Community winter 2016 by Metropolitan Community College

Start them young

Noncredit courses are designed for more than just fun page 10

COMMUNITy the magazine of Metropolitan community college Winter 2016

CONTENTS 1

Mapping out a career

New layout for CDL program accelerates learning

From architecture to fashion design

Dual enrollment student sews first stitch in the spring, has clothing by fall

Program spotlight:

Early Childhood Education A good foundation begins early

From architecture to Fashion Design

Where the pen meets the paper

Forum offers writing expertise

Lights, camera, action

MCC theatre alumnus puts on quite a show

And the winner is ...

Award highlights MCC initiatives

MCC Theatre Alumnus puts on a show

Start them young

Noncredit courses are designed for more than just fun

Auto Collision Technology

Course puts alumnus' business on track for success

Doing a 180

Overcoming barriers after time behind bars

On track for Success

Ring in the New Year

Treat your guests to appetizers with flair

One step at a time

MCC reducing carbon footprint

Planning ahead

Academic advisors help chart the course

10 facts you may not know about

Ring in the new year with this recipe

the Fort Omaha Campus expansion 20 Around the College Wiinter 2016

Volume 4, Issue 1

“Community” is a quarterly publication of Metropolitan Community College. Contact the editor at 531-MCC-2876 or marketing@mccneb.edu. Metropolitan Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability or sexual orientation in admission or access to its programs and activities or in its treatment or hiring of employees.

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MAPPING OUT A CAREER New layout for CDL program accelerates learning

etropolitan Community College has restructured its CDL Class-A Truck Driving program to a six-week requirement, creating a more student-friendly format. The shift not only helps students earn a CDL license and an education faster, but also to aids in filling a driver shortage regionally. Prior to the restructuring, it would take students nine weeks to complete the program. With the new format, students can now sign up for classes more frequently and finish in a more timely manner. Another goal is to meet the needs of the workforce. The nine-week program option remains available to students who wish to take evening courses in the spring and fall. “The American Trucking Association says a deficit of 48,000 drivers is expected as the new calendar year approaches. If that were to continue, there’d be a shortage of more than 175,000 by 2024,” said Deb Eppenbaugh, executive director of MCC’s Applied Technology Center. The College recognizes that to be successful in this career field students need to know more than simply how to drive a truck. While in the program, students will learn first aid and CPR, basic truck maintenance, cargo theft prevention and knowledge about life on the road. The skill and insight garnered will allow students to be better prepared for a truck driving career. The more prepared, the more successful those in the industry will be.

Students in the program will not only earn their license, but will learn safe driving, vehicle inspections and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations. The courses also address truck controls, shifting, driving, backing and cargo handling. Skills such as customer relations, trip planning, map reading and electronic logs are also covered. Is it for you? Trucks and truck drivers play a vital role in the transportation industry and the U.S. economy because no other transportation mode can deliver freight door to door. Even goods that arrive by sea or rail eventually end up on a truck for final delivery. Some companies haul freight locally and regionally. These are called short-haulers, meaning there are times the driver may be away from home overnight. Most trucking companies are long-distance haulers that move freight across the country. Long-haul trucking isn’t for everyone. In either case, the entire work shift is spent behind the wheel. Those who find it to be a good fit, will find the career to be rewarding with its independent work hours and freedom on the road. The shift in program length not only helps students earn a CDL license and an education faster, but also to aids in filling a driver shortage regionally.

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FROM ARCHITECTURE to FasHion design Dual enrollment student sews first stitch in the spring, has clothing by fall

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rior to graduating from Brownell-Talbot High School, Frank Fu earned an associate degree in architectural design technology from Metropolitan Community College.

With a foray into teaching through Do Space, an internship at an architecture firm and a clothing collection he designed and showed at the August 2016 Omaha Fashion Week under his belt, the teenager has already had quite the career. Every year since age 12, Fu has worked on a new project for his portfolio. From learning about cities and building a model community, to exploring how buildings influence human emotions and senses and to his most recent addition of exploring the similarities between building design and fashion design, Fu’s clothing designs have been deemed fashion “with an architectural twist.” It’s hard to believe that he had not sewn a single stitch prior to April 2016. Fu began going to Do Space to complete projects for his MCC courses. While there, he experimented with the facility’s laser cutter. Fu began using the machinery and was inspired to use it to start a business. When asked why he chose jewelry making, Fu explained that utilizing the laser cutter is the most profitable way that he found to cut small pieces from one sheet of material and that his engraving and jewelry making business did not require a high start-up cost. From there his fashion designing began. Fu says that the only experience he had with designing clothes, prior to spring 2016, was doing so for the human figurines he included in his building models. His interest was sparked when he saw a photo online of a dress made of paper and had the idea that such a design could be made with a laser cutter.

“I think there needs to be more to [design] it than just being a pretty dress. It needs to help people.” However, he was committed to architecture as his main passion. He described the drastic differences between the discipline and fashion design, and that he has found a relationship between the two. There are no drafting courses at Brownell-Talbot, Fu said, so he values his training at MCC. He credits the College for teaching him how architecture works as well as equipping him with hands-on experience for the workplace. Fu also gives credit to Margie Trembley, veteran Omaha Fashion Week designer and milliner (a hat designer), as his door into the Midwest fashion scene. Fu taught Trembley new technologies for her designs, and she served as a guide as he began his career in fashion. Fu then received a grant from the Fashion Institute to assist in funding his first collection as well as a grant from Old Market store Pretty in Patina. Fu explains his love for technology is anchored by how it can be used to benefit other areas of life. He fused his appreciation for technology with his interest in fashion design. Describing his desire to make functional clothing, designs that were developed with a medical approach, Fu said, “I think there needs to be more to [design] it than just being a pretty dress. It needs to help people.” This is in regard to his desire to make clothing that helps with medical issues. The teen explained that he would eventually like to design clothes that grow and evolve with the human body. community • mccneb.edu • 3

Program spotlight: Early Childhood Education A good foundation begins early

he Early Childhood Education program at MCC strives to prepare each student for the early childhood workforce. Designed to continuously improve practices and methodology, the program prepares effective, dedicated and competent early childhood educators. The program is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children standards for associate degree programs. This accreditation sets the bar for standards in the preparation of early childhood education employees. The program provides learning opportunities for paraprofessionals that assist head teachers in carrying out various responsibilities. These responsibilities include planning and organizing activities and the care of young children. An individual considering going into the field of early childhood education should enjoy working with children and have a passion for caring.

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Students in the program at MCC can take advantage of special partnerships that the College has with area institutions, such as with the Learning Community Center of North Omaha just north of downtown on the corner of 24th and Franklin streets. The center opened as part of a larger commitment by the state to fight poverty in Nebraska. MCC shares in that goal and has partnered with the center to not only ready early childhood education students for the workforce but also to prepare youth who attend the center to one day go to college. Another positive are the teaching opportunities provided to early childhood education students at MCC. With a shortage of qualified workers in the field, people are needed to fill those positions which help provide youth a better education at an early age. For more information about this program or others, visit mccneb.edu/programs.

s t e e m pethne paper

e h T e r e h W

forum offers writing expertise

A writer is compelled to write what they know about. With a faculty, staff, student body and community as diverse as the one composing MCC, there is no shortage of content. With this in mind, English instructors at MCC held the Creative Writing Forum in October and now planned to occur annually. With a growing poetry and storytelling community in the Omaha area, successful and respected panelists from diverse segments of the industry and participants supported the event. Among the numerous panelists were Liz Kay, English instructor; Leo Adam Bega, published writer and blogger; Sam Ligon, professor at Eastern Washington University, accomplished novelist and literary award recipient; Matt Mason, poetry activist, published writer, and recipient of multiple literary awards as well as a finalist for the position of Nebraska State Poet. The two-day forum offered attendees an opportunity to attend a poetry slam, facilitated by Matt Mason, on the first night. The second day consisted of several breakout sessions. This is where the nuts and bolts of the writing process-from ideas to publishing-were really broken down. Panelists provided their insight about how to share a personal and compelling story, writing for local markets, slam poetry, including the process and performance; and how to make money as a writer. “Although there was a lot of teaching and learning going on at the Creative Writing Forum, there was also a lot of fun. Many of the panelists did or said things to motivate the writers in the audience. I saw many smiles on people’s faces both days, and the poetry slam was really fun,” said Charles Chevalier, dean of English and member of the planning committee. “The planning committee was so happy to have the forum happen and for it to be so successful. The creative writing forum was funded in part with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. We are grateful to vice president, Tom McDonnell and the College for supporting this event. There were several college departments involved in making it a success. We look forward to planning and hosting the second annual Creative Writing Forum in fall 2017,” Chevalier said. In addition to this annual forum, students also have the opportunity to channel their creative energy by participating in the Writers’ Club or by submitting entries to The Metropolitan, a publication featuring the creative writings of MCC students, which is published annually. To learn more about how to be involved and about English as a program of study, visit mccneb.edu/programsofstudy/english. community • mccneb.edu • 5

Lights, camera,

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ACTION

MCC theatre alumnus puts on quite the show

ith a focus in carpentry, electronics and audio, John Gruber studied theatre technology at Metropolitan Community College in the late 90s. Gruber participated in the two-year Theatre Technology Apprenticeship Program, which the College runs in conjunction with the Omaha Community Playhouse. In the second year of the apprenticeship, students choose their area of concentration so that they develop a very specific skill set for the entertainment industry, while they work on various shows in the OCP production season. In high school, Gruber enjoyed building sets and props as well as working with lighting and audio displays for plays. Upon graduating from Omaha North High School in 1997, Gruber knew he wanted to work in technical direction in theatre. Once he learned about the OCP apprentice program, Gruber knew he had found his educational and professional match. “Since I wanted to go into technical direction, which requires an understanding of all technical disciplines to do it well, [MCC] was a good fit,” Gruber stated. “I realized that a conventional university system would not work with my desired career focus in theatre and my unconventional learning style,” Gruber stated. His education at MCC allowed him to craft a flexible schedule, which certainly came in handy when TTAP would send him out on the road with the Nebraska Theatre Caravan. Gruber’s education at MCC was just the beginning. He states that his time in the apprenticeship, along with the foundation of general education courses, set him up for success when he transferred to a four-year institution. Gruber transferred to the University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated in 2004. Three years later, he earned a Master of Fine Arts in Stage Management from the University of Delaware. His education has served him well during interviews and in the execution of his current position.

Where is Gruber working now? He can be found in Las Vegas working as the general stage manager for the largest theatrical producer in the world: Cirque du Soleil. His current focus— managing the production of “Michael Jackson ONE.” The show is currently performed exclusively at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Gruber’s duties include evolving the show within the artistic director’s vision and supervising a team of professional stage managers. He loves that the show is transformative through dance and theatrical magic set to the late Michael Jackson’s music. One of Gruber’s favorite aspects of the job is reveling in the magic that is Cirque du Soleil’s production of Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” in which a hologram of Jackson dances with the cast. “Who wouldn’t want to see that type of magic every day?” Gruber raves. When asked if he’s currently spending his days doing something he’d once envisioned, Gruber stated that he used to think he might end up working at some fancy opera house. He had not exactly imagined defying gravity for a living. Currently working in a role that’s “a dream come true,” he is able to give back through a company effort toward social justice. Gruber gives a portion of his salary to the ONE DROP Foundation, which is a program that supplies clean drinking water in Central America, Africa and India. MCC's Friends and Alumni Network connects approximately 28,000 alumni who have established themselves as experts in their field and are using the skills they acquired at MCC to better serve their community. Visit mccneb.edu/FAN for more information.

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And the winner is ... Award highlights MCC initiatives

uilding a workforce that can compete in today’s technology savvy world is one of the important factors to keeping talent here in the Omaha metropolitan area. One of the goals Metropolitan Community College has been pursuing is helping the community with this workforce development objective. To do this, the College has engaged in initiatives that touch all ages and all walks of life, whether it’s the BringITOn Challenge, a competition centered on high school students finding complex solutions for area companies, or constructing the new Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology on the Fort Omaha Campus. These actions are what helped MCC receive the annual Community Builder of the Year Award, an honor given by the AIM Institute during its yearly Tech Celebration Awards. AIM Institute’s Tech Celebration honors achievements of tech-oriented individuals and organizations who have made a positive impact on the community. The award also recognizes the College’s Workforce Innovation Division and their efforts to make Omaha competitive regionally and nationally.

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Associate vice president of community workforce and e-learning Tom Pensabene accepted the award on behalf of MCC at the event, held at the Holland Performing Arts Center in downtown Omaha. Being recognized as a tech leader doesn’t come without creative vision. MCC’s plan for Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology exemplifies that. New technologies and start-ups are creating new jobs and transforming current jobs every day. Industries and job requirements are evolving at breakneck speeds. The academic building will co-locate with industry to move forward together, test new technologies, develop new products and continually train and retrain the workforce.

MCC was the recipient of this year’s Community Builder of the Year Award, given annually by the AIM Institute.

The CEnter for advanced and emerging technology is “more than a new building at MCC.”

Pensabene describes it as more than a “new building at MCC,” this will be the community's advanced technology center—a flexible learning center that attracts, spawns and grows Omaha businesses, training students through technologies and bringing learning to life through real-world research and development. Together, MCC faculty, students and industry partners will learn, test, apply and even develop new technologies. Both a driver and a consumer of new technologies, the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology will be a collaborative working and learning space that really earns the label “synergistic.” Corporate exhibit space, entrepreneurial production labs and economic development partners will be hallmarks of the new center. Students will not only build skills using industry-standard processes, they will work with emerging technologies, moving area industries forward. The Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology is set to be completed by fall quarter 2017.

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“We can teach critical thinking and introduce engineering and science in an easy and comfortable way.” – Walker Arce, MCC noncredit instructor

START them young Noncredit courses are designed for more than just fun

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reparing students for success in school starts as young as six months old. That preparation outside the classroom becomes even more important as they grow to become middleschool age, and with today’s technological atmosphere, there’s a balance between too much screen time and preparing them for what is to come. Offered through MCC’s Continuing Education department, robotics camps and classes are designed for students K-12 and teach fundamentals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Walker Arce, one of the robotics instructors at Do Space believes teaching STEM topics at an early age can lead to academic success down the road. “We can teach critical thinking and bring students an intro to robotics and introduce engineering and science in an easy and comfortable way,” said Arce. “A lot of kids that come in maybe didn’t expect it to be interesting but afterward they’re passionate and they want to come back and learn.” Robotics courses and workshops begin Dec. 27 and run into January with February courses available starting Feb. 5. For a full listing, visit mccneb.edu/ce. All noncredit robotics courses are located on the second floor of Do Space, MCC’s convenient shared location on 72nd and Dodge streets. STEM-related topics taught in noncredit courses also include circuit building camps for teens, Minecraft camps and 3-D printing workshops. These are popular for constructing small figures and for replacement parts and prototypes. The workshops also utilize iPads to create a 3-D image and physically create products through the printer.

Not your typical gamer day If you’re the parent of a child between the ages of 7 and 14, chances are you’ve heard of the phenomenon known as Minecraft, a video game that allows players to build things in a 3-D generated world. MCC at Do Space has jumped on this train and will be offering a Minecraft camp in early January. The camp is designed for children, but the video game will showcase future opportunities available in technology fields. The Minecraft camp experience has built-in learning objectives so students can leave camp smarter than they came. “We strive to create a modern learning environment with MCC at Do Space and camps like this exemplify that,” said Courtney Davis, Continuing Education special projects associate at MCC. “Kids probably won’t be able to thank their parents enough for registering them for Minecraft camp.”

For a full listing of noncredit courses, visit mccneb.edu/ce.

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Auto collision technology Course puts alumnus’ business on track for success

The Auto Collision Technology program uses the latest technology to cover the entire scope of the field. Students learn basic and advanced metal finishing repair, frame repair and alignment, panel replacement, major body repair and automotive painting. For one Metropolitan Community College alumnus, an autobody course became more of an artistic outlet. John Sparano IV had been working as a graphic installer at a sign company when he enrolled at MCC in the Graphic Design program with goals of furthering his skills and advancing in the company. Sparano had begun a custom helmet design company about a year prior to taking a custom paint course with Auto Collision Technology instructor Pat McKibbin—completing about five helmets in that first year. Sparano’s artistic background, education in graphic design and training in custom painting, combined with an introductory course in business, have played a significant role in the growth of HelmetHead Design—his helmet design business. With a creative portfolio in hand prior to being approved to take the custom paint course, he knew he had the artistic abilities but lacked the confidence and encouragement that he would later receive through learning and training under various MCC faculty members.

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He stated that his business studies have helped him to learn true professionalism. HelmentHead has grown primarily through word-of-mouth referrals and social media, so he takes great pride in updating, following up with and following through for his clients. Beginning his designs on the computer and transferring the idea by hand onto the helmet, Sparano said the work requests with little direction and few guidelines tend to turn out the best—offering him optimal creativity. This is just one creative way the alumnus is using his MCC education. Auto Collision Technology students may also learn about shop safety, analyzing vehicle damage, estimating damages for repair shops and price adjustments for insurance companies. The program will prepare graduates for employment in the automotive collision field by providing them with technical knowledge and skills to repair, reconstruct and finish automobile bodies. For students with solid listening and communication skills, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, Auto Collision Technology could be the perfect fit. For more information, visit mccneb.edu/programsofstudy and select Applied Technology.

Doing a 180

Overcoming barriers after time behind bars Based out of Fort Omaha Campus, Metropolitan Community College’s 180 Re-Entry Assistance program serves the currently incarcerated and recently released populations in the Omaha metropolitan area. The program’s goal is to teach the skills necessary for integration into society upon release in efforts to help make a successful transition into college or a career and reduce recidivism. Inside state facilities, the program offers credit courses in career training as well as noncredit courses on topics such as keyboarding, financial literary and mastering soft skills. The program offers referrals and resources to community agencies, assistance with career and educational goal setting, financial aid and scholarship application support as well as work readiness training. MCC student, Dwayne Tucker is just one of the 1,855 clients the program has served since February 2015. Since his start with the program in January 2016, Tucker has benefited from efforts available to those incarcerated for 10 years or more. With so many technologies and conveniences that many people have become accustomed to, Tucker learned how to complete the tasks associated with adulthood while he was in prison. The program supplied him with knowledge in using computers, securing housing, applying for loans, buying a car, paying bills and filling out job applications. When asked about the most difficult aspects of life to adjust to on the outside, Tucker described getting technology lessons from an 8- and 11-year-old. “I humbled myself to learn from kids,” he said about learning to navigate a touchscreen phone. Then there’s the online job applications—he laughed at himself as he told the story of being stuck on the same section for over an hour. Eager to leverage all he’s learned to be able to guide and encourage the next generation, Tucker wants to be a success story, within this side of the law. Incarcerated at age 17, Tucker describes himself as having had the mentality of a 13-year-old. Today, he is on a mission to help deter youth from making poor decisions and steer them on the right path. For those who are sincere about seeking help, Tucker described the 180 Re-Entry Assistance program as a familial environment full of understanding and supportive individuals. The program creates a safe, supportive space in which those with criminal records are provided with the knowledge, training and skills to identify and work toward their personal, academic and professional goals. Tucker said he has no intention of trying to “make up for lost time.” Instead of returning to his old ways or grieving his 34 years behind bars, Tucker is currently reveling in two luxuries many people take for granted: being able to eat when and what we want and receiving hugs from loved ones. Serving as a peer mentor in the program, taking courses at the College, enjoying time with family and eating delicious foods are making for a relatively smooth transition for Tucker. For more information about 180 Re-Entry Assistance program, visit mccneb.edu/reentry. community • mccneb.edu • 13

Treat your guests to appetizers with flair Dress up your New Year’s spread with a touch of old-school with this recipe courtesy of MCC Institute for the Culinary Arts instructor, Peter Walsh. These flaky pastry cases wear mushrooms well but can be filled with a variety of savory or sweet mixtures. Try sautéed steak tips with Mornay sauce, crab salad or brie and preserves for variations on this French classic. 14 • community • mccneb.edu

Wild mushroom vol-au-vents: 1 sheet

frozen puff pastry, thawed but very cold

1 1/2 tablespoons Unsalted butter 8 ounces

wild mixed mushrooms, coarsely chopped

garlic clove, smashed and minced

1 sprig

fresh thyme, chopped

1 teaspoon

tarragon, chopped

2 tablespoons

sherry wine

4 tablespoons

heavy cream

egg, beaten

coarse sea salt as needed

Directions Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly flour a cutting board and unfold the pastry sheet onto it. Slightly flatten pastry using a rolling pin, cut 18 circles from the pastry using a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter. Use a 1.5-inch cutter to cut the centers out of nine of the circles which will make rings. Discard centers. Using a pastry brush, apply egg wash to each circle, then top with a pastry ring. Use the 1.5-inch cutter to make an indent (not all the way through) in the center of each pastry circle. Brush again with egg wash, then sprinkle each pastry with coarse sea salt. Bake the puff pastry for 20 minutes, or until fully puffed and golden brown. Meanwhile, make the mushroom filling mixture. Melt the butter in a wide sauté pan. Add the mushrooms, garlic and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture over medium heat for about four minutes, until the mushrooms have browned nicely. Deglaze the pan with the wine and allow to reduce. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce until thickened. Remove from heat. Use a paring knife to gently remove the center disc from each puff pastry shell. Reserve. Fill the cavity with the mushroom mixture and garnish with the fresh tarragon.

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ONE STEP AT A TIME

MCC reducing carbon footprint 16 • community • mccneb.edu

rowing interest in sustainability, efficiency and a decreased footprint are not new at MCC. The College has long recognized the importance of sustainability not only campus wide, but also within the community. In 2002, the Board of Governors approved a policy stating that all new construction must meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. The buildings making up the Fort Omaha Campus expansion project are designed to LEED Gold standards, and join the Institute for the Culinary Arts at the Fort Omaha Campus and the Connector Building at the South Omaha Campus in LEED Certification. In addition to the standards to be implemented as part of the expansion, a new utility building has been constructed for more proficient heating and cooling that will deliver these resources through more than one mile of pipe buried between the two sites. “The Central Utility Plant will efficiently provide heating and cooling to more than 240,000 square feet of new buildings while providing a single source of maintenance and redundancy. The CUP is strategically situated adjacent to the FOC parade ground so in the future, if the College desires, it can connect the CUP to utilize geothermal potential under the parade ground for energy. The CUP was designed as a teaching tool for MCC students involved in our trades programs,” said Stan Horrell, director of Campus Planning and Sustainability. In 2016, MCC was the first community college in Nebraska to perform a comprehensive Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System submittal through the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for which the College earned a bronze rating. The self-reporting framework is a way for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Current areas of focus to accomplish sustainability goals include a number of efforts ranging from recycling and water refill stations to free bus passes for students and the Green Bike program.

Waste reduction through a college-wide policy on recycling products ranging from paper and plastics to ink toner and old electronics has made a notable impact in sustainability goals. The policy has allowed for more than 86 tons of waste to be diverted from the landfill. An additional 2,196 pounds of electronics recycling took place in 2015. Phone and battery recycling bins can be found across MCC locations for easy drop off. MCC also installed water refill stations throughout area locations to make it easier to reuse water bottles and reduce plastic. More than 8,000 bottles have been filled as a result. In addition, vendors at each campus have agreed to no longer use Styrofoam products. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, MCC provides free bus passes to currently enrolled students through the Pass to Class program and offers complimentary use of bikes through the Green Bikes program at Fort Omaha Campus as well as bike racks found at each campus. Since the Pass the Class initiative began in 2009, more than 18,000 passes have been issued, resulting in 1.3 million rides. The most recent initiative to be implemented in time for the 2017 fall quarter is a smoke- and tobacco-free policy, which will apply to all MCC campuses and centers. This will contribute to the College’s sustainability efforts by reducing litter and, on a larger level, reduce deforestation and waste, which result from the production and manufacturing of tobacco products. MCC produces an annual sustainability report highlighting the previous year’s sustainability efforts. The report is released in time for Earth Day each April. To learn more about the practices discussed as well as additional activities and courses that are part of MCC’s sustainability efforts, visit mccneb.edu/sustainability.

MCC was awarded a bronze star rating by the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. community • mccneb.edu • 17

igon

L er t

Planning ahead

Academic advisors help chart the course

Choosing a program of study can be an intimidating commitment. That’s where the academic advisors at MCC come in. Meeting with an advisor throughout one’s college career will help ensure they are making the right choices for their future success. The partnership students develop with their advisor will enable them to explore career options and connect with the resources and services available at MCC. Advisors’ goal is to help students succeed and engage them in developing a plan to realize their educational, career and life goals.

e iels N i

Each MCC location offers a number of advisors. While appointments are recommended, drop ins are welcome if a student has concerns about a class they are currently enrolled in, has questions about academic requirements, review of class schedule, withdrawing from a course or academic policies. A number of advisors call the Fort Omaha Campus home. Among those is Robert Ligon. Before joining the team at MCC’s Fort Omaha Campus, he served in the Air Force and was also a Nebraska state trooper. Ligon earned a bachelor’s degree at Bellevue University, a master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma and a graduate certificate at Kansas State University. Ligon is an avid runner, with his most memorable running experience being when he ran the first Berlin Marathon in 1989 after the Berlin wall came down. The marathon was routed from West Berlin crossing over into East Berlin through the Brandenburg Gate. His running-inspired words of wisdom apply to education as well: in life, as with running, go at your own pace, the goal is the finish. At the Sarpy Center, you can find academic advisor, Lori Nielsen. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Dana College and a master’s degree in English from Iowa State University. Her college career has included teaching writing and study skills classes. “I enjoy working with MCC students as an academic advisor, a role that allows me to support their educational and career goals,” she said. “One of my favorite quotes applies to education and to life: Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” These are just two of the many advisors who are dedicated to helping our students achieve their dreams while taking an active role in the planning. To make an appointment with an advisor, visit mccneb.edu/advising.

Academic advising is a teaching and learning process dedicated to student success that engages students in developing a plan to realize their educational, career and life goals. 18 • community • mccneb.edu

10 facts you may not know about the fort omaha campus expansion 01

The Construction Education Center will feature some unique aspects. Utilities the facility needs to operate will be viewable through clear panels lining the hallways, allowing students to see the inner workings of the building and how concepts they learn in classes translate to real-life settings.

The Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology will feature laser cutters, lathes, 3-D printers and other modern forms of technology that will help students design prototypes for the next big entrepreneurial creation.

Half of the $90 million project was funded by generous donors, forming a community partnership that meshes businesses and industry with public education.

The property that the new academic buildings reside on was acquired through the years from the Army, Navy, Creighton University and others.

Industry partnerships have already started taking shape. Omaha-based company Sympateco is expected to use space in the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology for their business, which involves cabinet making and metal fabrication.

The Construction Education Center will feature a large space similar to a hangar, giving students the ability to create large projects. This will help the College continue living up to its reputation of providing hands-on, real-world experience that students can take into their careers.

The new expansion project won’t just be all brick and concrete. The project will also include green spaces where students, faculty and staff can utilize outdoor learning areas and a variety of features.

You probably thought the project was just three buildings, but a new utility plant was constructed in the center of campus to help power the expansion. The plant is already completed and will help provide heat and other utilities for the new academic buildings.

The Academic Skills Center will feature a brand new bookstore and coffee shop/eating area, where students can network and study.

MCC has achieved LEED Certification for all new buildings, indicating that the facilities are energy efficient and sustainable, contributing positively to the enviroment. community • mccneb.edu • 19

Around the College

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Designer from prestigious firm on display at MCC MCC’s Gallery of Art and Design is hosting the exhibit “Thinking Out Loud” through Jan. 7. The exhibit showcases the personal projects of Reid Schlegel, industrial designer at Frog Designs, Inc. In conjunction with the exhibition, a special workshop focused on sketching was hosted by Schlegel at the Elkhorn Valley Campus at the start of the exhibit in early December. The College welcomed Schlegel and his artwork with a special opening reception Dec. 8. As part of the reception an open discussion was held where attendees could explore Schlegel’s inspiration for his pieces. As with all exhibits on display at the Gallery of Art and Design, the event was free and open to the public. Upcoming exhibition information can be found at mccneb.edu/elkhorngallery.

Veterans honored at ceremony MCC hosted a Veterans Day celebration Thursday, Nov. 10 at the South Omaha Campus to honor those who have served or are currently serving as well as their families. The featured keynote speaker for the celebration was brigadier general Wendy K. Johnson. She is the director of the Joint Staff for the Nebraska National Guard and is responsible for the direction and control of all Nebraska Army and Air National Guard forces for homeland security, civil support capabilities, international affairs and joint force activities, including National Guard Civil Support and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. Prior to receiving her commission, she served as an enlisted member of the Nebraska Air National Guard. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Science from Emporia State University. MCC Information Technology instructor and retired chief master sargeant Gary F. Sparks served as the event’s master of ceremonies. The celebration also included a POW/MIA presentation and posting of colors by Papillion-La Vista South High School NJROTC.

MCC’s veterans ceremony featured keynote speaker brigadier general Wendy K. Johnson.

Instructor honored with award for contributions MCC Visual Arts instructor, Jim Wolf, received the American Institute for Graphic Arts Fellow award, which is the highest honor an AIGA chapter can give to one of its members. The award recognizes designers for their noteworthy contributions toward increasing standards in their local or regional design community and local AIGA chapter. A full-time faculty member in the Design, Interactivity & Media Arts program at MCC, Wolf teaches a range of courses in graphic and web design. For more than 12 years, he has become a recognized and respected voice in the Nebraska’s creative community. In addition to teaching, Wolf is a long-time member of AIGA, has served on the board as president and as director of finance simultaneously.

Instructor Jim Wolf is the recipient of this year’s AIGA Fellow award.

Lincoln Financial Foundation grant to support entrepreneurs The College received a $5,500 grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation that will be used to support the Heartland Student Entrepreneurship Conference held annually at MCC. Each spring the Fort Omaha Campus hosts the conference, which serves approximately 250 area high school and college students. The purpose of the conference is to connect entrepreneurialminded students with resources and networks to help them launch or grow their endeavors. The grant will also be used to aid in funding an educator’s workshop and summer camp intended for entrepreneur teachers and learners. Lincoln Financial Foundation is a charitable extension of Lincoln Financial Group. The foundation strives to endow people to live better lives and foster culture and positive change. The grant given to MCC is part of a $10 million investment the Lincoln Financial Foundation contributes annually to local communities for youth education, economic and workforce development, human well-being and arts programs.

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

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