May 31, 2022

Eighth-Graders Explore College in Exciting Ways

Bell tower logo with the words "career exploration" underneath

Clarenceville Middle School students learned about a variety of programs

In an effort to begin exposing potential students to the many programs and potential career paths Schoolcraft College has to offer, the College piloted a career exploration program with Clarenceville Middle School this past year.

Called the Middle School Career Awareness Program (M-CAP), this dynamic, hands-on initiative allowed eighth-graders to explore:

  • Public Safety
  • Manufacturing and Engineering
  • Business and Technology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Health Care
Community leaders at a banquet table
Attending the Middle School Career Awareness Program celebration banquet were (left to right): Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees; David Lawrence, Executive Vice President and CAO, AlphaUSA; Dillon E. Breen, Trustee; Carol M. Strom, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Glenn Cerny, Schoolcraft College President; and Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer.

The students arrived from Clarenceville in the morning and saw concepts and ideas come to life by Schoolcraft College faculty. This included learning how put out a fire, using a CNC* laser to engrave a name plate, tracking a smartphone through the supply chain process, exploring how chemistry is a key ingredient in the culinary arts, and learning how to care for a patient. (All activities were safely and directly supervised by Schoolcraft College faculty and staff.)

Students then enjoyed lunch at Schoolcraft College before returning to Clarenceville Middle School. 

Participating Clarenceville Middle School eighth-graders, parents, guardians, friends and administration were invited to a celebration banquet on Tuesday, April 26, in the DiPonio Room in the VisTaTech Center on the main campus.

“The M-CAP program was a great collaboration between Schoolcraft College and Foundation, Clarenceville School District, and industry partner AlphaUSA,” said Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer for Schoolcraft College.

“I want to personally thank the Schoolcraft College faculty and staff for making the M-CAP program a success. So many people contributed to the design and execution of the hands-on learning experiences to make this a memorable and valuable program. We can’t wait to welcome back these future Ocelots to campus in the very near future!”

Guests included:

  • Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Carol M. Strom, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Dillon E. Breen, Trustee
  • Dr. Glenn Cerny, Schoolcraft College President
  • David Lawrence, Executive Vice President and CAO, AlphaUSA 
  • Paul Shepich, Superintendent, Clarenceville School District
  • Melissa Carruth, Asst. Superintendent of Learning Services, Clarenceville Schools
  • Alan Kantor, Principal, Clarenceville Middle School

Over dessert and coffee, Melissa Schultz, Chief Student Enrollment Officer, highlighted several programs available to help students continue their journey with Schoolcraft College, including:

  • Kids on Campus:This popular summer program provides children through high school a fun, educational and safe experience at Schoolcraft College.
  • Dual Enrollment: Allows high school students to earn college credits while still in high school, often at little or no cost.
  • Michigan Reconnect: This last-dollar scholarship program pays for Michigan residents to attend their in-district community college tuition-free. The scholarship can be used to complete an associate degree or a Pell-eligible skill certificate program. To be eligible, you must:
    • Be at least 25 years old when you apply
    • Have lived in Michigan for a year or more
    • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
    • Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)

At the end of the program, Schoolcraft College gifts and prizes were awarded to the students who were present. 

The Schoolcraft College Foundation concluded by awarding one student a $400 KOC scholarship and announcing that it will award 10 more scholarships of $250 each to the participating M-CAP Clarenceville eighth-graders for the popular KOC summer enrichment program. Registration is now open for Kids on Campus, which begins Monday, June 27.

M-CAP was made possible due to the generous support of AlphaUSA and the Schoolcraft College Foundation.

*CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control.


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