Community Magazine Volume 8, Issue 1 by Metropolitan Community College

COMMUNITy the magazine of Metropolitan community college Volume 8, Issue 1

CAPS OFF TO THE GRADUATES page 6

CONTENTS 1 2

A letter from the MCC Foundation

4 5

Class makes coffee shop idea a reality

Innovation connects local company at MCC

What students are saying Graduates share their wisdom

Caps off to the graduates

8 MCC partners with Avenue Scholars to expose high school students to trade schools

9 12

Caps off to the graduates

SkillsUSA competition lets students shine

A good fit Fashion design student finds local and national success through MCC

14 South Omaha Campus project seeing progress

SkillsUSA competition lets students shine

16 Reuse, Reduce, Recycle MCC shines in all three categories

18 Summertime and this cobbler is easy 20 Students with early success start at MCC

24 Around the College

The new Kickstart Online Institute

A good Fit—Fashion student finds local and national success through mcc

Summertime and this cobbler is easy

Volume 8, Issue 1

Credits

Community is a quarterly publication of Metropolitan Community College. Contact the editor at 531-MCC-2876 or darayment@mccneb.edu.

Lead editor and contributor: Derek Rayment

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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Assistant editors and contributors: Katherine Leszczynski and Jenny Milligan Lead art direction: Trevor Pikop Art contributors: Jade Dyer and Susana Ruiz-Morales

A Letter from THE MCC Foundation Dear friends and supporters, There is nothing like a Metropolitan Community College graduation ceremony. Approximately 1,500 students graduated in May and their milestone was met with cheering and applause. Commencement transformed Baxter Arena into an academic arena with an abundance of fans cheering on their student’s success. At MCC, we celebrate student achievement. In this edition, you will read some of the ways we applaud our students, alumni, partners and community members. We celebrate taking that first step to pursuing higher education. This year, we welcomed 93 seniors from Millard South High School who received associate degrees from MCC while in high school. Early college opportunities abound at MCC. As you will read in this edition, there are early college opportunities at Fremont High School, where students created a now-thriving coffee shop and the Kickstart Online Institute, allowing high school students an opportunity to earn college credit online. We celebrate our students who work hard to hone their skills. MCC SkillsUSA students continue to bring home medals at the statewide competition and advance to the national championship. The competition features high school and college students from across Nebraska as a showcase of career and technical education. Participants work against the clock and each other, to prove their expertise in various fields. We celebrate our community partners who join with us to develop new programs and educational offerings. One example is the MCC Workforce Innovation Division’s partnership with Mutual of Omaha that helps train and retain talent for Omaha. Thank you for investing in student success–we celebrate you. Sincerely,

Jacqueline C. Almquist, Ph.D. Executive director

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Innovation Connects Mutual of Omaha to MCC

utual of Omaha and Metropolitan Community College are forging a new path for how companies and educational institutions can work together to uplift the greater community. Inside the MCC Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology, a group of Mutual of Omaha software developers are going through Java 3 training, building skills that help in managing behind-thescenes aspects of web applications. These developers are staying up-to-date on the latest technology to make simple actions seamless for their end users.

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“The long-term goal is to create a fully customized training pipeline for Mutual of Omaha’s software developers, from initial Java learning through the advanced Java 3 course,” says Skip Paschall, the course’s instructor. The developing Java course pipeline is only one example of the company’s partnerships with the MCC Workforce Innovation Division that has spanned nearly a decade. “Mutual of Omaha is a shining example of a true strategic partnership in which college and business can work together fully and successfully. What started off as a small pilot program involving Mutual of Omaha and the Greater Omaha Chamber has evolved into what we have today. Growing deep, strategic partnerships with businesses like Mutual of Omaha is the purpose of the Workforce Innovation Division,” says Tom Pensabene, associate vice president of MCC WID. Andrea Hargus, director of Human Resources for Mutual of Omaha agrees that it’s been a fruitful partnership because it aligns with the company’s goals. “Innovation is one of our core values. Learning, growth and development are essential to our customer-centric mission to ensure our employees have the skills that will keep Mutual of Omaha on the cutting edge and relevant to our customers in the future,” says Hargus.

Customized training from MCC has complemented Mutual of Omaha’s in-house training to keep its 5,000 employees thriving. “MCC does a great job of creating training for an organization of our size,” says Jared Streeter with Mutual of Omaha’s Corporate Operations. Streeter has worked with MCC to deliver leadership development training in Agile, Lean and Kata to Mutual of Omaha employees. He also enrolled 16 employees in the College’s Project Management Institute. “Certifications for unique skills, like Kata or Lean, can be just as meaningful as a master’s degree when it comes to employee development and advancement,” says Streeter. WID plans to open a code school in September, which will offer a full stack of web development courses to those wanting to learn or advance skills in that area, including Mutual of Omaha employees. The nine-month, segmented program is designed to meet individuals where they are with training that can be completed while working parttime or lighter full-time hours. To help empower its employees to pursue their own development, Mutual of Omaha also offers tuition reimbursement. “MCC offers our employees an incredible amount of flexibility and customization with options for in-person, on-site, online or blended learning solutions,” Hargus says.

WID also assists Mutual of Omaha job candidates with interview and résumé preparation, helping create a talent pipeline for Mutual of Omaha. The strong partnership between MCC and Mutual of Omaha extends to the community as well. The Mutual of Omaha Foundation has invested in MCC’s 180 Re-entry Assistance Program at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, a program that provides education and handson training. “We feel this investment helps to set women up for success as they make the transition into the Omaha community,” says Kim Armstrong, community programs manager. “Delivering highly relevant training for a changing workforce is a niche that MCC has figured out how to serve,” says Hargus. “We’re very proud of our partnership.” For more information about WID, visit mccneb.edu/WID.

MCC and Mutual of Omaha partnership encourages professional development. community • mccneb.edu • 3

Class makes cof fee shop idea a reality

nstead of seeking out the nearest vending machine before class, students at Fremont High School can grab a quick cup of coffee, ice tea or other fresh beverage at Deja Brew, a student-run coffee shop created in a dual-credit entrepreneurship class. Deja Brew, open in fall 2018, is the result of creative entrepreneurial spirit among 20 students. The students are responsible for the concept, name, tag line, graphics, menu and supporting business plan. The collaboration between Fremont High School and Metropolitan Community College was evident throughout the process, with FHS instructor Matt Burg and MCC Business Management and Entrepreneurship instructor Dan Smith co-teaching the class. “The students were able to learn through classroom instruction as well as practical experience,” says

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Smith. “Students explored feasibility, initiation and operational logistics, including margin calculations and finance.” Smith, who provided some customer service training to students prior to the shop opening, says students who work at the coffee shop as juniors are responsible for training new students once they are seniors. Deja Brew is open four hours daily, five days a week and for special events. The shop offers a competitive and diverse menu, with coffee, ice tea, cappuccino, lattes, sodas, iced coffee and muffins. “Monthly net profit consistently ranges from $1,200 to $1,400,” says Smith. The proceeds go to FHS clubs and activities. All start-up costs were covered by FHS.

“Deja Brew is unique in its scope and operation,” Smith explains. “It’s one of the few, if not the only high school, full-service coffee shop with all operational procedures handled by students in the Midwest. It’s a true business incubator.” Students who work two years at Deja Brew are eligible to receive an MCC certificate in Entrepreneurship. This is in addition to the college credit that FHS students can earn through dualcredit MCC Entrepreneurship courses. For more information about MCC dual-credit options, visit mccneb.edu/secondary-partnerships. For more information about MCC Entrepreneurship classes, visit mccneb.edu/entrepreneurship.

What students are saying graduates share their wisdom ////////////////////////////////////////////////////

ou learn a lot while working toward your degree, and not just from textbooks and class lectures. Graduating students shared the advice they would give other students who are just beginning their educational journey, as well as their plan for their future.

Don’t give up, no matter how long it seems like it’s taking, how many times it seems like you’re failing. Just don’t give up. If you keep going and keep asking questions, you will succeed and get through it. Once I graduate, I plan to take what I have learned here at MCC and apply them to a reputable web development company where I will expand my knowledge and skills.

-Vanessa Kasun | Web Development My advice to new students is to just do it. Jump in and give it your all. It will be hard work and there will be plenty of obstacles to plow through, but in the end, it is worth it. Get to know your academic advisors, instructors and fellow students. They become a much-needed support system and can be imperative in guiding you to the finish line. I’m planning to use my degree to achieve my goal of becoming a professional chef/caterer, to take something that I have always had a passion for and make it my life's work. My grandmother always said “if you enjoy the work you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” My degree will help me put that theory to the test.

-Kareca Moore | Culinary Arts Management

Talk to your advisors and people in the industry that you are thinking of entering to ensure you are going into a line of work that is best for you. After I graduate, I will be working for Omaha Public Power District and hopefully stay there the rest of my life.

-Mason Voucher | Utility Line Technician

To share your story or update, visit surveymonkey.com/r/FANstudentsurvey. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// community • mccneb.edu • 5

Caps off to the

ore than 1,500 students filled Baxter Arena and waited to take their seats for the Metropolitan Community College annual Commencement Ceremony. The College’s commencement ceremony recognizes students who have completed their degree or certificate of achievement between the 2018 fall quarter and the 2019 spring quarter.

As the soon-to-be graduates waited to enter the arena, they adjusted graduation caps and took photos together. Many students stepped up to the behind-the-scenes interview area and talked with MCC enrollment staff about the path they took to arrive at this momentous day, as well as what they plan to do in the future. While the eager graduates lined up to enter the arena, abuzz with anticipation, thousands of their friends and family filled the stands, waiting with just as much as excitement. Countless hours of hard work and perseverance brought these students to this moment and now their moment to shine while walking across the stage had arrived. Upon graduating, these students join the ranks of nearly 40,000 MCC graduates who completed their studies at the College over its 44-year history. With the commencement ceremony in the books, it doesn’t mean that students must lose contact with the connections they’ve made throughout their MCC experience. The Friends and Alumni Network connects more than 28,000 alumni who have established themselves in their field of expertise and are using the skills they gained at the College to better serve our communities. To stay informed about MCC and alumni, join FANS at mccneb.edu/fans. 6 • community • mccneb.edu

graduates

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MCC PARTNERS WITH AVENUE SCHOLARS TO EXPOSE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TRADE SCHOOLS

t is becoming more common for high schools to show students a wide variety of career path options, such as the medical field, fire science, different trades and more.

Recently, Metropolitan Community College partnered with Avenue Scholars Foundation students and the Builder Foundation’s Builders of the Future program to show them how to work with their hands to create something together. Mike Bowder, the program facilitator for Builders of the Future, says the program exposes students to different trades and allows students from all over the Omaha area to create something in the process. “We have opportunities to build sheds, playhouses, anything students can build on a larger scale,” Bowder explains. Students from Omaha Public Schools were brought to Innovation Central inside the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology and given all the tools and instruction to complete the shed. LaTaija Broadway, a junior at Omaha North High Magnet School and aspiring civil engineer, worked with a team of other students to complete the shed. Students were taught safety measures, the importance of listening to instructions and how vital teamwork is. “We were introduced to each part of the shed that we had to construct, but it was up to us to analyze and internalize that information to get the shed built as efficiently as we could,” she says. “At first, things were confusing. I had never put together a structure this large before.”

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Bowder says the students go from not knowing how to use any tools comfortably and feeling unsure how to build, to confidently using and identifying different tools, as well as building something successfully. “It’s not as difficult as it sounds. A lot of it is the unknown,” Bowder says. “Once you learn the basics, it’s very simple. Once they get over that and understand the sequence, it makes sense. The exposure to that information is what’s important.” Students learned a lot about the construction process and important tips and tricks to make the project go smoothly. Instructors and professionals in the construction business were on hand to teach students different skills and direct them as they constructed the shed. The experience ended up going well, Broadway says, with her team completing the building process. “The build was amazing. It was definitely a challenge, but if you’re not challenged when doing something, you probably shouldn’t be doing it,” Broadways says. “I valued the experience and opportunity to do something new and learn new things. We were saying ‘Wow, we really just built a shed.’” This program helps students see a career opportunity in a highdemand field they might not have considered before, Bowder says, and that MCC can help them achieve their goals. “The demand for people in the trades is high,” he says. “The wages for trades are just going crazy. A lot of kids don’t know all the options. We are trying to expose them to so many.”

SkillsUSA competition lets

Students Shine E

very April, students from all over Nebraska converge to put their skills and talents to the test in a variety of categories that include trades, arts and other academics.

The state conference is a great way for students to show off their knowledge and skill against others like them in the state, says Trevor Secora, MCC Construction Science instructor, who had seven students competing in SkillsUSA.

The 2019 SkillsUSA Nebraska State Leadership Conference was held in Grand Island April 11-13. Students from Nebraska high schools and colleges competed for the chance to advance to the national conference in Louisville, Kentucky during the summer.

“They really get to showcase their talents against their peers,” Secora says. “They get to see how they stand among the best of the best.”

More than 130 students represented Metropolitan Community College at this year’s state conference in categories such as photography, electrical technology, public speaking and more.

Zach Pechacek, SkillsUSA coordinator and instructor for MCC, said this opportunity is great for students, not only to see how they stack up among people their own age, but also to grab the attention of people in the industry looking for new hires.

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“It’s the best job interview in the world,” Pechacek says. Students start preparing months in advance for their designated competitions, often coming in before and after class to practice and perfect their craft. Many MCC students felt confident following their competitions, with many placing first, second or third in their groups. Bill Gray, Leah Reichwaldt and Kevin Bang, all MCC Welding Technology students, competed as a team in Welding Fabrication, placing second overall. The group had

to build a rocket stove, a stove that gets hot without any flame. The group felt good about how they performed. “We have to use teamwork, time management and safety. Plus, we had to use three welding processes,” Reichwaldt says. Gray says representing MCC at SkillsUSA is exciting, as it brings awareness to trades as a career choice for many. “It’s good to represent the College, and it’s bringing awareness to welding in general,” he explains. “We want

To learn more about 10 • community • mccneb.edu

MCC at SkillsUSA,

SkillsUSA competition lets

Students Shine SkillsUSA is a national organization that serves middle school, high school and college students in programs preparing them for technical, skilled and service careers.

to make people realize it’s OK to use your hands for your career.” Christopher Olsen, a student in the Electrical Technology program who participated in a commercial and residential electrical competition, said that MCC and SkillsUSA helped him find a career path that excited him. “In high school, I didn’t think about a career. Now, I have found something I really want to do,” Olsen says. “I don’t get excited about a lot, but I get excited about this.”

Overall, MCC students received more than 50 medals in 20 different categories. The College was also bestowed the Builders Award, an honor given to high schools or colleges that grow their SkillsUSA chapter the most. Pechacek said the MCC chapter has 152 members, including advisors and students. “The growth is good,” Pechacek says. “It will hopefully increase involvement in the trades which we hope leads to closing the skills gap.”

contact Zach Pechacek at zmpechacek@mccneb.edu. community • mccneb.edu • 11

‘A GOOD FIT’ Fashion Design student finds local and national success through MCC

ow people dress themselves can be a great way to gain a lense into their artistic point of view. How designers dress others is an even better way.

Agustin Delgado, a student in the Fashion Design program at Metropolitan Community College, speaks volumes about himself through the clothing he designs. His garments nod to what and who inspires him. Delgado, a native of Mexico, says that growing up with family members who worked with clothing is what sparked his interest in fashion. “Growing up, my great-grandmother raised me while my parents were in the states,” Delgado explains. “She was a seamstress so she did a lot of special orders, like wedding dresses. Her big thing was doing fine detailing on pillowcases. She did a lot of beading and embroidery. That’s where that notch comes from for me.”

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When he went to junior high, Delgado knew that he wanted to be a designer after taking a home economics class. He was introduced to a sewing machine and loved working with it. “From that point on, it was about learning the whole sewing machine. Everything I had seen in the past was hand-sewn. Going forward, I knew that I could see myself doing it,” he explains.

After high school, Delgado put his dream career path on hold. He planned to attend a college in California with a fashion program, but the school closed. Then, family health issues brought him to Omaha. He continued to sew in his free time, but didn’t pursue it professionally. Two years ago, Delgado searched MCC online. He wanted to start there, earn as many credits as he could, and transfer to a four-year school. But something caught his eye. “I learned there was a fashion program,” he says with a laugh. “I signed up for an art class. And from then on, I have had fashion classes.”

Over the past two years, Delgado has excelled. He has learned the back end of fashion design, how to put his ideas into sketches and how to grow as a designer. During Delgado’s first year at MCC, Omaha Fashion Week representatives visited his class, telling them how they could aspire to show their collections. After hearing such an inspiring message, Delgado thought that maybe his “one day” could be a lot sooner. There was some self-doubt though.

London Fashion Week representatives reached out to Delgado with an invitation to show his collection. While flattered by the invitation, he couldn’t cover the cost. In response, NYFW offered him a spot in a scholarship program that guides emerging designers and helps cover costs for their future shows. “They’re waiting for me,” he says. “They extended it through 2020.” On top of it all, casting directors for Bravo’s “Project Runway” came to Delgado too, asking if he would like to be on the show. Again, he was flattered, but the timing wasn’t right. He was preparing a collection for OFW and he didn’t want to stretch himself too thin.

“I thought ‘I really want to, but I don’t think I’m good enough,’” he says. Delgado sat down to talk with MCC Fashion Design instructor, Nanci Stephenson. She reassured him, Delgado says, that he had the talent and drive to do this.

“I wanted to finish something,” he says. “Otherwise, I’m going to wear myself out. Baby steps is what I tell everyone.”

“I said ‘This is what I have. Do you think I have what it takes?’ She said to do it, start small and have no doubt,” he says. Delgado has gone on to show twice at OFW, with a third showing on the horizon. He even won the showcase in spring 2018. His looks include elaborate headpieces, beading, feathers and more. He draws inspiration from everything, whether it be his family and past, or everyday activities.

“

Even if it’s just one garment being in the Museum of Modern Art in New York,” he says. “That has always been a goal.

“It’s literally everywhere,” he explains. “It goes back to my great-grandma. She had an eye for classical music and art. When I am in that inspiring mode, I tend to look at a lot of history books and get lost in the art. Slowly, ideas will come up. But it’s everything. It could be a snowy day and how the snow falls on a branch even.”

Delgado’s local success has garnered national attention. Social media helped Delgado’s creations catch the eye of many. After his first OFW show, New York Fashion Week and

Finishing what Delgado has started includes graduating from MCC. He wants to intern for a major fashion house out of state, too, and then show at NYFW or London. With all the opportunities and goals he has in front of him, one, in particular, will make him the happiest. “Even if it’s just one garment being in the Museum of Modern Art in New York,” he says. “That has always been a goal.”

Delgado is grateful and humbled by his success over the past two years, crediting MCC and Stephenson in particular for helping him achieve all he has done. “She is my go-to person,” he says. “It is always nice to have someone like that. She has been very helpful. MCC and its staff, everyone I encounter goes beyond. It’s been a good fit.” community • mccneb.edu • 13

SOUTH OMAHA CAMPUS PROJECT SEEING PROGRESS

ig changes are happening at the South Omaha Campus. One major project, comprised of two phases, will help usher in new programming and give current programs more space to operate.

The new building will be LEED-certified, keeping with the College’s mission of creating sustainable, green buildings. The $32 million facility is expected to be completed in 2021.

The Center for Advanced Manufacturing is a renovation of the current Industrial Training Center and is considered phase one. The new facility will be composed of roughly 30,000 square feet of space and house programs in Drafting and Design, Industrial and Commercial Trades, Precision Machine Technology, Process Operations Technology and Welding Technology, while creating new degree options in the manufacturing field. The project has seen good progress, with the Welding Technology and electrical labs undergoing changes to make room for an expanded Precision Machine Technology lab. While some of CAM will be ready for students in fall 2019, the remainder of the renovation will be finished in 2020.

Watch for future SOC project updates in Community magazine and on MCC social media.

The Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors approved purchases of FANUC robots in May, a key ingredient in training students for manufacturing careers. In that same meeting, the board also approved final drawings for the automotive training center, the second phase of the SOC project. The training facility will house both the Automotive Technology and Auto Collision Repair Technology programs. There will be more than 30 automotive bays, giving students an increased number of work spaces, including an area dedicated to Toyota T-TEN curriculum. The building will also feature a second floor, complete with walkways overlooking first floor lab space. This summer, site preparation work must be completed to prepare the soil to support the new building’s foundation. 14 • community • mccneb.edu

28TH ANNUAL FORT OMAHA

INTERTRIBAL POWWOW Saturday, Sept. 21 1-7:30 p.m. Metropolitan Community College Fort Omaha Campus 5300 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE 68111 No alcohol or drugs allowed. The MCC campus is smoke and tobacco-free. Contact bvelazquez@mccneb.edu or 531-MCC-2253 for more information.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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Reuse Reduce recycle

MCC SHINES IN ALL THREE CATEGORIES In an effort to help the environment, many people and businesses are “going green.” At Metropolitan Community College, measures have been in place for more than a decade to make the College more sustainable. Being ahead of the curve will make things easier down the road says Sally Hopley, coordinator of sustainable practices at MCC. “With climate change, we’re already seeing stress on our systems,” she explains. “It’s better to anticipate these adjustments instead of dealing with it when it comes.” The College has a lot of common practices people think of when they think of sustainability, such as composting and recycling, Hopley says. “Horticulture started a new program and they compost garden materials and certain vegetables,” she says. “They do a great job there.” Many MCC buildings are also outfitted with water bottle filling stations and LED lightbulbs, and new furniture is checked to make sure it gives off less volatile organic compounds. VOCs impact the air quality at ordinary room temperatures.

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Hopley says MCC does a great job of reusing and recycling items that can normally be tough. “The College is really good at using the things we have until the end,” she says. “Usually, we auction off these items, like computers and other electronics. If not, we break them down and recycle them.” When it comes to transportation options, MCC has also made strides that are green. Recently, Fort Omaha Campus and South Omaha Campus welcomed B-Cycle bicycles as options for students or faculty to ride. The bikes can be rented at designated stands for anyone to ride to another B-Cycle stand. “We’re helping the community have another car-free option,” Hopley says. “Our campuses are the northernmost and southern-most stations in the city. Students get half-price membership and we’re looking into other possible passes for students and faculty.” Also on the Fort Omaha Campus are charging stations for electric cars. Hopley says use of these chargers has skyrocketed.

“We’ve been investing in these charging stations. It jumped from 46 visitors in 2017 to 500 unique visits to the stations last year,” she says. One of the College’s most popular initiatives is Pass to Class, a quarterly bus pass for students that allows them to ride Omaha’s Metro buses for free to and from MCC locations. This helps students who don’t own a car, or are looking to leave their car at home, get to class. “Omaha is at a tipping point for air quality and it’s a big public health issue,” Hopley says. “Riding the bus helps reduce emissions into the atmosphere.” Due to MCC's commitment to sustainability, all new buildings are LEED-certified, an international green building rating system that awards buildings for healthy, efficient practices. The MCC Campus Planning and Sustainability office has also participated with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System. “We’re starting to benchmark ourselves in AASHE,” Hopley says. “We help create the STARS report every two years

and have broken into many of the categories in which we previously weren’t included. We’re at the bronze level.” Recently, the College’s Board of Governors approved an initiative to create the Sustainability Advancement Council, which joins people from different MCC departments to discuss future green practices and sustainable movements. “It’s still fairly new,” Hopley says. “But it’s a great group of people who will move efforts forward. They will help get sustainable practices further integrated into the College.” Working at an institution that is helpful and supportive of sustainability initiatives makes a huge difference, Hopley says. “MCC has shown support with the board policy and the creation of the Sustainability Advancement Council. It does make it easier to move initiatives forward when there is support and a willingness to participate,” she explains. “The enthusiasm to help from staff for sustainability projects also helps to move projects forward.” To learn more about the sustainable practices at MCC, visit mccneb.edu/sustainability.

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SUMMERTIME AND THIS COBBLER IS EASY

ith summer upon us, fresh produce is ripe for the picking and can be easily incorporated into nearly any meal. While many fruits and vegetables are in season, Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts Chef de Cuisine Erik Rickard suggests using peaches to make a cobbler that is sure to impress dinner guests, he says “the color, flavor and aromas of a peach represent summer better than any other fruit. Peaches are symbol of youth and this fruit reminds me of when I was younger.”

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The peach cobbler recipe chef Rickard makes can use fresh or frozen peaches. Chef Rickard shared key tips for choosing the best peaches should you opt to use fresh instead of frozen.“When choosing the best peach, I go by the feel and smell of the fruit. The peach should feel a little soft when gently squeezed, but also have some firmness to it. The aromas of the fruit give a good sense to the ripeness as well. The deeper the peach aromas, the riper it is.”

Cobbler topping Ingredients: 4 cups

All-purpose flour

2 cups

Heavenly Waffle Mix

2 cups

Granulated sugar

8 ounces

Butter, whole

1.5 cups

Buttermilk

4 Eggs, whole 1 tablespoon

Baking powder

Instructions: Mix together all-purpose flour, waffle mix, sugar and baking powder so they are evenly incorporated. Cube butter into 1/4" pieces and rub the butter into the flour mix. Once the butter is well coated in flour mix, add buttermilk and eggs. Mix together to make dough. There will be some chunks of butter—these will melt out when baked. Set mixture aside in the refrigerator until the fruit component is ready in the baking dish.

Peach cobbler Ingredients:

“

Peaches are symbols of youth and this fruit reminds me of when I was younger.

12 cups

Frozen or fresh peaches

4 cups

Granulated sugar

1 tablespoon

Vanilla extract

1 cup

Dark rum

12 tablespoons

Cornstarch

.25 cups

Water

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place peaches and sugar in a pot and cook until juices become apparent in the bottom of the pot. Add vanilla and rum. Cook until peaches are almost thawed if using frozen, but do not let mixture come to a boil. Add slurry of cornstarch and water, mix until evenly distributed. Cook until warm, but not hot to avoid activating the slurry. Cooking the cobbler will heat the cornstarch to thicken. Place in a 9x13 pan. Place a baking sheet under the pan to protect your oven from the cobbler bubbling over. Add cobbler topping in large dumpling size scoops. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, rotating half-way through. Bake until cobbler topping is a golden brown and the cornstarch mixture has thickened. Serves 12. The cobbler is best served warm with your favorite ice cream. community • mccneb.edu • 19

“

STUDENTS WITH

Early Success Start at MCC

uccess can come to people at a young age. Two women, one still a teenager who balances her education and a business, and the other about to graduate from a four-year school in a three-year period, have taken advantage of what Metropolitan Community College has to offer in order to achieve greater success. With supportive families and MCC staff, the two have already gotten off to a great start in their secondary education pathways.

ANIYA MONTAGUE After graduating from high school in 2017, Aniya Montague decided to start her secondary education at MCC. “The school is great,” she explains. “The instructors are so dedicated to their students.” Montague plans to go into a health-related major, such as nursing. She credits the MCC TRIO program for helping give her the skills and motivation to continue her education. TRIO is a federal grant-funded program designed to remove barriers and provide opportunities. “I have a lot of people looking out for me here,” she says. Montague doesn’t need much help getting motivated. At only 18, she started her own business, Tracy’s Heart, in honor of her late grandmother. Montague teaches groups at businesses, daycares, churches and more how to get certified in CPR. “I really enjoy teaching people,” she says. “I teach CPR, basic first aid, basic life support and how to use a defibrillator. I love helping people.” Now 19, Montague says people’s reactions to her being the CPR instructor are always ones of shock. “They say I look very young and I tell them that I am,” she says with a laugh. “It’s different. If you get certified for CPR, you never see people of color. It’s good for people to see a young, black woman doing this. I think it surprises them to see me.”

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Watching his daughter balance everything successfully has been a joy, says Montague’s father, Ananias, minister of music and fine arts at Salem Baptist Church in Omaha. “She has done an outstanding job balancing all of that. It makes me extremely happy that she doesn’t wait for anybody to do anything for her, she does it,” he says. “It definitely brings joy to see her maintain.” Being an entrepreneur runs in the family, Montague says, with her mother owning her own real estate business, a cousin with a similar CPR class in Ohio and more. She hopes to stay in the healthcare field as she gets older and graduates from MCC. “I want to give back to my community and Omaha,” she says. “MCC is giving me the knowledge. They will help me build to get there.”

MARIAH HOUSTON Mariah Houston is gearing up for graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this August. She’s graduating with a degree in Sociology and double minor in Criminology and Psychology. On top of it, Houston is graduating a year early. Because she completed nearly 50 credit hours at Metropolitan Community College while also enrolled at UNL, Houston was able to complete. “I realized I could take math and sciences at MCC in the summer. It went well after that so I just took classes like crazy,” she says. Between the two schools, Houston was juggling 22-25 credit hours a semester.

can accomplish anything. I knew my intention was to graduate early. That’s why I decided to take heavy MCC courses.”

“It was very tough trying to juggle my UNL and MCC courses, but it depends on how driven an individual is,” Houston says. “Once you set your mind to something, you

With graduation on the horizon, Houston is looking forward to the future where she plans to attend law school. Her goal is to become a civil rights or immigration lawyer.

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION A common thread that Montague and Houston share is that throughout their lives, their parents instilled in them how vital a good education can be to their futures. “My education is everything. Without knowledge, there’s no power. Education was instilled to me as a very young child,” Houston says. “The collaboration of my parents having solid education has always pushed me to do greater and be great. I never thought less of myself in that aspect.” Montague says her parents, who both have found success after getting an education, always emphasized a secondary education.

“It’s very important in my family,” she says. “It was very important to my mom and dad, and they instilled in me that school was very important to get where you want to be.” Ananias says he is passing on that importance to Montague as it was passed onto him. “I come from an educator’s household,” he says. “It was always instilled in my siblings and I, and I tried to instill that in Aniya.”

WITH ACCESS TO VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS AT MCC, STUDENTS CAN GO ON TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLEGE’S TRANSFER PROGRAMS, VISIT MCCNEB.EDU/ARTICULATION. community • mccneb.edu • 21

MAKE THIS

MOMENT POSSIBLE.

Give the gift of education, visit mccneb.edu/mccf or call 531-MCC-2346. 22 • community • mccneb.edu

The New Kickstart Online Institute

rea high school students looking to get a start on college have many choices with Metropolitan Community College. A new option is the Kickstart Online Institute, a list of 15-week online college courses slated to begin this August. The dual-credit option increases accessibility because they’re entirely online. The MCC Kickstart Online Institute is for general education credits and includes English, history, finance and geography classes. The credits earned from the online classes can be used at MCC or transferred to other postsecondary institutions, including four-year universities. “If students are ready for college, they can begin their pathway towards a degree while still in high school with accessible online courses,” said Charles Chevalier, Ed.D., associate vice president of Secondary Partnerships. “Students can earn credits in general education courses now, so they can get to courses earlier in their career area once they’re attending MCC or a university.”

The classes will be taught by Nebraska Department of Education-certified instructors from MCC and will be at half the cost of the standard MCC tuition rate, plus fees. All class instruction will be done online and students will submit assignments via Blackboard. Online courses usually require a lot of discipline, says Chevalier. “There can be a lot of reading and students will have to work independently,” explains Chevalier. “However, the courses are a few weeks longer than a general online college course, giving students some extra time to complete assignments.” Registrants are encouraged to speak with their guidance counselors to find out if the courses will count toward high school credit. The first session of Kickstart Online Institute classes begins Aug. 26. Registration is open with a deadline of Aug. 19. Second session begins in January 2020. For more information or to register, visit mccneb.edu/KSOI or email secondarypartnerships@mccneb.edu.

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Around the College Graduate receives national alumni award

Metropolitan Community College alum, Hubert Charles Ahovissi, was named an Outstanding Alumni award winner by the American Association of Community Colleges. The award from AACC goes to community college alumni who have excelled in their chosen fields. Ahovissi is one of three community college alumni chosen to receive the distinction this year by AACC. He was recognized for his achievements at AACC’s 99th annual convention earlier this spring in Orlando, Florida. “Charles embodies what Metropolitan Community College is all about. He wasn’t the traditional college age when he came to MCC, but he had a goal in front of him. That goal was to earn an education and share the passion for his culture through the organization he founded,” says Randy Schmailzl, MCC president. “We are extremely proud of him and hope that he inspires many others to earn their education and make a difference in our world.”

Donations raised to help communities impacted by flooding Students, faculty and staff collected items to assist in flood recovery efforts this spring. Donations such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, diapers, gloves, trash bags, paper towels and more were collected by MCC staff and taken to the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Donations were accepted at the College’s South Omaha Campus, Elkhorn Valley Campus, Sarpy Center and the Fort Omaha Campus. 24 • community • mccneb.edu

Auto Collision Technology student wins award Cheyenne Purchase, a lab assistant and student in the Auto Collision program, was named a recipient of the Women’s Industry Network 2019 Scholarship and Conference Award. The scholarship and award includes a $1,000 scholarship to continue her education, a one-year membership to WIN and access to its mentorship program, as well as airfare and hotel expenses covered to attend the 2019 conference in Florida. WIN is a nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering and advancing women in the collision repair industry. It promotes leadership and the advancement of women in the trade field.

MCC announces plans for Code School Metropolitan Community College has revealed plans to open its Code School, beginning in the fall quarter. The nine-month, 20-hour per week noncredit program will enable students to secure entry-level web application positions by building competencies in high-demand information technology areas. In addition to teaching students, the MCC Code School will support local employers seeking to recruit, grow and maintain talent. The program will be housed at the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology on the College’s Fort Omaha Campus. “What the MCC Code School will bring to the Omaha area is two-fold. First, it will give students the necessary IT skills to obtain a job where they will be successful. Secondly, it will help regional companies grow by providing much needed talent,” says Victoria Novak, director of the College’s Workforce Innovation Division. “Our new Code School will further diversity in the IT industry, help students build other skills such as teamwork and communication, while equipping them to be community engagement contributors.” Classes will be held evenings and weekends. Upon completion, students may transfer their certificate towards MCC college credit. For more information about the MCC Code School, visit mccneb.edu/codeschool, email corporatetraining@mccneb.edu or call 531-MCC-4943. community • mccneb.edu • 25

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

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