable, Hernandez says. It not only gives students experience, but it helps them realize how their work impacts patients.
“People really appreciate it, regardless if we’re students or not,” she says. Later in the school year, Nursing students help at MCC’s International Health Fair doing similar work, such as blood pressure checks, glucose level checks, hearing tests and more. Being able to help people in different settings while still in college can help students see different job opportunities after graduation, Winters says. “Community health practice isn’t a formal part of their education, but it is something we infuse,” she says. “In general, all patient care is being in the community. There are so many more opportunities for nurses than hospitals. They may be in a school or a daycare.”
To learn more about the associate degree nursing program, visit mccneb.edu/nursing. community • mccneb.edu • 15
State of the
Elkhorn Valley Campus renovation creates new arts space
To learn more about the different Arts programs offered at MCC, visit mccneb.edu/art.
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ARTS A
s students in arts programs arrived for class at the start of the fall quarter at Metropolitan Community College’s Elkhorn Valley Campus, they were some of the first to walk into a completely revamped learning environment. The arts classrooms at EVC underwent a half-million-dollar renovation, creating new classroom and studio space for MCC’s various programs such as painting, sculpture, ceramics and more. The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning classes that were formally taught at EVC have relocated to the Construction Education Center on the Fort Omaha Campus, leaving plenty of open space for the arts programs to expand.
“We have increased from two rooms to five rooms,” says Susan Trinkle, dean of Humanities and the Arts. The new art classrooms have increased to 8,800 square feet, providing students and instructors with much more space dedicated to the different programs within the Arts, Trinkle says. “We now have rooms for ceramics, 3-D art, painting, printing and design,” she says. There will also be more space for Design, Interactivity and Media Arts students. “We aren’t going to be stepping on each other’s toes anymore. We don’t have to worry about pottery dust getting on prints anymore.
We have proper ventilation to do more ceramics.”
always done a little screen printing, but now there is space for more of it.”
The arts programs have long been popular at MCC. With the increased space, along with a number of programs still being taught at FOC, more students will be able to take more classes.
With all the new equipment, including more than a dozen potters’ wheels, new darkrooms, and proper kiln and pottery firing ventilation, Burton says students will be able to do more work and projects than they would be able to do on their own at home.
“For a long time, we have had a waitlist—and we still do. But now, we will be able to accommodate more of those students,” she says. There will also be some new and more in-depth Arts class offerings now that there is the proper equipment and areas for them. “We will get to do a deeper dive into these arts,” Trinkle explains. “We will get to do more of what we couldn’t before because we couldn’t use this chemical or show this process because we didn’t have the proper space or equipment.” Anne Burton, an MCC instructor who teaches printmaking, screen printing, drawing, 2-D design, art appreciation and creative careers, says that she is excited to be able to teach students more about screen printing. Previously, it was a smaller part of an existing class. Now, with new screen printing equipment and materials, students can take a dedicated class to the art form. “[Screen printing] takes extra tables and space,” Burton explains. “I’ve
“We have things here now that students can use that’s more than they can do at home,” she says. “We want them to be able to do something different. We can have people making their own fabric, posters or t-shirts soon.” Trinkle says she is so grateful for the new and improved classrooms, saying it will help prepare students for their futures. “We appreciate having this space,” she says. “There are jobs attached to these skills. We are teaching problem-solving skills that are important to employers.” Burton says the new learning environment is the starting point of many improvements coming to the arts classes. “All of our curriculum is going up a notch,” she says. “Over time, we are going to grow in so many ways. We have always had the spirit, but not the space. Now we have the space. We have the space to do it all really well.”
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CULINARY STUDENTS AND FACULTY explore Peruvian culture
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here’s learning in a classroom setting, and then there’s learning by being immersed in the study topic. That is exactly what study abroad courses at Metropolitan Community College allow for. Study Abroad credit courses offer students the opportunity to travel to destinations outside of Omaha and, many times, the country with a number of faculty-led, academic focuses, such as business, social science, automotive technology, human relations and culinary arts as well as many other areas of study. As part of the Institute for the Culinary Arts Study Abroad program, 10 MCC students and two faculty traveled to Peru and for 13 days were immersed in history, culture and culinary adventures. As part of the course, students destined for Peru were tasked with meeting prior to the trip and preparing a presentation detailing the history, culture and the various regional ingredients and cuisines found throughout the South American country. Students and faculty further prepared for their excursion by studying Spanish phrases that would aid them in navigating during their time abroad.
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MCC Culinary Arts instructors Janet Mar and Delbert Reichardt led the group throughout the trip. “We visited Lima, Paracas, Cusco, the Sacred Valley area and Machu Picchu,” Mar says, “The visit to Machu Picchu was an obvious stop and students were excited to visit it, as it is one of the world wonders that is on everyone's bucket list.” While the group studied and visited several historical sites and learned about the impact of various immigrant
cultures infused into Peruvian society, the primary focus of this study abroad course was the culinary arts. Students and faculty traveled to Peru to gain knowledge of the country’s many culinary ingredients, the diverse ecosystems that impact their cultivation and flavor as well as the traditional and modern methods used by Peruvian chefs to prepare native dishes. The group visited local kitchens and sampled the foods of chefs who are making an impact on culinary culture around the world.
“My favorite experience was going to local restaurant, Mil. Not only do they set their menu based on the different ecosystems found throughout the country, but they also explore Peru for ingredients that have never been used before. The lunch we had at Mil was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget,” says Kara Ruocco, MCC Baking and Pastries student. During this year’s Culinary Study Abroad course, students and faculty visited a culinary school founded by one of Peru's most well-known chefs. The mission of the school is to provide culinary education to youth in the poorest areas around Lima. “We were able to bond with the local students and witnessed their dedication
and their appreciation for the education. We learned that some students travel each day three hours each way to come to the school,” says Mar. “I felt that this was one of the most impactful experiences of our trip.” During their time in Peru, students kept a personal journal to record their experiences. The journal was submitted at the end of the course. Students also shared their experience with family and friends on the ICA Study Abroad Facebook page. Upon returning, students, working with faculty leads, prepared and served a Peruvian-inspired wine-pairing dinner to about 40 guests. The funds raised from this dinner will provide assistance to students who enroll in next year's ICA Culinary Study Abroad program.
In addition to the resources contributed at the dinner, students who take the culinary study abroad course may also receive assistance from the Brandon Thomas Study Abroad Scholarship. The scholarship is made possible by the Gordman family, and was formed as means of honoring the memory of former MCC Culinary Arts student Brandon Thomas. “Our son loved food and loved to travel,” says Brandon’s mother, Andie Gordman. “We wanted to provide an opportunity to culinary students that they may not otherwise have.” Gordman attended the Peruvianinspired fundraising dinner and praised the event, saying that it rivaled any fine dining experience that she’s had.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STUDY ABROAD COURSES OFFERED AT THE COLLEGE AT MCCNEB.EDU/STUDYABROAD. PHOTO BY KARA RUOCCO
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Stepping
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it up
The Sage Student Bistro gets a makeover A
fter nearly 10 years in operation, the Metropolitan Community College Bistro has had a makeover. Opening in 2009, the Sage Student Bistro is a fullservice restaurant that primarily serves as an interactive classroom for the numerous Culinary Arts courses offered at the College. Because the time spent in the bistro is part of classroom curriculum, the restaurant is open when students are in session. While the aesthetic upgrades will be clear to patrons with increased seating, warm wood floors and rustic table tops, it is the improvements found behind the scenes that are the most beneficial to culinary students. Upgrades to the hosting, student manager hub and point-of-sale stations as well as several other areas bring practices and technology up to date, ensuring that students receive real-time, hands-on, guest-centered training in all the programs offered at the Institute for the Culinary Arts. To learn more about the bistro, hours of operation or to make a reservation, visit mccneb.edu/sagestudentbistro.
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FIND US ON • Stay engaged with College AlumnI • Stay Connected • BE PART OF A COMMUNITY Visit linkedin.com and search for Metropolitan Community College for more information. 22 • community • mccneb.edu
INSTRUCTOR CREATES NEW RESOURCE CENTER FOR
ESLSTUDENTS Metropolitan Community College serves many types of English as a Second Language students, whether they’re working adults or high school students. Once students progress through MCC ESL courses and move into other classes at the College, they might need some extra help. That’s where the newly developed Language and Literacy Center at South Omaha Campus can assist. The concept, created by Naomi Mardock Uman MCC ESL instructor, and other facutlty is two-fold: to help ESL students with their coursework and connect them to valuable resources, and help faculty serve students better. “Students in Adult Education programming at the College are working on basic literacy skills and academic proficiency. Learning English can develop slowly, so that means students need support after ESL courses as they transition into programs of study and other resources,” says Mardock Uman. “We want to be there to provide expert help for students that need assistance.
We want to be able to provide services and get them connected to College and community services and for as long as students need it.” The new center opened in the fall quarter and is located in room 205 on the second level of the Connector Building on the South Omaha Campus. There are seven instructors who can help students, whether they’re leading conversation circles, literacy groups or providing one-on-one tutoring. Mardock Uman says students can come to the center even if they just need someone nearby to help them with their homework. “The center is unique because it’s faculty-driven. The staff is dedicated to providing services, even if they need to be on standby for a student who drops in to do homework,” Mardock Uman says. “Students can come in anytime they need help with conversation and pronunciation as well.” The Language and Literacy Center goes beyond help with the English language. The center’s staff can
also answer questions about living, studying and working in the United States. Students aren’t the only ones who can seek help at the center. MCC faculty members can also find support for their courses that may have ESL students in them. “Faculty are experts in their areas, but often times they tell us that they are not sure how to help students with specialized vocabulary of a particular career area or with pronunciation concerns that come up in internships,” explains Mardock Uman. “We want all students to fulfill their potential and we want an educated, skilled and diverse community for Omaha.” The Language and Literacy Center works in collaboration with the MCC Writing Center, creating an inviting environment ready to serve students and faculty. The Language and Literacy Center’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5:45 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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AROUND THE
COLLEGE MCC RECEIVES STATE AWARD FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
NEW TRAINING MODEL COMBATS AUTO TECHNICIAN SHORTAGE
Metropolitan Community College is the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Career Education Program Award, an annual recognition given at the Nebraska Career Education Conference. The award recognizes the outstanding achievement of career education programs in junior high/middle schools, high schools and postsecondary institutions in Nebraska. The award specifically honors the MCC Construction Education Center programs.
To help address the local shortage of automotive technicians and train students for in-demand careers, MCC introduced the Automotive Express Lane Certification Training course earlier this summer. The six-week training course teaches students how to perform express lane services and other skills needed in the automotive service industry. In the course, students learn how to perform oil and filter changes, wiper blade and air filter replacements, battery tests and replacements, tire rotation, tire repair, multi-point inspections, bulb replacements, alignment checks and more. As part of the course, students can also earn up to 11 National Coalition of Certification Centers certificates in key areas.
Criteria for the award include: instructional programs aligned to the Nebraska Career Education Model and programs that demonstrate quality areas such as student achievement, innovative instruction, community engagement, workforce needs, effective career guidance and work-based learning. “The award highlights the hard work our community has put into the development of our trades programs and the Fort Omaha Campus,” says Nate Barry, MCC’s dean of Career and Technical Education. “The College is able to meet the needs of the workforce through hands-on training, industry partnerships and expert instructors.” The Nebraska Career Education Conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Career Education and in cooperation with the Association for Career and Technical Education of Nebraska. 24 • community • mccneb.edu
“Completion of this training course helps students earn jobs locally in the automotive service industry. Students who obtain full-time employment can always take automotive courses at MCC in the future, with classes designed to fit their busy schedules,” says Jim Champion, transportation trades coordinator.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE CLASSES, CALL 531-MCC-4728.
SUSTAINABILITY TALK FEATURES AMERICA’S TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST MCC at Do Space hosted the fourth installment of the Hubbard Sustainability Series, where a room full of attendees heard from Gitanjali Rao, a 12-year-old who was named America’s Top Young Scientist of 2017 by the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Rao earned the honor for inventing a device that detects lead in water faster than any current technique. The Hubbard Sustainability Series hosted Rao, along with speakers Eric Williams, natural resources planner with the Natural Resources District, and Shannon BarteltHunt, professor at the University of NebraskaLincoln, to discuss water and the environment. A question and answer session with all three speakers followed. All Hubbard Sustainability Series events are free and open to the public and held on the second floor of Do Space, 72nd and Dodge streets.
27TH ANNUAL FORT OMAHA INTERTRIBAL POWWOW SHOWCASES CULTURE, HISTORY Thousands came to the Fort Omaha Campus to experience Native American culture and history during the 27th annual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow. This year’s theme “Unity in the Community” could be felt through traditional ceremonies, dances, oral history, crafts and foods of regional tribes. Local and regional artists participated. This year’s master of ceremonies was Jerome Kills Small, Oglala Lakota, with Gentry St. Cyr, Winnebago, serving as arena director. Orlando Ike, Omaha, participated as head man dancer while Amanda Proctor, Osage, featured as head lady dancer. The event also featured a princess contest, with Liliana Tamayo, Sicangu Lakota, serving as judge. Meskwaki Singers, Tama, Iowa, participated as host northern drum while Sidney Toppah, Wichita, Kansas, served as host southern drum. Powwow visitors could also learn about Native American culture and history in study circles led by Dwight Howe, Omaha/Ponca. A special presentation by world champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig, Odawa/ Ojibwa Nation, also wowed visitors.
GITANJALI RAO, 12-year-old named America’s Top Young Scientist of 2017
The powwow was made possible with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The event was funded in part by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners’ Visitors Improvement Fund. The powwow is always free and open to the public. community • mccneb.edu • 25
Metropolitan Community College P.O. Box 3777 Omaha, NE 68103-0777
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