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Being smart and talented used to be enough in business. In today’s climate, defined by round-the-clock challenges, multicultural workplaces and team members who might be located off-site or even around the world, those qualities are just the start, the bare minimum.

In addition to the academic rigor and hands-on training that community colleges excel at, companies today are hungry for entry-level employees who possess the critical skills to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure global business environment.

Schoolcraft College proactively worked with dozens of area businesses, many of which have global reach, to develop curriculum that addressed this glaring and growing need.

The result: Reality Ready®, an initiative that helps Schoolcraft students win in the workforce. Through an intensive, interactive all-day program, students come away equipped with intellectual and behavioral skills that result in well-rounded individuals who employers are seeking.

The College recently held its second Reality Ready® symposium, which was held on Tuesday, June 22, in the VisTaTech Center with a cohort of students who work in Learning Support Services, Bradner Library, and who participate in student organizations through the Student Activities Office.

Learning Center Coordinator Elizabeth Kenney moderated the session facilitated by Van Nguyen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer; Dr. Michael Oliver, Associate Dean of Career Services; Michael Williams, Director of Financial Aid; and Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services.

“I think is this a great experience for any student or anybody in general to get a good understanding and learn from,” said Larson Summers, who is studying business administration and management. “It’s very helpful to learn from people professionally trained on these topics to discuss these matters and teach us how we can open ourselves to these ideas.”

Reality Ready® boosts proficiency in four key areas:

  • Emotional Intelligence: IQ isn’t the only thing candidates get assessed by in the real world – EI is equally important. EI demonstrates the capacity to be aware of, control and express one’s emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. 
  • Conflict Resolution: An informal or formal process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful solution to their dispute through key points of negotiation arbitration and conflict avoidance.
  • Professional and Personal Communication: The oral, written, visual and digital forms of receiving and delivering information in the context of a workplace as well as personally. Acquiring nonverbal communication skills and the ability to have clear and concise conversations.
  • Networking and Professionalism: The cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. In addition, exhibiting characteristics that can apply to virtually any type of business, including exuding competency, reliability, proper appearance any other qualities.

Romina Gega, an accounting student, and Emily Wenzel, who is studying math, found the module on Emotional Intelligence particularly helpful.

“I was most interested in Emotional Intelligence,” Gega said. “That’s been a good topic for me and helped me improve.”

Added Wenzel: “I think it’s very good and useful – most people should hear this. I really liked the Emotional Intelligence portion. That’s really important because everyone needs to know how to be better with their Emotional Intelligence.”

Building on Core Abilities

The areas presented in Reality Ready® mirror and build upon the eight Core Abilities established by Schoolcraft College. The Core Abilities are broad outcomes or skills that every graduate of Schoolcraft College is expected to achieve. From a practical standpoint, these universal skills are transferable from one job to the next.

Here’s how Reality Ready modules connect to Core Abilities:

  • Emotional Intelligence connects to Social and Cultural Awareness
  • Conflict Resolution connects to Act Responsibly
  • Professional and Personal Communication connects to Communicate Effectively
  • Networking and Professionalism connects to Manage Information

How Reality Ready® works: Putting theory into practice

Schoolcraft College has addressed the need for an engaging and practical training event for students of the college by creating a one-day symposium led by a dynamic, diverse group of professionals. This approach will create an environment for attendees to attain some sensible “real world” skills that will benefit them in the workplace and provide confidence as they pursue the next chapter in their lives – obtaining a job, getting accepted into a four-year institution, being selected for an important internship and more.

An interactive environment of table teams drives much of the learning. This approach allows a more tailored effect for the students in how they learn because each table had a 1:5 ratio. In real time, the table coach assessed if the students understood the content, provided clarity and coached them how to apply the skills.

“I love it – it’s more than I expected it to be and very interactive,” said Alexis Gibson, who is studying broadcast communications.

She appreciated several topics that will benefit her career.“Body language, tone, understanding people,” Gibson said in checking off key learnings from Reality Ready® that will help her moving forward. “Things are never going to be perfect, but you have to realize who you are so you know how to lead and what you say is going to affect you and your community. The camera is always on!”

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Three Schoolcraft College student-athletes have been named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) First-Team Academic All-American and Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Academic All-Conference for 2020-2021. Honored were James (Alex) Neville, men’s soccer; Erin O’Neil, softball; and Justina Szalkowski, women’s basketball. Named NJCAA Second-Team Academic All-American and MCCAA Academic All-Conference were:

Ocelots logo
Erin Bressler, softballMason Kelley, baseballCarlos Reynoso, baseball
Brandon Brewer, baseballAllison Little, women’s bowlingBrandon Strickland, baseball
Gavin Brose, men’s soccerPatrick McDonald, baseballSummer Sullivan, softball
Natasha Carter, women’s basketballKiersten Metz, softballHailey Warra, softball
Dalton D’alexander, baseballAutumn Reed, softballAndrew Weiss, baseball
Kyle DePray, baseball Leilani Williams, women’s bowling

Named NJCAA Third-Team All-American and MCCAA Academic All-Conference were:

Josh Allen, men’s bowlingNatalie Conn, softballMohamed Hammoud, men’s soccer
Colin Boulard, men’s soccerAmanda Fsadni, women’s bowlingCurtis Moore, baseball
Tyler Brown, men’s bowling Drew Tappen, men’s soccer

Named MCCAA Academic All-Conference were:

Cole Atkinson, baseballEmma Hill, volleyballNate Raniszewski, baseball
Ella Bailey, volleyballCarly Jasman, volleyballLayla Sabrah, volleyball
Alan Brown, men’s bowlingLauren Kroll, softballJonathan Sabuda, baseball
Erik Bunge, men’s bowlingHailey Lozier, volleyballJake Saez, men’s bowling
John Evangelista, men’s soccerAshton Miller, baseball, men’s bowlingNick Saylor, baseball
Tyler Garrett, baseballDavion Page, men’s soccerLuke Stevenson, baseball
Gabby Genaw, softballJoshua Pierce, men’s soccerAndrea Valdes, volleyball
Justin Gottschalk, men’s soccer Nahvia Williams, women’s basketball

“This past season was a challenging one on many fronts, so we especially congratulate our student-athletes for staying focused on their studies and achieving these high academic honors,” said Cali Crawford, Director of Athletics. “Academic success will always be the primary focus for all Schoolcraft College student-athletes.”

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Schoolcraft College soon will be adding an important facility that will benefit students and the community in the key industry of Southeast Michigan thanks to a generous philanthropic gift, the largest single gift commitment by an individual that the College has received.   

The Frank E. and Bessie Angileri Quality Institute, to be housed in the VisTaTech Center on Schoolcraft’s Livonia campus, will offer a venue to interested students, faculty and industry professionals to convene and explore issues and potential solutions that advance the standards and best practices of automotive quality control. 

Its benefactor, Frank E. Angileri, is a retired SQA (Supplier Quality Assurance) engineer from Ford Motor Company. He was born in Sicily and holds a degree in economics from the University of Palermo. The Angileri Quality Institute is also named in honor of Angileri’s late wife, Bessie.

Two men looking at large computer screen

“This generous gift from Mr. Angileri and his family will be a great benefit to our students and the community,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “We look forward to opening the Angileri Quality Institute on our campus very soon. The automotive industry is vital to Southeast Michigan and our country, and we’re proud that in the very near future we will have a first-rate facility right here at Schoolcraft College that will contribute to its success.”

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Today we’re recognizing the contributions of Professor Omar Addi, who is retiring this summer. Professor Addi has taught at Schoolcraft College for more than 30 years as a full-time member of the faculty. He also served as Chair of the English Department.

Omar Addi’s path to English Professor at Schoolcraft College was long and interesting, but one that paid off for the many students he taught in a career that spans nearly 45 years, including more than 30 here at Schoolcraft.

Headshot of man smiling at camera

“My teaching career started in 1976 as a language and culture trainer for the Peace Corps Summer Training programs and a personal language tutor for some U.S. Embassy staff in Morocco,” Professor Addi recalled. “After graduating from the Mohamed V University in Rabat, Morocco, in 1978, I moved to New York to continue my graduate studies in literature. During that time, I continued to teach English courses at New York colleges like Hunter College and LaGuardia Community College.

“When I moved to Michigan, I continued teaching English at Wayne State University and Macomb Community College on a part-time basis and working full time in various positions in the Enrollment Management area at Wayne County Community College.”

Professor Addi started at Schoolcraft College in August of 1990. He said his favorite classes to teach were literature and composition courses.

“Literature gave me an opportunity to share my knowledge of literature and the extraordinary insights from the great minds that had taught me in graduate school,” he said. “Composition, being language-focused, has been more relevant to me to chase words and usage and to my students to solidify their communication skills and, for most of them, to appreciate the complexities and the beauty of their own language.”

One of the strengths of Schoolcraft College is its ability to appeal to and educate a wide spectrum of students, something Professor Addi deeply appreciates.

“The most memorable moments for me relate to the series of personal and academic transformations I have seen in my students over the years—from a hesitant returning adult student trying to restart his or her academic journey to an unsure youngster trying to fit in with the perceived standard college crowd,” he said.

“The challenge here is to provide continuous support and encouragement to both cases. The satisfaction and the joy come from the realized transformation.”

Those types of transformations were noted by Dr. Michele Kelly, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“Under his leadership as the chair of the English department, thousands of students flourished as they learned how to be better writers,” she said. “Omar’s sense of humor, global sensibility and literary references kept everyone laughing and thinking!”

Professor Addi shared a few of his goals for retirement.

“Firstly, I will definitely enjoy ‘horizontal’ reading – no straightening or sitting up to correct anything!” he said. “Secondly, there will be no more by ‘noon’ deadlines – ha ha! Thirdly, I will travel and explore not only the familiar but also the exotic. And, finally, kick back and enjoy the day with family and friends.”

As he reflects on his journey, Professor Addi is grateful for his years at Schoolcraft College.

“I have enjoyed every moment of my life at Schoolcraft, and my permanent smile and hallway whistle have been manifestations of such journey of over 30 years,” he said.

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The “official” opening of the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center on the campus of Schoolcraft College was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 16. Schoolcraft College President Dr. Glenn Cerny shared the honor with several community leaders, including Maureen Miller Brosnan, Mayor of the City of Livonia; Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees; and Dave Spivey, president, St. Mary Mercy Livonia, part of the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

People stand behind red ribbon, beginning to cut it.
Ribbon cutting

“We’re excited to share our ‘grand opening’ with so many leaders in our community because the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center is an important resource that will be shared by the Schoolcraft College community and beyond,” Dr. Cerny said. “Students, athletes of all ages, community members training or in rehabilitation, and more all will benefit from this brand-new space.”

Visitors toured the 75,000-square-foot facility, which includes the MercyElite sports performance and training programs, physical therapy and more; eight volleyball courts; a 1/7-mile track; a practice field for the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club; and brand-new classrooms and equipment for Schoolcraft College’s Movement Science program. It is also the western suburban home of the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy.

Man stands at podium speaking
Dr. Glenn Cerny, Schoolcraft College President

“The St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center is an outstanding collaboration with the fitness program at the college, allowing us to provide rotations for students in physical therapy, exercise science, and strength and conditioning,” Spivey said. “We are also available to anyone in the community who would like to improve their sports performance by creating customized programs for individuals to achieve better health and increased performance in their sport.”

At the end of the program, guests were treated to smoothies and snacks from the Elite Market and Smoothie Bar.

Guest speakers for the tour included:

  • Dan Wolocko, MercyElite Sports Performance
  • Ed McCarthy, Michigan Wolves Soccer Club
  • Dr. Robert Leadley, Dean of Occupational Programs & Economic Development
  • Steve Sack, Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy
  • Chef Heather Moore, Elite Market & Smoothie Bar

“This is super-exciting,” Mayor Brosnan said. “This aligns really well with what we’re trying to do city-wide in Livonia. We have this vision we’re going to be one of the healthiest cities in the United States. So, clearly, whenever we see St. Joe Mercy Health and IHA coming together around health and fitness and sports rehabilitation all the great things we’re seeing at Mercy Elite here at Schoolcraft College, we know that Livonia residents as well as area residents in surrounding communities are going to be well-served here in Livonia.”

The St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center (ESC) has been open since earlier this year and was created to be a hub of College, community and regional activity by supporting youth sports, adult recreation, training and rehabilitation facilities and academic programs. It’s also the new home for Schoolcraft College’s Commencement, with the first ceremony held this past May.

“The Board of Trustees is so pleased with how the College is working with community and business leaders to create win-win solutions on our campus,” Gebhardt said. “With all the amenities available to serve a wide variety of people, the ESC is a great addition to the Schoolcraft College campus.”

Also attending from the Board of Trustees were Carol M. Strom, Vice Chair; Dillon E. Breen, Trustee; William P. Erwin, Trustee; and Brett M. Gierak, Trustee.

World-class floor

The floor of the new St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center has been recognized by a panel of industry experts as literally world-class after winning in the Sports Surfaces category in the 2020 Sikafloor Project of the Year awards.

The volleyball courts and running track are part of the 46,000 square feet that required the expert installation of a Sika Pulastic synthetic sports surface system by Robbins Sports, a long-time Sika partner.

Jordan Foster, President of Foster Specialty Floors, said a key element of the floor and a big benefit to users is the Comfort Pro pad.

“This pad delivers a shock absorption rating of 32%, which far exceeds most other products that are rated between 20 and 25%,” he said. “That equates to significantly less wear and tear on the athletes at the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center when they are using this floor system.

“One of the leading causes of injuries in sports is muscle fatigue. This floor system will help athletes perform longer and at a reduced risk to injury because of the added performance this floor delivers compared with a standard synthetic sports floor.”

Rental opportunities exist for volleyball, pickleball, soccer or a variety of other sport or activity uses. Call 734-462-4348 for more details or for more information about the Schoolcraft College Fitness Center.

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Today for “Staff Spotlight” we’re sitting down with Scott Davis, Curriculum Technologist, to learn about his role with the College.

Schoolcraft College: Hello, Scott! To start out, you have a very cool title! So, what exactly is a Curriculum Technologist? What does a “normal” day look like and what do people need to know about your role?

Scott Davis: Thanks! I think it’s pretty cool, too. According to my job description, “The Curriculum Technologist uses design principles and practices to provide essential project leadership and support for the execution of the College’s strategic curricular and assessment initiatives.” It also mentions that the person in this position “collaborates with faculty and administrators in the implementation of course, program and institutional level assessments and facilitates the use of appropriate and expansive technologies.”

Man standing, smiling at camera

That’s pretty complicated, so perhaps I can break that down by answering your second question.

On a “normal” day, I’m working on many different projects to support Schoolcraft’s mission and vision. Some days I work with faculty or subject matter experts to design exciting new courses and programs, or revise existing ones to keep them fresh and aligned to labor market demands. That is the best part of my job – learning about a topic and building the curriculum that both students and employers want.

Often my day is also spent finding ways to utilize technology in the work my department, OCA, does to keep the College running smoothly and efficiently. For example, maintaining a database of courses and programs that feeds the website and our common syllabi. I also get to learn new software (Project Management, LMS, CMS), and keep on top of the latest trends in educational technology.

Additionally, I am involved in several committees on campus. I support the institutional assessment initiative on campus. I am directly involved with the Curriculum Committee where faculty and administrators approve new curricular offerings. I serve on the Online Instruction Committee, reviewing online courses and ensuring they are held to a high standard of excellence. And most recently, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as an Associate Editor for the Community College Enterprise, a prestigious peer-reviewed research journal.

SC: Please compare and contrast how your role and work has changed since before the pandemic and how operations are now.

Scott Davis: Nobody could have predicted 2020. I remember in early March when things started to get serious. There were over 1,000 for-credit sections that semester, and the entire College had to work quickly to keep as many of them running as possible. I got to work with a great team to help faculty pivot their courses to online mid-semester. Much of that work involved providing the tools and confidence to instructors so they could teach online, many for the first time. It certainly forced everyone to upgrade their technology skills.

I don’t believe my role has changed much, but how I get my work done is dramatically different. All my face-to-face meetings were suddenly via Zoom. Instead of visiting various departments across campus, we were all now seeing each other in our respective homes.

The pandemic certainly changed society’s relationship with technology. It allowed us to continue our work, school, social and family obligations. I hope it also helped us increase our empathy and sense of what it means to be human as things begin to normalize.

SC: You have been with Schoolcraft College since 2014. What changes have you seen over the years in your role?

Scott Davis: The College has changed dramatically since I first started here. I’ve seen the addition of several buildings (the Jeffress Center, St Joe’s Sports Dome and Mercy Elite Center, the MEC building), as well as major renovations across campus. I’ve also seen a lot of faculty and staff retire from Schoolcraft after spending 15, 20, or even 30 or more years working here. As the College has grown and changed, new talent has come on board.  I hope to see that continue, and for even more opportunities to recruit and retain talented individuals.

There have also been many new programs launched, including a Culinary Bachelor degree, Brewing and Distillation, Pharmacy Technician, Plastics Technology, Real Estate, and many new opportunities in the medical field just to name a few. In my role I get to see these programs start as an idea, gain momentum, and eventually become a reality. I’m also excited about all the new opportunities still on the horizon.

SC: You had some teaching experience early in your career. Please tell us about that.

Scott Davis: Sure. I started as a 6th grade social studies teacher in a charter school in Detroit connected with the College for Creative Studies. I taught both middle and high school in and around the Detroit area for about five years. During that time, I earned my M.A. in Educational Technology and then came to Schoolcraft.

Teaching has shaped the work I do every day. The core product we offer is the student experience. I want to do everything I can to make it as smooth as possible. My job is to collaborate with faculty, staff and administration to develop pathways to success while removing as many barriers along the way as possible.

I still think like a teacher in the work I do. Whether it is curriculum or assessment, I want to look at what skills the student is gaining as a result of the learning process. This is important so that everything aligns to and is in service of the end goal.

Perhaps the end goal is a specific job, a nationally recognized certification, or to transfer. We would work to develop a program that leads to that outcome. That work requires us to develop the courses to make up those certificates and degrees, down to the course competencies and types of assessments used in those courses. 

SC: How do you see the different modalities of teaching (and learning) in higher education playing out? What does the future – both near-term and long-term – look like to you?

Scott Davis: Schoolcraft has been a leader in online learning long before 2020, and I don’t think that will change. With the addition of a new modality, Remote, I see the College continuing to meet the needs of our students.

Near-term I think the pendulum will swing back to more in-person instruction. I think perhaps people are a little burned out from all the web conferencing and are wanting more face-to-face interactions. Also, some skills just require that hands-on learning component.

Before the pandemic, about 70% of the for-credit sections were face-to-face. Long-term I still see in-person instruction being the majority of sections, but Online/Remote learning has more than proved itself and is here to stay.

It’s likely that many of those students (and even a few professors) who may have been hesitant to “go online” actually enjoyed the flexibility and would choose to continue in that modality. My colleague just shared this article titled Teaching: Why an Active-Learning Evangelist Is Sold on Online Teaching about a well-known professor, Eric Mazur, and his experiences. I think it really speaks to the larger trend in education. Technology has allowed for a more personalized learning experience, and for more opportunities for students to become active in the learning process. That said, these strategies could work just as well in a Traditional section.

SC: Thank you, Scott. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Scott Davis: Schoolcraft is a community college, and has always focused on meeting the community’s needs. Our job is to be a transformative force in the lives of our students, hoping that they in turn go out and be a positive influence in the world. I try to live by the motto, “Do Only Good Every Day.”

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Schoolcraft College soon will offer 7 sports through 11 teams for student-athletes with the addition of men’s and women’s cross country for the fall 2021 season.

“We’re excited and pleased to offer more opportunities to student-athletes this fall through our men’s and women’s cross country teams,” said Cali Crawford, Director of Athletics. “The high school cross country teams in our area have traditionally been very strong, so we hope adding programs here at Schoolcraft spurs a lot of interest locally.”

Crawford is actively seeking a head coach to oversee both programs. Interested candidates can apply online.

Schoolcraft College competes in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA), which has 15 men’s and 14 women’s cross country teams. Each team can have eight runners, with five needed to score in meets.

A key recruiting advantage for Schoolcraft College is the new St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center on campus. The 75,000-square-foot facility includes the Mercy Elite sports performance and training programs, physical therapy and more as well as brand-new classrooms and equipment for Schoolcraft College’s Movement Science program.

Men’s cross country was one of the original sports offered at Schoolcraft College in 1964, along with men’s basketball and men’s swimming.

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To help celebrate, recognize and understand more about Juneteenth, TaQuilla Kusero of our Distance Learning team thoughtfully provided the following essay:

Juneteenth, or June 19th, has become one of the most celebrated holidays that marked the end of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, most confederate states, and slaveholding border states, continued to enslave Black Americans until Union troops arrived to confront the resistance and enforce the laws over the next few years. In fact, owners of enslaved Black Americans would flee the fighting in the East and move to neighboring states like Texas to escape the Union Army’s grasp, bringing along enslaved people with them.

A red black and green logo that reads: "Juneteenth Freedom Day"

It was not until two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, June 19, 1865, that Union troops reached the long holdout city, Galveston, Texas. This incident marked the day the Union took control of the area and announced to the enslaved people still held there that they were now free from the horrors of slavery.

The original announcement stated:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

This day marked the beginning of what would become a second independence day in the United States and commonly referred to as Juneteenth. Celebrations began the very next year and typically included, music, food and religious gatherings. This period also brought about what is known as the Reconstruction era. Between 1865 and 1877 the nation attempted to bring southern states back into the political process and create a new relationship with newly freed Black Americans, but this period was short-lived, as a new wave of segregationist laws and restrictions effectively made black Americans second-class citizens for another 90 years until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed.

During this time Juneteenth celebrations diminished, then experienced a resurgence in the 1970s-1990s. The recognition of Juneteenth has grown by leaps and bounds over the past two decades as awareness of it has spread through the media, popular TV shows and statewide celebrations. Over 40 states now recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, with a handful of those states working to establish it as an official paid federal holiday. 

How Juneteenth is celebrated is a very individual practice, just like most other holidays. Some celebrate with grand outdoor events, including food, rodeos, live performances, historical reenactments and fireworks. Some use it as a time to reconnect with nature by going hiking, camping or to the beach. Others use it as a time to continue the fight for equitable rights in the U.S. The true embodiment of this holiday is that you are free to celebrate it the way you see fit. 

Many cities across the country, including here in Michigan, are having their very first Juneteenth celebrations this year, so if you are unfamiliar with the holiday and would like to take part in its traditions, please find an event near you. It is one thing to learn about the history in a book or article, and another to participate in the festival of freedom to which this holiday represents.

The Detroit Free Press has a list of Juneteenth events online.