MCC Community Magazine Summer 2018 by Metropolitan Community College

COMMUNITy the magazine of Metropolitan community college SUMMER 2018

CONNECTED MANUFACTURING SPARKS NEW HUB AT MCC page 10

CONTENTS 1 2

A letter from the MCC Foundation

MCC helps firefighter on road to recovery after accident 4 What’s your beef? MCC culinary instructor shares grilling tips

What students are saying MCC students share what they’d like others to know about the College

MCC HELPs FIREFIGHTER ON ROAD TO RECOVERY AFTER ACCIDENT

Program spotlight: Photography

9 Get to know Tammy Green Director of Workforce Innovation and IT: Career Skills and Adult Education

10 Connected manufacturing sparks new hub at MCC South Omaha Campus will be home to the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing

12 14

VETERANS Receive support, benefits at MCC

Veterans receive support, benefits at MCC

CollegeNOW! gives high schoolers a jumpstart on higher education 15 Leveling the playing field The College focuses on abilities rather than disabilities

Commencement: a time to celebrate

18 You learn something new every day Five Continuing Education classes you didn’t know MCC offered

20 Distinguished alum credits MCC for his success 23 MCC Auto Collision Technology program given national recognition Program receives Tier 1 designation

Distinguished alum credits MCC for his success

24 Around the College

Summer 2018

Volume 6, Issue 2

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 friends and supporters, Anyone who knows Metropolitan Community College knows that no two quarters are alike. We align our program offerings and services with continuous quality improvement models and community needs to prepare students for an ever-changing world, while also holding true to the traditions that have served our communities well for more than 40 years. This issue of Community magazine gives a preview of what’s new at MCC. Much of what is new is informed by you, our MCC community and many of the innovative programs are made possible because of your generosity. With the support of our philanthropic community, Adult Basic Education Services have welcomed more than 300 students into our new transitional learning communities. These students are in addition to the 1,900 students already in the program. The Adult Education program is designed to enhance skill gains toward English language attainment, provide GED test preparation, ramp-up reading and math levels, and prepare adult learners for credit-level college courses and careers. Read the Q&A with Tammy Green in this issue to learn more about our offerings. In response to workforce needs and in partnership with community investors, the look and feel of our facilities change. Our campus planning teams are busy renovating the former Industrial Training Center, soon to be transformed into the Center for Advanced Manufacturing in 2019, and finalizing the plans for an automotive training center—both are to be located on the South Omaha Campus. I encourage you to read the article about how these facility plans strengthen our ability to empower students with high-quality training in modern centers of specialization. We continue to build upon our strong roots and celebrate student success. Our Military Veterans Services program has attracted attention at the national level as we have completed our first year of offering a full array of college preparation services for veterans, as part of a U.S. Department of Education Veterans Upward Bound program. In addition, I invite you read the article that tells the story of Ben Schultz, a firefighter who regained his confidence at MCC. You can also learn more about our 2018 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and enjoy the smiling faces in our graduation commencement picture gallery. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Thank you for making innovation possible and removing barriers to learning— you are the reason each quarter is filled with energy, excitement and possibility. Very sincerely,

Jacqueline C. Almquist, Ph.D. Executive director

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MCC helps firefighter on road to recovery after accident S

ince he was young, Ben Schultz has always known that he wanted to be a firefighter and a paramedic.

“I died and they did CPR on me and got a pulse back, put a tube down my throat to help me breathe,” Schultz explains.

“Growing up, I had a little sister who had special needs. She had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, so we had paramedics at the house quite often and spent a lot of time in the ER as a kid,” he says. “Whenever we had a problem at the house, we called the fire department and they made everything better. I wanted to do that.”

Schultz was in an Alaska hospital in critical, but stable, condition in a coma that lasted two months. He had pressure on his brain initially and was left unable to talk or walk after the accident. He was airlifted to Craig Hospital in Denver for further treatment for eight months. There, he made giant strides, literally.

In his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, Schultz became a firefighter and paramedic. For just over a decade, he enjoyed helping those in the community.

“I worked on some physical and cognitive rehab, relearning how to talk and walk,” he says. “I had to use a wheelchair for several months. They thought I might never walk again. Turns out I could.”

“One of my favorite things is having a person come to the station maybe six months after you helped them or a family member and say ‘Thank you so much for helping with my grandfather. You guys saved him.’ It’s really nice having that effect on the community,” Schultz says. But all of that changed in an instant. On June 5, 2017, Schultz was training on a firefighter ladder nearly 100 feet in the air when he fell to the ground. His fellow firefighters rushed to his aid, but things initially looked very grim. They couldn’t find a pulse. It was his fellow firefighters who saved his life. 2 • community • mccneb.edu

In February 2018, Schultz left Denver for Quality Living, Inc. in Omaha to continue his rehabilitation. Doctors wanted to ensure Schultz was able to take care of himself, skills he could gain in an assisted living setting. “While I was at QLI, they had me in a simulation department where I show them that I can live on my own, do my own laundry, cook for myself, fill my prescription box every week, go to a pharmacy and pick up my prescriptions,” Schultz says.

Along with his QLI rehab, Schultz was able to complete a very specific, special therapy with the help of Metropolitan Community College. “[QLI] tried to add a work piece to everything, which is where MCC came into play,” Schultz says. The College, along with the Omaha Fire Department, organized different training exercises and classes at its Applied Technology Center as part of his cognitive therapy. Schultz wasn’t officially enrolled in formal classes, but was able to train one-on-one and with MCC Fire Science and Emergency Services students to make sure his firefighter skills were topnotch for his eventual return to Alaska. “I was doing fire ground training like reaching through drywall, climbing through ladders up to a roof, swinging a sledgehammer against a tire. It’s stuff you would do on a fire ground. It was outstanding,” Schultz explains. “It felt great being able to do that. I could use the tools and everything like I used to. I got to do the EMS stuff. I was like ‘Okay, I can still do it.’”

Schultz is grateful for the opportunity MCC gave him to train and help him get closer to being 100 percent ready to return to the fire station. “It was so awesome,” he says. “I wouldn’t say I feel completely comfortable, but it certainly helped my whole recovery process. I am still doing outpatient physical therapy, but it helped tremendously.” In June of this year, just a little over a year after the initial fall, Schultz checked out of QLI and returned to Alaska, a “surreal experience,” he says. “It’s very exciting and encouraging to see where I was a year ago and where I am now. Last week, I was able to hike up in the mountains. I have been able to see lots of friends and show them the power of prayer and trusting that this is all going to have a happy outcome and that’s pretty cool,” he says. “To actually walk into a person’s house and hug them and say ‘Hey I’m here,’ is amazing.”

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What’s your beef? MCC culinary instructor shares grilling tips

etropolitan Community College culinary instructor Peter Walsh offers a breakdown of what you can expect from different cuts of beef and how to properly grill the perfect steak. With a few considerations, you will be able to choose the ideal steak and have your dinner guests singing praises. The featured cuts are three lesser known steaks—the flat iron steak, top sirloin steak and the tri-tip roast. The flat iron steak is flavorful and great for grilling. These steaks are quick cooking and packed with flavor. “The flat iron steak takes well to marinades or even just a dash of salt,” Walsh says.

Another option is the top sirloin steak. “The humble sirloin has been lost in the shuffle as of late with trendier cuts in the news. However, it remains a flavorful cut that’s lean, versatile and juicy. Top sirloins are ideal for steaks or cut into kabobs,” Walsh says. If you are planning a meal for several people, you may want to consider the tri-tip roast. A whole tri-tip weighs in around five pounds untrimmed, making it ideal for a group. The roast is boneless, fairly tender and full of flavor. “Grill whole to medium rare, then slice thin across the grain,” Walsh recommends.

Once you’ve chosen the cut, follow Chef Walsh’s tips for cooking the perfect steak:

Temper your steak. Allow your steak one hour to rise to room temperature before cooking. As your steak cooks, it will brown on the outside before the center is suitably warmed. The result will be overcooked meat with a smaller amount of pink or red to the center. Salt. Then salt again. Season with kosher or sea salt prior to grilling. Preseasoned steaks will taste better, brown more readily and be juicier on the plate. A great practice is to add salt, pepper or spices to your steaks when you take them out of the fridge to temper. Finally, after resting and slicing, sprinkle your plated steak with sea salt for a perfectly seasoned bite. Build a two-zone fire. A hot fire is best to get a great sear on your steak, but a cooler zone will help to finish cooking slowly for thick cuts. If using charcoal, keep half of the grill densely piled with coals, and the other half with coals spread out for a slower cook. If using a gas grill, set one burner to high heat and another to a low setting to create the best of both worlds.

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Use a thermometer. A quality digital instantread thermometer will be your best friend. Cooking by time is useless, and cooking by feel is inconsistent because different cuts of meat have different compositions. Temperature does not lie. Stop cooking at 125 degrees for medium rare beef. Let the meat rest. Your patience after cooking will be rewarded as the steak relaxes and juices are redistributed throughout the meat. Allow meat to rest one-third of the cooking time (at least five minutes). On thicker cuts, the internal temperature will actually continue to rise during the resting period. Cook one big steak for all to share. When cooking for family and friends, I almost never purchase individual steaks for my guests. Tracking temperatures for everyone can be a task even for a chef, and a thinner steak is harder to cook correctly. To achieve a deep char with a bright red center, grill a piece of meat that is 1 ½-2 inches thick. After resting, slice the steak and serve family style.

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A new approach to corporate training The Metropolitan Community College Workforce Innovation Division offers corporate training on site, online or at the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology. Training classes can be scheduled for days, nights or weekends.

WID offers: • • • •

Customized, company-specific employee training Industry-recognized workshops Job analysis to create training and proper resources Post-hire coaching and training to help train and retain new hires

To learn more about WID and its offerings, visit mccneb.edu/wid or call 531-MCC-4943. 6 • community • mccneb.edu

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING MCC STUDENTS SHARE WHAT THEY’D LIKE OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT THE COLLEGE “MCC is a great place for meeting new friends and networking in your chosen career field. The clubs and small class sizes allow you to build professional relationships with your peers and instructors, all of which open up opportunities to advance your skills, career goals and gain experience outside of the classroom.”

ESTELLE RAUTENBACH | CYBER SECURITY “MCC is easy to transition into—even if you’ve been out of school for years, as I have. The staff is ready to help you and is ready to answer any questions you may have about ‘going back to school.’ They are friendly and helpful, and they will help you decide what to pursue and how to pursue it. A piece of cake!”

JORDAN ARNOLD | GENERAL STUDIES

“The best part of my experience at MCC is the way my professors support my creativity and how they consistently provide me with new ways to explore that.”

CHANEA ROBINSON | PHOTOGRAPHY “MCC is the best place to start your college career. It is affordable, so you are able to save up, has flexible class schedules to fit any lifestyle, and is transferable to most four-year colleges. If you decide to change your major, it’s not a lot of money out of pocket, and most of the credits will likely still apply.”

MIA JOHNSON | LIBERAL ARTS/ACADEMIC TRANSFER community • mccneb.edu • 7

Program Spotlight:

Photography You can take an associate degree in Photography with you to just about anywhere. Professional photography is needed across all areas of business—helping promote the latest product, new building or marketing idea. There’s also high demand for someone who can capture special moments for families, news or fashion. Metropolitan Community College’s Photography program prepares students for a career as a professional photographer. Students in the program learn to solve photographic problems through the skillful use of camera, lighting, laboratory and electronic techniques. Included in the program are 8 • community • mccneb.edu

experiences in commercial, general and digital photography. The program also articulates with the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Fine Arts and Bellevue University, making the path to a four-year degree seamless. Professional photographers who operate their own business also need certain business skills. MCC’s program prepares students for life as an entrepreneur, helping them create business plans, submit bids, write contracts and market their work. To learn more about the MCC Photography program, visit mccneb.edu/photography.

GET TO KNOW TAMMY GREEN DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND IT: CAREER SKILLS AND ADULT EDUCATION What is your role at Metropolitan Community College and how do you serve the mission of the College? I work with community members to establish pipelines into the College’s programs and employment. I also oversee the Adult Basic Education program here at MCC. This provides opportunities for us to engage students beyond their GED or English Language Learner classes. What exciting new projects or initiatives are you working on at the moment? There are several new initiatives that we are working on. A major one is the Work Ready Communities Initiative. This initiative began with the intention of developing a community-wide impact model that helps students and community members with short- and long-term training programs. It also develops programs to improve work readiness skills that lead toward employability. Essentially, we are working with not-for-profit organizations and Heartland Workforce Solutions to train individuals in our community for both the workforce and advanced careers. We are also currently working out details to establish a work-readiness initiative and similar processes in the Fremont area community.

What are some of the highlights of your time so far at the College? One of my biggest highlights is watching the Project PROTO program meet its objectives and have an impact on the College. Project PROTO is a grant program that is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor TAACCT Grant, a Nebraska Department of Labor H1B Grant and a partnership with Heartland Workforce Solutions. Through this program we were able to pilot the Ellucian Advise CRM software, the appreciative advising coaching model, the earn-and-learn worker training and placement model, all while serving more than 800 students.

Tell our readers what you love about your job.

Anything else you’d like to add?

What I love about my job the most is seeing the impact MCC has on the community and students. I think we play a vital role in changing the work-readiness environment through our short-term certifications and through our degree programs. I also think that MCC provides the opportunity for everyone to obtain an education. This is an important step in bringing people out of poverty. I love the innovative opportunities that are available to me in my position. I love that MCC is an academic institution that thinks outside the box so it can address community needs.

I believe MCC has the richest programming and best staff members. I love walking through the campuses and centers and seeing all of the programs that we offer to both our community and our students. It’s incredible to see the instructors training students who will eventually be part of our local workforce. I think the Fort Omaha Campus is one of the most innovative areas in which we provide relevant training programs for our students. In my mind, this changes the economic dynamics of our community. community • mccneb.edu • 9

CONNECTED MANUFACTURING SPARKS NEW HUB AT MCC SOUTH OMAHA CAMPUS WILL BE HOME TO THE NEW CENTER FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 10 • community • mccneb.edu

s manufacturing moves more toward automation and robotics, skilled workers are needed to maintain and support these highly technical systems. The fact is, the manufacturing industry is growing and there aren’t enough skilled people to fill its jobs. That’s where Metropolitan Community College is stepping in.

MCC will renovate roughly 30,000 square feet of the Industrial Training Center on the College’s South Omaha Campus, creating the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The $10.5 million center will house programs in Drafting and Design, Electrical and Mechanical Maintenance, Precision Machining Technology, Process Operations Technology and Welding, while creating new degree options in the manufacturing field. The announcement of the project is a response to the community’s workforce needs. Many local manufacturers are short on skilled labor, creating demand for technicians, welders, machinists and other professions that require certifications and two-year degrees. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s local workforce projections from 2017-25 anticipate a 7.1 percent increase in the number of jobs in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing was identified as Nebraska’s second largest economic driver, employing nearly 10 percent of the state’s workforce. With that growth, the demand for workers is high. Many prospective employees also aren’t educated in the ever-changing technologies appearing in the manufacturing field. MCC wants to help fill the open positions available and be the go-to educational institution to prepare the labor pool.

Manufacturing will include more room for a high school career academy, coordinated offerings for incumbent worker training and manufacturing apprenticeship programs with industry partners. The College will also add a new degree option in Advanced Manufacturing, a field of study that encompasses modern skills needed for manufacturing in industries such as aerospace, medical device, pharmaceutical and energy. The new center won’t just include classroom and lab space for the trades, it will provide new space for MCC Military/ Veterans Services as well as Veterans Upward Bound, a federal TRIO program. Placing these services in the same building as high-demand job training is purposeful. Many veterans exit the service with skills ideal for the manufacturing industry. It’s a winning combination to have services for veterans in the same building says James Hawthrone, Veterans Upward Bound director. “Being located in a center where students are receiving training for today’s high-demand jobs is a great fit because a lot of our veterans possess the skills that will make them successful in the trades,” said Hawthrone. “It is our hope that prospective students who are veterans will enter the new center and see all of the career possibilities.” The project will be ready for students in the second half of 2019. The public can receive updates about the project by attending informational sessions held at the South Omaha Campus. Stay tuned to the College’s social media pages and MyHub for further information on dates and times.

“The Center for Advanced Manufacturing is Metropolitan Community College’s response to the state’s growing manufacturing workforce needs,” says Randy Schmailzl, MCC president. “The Nebraska Department of Economic Development expects the number of manufacturing jobs to grow significantly in the coming years. Local businesses are going to need skilled prospects to fill those positions. The curriculum at the new center will prepare students for fulfilling careers in advanced manufacturing, while helping local manufacturers compete nationally and internationally.” CAM will provide future programming in Introduction to Robotic Technology, Robotic Maintenance and Industrial Robotic Applications. The College also plans to develop multi-skilled technicians through a new CERT Robotics Certification Center. The Center for Advanced community • mccneb.edu • 11

VETERANS RECEIVE SUPPORT, BENEFITS AT MCC After leaving the military, some veterans may already know what they will be doing in their civilian life. For others, choices can be overwhelming or they could be looking for a new start following military duty. Metropolitan Community College has become a hub for veterans looking to further their education or change career fields following military retirement. There are many benefits veterans have access to while attending MCC, and they are taking advantage of them. 12 • community • mccneb.edu

“We normally have between 1,200 and 1,500 using their VA Education Benefits,” said Wilma Hjellum, director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs. “The number is larger for veterans attending school and who no longer have any VA Education Benefits, but are using federal financial aid or other resources.” MCC has a full-service office that aids veterans in the enrollment process, Hjellum says. Staff can show them how to access tuition benefits, how to enroll in classes and more. The College has many benefits available to veterans, including various G.I. Bills, Nebraska tuition waivers and even benefits for spouses of active service members. Some branches of the military also offer tuition assistance that can be used along with VA benefits. Paired with MCC’s already low tuition rates, veterans can receive a first-class education at a very minimal cost. Demetria Geralds, a fashion student at MCC, retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years and came to MCC to further her education. The Veterans Affairs office helped her get enrolled and eventually helped her when she switched majors. “The Veterans office has a wealth of resources,” she says. “It has been a great support and I have received the best guidance.”

For veterans who aren’t sure where to start, MCC has a newer program that can give them guidance. Veterans Upward Bound is new to the College and is available for up to 125 veterans a year looking to further their post-secondary education. It helps students get started on their educational journey, whatever path they choose, says James Hawthrone, director of the program. “Veterans Upward Bound is a grant-funded program by the Department of Education. The program essentially has two goals. The first is to increase the number of veterans who apply for secondary education. The second is to increase the success rate of those veterans who apply for secondary education,” he says. The program aims to serve veterans who have not enrolled in college yet. It serves as more of a refresher course or prerequisite program. It will also become part of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (see page 11) and the close proximity will greatly benefit veterans. There are three main requirements for a veteran to enroll in Veterans Upward Bound, Hawthrone says. “They must be a first-generation student. They must be low income and they have to be at risk of failure,” Hawthrone says. While that sounds harsh, “at risk of failure” doesn’t mean what it sounds like, Hawthrone explains.

“I have some students who are with me for two months, others for a year. I had a student walk in last week. He called on Monday, essentially had everything he needed and he enrolled in the CDL Truck Driving program and will start in October.” After completing Veterans Upward Bound, vets can enroll in college, whether at MCC or somewhere else. Hawthrone says that many stay at MCC because the College offers a program they wish to enroll in. MCC offers a lot of help to veterans, Cynthia GoochGrayson, Ph.D., associate vice president of Equity and Inclusion, says, that will help them get off on the right foot for their future. “The College’s informal slogan is ‘start here, go anywhere.’ We are a great first step for those veterans to go anywhere.” Hawthrone says it’s programs like Veterans Upward Bound, among other veteran services at the College, that make him proud to work here. “Part of the reason why I accepted this position is because MCC is one of the leaders in veteran student support. I think MCC offers support in deed and not in words only. We go above and beyond to assist these veterans, not just to get them an education, but to help them succeed,” he says.

“Any veteran who has been separated from the academic arena for two or more years is at-risk,” Hawthrone says. “They just need additional educational support, be it science or math, English or writing.” To apply for Veterans Upward Bound, vets can visit the South Omaha Campus, Industrial Training Center, room 102. They will fill out an application and an advisor will help them get started at the College. “We ask them questions about their demographics, what skills they have and what they have an interest in,” Hawthrone explains. “If they are interested in refresher courses, we find out where they are academically. Then we create an educational plan to help them enroll in college.” Students can stay in the Veterans Upward Bound program as long as they feel is necessary and each student is different, Hawthrone says.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AT MCC, VISIT MCCNEB.EDU/VETERANS OR CALL 531-MCC-2400. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VETERANS UPWARD BOUND, CALL 531-MCC-4718.

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! W O N E G E L L O C UCATION D E R E H G I H START ON P M U J A S R E SCHOOL GIVES HIGH

igh school students are often told to prepare for their future. For many students, that future includes furthering their education. Metropolitan Community College offers different options for high schoolers to get an early start on their college education, such as Career Academies and dual enrollment. Another option high school students have at MCC is CollegeNOW!, a program that allows high school students to register for MCC classes at a discount. “They can take classes with half-price tuition, effective through the summer after they graduate,” says Sarah Hayden of MCC Secondary Partnerships.

To take classes through CollegeNOW!, students must meet with an MCC academic advisor who will help them along the way, Hayden says. Once they speak with an advisor, they can take prerequisite classes like math and English, as well as whatever other classes they have an interest in on campus or online. That is one aspect that sets CollegeNOW! apart from dual enrollment and Career Academies. “Career Academies are preset with three quarters of courses,” Hayden explains. “CollegeNOW! allows them to take really whatever they want. It’s a pretty cool gig.” CollegeNOW! is beneficial, Hayden says, because students can start chipping away at college courses before they even set foot on a college campus.

Since its beginning in 2007, many high schools throughout the metro area encourage their students to participate in CollegeNOW!, says Chuck Chevalier, associate vice president of Secondary Partnerships.

“If you’re taking a certain course and you have the opportunity to get college credit, why not do it at half price?” Hayden says. “You can start that lifelong learning.”

“Some schools have one student while others have whole groups that sign up,” Chevalier says. “We also find that home school students participate quite heavily.”

The program follows the College’s mission statement, Chevalier says, in that CollegeNOW! serves everyone interested and gives them access to a great education.

CollegeNOW! is usually available for students 16 and older, but if a younger student is feeling prepared, they can also enroll with permission from teachers and parents, says Chevalier.

“It provides that doorway for students who are college ready, regardless of where they are in the city, four-county area or high school they attend,” Chevalier says. “It gives everyone an opportunity.”

“It’s for people who can handle college work,” he explains. “If they take English or math classes, they have to take an ACCUPLACER test like other students or we may accept their ACT score.” 14 • community • mccneb.edu

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLEGENOW PROGRAM, VISIT MCCNEB.EDU/COLLEGENOW.

Leveling the playing field

The College focuses on abilities rather than disabilities

mbarking on a college career can bring a little anxiety to any student. For a student with a disability, typical concerns can mean a whole new challenge. That’s where Metropolitan Community College’s Disability Support Services can assist. The College has a long history of being responsive and engaged in offering disability-related services to provide students access to all programs and activities offered at MCC. The mission of DSS, a branch of the office of Student Advocacy and Accountability, is to cultivate an accessible environment where students are valued on the basis of their abilities rather than disabilities. This is done by providing qualified MCC students with the tools and support to ensure they have access to all programs and activities. DSS counselors work with students with disabilities to create an individualized plan that addresses how the College can accommodate their specific needs. To qualify for accommodations, a student must disclose their disability to DSS, and provide documentation in some instances, as well as request assistance. Once their needs have been identified and a plan has been formulated, common accommodations and educational adjustments provided to DSS students may include note takers, testing accommodations,

alternate format texts or materials, readers or scribes, sign language interpreters, assistive technology, academic or executive function coaching and more. In addition to these arrangements, DSS counselors work with students to resolve disability-related issues that may impact academics, and make referrals to other services and agencies such as MCC Learning and Tutoring Centers, the MCC Student Success Center and the Nebraska State Vocational Rehabilitation Office. Training on disability-related issues is provided by DSS to students, faculty, staff and community members. “DSS served more than 1,400 students with disabilities in 2016-17. Our numbers only reflect those who have disclosed a documented disability, not all students at MCC with disabilities,” says Julie Langholdt, MCC dean of Student Advocacy and Accountability. “While MCC continues to serve the largest number of students with disabilities of any college in Nebraska, we recognize there are many more students at MCC who could benefit from DSS services.” For information about Disability Support Services, eligibility or to request accommodations, visit mccneb.edu/disabilitysupportservices. community • mccneb.edu • 15

Commencement A time to

Celebrate

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etropolitan Community College hosted its annual Commencement ceremony to recognize students who graduated in the last academic year on May 11. More than 1,700 students graduated with associate degrees or certificates of achievement. The ceremony was held at Baxter Arena. Student speaker, Nyemuoch Tot, spoke about how sometimes working on a project that may not start off great can turn into something wonderful in the end. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” Tot said. “The mistakes may lead to other beautiful things. There is not a mistake that cannot be fixed.” Tot also said that taking a risk is important in order to grow and learn. “I had my sights set elsewhere, but I took a leap of faith,” Tot said about choosing MCC. “Risk requires a leap of faith that may result in a loss or a gain.”

For other students, they either enter the workforce or continue their education further after graduation. Emily O’Keefe, a Liberal Arts Transfer graduate, plans to obtain her bachelor’s degree. “I am going to take a year off and then go to University of Nebraska at Omaha for Special Education,” O’Keefe said. “I like working with special needs kids.” Anjela Rush, who graduated with her Associate of General Studies, also said she would be returning to UNO to get her degree in Social Work. “I have a heart for helping people,” she said. The 2018 ceremony recognized students who completed their degrees or certificates in 2017 fall, 2017-18 winter, 2018 spring and 2018 summer quarters.

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YOU LEAR N SOMET H FIVE CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES YOU DIDN’T KNOW MCC OFFERED

or decades, Metropolitan Community College’s Continuing Education department has offered classes on a multitude of topics. Each quarter, along with the tried-and-true classes, there are new ones that might catch your eye. Here are a few classes to consider when you are looking for a new hobby, skill or just a day of fun.

To register for Continuing Education classes, visit mccneb.edu/ce.

WEIGHT LOSS HYPNOSIS When people think of being hypnotized, they usually imagine the pocket watch going back and forth and someone saying, “You are getting verrrrry sleeeeeepy.” But weight loss hypnosis is different. You are lying on the floor with a pillow and blanket before drifting off into a hypnotic state. Upon waking, your mindset toward food and dieting is changed. You don’t need to change what you eat or anything else about your lifestyle. After this session, participants are said to feel full faster and eat less instantly.

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BEEKEEPING BASICS Come learn what all the buzz is about (sorry, we had to). Beekeeping has become a popular hobby that has amazing benefits to the ecosystem. MCC offers an array of beekeeping classes from the beginning (Intro to Beekeeping) to end of the process (Harvesting Honey from Your Beehive). You can also learn about how to best manage hives, honey bee behavior to watch for and even organic and less common beekeeping methods.

ING NEW EVE RY DAY

BEGINNER’S COUNTRY LINE DANCING It’s time to dust off your cowboy boots. This class will show you how to do six basic line dances, as well as a few others. Those who sign up do not need to bring a dance partner. Soon, you’ll be able to lead the pack at the country western bars.

FAIRY GARDEN LANDSCAPING While the College often offers classes on how to tend to a real garden, MCC also offers classes on how to care for a much smaller one, too. Fairy gardens are miniature gardens that are created in a flower bed, flower pot or other containers. They have miniature garden features such as fountains, benches, bridges and more. An MCC instructor will show you how to start a fairy garden or enhance the one you already have at home.

MYSTERY TOUR MCC offers various traveling classrooms throughout the year. Typcially, you know what you’re signing up for and choose something that interests you. But MCC also offers trips where the destination is unknown until you sign up. A few hints are given, but otherwise travelers should be prepared for any twist or turn that lies ahead. If you are adventurous and can go with the flow, this class is an exciting way to see and try something new.

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rowing up in the African nation of Benin, life was tough for Hubert Charles Ahovissi.

travels to different schools around Nebraska and Iowa and teaches students about African life through song and dance.

“It was hard,” Ahovissi says. “I had 22 brothers and sisters. My father had three wives. Sometimes, they weren’t able to afford school for us.”

“I teach the aspect of life in Africa before colonization. This aspect of life has dance, rhythm and activities,” Ahovissi says. “What we usually teach and perform is old tradition.”

Because of that lack of funds, Ahovissi only attended school until he was 15. But he started at a dance school that would soon change his life.

His work is important, Ahovissi says, because it shows elements of African life that aren’t always discussed.

“Once you got to a high level, they would pay for you to attend,” he says. “It was like a scholarship.” Soon, the group was traveling all over the globe. One of those stops was Omaha in 1998 and again in 1999. During his 1999 visit to Omaha, Ahovissi met the woman who would become his wife. After briefly returning to Africa, he moved to Omaha permanently in March 2000. He soon met people in the community, as well as members of the Nebraska Arts Council and began to form an African dance group. In 2001, Ahovissi decided it was time to get a start on his education. He enrolled at Metropolitan Communication College to improve his English and communication skills. “I liked the price. I also liked how I could go at my own pace,” he says. “I was trying to build a family and trying to build a dance group. Sometimes I would take one class and sometimes three classes.” Ahovissi received his Associate in Liberal Arts Academic Transfer in 2013 so he can continue his education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Ahovissi credits his MCC education with helping him make his nonprofit, African Culture Connection, a success. ACC

“If a kid goes to the library and grabs a book about Africa, they won’t see everything. They only get the aspect of life through the way we do it with costume, dance and rhythm,” he says. ACC has come to MCC for its annual International Fair multiple times, visited various classes during Black History Month and hosted art shows at different campus locations. This spring, Ahovissi was nominated for and chosen to receive MCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award, an honor given once a year to a former student of the College who has shown personal or professional achievement, gives back to the community and is involved with or supports MCC postgraduation. He was honored to receive the recognition. “I was just so surprised,” Ahovissi says. “To see myself at that level after graduating five years ago, I thank everyone who plays a part.” Ahovissi credits MCC for his success and says the price, flexible scheduling and helpful faculty and staff were all factors along the way. “MCC helped me a lot,” he says. “The professors appreciate the students and make them feel comfortable and welcome. I was touched by that. That degree helped me make sure I can express myself and communicate. Because of that help, I was able to create and lead a group. MCC will always be at the top of my list.”

-H ub ert Cha rl es A hovis si community • mccneb.edu • 21

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. 22 • community • mccneb.edu

Call 531-MCC-2346 to order.

MCC AUTO COLLISION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM GIVEN NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Program RECEIVES Tier 1 designation T

he Collision Repair Education Foundation awarded

We couldn’t accomplish any of this without the support from

Metropolitan Community College’s Auto Collision

our community-based advisory board or the supportive staff

Technology program a Tier 1 designation under their new Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark framework. MCC’s program is one of 17 nationwide to be given the designation and the only one in Nebraska.

and administration.” MCC’s program prepares students for the industry by covering the entire scope of the field, including basic and advanced metal finishing repair, frame repair and alignment, panel

Auto collision programs across the country are recognized at

replacement, major body repair and all aspects of automotive

different levels based upon criteria that focus on the number

painting using the latest technology.

of hours of instruction, curriculum in place, along with the tools, equipment and supplies used to prepare students for employment in the industry. Founded in 1991, the Collision Repair Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect

“We are educating students to become successful technicians in the automotive industry,” says Baker. “They have the opportunity to work on community service projects such as Recycled Rides and earn certifications from I-CAR in Nonstructural Repair and Refinishing.”

them with an array of career opportunities. Earning the Tier

For more information about MCC’s Auto Collision Technology

1 designation from the foundation means a lot to the faculty

program, visit mccneb.edu/auto-collision-technology.

of the College. “To be recognized as a Tier 1 program is a testament to the great strides we have made,” says Joe Baker, Auto Collision Technology instructor. “Our industry has a dire need for new technicians and we are proud to be a school that can deliver.

MCC’s Auto Collision Technology program is the only Tier 1 program in Nebraska. community • mccneb.edu • 23

HISTORIC FORT OMAHA BALLOON SCHOOL COMES TO LIFE IN PLAY Metropolitan Community College’s Theatre program performed “Balloon School Scrapbook” in a series of plays that were hosted across the College’s locations, including the outdoor amphitheater on the Fort Omaha Campus. The one-act production brought characters and stories surrounding the old Fort Omaha Balloon School to life. To help prepare for the performance, the MCC Theatre program partnered with the Douglas County Historical Society. Students also used new digital tools at the College’s Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology to sort through letters, newspaper articles, military documents, photos, speeches and poems to help create the script. The Fort Omaha Balloon School began in 1916 as the United States was potentially facing a world war. After the nation entered the war, the school expanded to Florence Field

in North Omaha to provide additional space for balloon training. Balloons were primarily used for observation of troop movements and installations in World War I. More than 16,000 airmen went through training at the Fort Omaha Balloon School, which disbanded in the years following the war when airplanes became the primary source for military air surveillance.

AROUND THE

COLLEGE MCC UTILITY LINE RODEO PREPARES STUDENTS FOR THE REAL WORLD

The annual College Utility Line Rodeo tested students in vital components of the industry, preparing them for pressure-packed situations. Following a written exam, students performed various work procedures required for their trade. The competition gives students the opportunity to use the skills they have learned in class in preparation for their careers. “Students will have to face many difficult situations in the field. The lineman competition gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills while preparing for the next phase in their career,” said Rich Newcomer, Utility Line technician instructor at MCC. 24 • community • mccneb.edu

KIDS ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAMP CULMINATES WITH SMALL MARKET Metropolitan Community College’s Kids Biz Entrepreneurship, held at MCC North Express in July, taught youth ages 12-15 about marketing strategies and introduced them to ways they could start their own business. The weeklong class ended with camp participants selling products they created outside MCC North Express, drawing public interest and community shoppers. Students sold homemade salsa, cookies, necklaces, magic tricks and more. “The camp aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to start their own business or improve an existing one,” said Daphne Cook, MCC North Express manager. “Students could explore building a brand by creating a product, learn about marketing and receive positive feedback from different speakers.” The camp was part of MCC’s College for Teens noncredit course programming.

MCC A HOST SITE FOR NEBRASKA SCIENCE FESTIVAL

Giggling, cheering and excitement echoed through the halls of the South Omaha Campus for the annual Nebraska Science Festival. Taking a look inside the classrooms revealed that not only were families enjoying themselves, but they were learning about science. The festival, which began in 2013, focuses on educating the public on scientific topics through hands-on experiences. At MCC, the free festival focused on educating children on biology, chemistry and physics. The activities were games, crafts or demonstrations led by MCC science instructors. “People are usually scared of science,” said Sarah Jeffers, coordinator for the festival. “But [the festival] shows them that it’s so much fun. They get a chance to have fun with science.” community • mccneb.edu • 25

Metropolitan Community College P.O. Box 3777 Omaha, NE 68103-0777

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