Acclaimed author coming to Schoolcraft College Nov. 11

by

Loung Ung, author of “First They Killed My Father,” will give a talk and answer questions Nov. 11 during her visit to campus.

Students and members of the community will have the opportunity to hear from a bestselling author later this fall at Schoolcraft College.

Loung Ung, the author of the memoir “First They Killed My Father,” will be on campus to share her story. Her presentation begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 11, in the Kehrl Auditorium of the Vistatech Center, 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia.

Her memoir recounts her experiences during the 1975 fall of Phnom Penh, which ended the Cambodian Civil War, and was adapted into a 2017 Netflix Original film directed by Angelina Jolie. Over the next four years, she lost her parents and two siblings, was separated from her family, and was trained as a child soldier. In 1980, at the age of 10, Ung and her brother escaped to a refugee camp in Thailand before resettling in Vermont.

In addition to a presentation, Ung will answer questions from the audience as well.

“We are thrilled to welcome Loung Ung to Schoolcraft College this fall,” said Colleen Pilgrim, a psychology instructor. “Her powerful story and tireless advocacy for human rights provide our students and community with a rare opportunity to engage directly with a voice of courage and resilience. Hosting Ms. Ung reflects our commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and inspiring the next generation to think critically about global issues.”

The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to read “First They Killed My Father” and bring their copies of the book for Ung to sign. No books will be available to purchase at the event.

This is a Schoolcraft College Focus Series and Schoolcraft Pageturners collaborative event. The event is supported by the Center for Experiential Learning and the Schoolcraft College Foundation.

by

Miller’s job is to connect job seekers with the help they need as a part of Schoolcraft College’s Career Mentorship and Placement Office.

Jessica Miller’s career has been all about guiding students about careers and encouraging them along their career journey.

The Career Services Navigator in the Schoolcraft College Career Mentorship and Placement Office began her role earlier this year, quickly getting adjusted and helping students.

A Michigan State University alumna, Miller graduated with an English degree. She then made her way to graduate school at Eastern Michigan University, earning a master’s degree in guidance and counseling with a focus in college student personnel. She ended up working in the career services office at the university and discovered her love of helping people. Since then, she’s remained working at various higher education institutions helping students and alumni find work.

Miller began working at Schoolcraft College in January. As she’s been here longer, she’s seen more interest in career mentorship services.

“I meet with students, alumni and the community and help them with just exploring their career path,” she said. “It could be reviewing their resumes, cover letters, job search strategies, interviewing.

Miller visits classes, sharing knowledge with students as they begin their education, helping them better understand what they can do to prepare to enter the workforce once they complete their education. In addition to occupational programs – such as business and accounting – Miller said she’s spoken to plenty of liberal arts classes, including English and history. Career guidance supports all students in all ranges of professions.

As such, the list of who is eligible to receive help is large, and Miller is always working with a wide range of jobseekers including current students, alumni and the community.

“There’s such a diverse group of the population that comes in. Current students, graduates, and community members utilize our range of holistic career services,” Miller said. “We strive to support the greater Schoolcraft College community for their personalized career and economic goals.”

She also coordinates the drop-in career support service which offers current students and recent alumni the opportunity to get assistance with resumes, cover letters, interviewing and LinkedIn tips from student mentors.

The Drop -In Career Support is in the Jeffress Center Room 124. Fall semester hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Those interested in learning more about how Miller and the Career Mentorship and Placement Office can visit schoolcraft.edu/career-services or visit the office, which is in the Jeffress Center Room 340.

by

Deciding she needed a new career path several years ago, Charlotte Lawrie came to Schoolcraft College looking for a change. She found it and later opened her own shop in downtown Garden City.

A car crash nearly 20 years ago made Charlotte Lawrie realize she needed to change career paths.

Long a staple in the customer service field, Lawrie had dreams of working her way up in her field, eventually becoming a manager with a great benefits package. But after the car crash, she found it difficult to stand for long periods of time, which made her reconsider her career choice.

Realizing she enjoyed the creative side of business, Lawrie – a Garden City High School alumna – decided to go back to school and learn graphic design.

“I was like. ‘There’s got to be something else I can do,’” she said. “I thought, ‘I’m going to go to school and I’m going to design websites, because I love doing that kind of stuff.’”

Looking around, she discovered the amazing faculty at Schoolcraft College and enrolled.

Here, she embraced her creative side, taking a photography class and falling in love with creating beautiful images with a camera. She was urged by family and friends to become a photographer.

While Lawrie enjoyed taking senior photos and other portraits – especially once she opened a photo studio in a permanent location in Garden City – it wasn’t paying the bills. Then another pivot came: after her sister used her space one day for a craft party, she realized she could make that her living.

Thus, Creative Sol Makery was born.

Opening in 2014, the shop located at 5909 Middlebelt in downtown Garden City, has become Lawrie’s passion. In addition to selling art and art supplies, the space has a dedicated back room for crafters to host events. The shop has seen plenty of success, including being named the Business of the Month by the Wayne County Commission for September 2025.

Lawrie credits her time at Schoolcraft College as the reason for her success in operating the store. Being exposed to a wide range of experiences, especially as a post-traditional student in her 30s, gave her a new outlook on life. Besides attending classes, Lawrie got involved with the student photography club and worked at The Schoolcraft Connection newspaper. She even submitted a design for the Michigan Jazz Festival one year, which was selected as the event’s logo.

“I did my research, and it was very important to me where I got my education from,” she said. “If it wasn’t for Schoolcraft, I wouldn’t have done any of this.”

Charlotte Lawrie working on craft in maker space
Charlotte Lawrie, owner of Creative Sol Makery in downtown Garden City, works on a project in the back of her shop. Lawrie is a graduate of Schoolcraft College, using the skills she acquired in school to help boost her small business.

Her involvement on campus was incredibly valuable, said Rena Laverty, who works in the Student Activities Office and serves as the adviser for The Schoolcraft Connection.

“Charlotte’s passion for art and photography has always been remarkable. Working with her as a student was a true pleasure,” Laverty said. “Watching her thrive for more than a decade after graduation reflects the creativity and drive she brought to Schoolcraft College from the very start.”

Lawrie’s advice for students in a similar situation as her? Don’t be afraid to make the move and enroll.

“It scares people because they’re thinking about homework and all that. But if you want to do something creative and fun, they have that. You don’t have to be scared,” she said. “There are so many offerings at that Schoolcraft.”

by

Initiated through the Career Mentorship and Placement Office, the College2Career Professional Mentorship program returns this fall to provide opportunities for students to acquire firsthand knowledge from industry-experienced staff and faculty leaders.

Just one semester of mentoring has shown Jason Greifenberg how important mentorship is for student success.

The Executive Director of Infrastructure Administration and Business Continuity in the Information Technology department at Schoolcraft College had never participated in a mentorship program but found his experience as a College2Career Professional Mentor incredibly valuable.

“In just a few months of mentoring students here at Schoolcraft College, I’ve already witnessed the value of providing motivation, building confidence, and helping students navigate both college life and their transition into the workforce,” he said.

This past spring marked the inaugural semester of Schoolcraft College’s College2Career Professional Mentorship program, which saw a dozen mentors connect with mentees from various industries such as Information Technology, Supply Chain, Business, and Healthcare. Initiated through the Career Mentorship and Placement Office, the program plans to return this fall to provide opportunities for students to acquire firsthand knowledge from industry-experienced staff and faculty leaders.

After meeting with one of his mentees, Greifenberg made time to meet throughout the semester. A key feature of this program allowed mentors and mentees to set their schedule to their liking: meeting as much or as little as needed.

With his mentee, Greifenberg said he encouraged him to celebrate his accomplishments, no matter how big or small. That included walking at this year’s commencement ceremony.

That conversation was one, Greifenberg said, that stuck with his mentee.

“He kind of paused and said, ‘I’ve never heard that before,’” Greifenberg said. “They had a party at home and his family was there. It was a good time all around. I feel happy for him that my mentorship helped him obtain that moment.”

Having the experience of working with students in the mentorship program, Greifenberg said such a program is important to make Schoolcraft College a better place.

“Mentoring isn’t just about sharing knowledge — it’s about investing in the future of our students,” he said. “When we take time to support and guide them, we’re not only helping them succeed academically and professionally — we’re also strengthening our entire college community.”

The College2Career Professional Mentorship Program pairs students with faculty and staff at Schoolcraft to establish career goals, create action items towards those goals, and gain valuable industry insights.

Mentorship opportunities are available to students for the upcoming Fall semester. For more information, contact the Career Mentorship and Placement office at [email protected].

by

Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, live music, kitchen tours and more during the signature event, which will feature a Nashville chic theme.

CulEx 2025: An American Harvest — the Schoolcraft College Foundation’s signature fundraising event — will bring Nashville to campus on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The celebration takes place inside the Vistatech Center at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia, and kicks off with the Sponsor Pre-Glow at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main event at 6 p.m.

Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, live music, kitchen tours and more. The strolling farm-to-table menu features seasonal small plates and pastries prepared by the College’s award-winning Culinary Arts students and Master Chefs. Between bites, guests can explore state-of-the-art facilities – including the kitchens that host the Certified Master Chef exam for the American Culinary Federation – the American Harvest restaurant run by culinary students, and the Collaborative Learning Studio, a one-of-a-kind demonstration kitchen that opened in 2023.

This evening’s libation highlights include exclusive brews from the College’s Brewing and Distillation program, whiskey tastings from Detroit City Distillery and Nashville-inspired craft cocktails from Alchemi. Dance the night away with live tunes from The Fox and the Fiddle, followed by DJ-led fun that’ll keep the energy high all evening long.

“CulEx is more than a fundraiser — it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that brings our community together to support students and the future of education,” said Dawn Magretta, Executive Director of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. “It’s truly a unique evening you won’t find anywhere else.”

Sponsorship and ticket information are available at scf.schoolcraft.edu.

by

The Nursing Department at Schoolcraft College will host a site visit for continuing national accreditation for its Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Nursing and the Practical Nursing Certificate programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Have something to share about Schoolcraft College’s Nursing program? Now’s your chance.

The Nursing Department at Schoolcraft College wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for continuing national accreditation for its Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Nursing and the Practical Nursing Certificate programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in the Health Sciences Building, HS room 984, located at the Livonia Campus, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI 48482.

Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at [email protected] or to the ACEN office: Attn: Accreditation Services Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta GA, 30326

All written comments should be received by the ACEN by October 1, 2025.

by

About 15 students enrolled in a special, weeklong seminar in August entitled “Embracing Detroit and its Environments. It offered students interdisciplinary classroom learning, reflection and immersive experiences in Detroit.

Spending a week reflecting some of Detroit’s cultural and ecological treasures was an eye-opening experience for Rune Cuthrell.

Exploring places such the Black Bottom neighborhood and Belle Isle showed Cuthrell and their Schoolcraft College classmates a part of Detroit they perhaps may not have understood before.

Geology instructor holding large rock
Geology instructor Samer Hariri speaks to students during the summer seminar “Embracing Detroit and its Environments.” (Photo by Rune Cuthrell)

“This week allowed me to view Detroit in a new way and to learn some history I had never been acquainted with before,” they said. “I was profoundly impacted by our visits to Lafayette Park, as well as the Wright Museum of African American History.”

About 15 students enrolled in a special, weeklong seminar that took place in August. Entitled “Embracing Detroit and its Environments,” was sponsored by Schoolcraft College’s Center for Experiential Learning (CEL) – offering students interdisciplinary classroom learning, reflection and immersive experiences in Detroit.

Participants in this non-credit fellowship program embarked on learning in the classroom and in the city, exploring topics such as urban renewal, poetry, the impact of invasive species on biodiversity and more. Students were taught by several Schoolcraft College instructors, all from varying disciplines.

Capping the week, students stepped onto a boat and took a tour of the Detroit River, exploring the waterway’s ecological and historical impact on the region.

Those who signed up for the seminar found it was the perfect way to connect with the city.

group student photo with Detroit backdrop
A group photo taken of the students and faculty who participated in the summer seminar “Embracing Detroit and its Environments.”

“This is an opportunity for me to get back into the community, because I think you should live and serve in the community in which you reside,” said Patti Conover, a post-traditional student who’s seeking a position in law after working several decades as a trauma nurse. “In order for me to do that as a student, I have to learn and appreciate and acknowledge not only the differences in culture, but in people and how people and the environment collaborate.”

The program is one that’s been in the works for two years, said Errin Stegich-Moloney, the Manager of the Center for Experiential Learning at Schoolcraft College. This seminar provided students with ample enrichment opportunities and gave them a baseline to better understand the region around them.

“We had incredible engagement during the seminar, and I’m so happy to see the CEL Summer Seminar Fellowship become a huge success,” Stegich-Moloney said. “Having our students better understand the world around them was the goal, and after seeing the students present on their findings, it’s clear our students have a better understanding of the city.”

Cuthrell certainly felt the impact of the week. They said it made them think harder about the impacts left on places like Detroit, and they said it will be something they will carry with them for a long, long time.

“The CEL Summer Seminar Fellowship as a whole encouraged me to contemplate what justice means to me, what it means for our environment and what it means for the City of Detroit,” they said. “The fellowship was an enriching journey that I will not soon forget.”

journal page of images and handwritten notes
A page from Rune Cuthrell’s journal during the seminar. Students throughout the week journaled their experiences as they traveled. (Photo by Rune Cuthrell)

by

Schoolcraft College has teamed up with the Better Business Bureau of Michigan to host a job fair this fall focusing on skilled trades.

Job seekers can find a new position by attending a skilled trades career fair next month at Schoolcraft Collge.

The career fair will take place from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sept. 25 in the DiPonio Room of the Vistatech Center, 18600 Haggerty Road. Presented by the Better Business Bureau of Michigan and the Schoolcraft College Office of Career Mentorship and Placement, this dynamic event will focus on positions within the skilled trades.

The career fair is free and open to job seekers, with registration requested but not required. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local employers, learn about open positions, and in some cases, interview on site. Guests are encouraged to dress in interview-appropriate attire and bring several copies of their résumé.

Attendees will find opportunities for long-term career growth with local employers. The fair welcomes students, graduates, veterans, experienced professionals and career changers in the skilled trades. It also supports the BBB Educational Foundation’s mission to educate individuals and businesses about ways to operate safely and ethically in today’s marketplace.

“There are so many opportunities for those seeking jobs in the skilled trades, and we’re excited to team up with the Better Business Bureau of Michigan to hold this job fair in the Vistatech Center on campus,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “This job fair will provide many opportunities for guests to meet employers and find a new position that fits their skillset.”

For employers, exhibitor registration is $100, or $75 for BBB Accredited Businesses and chamber members. Vendors who reserve a booth by Sept. 3 will also be entered into a drawing to have their booth fee fully reimbursed. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

A recent survey put out by the BBB® showed its Accredited Businesses in the skilled trades identified “hiring and maintaining employees” as one of their greatest challenges. Given this challenge, the BBB of Michigan decided to team up with Schoolcraft College for this upcoming job fair.

“At BBB of Michigan, we are deeply committed to supporting both the businesses that serve our communities and the individuals who help them thrive,” said Lisa Frohnapfel, President and CEO of BBB of Michigan. “We heard our Accredited Businesses loud and clear—there’s a growing need for skilled trades talent—and we’re proud to take action by bringing together employers, job seekers, and partners for this important hiring event.”

For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit BBB.org/local/0372/jobfair.

by

The community is invited to bring by their old computers, phones and more for recycling.

Got old electronics at home? Get rid of them at Schoolcraft College later this fall.

The College will hold an e-waste recycling day for the community Sept. 13. Those with electronic waste such as old computers, tablets, cellphones and more are encouraged to bring them to the north parking lot at Schoolcraft College near the Health Sciences Center to dispose of them.

Items eligible for donation include:

  • Computers
  • Cellphones
  • Tablets
  • Electronic cords
  • Household batteries
  • Audio/video equipment
  • Flat screen monitors

Items that we cannot accept:

  • Kitchen appliances and other white goods (fridges, stoves, kitchen appliances)
  • Microwaves
  • CRT televisions

Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. There is no limit for the amount of e-waste that can be donated.

“We know with the school year starting soon, families are cleaning out their homes and finding things they need to get rid of. This e-waste recycling event is the perfect opportunity to get rid of those old electronics that have been hanging around for too long,” said Nicholas Nelson, Shipping and Receiving Operations Supervisor at Schoolcraft College. “We’re looking forward to offering this incredible service this fall to the community.”

The recycling event will take place with the assistance of CERS Lifecycle, the company Schoolcraft College works with to recycle its old electronics on campus.

Vehicles are asked to line up in the parking lot entering off of St. Joe’s Parkway, which is accessible from either Haggerty Road or Seven Mile Road. There, cars will then queue in the parking lot near the Health Sciences Center, where their e-waste will be collected.

The event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to bring a canned or non-perishable food item to benefit the Schoolcraft College Food Pantry drive to help feed students in need.

by

The partnership between Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace and Schoolcraft College will grant students in areas of study such as culinary arts, business, supply chain management and more access to real-world experiences on campus that cannot be found anywhere else.

A brand-new partnership between Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace will feature incredible opportunities for students.

Highlighted in a recent promotional video produced by Schoolcraft College’s Media Services department, the partnership will grant students in areas of study such as culinary arts, business, supply chain management and more access to real-world experiences on campus that cannot be found anywhere else.

“We’re very excited for this new opportunity and new phase of our life with Nino’s. We’re very fortunate that we’re able to pull your students, who have a background and have a flair for the culinary arts,” said Leo Salvaggio, one of the market’s owners. “We’re going to help the students. We’re going to help the students grow and understand exactly what they’re getting into.”

The new market — which is currently under construction on the north side of Schoolcraft College’s campus along Haggerty Road — will not only provide the community with a high-class shopping experience, it will also serve as an extension of Schoolcraft College’s hands-on education. Through the partnership, guests to the market will observe students getting real-world experience in a variety of disciplines.

Curriculum ideas are already in the works for several academic departments, with students already getting hands-on experience: culinary arts students have spent time with Nino Salvaggio’s staff learning how to properly identify the right produce to take back to the market with hands-on experience at Detroit Produce Terminal.

Arielle Taylor, a full-time business instructor, said students will get a chance to directly impact operations of the market in a unique way.

“If you’re looking at a BUS 101 course, our students will be able to learn about buying patterns and what it takes to run a grocery store from start to finish,” Taylor said. “It’s exciting because our students will be able to come up with these opportunities that will get our community members to come back to campus.” Securing the academic experience for students to get this experience was a top goal of Schoolcraft College President Dr. Glenn Cerny at the beginning of the project.

“Watching the new building go up and the relationships forged between Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio’s is a dream come true,” Cerny said. “Making sure our students get the best experiences is what we’re all about, and this partnership will give them the tools they need to succeed.” Nino Salvaggio’s International Marketplace is scheduled to open by the end of 2025. It will be the company’s first location in Wayne County.

by

Ten years after receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship while at Schoolcraft College, Dr. Efua Crentsil earned a doctorate degree from Georgetown University. She now works as lead faculty member and clinical coordinator for a health school in Virginia.

It’s been a long journey for Dr. Efua Crentsil over the last 10 years.

Starting out as a student at Schoolcraft College, Crentsil discovered she had a passion for helping people. After a decade of schooling, Crentsil has found her way into an incredible career path: she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice earlier this year from Georgetown University.

It was a journey, she said, that was incredibly difficult.

“I used to ask myself, why am I torturing myself? Why am I doing this to myself?” she said. “But at the end of the day, I realized that there are a lot of people that are dependent on me, and I cannot fail.”

A native of Ghana, Crentsil came to the United States when she was just a teenager. Living with a host family in South Lyon, she eventually enrolled at Schoolcraft College, getting involved in campus as a student employee, member of Phi Theta Kappa and plenty more.

Then, one fateful morning in 2015, her whole world changed.

While working in the Operations, Curriculum and Assessment office, Crentsil was summoned to what she believed was a standard work meeting. But once she walked in, she began to tear up: the meeting was a surprise celebration, announcing she was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship.

That scholarship – only awarded to 85 people in the country that year – enabled Crentsil to pay for continuing her undergraduate education, which she pursued at Penn State University.

“It reduced the financial burden on me so I could just focus on my studies,” she said.

Efua Crentsil looking happily surprised, people clapping
Efua Crentsil receiving word she received the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship back in 2015 at Schoolcraft College. After attending Schoolcraft to earn her associate degree, she went on to Penn State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

While there, she showed interest in research and pursuing additional education. Crentsil ended up working with a faculty member, became familiar with Georgetown University and was encouraged to apply. She was accepted and she spent four years studying to earn her doctorate, as well as doing research on Medicare.

Today, Crentsil works as the lead faculty member and clinical coordinator at Ultimate Health School in Virginia. In her role, she provides instruction and mentorship to students and faculty in academic and clinical environments, in addition to other roles.

“I never knew that I was going to be working or developing curriculum, but here I am,” Crentsil said. “I’m actually working on curriculum and it’s all from the experience that I had in school.”

Dr. Cindy Cicchelli, Associate Dean of Operations, Curriculum and Assessment, said she felt incredibly proud hearing a former student employee had accomplished so much since her time in Livonia.

“While at Schoolcraft, Dr. Crenstil demonstrated such tenacity and dedication that it would leave us all in awe as she overcame multiple barriers, took charge of her own destiny, and made this dream come true,” she said. “She has true grit.”

Even though she now lives on the East Coast, Crentsil said she still looks back with fondness at her time at Schoolcraft College. Her time here set the stage for her academic career, and she said she is proud to be a Schoolcraft alumna.

“The school really passed through me. I really came out refined,” she said. “All the institutions I went to influenced me one way or another.”

by

A recent graduate who attended college with the help of Michigan Reconnect, Kaleb Aethyr wants others to know there are plenty of ways for people like him to go to college.

It took Kaleb Aethyr a few years to figure out what he wanted his life to look like.

The 23-year-old Canton resident knew he needed to figure out what he could do to support himself, especially after dropping out of high school after dealing with some family issues. After spending some time working, he began looking at earning his GED and going to college.

“For me, no one is going to change my situation,” Aethyr said. “No one is going to do that for me. I had to whip myself into gear.”

Fast forward a few years and Aethyr has done just that: not only has he completed his associate degree right here at Schoolcraft College, but he’s off to study at the University of Michigan to study aerospace engineering, with goals of eventually becoming an astronaut.

His first experience at Schoolcraft College was before he was a student: he signed up to take his GED test through the Testing Center in the McDowell Student Center. After spending time on campus and learning more about what the College had to offer, he applied and began taking classes, albeit it somewhat reluctantly.

“I was scared,” he said. “I didn’t see myself as someone going into higher education.”

Aethyr took a year of coursework to get himself acclimated to college but really found himself blossoming his second year: after originally deciding on cybersecurity as a major, he took some courses and found it wasn’t for him. Thinking he could go the engineering route, Aethyr realized he needed a better foundation in math. So, he spent a whole summer teaching himself the math he didn’t learn in high school.

The hard work paid off: he earned a 4.0 GPA in his Precalculus class and – more importantly – discovered a passion for mathematics and science. After seeing success, Aethyr found his groove: he got more involved on campus, joined the Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program and participated in events such as the STEAM @ Schoolcraft conference.

Errin Stegich-Moloney, the director of the Honors Program, said she saw plenty of potential in him once she met him. Like she would with all her students, she found herself motivating Aethyr in order to achieve his goals of attending U-M.

“As I got to know him, I recognized that his drive and determination and commitment were very strong,” she said. “He’s motivated, he’s bright. He’s a great young man.”

His role in the Honors Program – which is part of the part of The Center for Experiential Learning – gave him some additional resources as well: The LSA Transfer Bridges (TB2H) Program is also a part of The Center for Experiential Learning, which provides numerous resources to help students transfer to U-M.

Not only did his hard work help him succeed, but some assistance from the State of Michigan made it possible to pay for his education. Aethyr was one of the students that took advantage of a temporary change through the Michigan Reconnect program, which allowed residents 21 and older without a degree or credential to go back to their local community college and earn a degree tuition-free. While the typical criteria for the program requires participants be 25 or older, the state temporarily reduced it to 21 around the time Aethyr attended Schoolcraft College.

Without that, he said, he would never have been able to afford the tuition.

Aethyr felt so passionately about it, he joined several other students and administrators from the College to attend the Michigan Community College Association Capitol Day to meet with legislators to urge them to reduce the Reconnect age permanently to 21.

“That’s why I want so badly this program get pushed down to 21,” he said. “It’s important to catch people when they’re 21, because if you lose them, they’re probably never going to come.”

The fact that Aethyr wants to help others succeed isn’t a surprise to Stegich-Moloney, who has seen him constantly find ways to assist others.

“He always finds way to give back to his community. He wants to create those opportunities for others,” she said. “That’s just who he is.”