Schoolcraft College

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.”

by

As part of an assessment on the Schoolcraft College Police Department, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments by telephone or email. The public may call 734-462-4474 on July 22, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to [email protected].

A team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) will arrive on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to examine all aspects of the Schoolcraft College Police Department policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Mark Engstrom announced today.

“Verification by the team that the Schoolcraft College Police Department meets the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Engstrom said.

As part of this final On-Site Assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the Assessment Team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 734-462-4474 on July 22, 2025, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to [email protected].

Telephone comments are limited to five (5) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the Commission’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Schoolcraft College Police Department, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI  48152.  Please contact Lt. Matthew Mayes at 734-462-4706 to facilitate pickup of the standards.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Schoolcraft College Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at [email protected] or write the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI 48864.

The Schoolcraft College Police Department must comply with 108 standards to achieve accredited status.

“Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs,” Engstrom said.

The Accreditation Program Director for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is Matt Silverthorn.

“The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar Michigan law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.  Once the assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Silverthorn said.

Schoolcraft College Police first received Accredited status in 2022.  Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The MACP, through its Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of Michigan. For more information regarding the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, please write the Commission at: MACP, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 3474 Alaiedon Pkwy, Suite 600, Okemos, MI  48864 or email at [email protected].

by

The Step Ahead with Schoolcraft College program offers students a chance to earn college credit, a scholarship for the Fall semester and get acclimated to what the college experience is like.

Calling all high school graduates: Schoolcraft College has brought back its summer bridge program to help students get a jump start on their studies.

The Step Ahead with Schoolcraft College summer bridge program offers students a chance to earn college credit, a scholarship for the Fall semester and get acclimated to what the college experience is like.

Two sessions will take place: the first will run July 14-25, while the second will run July 28-Aug. 8. All classes will take place in the morning, with workshops on select afternoons. Registration is free, though slots are limited.

“This program has been an incredible success the past few years, and we’re excited to offer it yet again to students looking to get a leg up on their collegiate careers,” said Jennie Rokakis, a Learning Support Services Coordinator at Schoolcraft College. “Students that enroll in our Step Ahead program are then equipped with the skills they need to succeed in college.”

Students will take CAB 102: Student Success and Career Development, a two-credit course designed to clarify education and career direction while maximizing potential for success in both college and the workplace. Students will also be required to attend at least three workshops offered by Learning Support Services through their “College Essentials: Pre-Fall Workshop Series.” Workshops will be offered in the afternoons from July 14-Aug. 14 and focus on a variety of topics such as writing essays, using library databases, financial literacy and more. Those who register and complete the program will receive a scholarship to apply toward their Fall 2025 semester at Schoolcraft College, as well as entry into a drawing for free school supplies, including Chromebooks.

Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with campus resources such as advising, student employment, student life with the Student Activities Office, Hinkle Student Resource Center and more. In addition, students will also get the chance to meet with an Academic Success Coach and learn about the offerings from Learning Support Services such as tutoring, to strengthen their academics in English and Mathematics.

To qualify for the program, students must have a GED, high school diploma or a certificate of completion, and be an accepted Schoolcraft student for Summer 2025. While the program is geared toward first-year students, all Schoolcraft students are welcome to register if they feel they would benefit from the program and have not taken CAB 102 previously.

To learn more about the Step Ahead program and to sign up to participate, visit schoolcraft.edu/StepAhead.

by

Tuition rates for the 2025-2026 school year will remain the same as the 2024-2025 school year, a decision recently made by the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees.

Students attending Schoolcraft College this fall will pay the same amount in tuition as they did for the previous school year.

The Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees recently approved keeping tuition and fees for 2025-2026 the same as the previous year. The move, recommended by Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College, will aid students by keeping costs at the same level for the upcoming year.

With the decision, Schoolcraft College’s tuition will remain at the following levels per credit hour:

  • In-district resident: $139
  • Out-of-district resident: $200
  • Out-of-state/International: $270

“While costs are going up everywhere else, we’re happy to keep our tuition flat for the upcoming school year,” Cerny said. “This decision is a testament to successful planning and hard work our team has put in, and we’re pleased to offer this one-time freeze in tuition and fees to our hardworking students in order to assist them in achieving their goals.”

The decision to keep tuition and fees flat for the upcoming school year reflects the positive financial practices put into place by Schoolcraft College, including several community partnerships the College has launched. With these successful programs in place, coupled with responsible budgeting, this one-time freeze is possible to assist students attending classes this upcoming year.

Specific course fees are not affected by this decision and remain subject to change.

Even with the upcoming freeze in tuition, there have never been more opportunities for students to attend college at no cost. Programs such as Michigan Reconnect – which covers tuition for students 25 and older without a college degree – and the Community College Guarantee – which covers the cost of an associate degree for recent high school graduates – are available to help students earn a two-year degree without paying tuition.

Students considered in-district are those who live within the boundaries of the following school districts: Livonia, Clarenceville, Plymouth-Canton, Northville, Garden City and part of Novi. Out-of-district residents include anyone residing in Michigan outside of those school districts.

Registration for the Fall semester is currently underway at Schoolcraft College. To apply for admission, visit schoolcraft.edu/apply.

by

To mark the success of the campaign, guests can meet with several departments on campus during the open house inside the Vistatech Center.

Schoolcraft College will celebrate its highly-successful comprehensive giving campaign with an open house showcasing its efforts.

The open house, being held to highlight various departments across the College that have benefited from the Vision 2025 campaign, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26 inside the Vistatech Center at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty in Livonia.

The open house will allow visitors a chance to meet representatives from various departments across campus and learn more about the campaign’s impact.

First launched in 2020, the Schoolcraft College Foundation launched its Vision 2025 campaign, which aimed on collecting $10 million in donations. After smashing the initial goal, it was stretched to $18 million, a benchmark that was also reached. More than $19 million has been raised as the campaign wraps, an amount that has made an incredible impact on Schoolcraft College’s students.

“The mark of Vision 2025 on the campus community has left a major positive impact for students of all ages,” said Dawn Magretta, Executive Director of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. “Focusing on areas such as student success, community, and education and workforce development has only improved what we can offer not only to our students, but members of the community as well.”

Some of the programs supported by the Vision 2025 campaign include:

  • The Campus Comfort Companion comfort dog program
  • The STEAM at Schoolcraft multidisciplinary conference held each spring
  • Scholarships for the Kids on Campus summer camp program
  • The Noon Concert Series
  • And more

Throughout the campaign, the Schoolcraft College Foundation established more than 110 new funds, aimed at supporting scholarships, advancement and gift annuity funds. In that same time, nearly $3 million in scholarships have been provided to nearly 3,200 students.

The funding comes from generous donors from the community, businesses, Schoolcraft College employees and more.

“We are so grateful for the charitable giving from our community to support the Vision 2025 campaign,” said Lynn Coburn, Chairwoman of the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors. “Through their amazing generosity, our donors are important members of the Schoolcraft College family. We’re honored to celebrate their efforts during our upcoming open house event.”

The Vision 2025 open house is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to park in the new parking lot adjacent to the Vistatech Center and enter through the new entrance on the western side of the building.

by

The Teach and S.T.E.P. program, now in its fourth year, continues to link Schoolcraft College and Detroit Western International High School in a partnership that shows students a taste of higher education.

A long-running partnership between Schoolcraft College and Western International High School in Detroit has helped expose many high school students to the benefits of attending college.

The Teach and S.T.E.P. program, now in its fourth year, continues to link Schoolcraft College and Western International High School in a partnership that shows students a taste of higher education. Led by duo Ryan Masters, who teaches at both Schoolcraft and Western International; and Janice Tomlinson, an instructor at Schoolcraft, the program gives high school students the opportunity to work with elementary students, giving them hands-on experience in the education world. The students also dual enroll at Schoolcraft, taking CAB 102: College and Beyond.

The high school students recently came to campus to present their capstone projects. One student, Deshawn Echols, said he really enjoyed the program and really recommended other students look at taking college courses while still in high school.

“I would 100% take dual enrollment classes next year with Mr. Masters,” he said. “I got to learn more programs, get more experience and widen my range.”

In addition to working with local groups and taking college courses, the students had the opportunity to visit Schoolcraft College and tour the college after presenting their capstone portfolio projects among their fellow students and Schoolcraft leadership.

Students in the program work with various community groups, such as Soar Detroit, a literacy program for children; and GOAL Line Detroit, which aims to provide Detroit students access to impactful afterschool programming.

Masters said he was proud of the work his students put in this year and was excited at the next steps for all of them. Whether they planned on being mentors for new students next year or they were off to college, Masters said the students had done well at completing their work.

“You’ve done the hard work and now we reap the fruits of our labor,” Masters told his students.

Whether the students decide to pursue a career path in teaching our not, Tomlinson told them teaching is something that’s present in nearly every job they would go into once they complete their schooling.

“Regardless of what occupational area you go into, you’re going to teach,” Tomlinson said. “Teaching is the foundation of every other occupation. That experience is going to be invaluable.”

by

The third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 19 on the greenspace between the Forum and Liberal Arts buildings and feature speakers, vendors, food and more.

Schoolcraft College will honor the Juneteenth holiday with a special gathering taking place on campus June 19.

The third annual Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 19 on the greenspace between the Forum and Liberal Arts buildings at the main campus at 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia. The event will feature speakers, food and more. This year’s theme for the event is “Rooted in Resilience Rising in Unity: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature speakers such as Dr. Stacie Smith, the Director of Education at The Africa-America Institute; Marcus Kelley, Executive Director of The Change Up Midnight Coalition; and Delisha Upshaw, Founder of the Livonia Equity & Anti-Racism Network.

In addition to the speakers, several vendors and other groups will have a presence at the event. Lunch will also be served, and in the spirit of a summer event, an inflatable obstacle course will also be available.

“Celebrating Juneteenth has been a staple here at Schoolcraft College the past several years,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College. “It’s a great day to gather and mark this important day with the campus community, and we look forward to seeing our students, staff and faculty attend this important event.”

Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The day serves as the anniversary of the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, which took place by Union soldiers on June 19, 1865 in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. It became a federal holiday in 2021.

by

The Electrified Mobility Certification program involves a hands-on lab combined with on-line training modules to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Electric mobility is the fastest growing segment in new vehicle sales and Schoolcraft College is positioning itself to be at the forefront of educating our workforce in this space with ~~~~its newest non-credit program.

Schoolcraft College launched The Electrified Mobility Certification program in Dec. 2024.  The first participants in the program are a team of experienced technicians from Roush Industries in an apprenticeship program supported by SEMCA Michigan Works.  The program utilizes a four-week hands-on lab combined with on-line training modules to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Jerry Lickey, who instructs the lab section of the program, said electric vehicles aren’t a new concept; in fact, they’re the original concept. The first automobiles driven ran on electricity in the 1800s before most cars switched to internal combustion engines.

Students assemble and disassemble a fully functional three-wheel electric vehicle during the class, which, once built, can travel as high as 60 mph. Once students complete the four-week program, and the online courses that follow, they receive an electrified mobility certification. This non-credit certification helps prepare them to identify key competencies employers seek in the mobility sector that are reflective of current best practices in the field.

“Our team has been very active in the development of the curriculum to make sure that our industry partners value the training we’re putting together. Roush and Bosch have been heavily involved with this program and their input has been invaluable,” said Amy Jones, Schoolcraft College’s Senior Director of Workforce Development. “It’s pretty comprehensive.”

The online components of the training program — which is being created in conjunction with the Electric Vehicle Center at the University of Michigan — has been in development since 2023.

These cohorts bring students together to help learn skills to better prepare for the world of electric and hybrid vehicles. There are many experienced technicians in the automotive industry who are interested in updating their skills to be able to work on hybrid and electric vehicles.

group looking at electrical wiring of a metal part
Instructor Jerry Lickey works with students in The Electric Mobility Certification program. The program utilizes four-week hands-on lab combined with on-line training modules to provide a comprehensive understanding of hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Willie Simmons, Jr., a technician at Roush, spent one evening recently at the MEC working on low voltage panels for the car. He said he’s spent some time around EVs, such as disassembling a Ford F-150 Lightning and learning more about it, but the program at Schoolcraft really helped drive important concepts home.

“I kind of love it,” he said. “I don’t know what I was expecting out of it, but I do like to challenge myself all the time.”

Battery electric and hybrid vehicle combined sales are projected to reach close to 70% by 2030.  The industry will require workers to significantly upskill their current workforce, as well as new people entering the growing mobility industry.

The program has been exclusively used by Roush the past several months with plans to expand it to another local company soon. Some classes, including the online component, will also open to the public wanting to learn in the coming months.

This program helps educate those looking to advance in the mobility industry, a line of work that is here to stay for years to come, as well as automotive workers looking to upskill and learn more about hybrid and electric vehicles.

For more information on the program, contact Schoolcraft College’s Workforce and Economic Development office at [email protected] or by calling 734-462-4438.

by

Skyler Umney, who recently graduated, is one of 90 students nationwide to receive the transfer scholarship.

Skyler Umney, a student at Schoolcraft College, is one of 90 high-achieving community college students selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate education with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Umney with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Umney recently graduated with an Associate in Science and was accepted at the University of Michigan, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology.  Skylar is a first-generation student and chose Schoolcraft College to begin his studies. While at Schoolcraft, Umney was involved with several organizations, including the Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program and the LSA Transfer Bridges program.

He is the first Schoolcraft College student to receive the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship since 2017.

“This is an incredible award and we’re so proud of Skyler for his accomplishments,” said Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Chief Student Services Officer and Faculty Representative for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation at Schoolcraft College. “He has worked incredibly hard and we’re honored the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has recognized him for all his achievements.”

student surprised expression
Skyler Umney is taken aback after finding out he received the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship during a surprise announcement May 8 inside the Vistatech Center at Schoolcraft College.

While nearly 80% of community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only 16% reach that goal within six years. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which makes this goal more attainable for selected students, provides last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for up to three years and eases the financial burden of completing a four-year degree. Beyond funding, Scholars receive personalized advising to guide their academic and professional journeys. Scholars also gain access to a nationwide network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars and Alumni, along with opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school support – ensuring they have every tool needed to thrive beyond community college.The 2025 cohort marks one of the largest in the Foundation’s 25-year history, reinforcing its continued commitment to creating debt-free pathways to higher education for high-achieving students with financial need.

“This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.”

This year’s selection process drew more than 1,600 applications from community colleges across the nation. The 90 new Scholars were selected from a semifinalist pool of 467 students. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic achievement, unmet financial need, persistence, and leadership qualities.

by

The free event is for for middle- and high-school students who want to learn about in-demand, good-paying careers that require an associate degree or skill certificate.

Teenagers can learn about various jobs in public safety, energy, health, advanced manufacturing and more at Livonia’s premiere career-exploration event this week.

Touch a Job is a free event for middle- and high-school students who want to learn about in-demand, good-paying careers that require an associate degree or skill certificate. This event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Schoolcraft College Manufacturing and Engineering Center, 13001 Merriman Road in Livonia.

ocelot mascot with firefighters and fire truck

This Career Exploration Festival is designed to introduce young people and their parents to great, in-demand careers that require no more than an associate degree. Students will have opportunities to meet professionals and educators from these fields, view demonstrations, and participate in hands-on experiences.

Career demonstrations will take place in classrooms throughout the MEC as well as in front of the building.

“This experience is incredibly valuable for our young people as they begin exploring potential career paths,” said Livonia-Westland Chamber President Dan West. “Two-thirds of future jobs are in these types of fields, and our economy and communities rely on them.

“We believe engaging young people in these high-tech and dynamic jobs will ignite new interests and help them and their families realize that four-year degrees are not the only way to make a good living while making a difference in the community.”

Touch a Job is presented by Schoolcraft College, AlphaUSA, Kiwanis: Livonia Early Risers, the Livonia-Westland Chamber, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2, Livonia Police Department, Livonia Fire Department, Roush, Storch and the Schoolcraft College Foundation.

“Students attending Touch a Job will leave with a better understanding of what types of jobs are available to them after high school,” said Dr. Jodie Beckley, Associate Dean of Occupational Programs at Schoolcraft College. “Jobs in the skilled trades are in hot demand and this event is a great opportunity for future students and their parents to learn more about them.”

Students from all schools are welcome to participate in the program which will include hands-on activities, food, and fun. For more information, contact the Livonia Chamber of Commerce at 734-427-2122 or email [email protected].

by

Patty Soter accomplished a longtime goal of her at Commencement: earn her associate degree. At 72, she finally did it.

Patty Soter was just one of hundreds of graduates to walk the stage at last week’s Commencement Ceremony at Schoolcraft College.

The Plymouth resident had her mortarboard, gown and family supporting her as she walked across the stage after hearing her name. She shook hands with Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of the College. And she took plenty of pictures with family and fellow students.

What’s so unique about Soter, you ask? Probably the fact that she is old enough to be some graduates’ grandmother.

student regalia
Patty Soter, 72 of Plymouth, walks the stage at Schoolcraft College’s 60th Annual Commencement Ceremony May 3.

At 72, Soter has already worked for decades and has retired, but had a strong calling to return to school and complete her associate degree. She had taken some classes at other schools’ in the past, but had never finished. She instead joined the workforce, doing jobs such as a reservationist for an airline and a secretary for various institutions, including the University of Michigan. Looking to enhance her skills, she began taking classes at another community college, but never did finish the degree.

It wasn’t until she retired that she decided to go back and finish her program.

“There are other things that were going on. I think I stopped this journey about four times,” she said. “When I retired from U of M, I decided this was the time. It was time for me to complete my goal, and I wanted a college education.”

Soter spoke to an advisor, who told her she only had a few classes to go before she could earn her degree. She was familiar with Schoolcraft College — she lives in Plymouth and had taken several Personal & Professional Learning fitness classes — so she enrolled in credit courses. One such course was THEA 120: Theatre Activities I with Paul Beer and THEA 210: Acting I with Michael Herman,

Her grandchildren have done theater, so she decided to give it a shot. It was a class she truly enjoyed.

“It was the best thing I could have done. It’s so fun,” she said. “Paul Beer was great. He is a wonderful instructor.”

While she’s felt incredibly comfortable on campus as a student, there have been some moments that her age was on full display. One such moment was before one of her classes started, she saw a group of younger students in the hallway. Deciding she was find a seat, she walked in the classroom, only for the younger students to follow her, thinking she was running the lesson.

“I guess they saw me as an older person walking in there and they said, ‘Oh, that must be the instructor,’ so everybody follows behind me,” she said. “They were shocked.”

Despite earning her associate degree this past weekend, Soter said her educational career may not be finished quite yet: she plans on taking some time for some traveling, but is seriously considering enrolling at Wayne State University to earn her bachelor’s degree.

Her advice? It’s never too late to go to school and complete your goals.

“I guess you can only say ‘Just do it,’” Soter said. “Think outside the box. Improve your improve your mental capacity, as well as your physical capacity. because it’s all here.”