Say What: Graduation vs. Commencement

April 11, 2022 by mlemon

Be sure to attend one of the Grad Fairs this week

Learning, of course, is the goal of any college experience. Part of that education means familiarizing yourself with some unfamiliar terms. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

As part of an occasional series, we’ll explain phrases, lingo or topics to add to your college vocabulary. We call it “Say What?” If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered, please send suggestions to [email protected].

Today, we take a look at the difference between Graduation and Commencement.

What’s the difference?

It’s easy to think that graduation and commencement are the same thing, but they definitely are not. Graduation means fulfilling all the academic requirements for your credential – certificate, skills certificate associate degree or bachelor’s degree. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates this achievement.

What do I need to do to graduate?

Now is a good time to check your progress toward your credential. To do that, log in to Ocelot Access, select Student Planning, and then My Progress to track your progress.

Next, choose Graduation Overview and click Apply in Ocelot Access to submit your graduation application. Schoolcraft College has only one Commencement a year, so the semester in which you will take your final courses is the semester for which you should apply for graduation.

Graduates in caps and gowns — This year’s Commencement is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, in the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center on the main campus.

Once final grades have posted for the semester, the Records Office will begin auditing graduation applications to verify that all requirements have been met.

The process is done manually, so your patience is greatly appreciated. You will receive an email when your credential has posted to your transcript.

The last day to submit a graduation application for the Winter 2022 semester is on Thursday, May 5. To ensure your name appears in the Commencement program, you need to submit a graduation application by Friday, April 15 for Winter, Spring and Summer 2022.

Learn more information about graduation.

When is Commencement?

This year’s Commencement is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, in the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center on the main campus.

To help you get ready for Commencement, please plan on attending one of the Grad Fairs, which will be held on the following dates and times at the Bookstore on the main campus:

Wednesday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Be prepared to purchase and pick up your cap and gown for $30. You also will be given your four guest tickets at this time. Graduates must pick up their guest tickets in-person at the Bookstore.

Also available for purchase will be announcements, diploma frames, class rings, and a variety of alumni/graduate merchandise.

More information about Commencement, including a list of FAQs, is available on its web page.

April 4, 2022 by mlemon

Program Launched in 2021; Two Students Almost Finished

Because of many disruptions of consumer products – or the parts needed to produce goods – the term “supply chain” is more and more part of everyday conversation. Given the ongoing challenges, it’s apparent that skilled professionals are needed in a variety of industries to manage supply chain issues.

A dose of help is on the way, thanks to Schoolcraft College.

Schoolcraft College launched its Supply Chain Management (SCM) program in January 2021, and two students are about to be the first to complete the program. Another is making his mark in supply chain right now while still attending class.

The two students with the finish line in sight illustrate how Supply Chain Management can be a good fit no matter your level of expertise or familiarity with the subject.

One student, John Garcia, is on the front lines of Supply Chain Management – he’s a helicopter pilot who delivers materials both locally and nationally. He’s even delivered microchips to automotive plants.

Students in the Supply Chain Management program recently learned about challenges in the restaurant industry from Christopher C. Misiak, Program Coordinator for Culinary Arts.

“When I was exploring degree options last winter, I was made aware of the SCM program, which was beginning when I would start school, and was immediately sold,” Garcia said. “I felt this was a good choice because it aligned with my career and am very interested in the transportation industry and movement of goods.”

The other student, Zachary Miles, graduated from high school in 2020. He got his start at Schoolcraft in high school as a Dual Enrollment student, then became a full-time student in the Spring 2020 term.

“I started attending Schoolcraft College in January 2020 as a Dual Enrollment student,” Miles said. “I have mostly taken business and general education courses, but also Psychology, Political Science, and German.

“After discovering the Supply Chain Management program in Winter 2021, my main priority is to finish with a Skills Certificate and transfer to Eastern Michigan to get a bachelor’s degree and possibly an MBA.”

To help students achieve their goals, the Supply Chain Management credentials are “stackable.” That means the Skills Certificate flows to the Certificate, which flows to the Associate in Applied Science Degree. Courses also can transfer to a four-year school to pursue a bachelor’s degree. (See your Academic Advisor for details.)

“Both of these students have mentioned to me several times how proud they are to be the first students to complete this program,” said Steve Donovan, Instructor and Supply Chain Management Program Consultant. “It gives me great satisfaction to see how proud they are to complete a program we just launched a year ago.”

Miles appreciates the real-world perspective that Donovan, who began as a Consultant on the Supply Chain Management program in 2018 after a distinguished career in the automotive industry, brings to the classroom.

Supply Chain Management students (left to right) John Garcia, Zachary Miles and Shain Scherer.

“He has done an outstanding job of explaining the course material and connecting it to real life,” Miles said. “I felt like trying to take every opportunity and really trying to connect each thing I learn in real life is the best and most helpful way of mastering the course content, and he’s done that with simulations, guest speakers and field trips.”

Another student, Shain Scherer, was able to make a connection and is working in the industry. Now he’s “earning while he’s learning” as he pursues the Associate Degree.

“During the Spring 2021 term, I brought in a guest speaker from Expeditors, a third-party logistics company in Romulus,” Donovan said. “I connected Shain with a representative I had been working with. He got an interview and has been working for them since September.”

Scherer started in SCM in May of 2021 and had been serving tables and bartending before his new opportunity.

“I’ve been working as an Air Export agent,” he said. “I figured if I was going to be in school for this, it would be wise to get a jump start on my career as soon as possible.

“I learned about the program while looking through the course catalog at Schoolcraft. I have a few friends who work in the industry and they seem happy with their jobs. Also around that time with the pandemic still going, supply chain has become an everyday issue. The more I learned about it, the more interested I became.”

That interest has been stoked further in class.

“Themost helpful thing I’ve learned in my classes would be the current event examinations we’ve done in the Supply Chain classes,” he said. “I work in air exports so now things like supply chain disruption really affect my day to day. Whether it was an airport being shut down in Ukraine or weather issues, all of these things affect my current job, so it’s interesting to take a look at it.

“The Supply Chain Management program and its focus on actually applying the work to a job and getting a job have been incredibly helpful the last few months, and I’m excited to keep getting after it.”

Learn more about Schoolcraft College’s Supply Chain Management program.

Registration for Fall 2022 is now open.

April 4, 2022 by mlemon

Learn the differences as you plan your educational journey

Learning, of course, is the goal of any college experience. Part of that education means familiarizing yourself with some unfamiliar terms. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Through our monthly “Say What?” series, we’ll explain phrases, lingo or topics to add to your college vocabulary. If there’s something you’d like to see covered, please send suggestions to [email protected].

Today, we take a look at the difference between two items that are part of overall college expenses: tuition and fees.

What is tuition?

Tuition is, simply, the cost of instruction. At its most basic, tuition covers the cost of the professor or instructor teaching the course and the cost of offering the class in the first place. At Schoolcraft College, tuition rates are based on residency, which is whether you live in the College’s district or out of the district.

Schoolcraft College’s district includes cities and townships within the following public school districts: Clarenceville, Garden City, Livonia, Northville and Plymouth-Canton. The district also includes a small sliver of Novi. Residents in these districts pay a millage, or tax, to help maintain Schoolcraft College. Because they’ve already paid into the College, they receive a lower tuition rate.

calculator, piggy bank wearing a graduation cap — Tuition is the cost of instruction. Fees are generally used to cover the cost of buildings, facilities and services.

The tuition rates for 2022-23 are as follows:

Resident: $131 per credit hour
Non-resident: $188 per credit hour
Out of state: $265 per credit hour
International: $265 per credit hour

What are fees?

Fees are separate from tuition. They are used to pay some of the other expenses related to higher education, including buildings and facilities. Here is the fee schedule:

Application fee: $0
Transcript fee: Varies according to delivery method
Parking fee: $0
Registration fee: $43 per semester
Instructional equipment fee: $10 per credit hour
Service fee: $8 per credit hour
Infrastructure fee: $8 per credit hour
Learning management fee: $12 per class
Lab fee: Varies according to individual class
Excess contact hour fee: Varies according to individual class

Explanation of fees

Registration Fee

This fee is a refundable fee charged one time per semester regardless of how many credit hours a student registers for during the semester. This fee is $43 per semester.

Instructional Equipment Fee

This fee is used to defray the increasing cost of maintaining, upgrading, and replacing the wide variety of electronic equipment and personal computers used in our classrooms. Software purchases, maintenance agreements, and upgrades are also covered by this fee. Every student is charged $10 per credit hour for this fee.

Service Fee

This fee defrays the cost of several free services that Schoolcraft provides to students, such as career services, student activities, graduation, parking and admittance to the SC Fitness Center each semester the student is registered. This fee is $8 per credit.

Infrastructure Fee

This fee is used to defray the increasing costs associated with maintaining and enhancing the College’s buildings, facilities, and campus grounds. Deferred maintenance and depreciation of campus infrastructure is also covered by this fee. Every student is charged $8 per credit hour for this fee.

Lab Fees/Learning Management Fees

This fee is used to cover the cost of special materials, equipment, student assistants, specialized support and other services. Our learning management system fee (currently Blackboard) is $12 per class, with an additional fee of $10 for classes held in computer labs, allowing the use of additional technology that is otherwise not available in a standard classroom.

Excess Contact Hours Fees

The College charges $131 per excess contact hour per class with a maximum of 4 excess contact hours per class.

An excess contact hour occurs when the weekly class meeting hours exceed the class credit hours. For example, if Biology meets 4 hours per week, but Biology is a 3 credit hour class, the student is charged a $131 excess contact hour fee. If a Nursing class meets 10 hours per week, but the Nursing class is a 4 credit hour class, the student will be charged a $524 excess contact hour fee.

Paying for higher education can be a challenge. Fortunately, Schoolcraft College offers a variety of scholarships. Learn more here.

April 4, 2022 by mlemon

Certificates lead to more opportunities

Professionals in the field of medical imaging can further their careers by earning advanced certificates through three new programs offered by Schoolcraft College starting in the Fall 2022 semester.

The three new programs are:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Post Associate Certificate
Computed Tomography Post Associate Certificate
Mammography Post Associate Certificate

To pursue any of these new certificates, an Associate Degree is NOT required. These post associate certificate opportunities are for professionals in the field who have already obtained primary certification and are looking to be eligible to take their advanced certification exam.

person using a technology device — Programs leading to Post Associate Certificates in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography and Mammography will be available starting in the Fall 2022 semester.

“Earning a certificate allows technologists to become more specialized, which would increase their demand and job opportunities,” said Jufauri Ely, Program Director/Instructor for Radiologic Technology (RAD), and Faculty Representative for Medical Imaging Programs. “They also could work in multiple areas and be uniquely skilled.”

As a part-time faculty member and subject matter expert, Donna Moir RT(R)(CT) MBA, has been instrumental in developing these post-associate programs and will have an important role in these programs going forward. “Currently, there is a labor shortage of Imaging Technologists. Schoolcraft College has partnered with leading healthcare systems to provide a quality clinical experience for our students,” she said.

“Imaging professionals can advance in the profession by pursuing one of these advanced certifications. Post Associate Certifications allow technologists to earn a significantly higher salary. Technologists can earn $10,000 to $25,000 more annually with an advanced certification,” Moir said.

Here’s a closer look at each program

What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists are healthcare professionals who use specialized, powerful magnets to produce images of organs and structures within the body that aid in the diagnosis of diseases and injuries. Unlike X-rays or Computed Tomography, MRI does not use ionizing radiation.

an imaging machine — Programs leading to Post Associate Certificates in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography and Mammography will be available starting in the Fall 2022 semester.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Post Associate Certificate

Applicants must be registered with one of the following:
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists – ARRT
- Radiation Therapists – ARRT
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists – ARRT or NMTCB
- Sonographers – ARRT or ARDMS
- 16 credits, including lecture and clinical instruction
- Clinicals include 47 procedures across 6 categories
- Students must complete 25 procedures
- Each procedure must be repeated between 3 to 6 times

What Is Computed Tomography (CT)?

Computed Tomography Technologists are healthcare professionals responsible for producing detailed 3D images of the inside of the body utilizing ionizing radiation. These images are used for diagnostic testing and radiation therapy treatment planning.

Computed Tomography Post Associate Certificate

Applicants must be registered with one of the following:
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists – ARRT
- Radiation Therapists – ARRT
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists – ARRT or NMTCB
- 16 credits, including lecture and clinical instruction
- Clinicals include 59 procedures across 6 categories
- Students must complete 25 procedures
- Each procedure must be repeated between 3 to 6 times

What is Mammography (M)?

Mammography uses low-energy radiation to produce images of the breast that play a key role in early detection of breast cancer.

Mammography Post Associate Certificate

Applicant must be registered with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists – ARRT
9 credits, including lecture and clinical instruction
Complete 25 mammography procedures required by Mammography Control Standards Act under direct supervision of a technologist
Complete 75 supervised mammographic procedures (screening and/or diagnostic) on 75 patients addressing patient preparation/education and documentation tasks

The new Post Associate Certificate programs are a strong complement to Schoolcraft College’s two Medical Imaging programs that award Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees – Radiologic Technology (X-rays) and Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound).

Both debuted in the Fall 2021 semester and are 67-68 credits, of which 26-27 credits are prerequisites and the other 41 credits are program requirements. A full-time student can complete the requirements in two years. Up to 45 Prior Learning Credits are available.

an imaging equipment — Programs leading to Post Associate Certificates in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography and Mammography will be available starting in the Fall 2022 semester.

“Our Radiologic Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs are off to a strong start, so we’re pleased to add Post Associate Certificate programs as well to help industry professionals take a step forward in their careers,” said Dave Kesler, D.C.*, Associate Dean of Health Professions. “Medical imaging is a vital part of today’s health care, and trained individuals in this field are needed more than ever.”

Learn more about Schoolcraft College’s Medical Imaging programs.

Registration for Fall 2022 is now open.

* RT(R)(CT) stands for Registered Radiologic Technologist, Computed Tomography

** D.C. stands for Doctor of Chiropractic

March 28, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

Changes will prepare students for rapidly changing industry

The restaurant business has changed rapidly in a short time. Schoolcraft College is preparing its Culinary Arts students for the ever-evolving realities of this complex industry by updating several areas of the curriculum. The new curriculum has launched and will be available in the fall of 2022.

“With the help of industry experts who provide valuable feedback, data from graduate and employer surveys, plus input from other valued sources within Schoolcraft College and beyond, we’ve adjusted our curriculum and programming to better train our students to become valued employees and leaders in the restaurant industry,” said Brian Beland, Certified Master Chef (CMC*) and Department Chair of Culinary Arts.

The goal is to raise competency levels for the students and improve skill sets in several key areas in cooking and operations.

Christopher C. Misiak, CCE**, CEC***, Program Coordinator for Culinary Arts, and 2016 National ACF Chef Instructor of the Year, was instrumental in helping develop the new curriculum. “A culinary curriculum must stay in tune with the industry standards and trends,” he said. “After a lengthy process of analysis, we were able to identify six additional program outcomes that needed to be addressed in the new curriculum.”

These newly identified outcome were:

Apply nutritional concepts to menus
Increased focus and repetition on fundamental cooking principles
Perform advanced butchery skills
Understand restaurant financial controls
Incorporation of alcohol service and accountability
Improve time-management skills

“These new outcomes were directly involved in the development of the new classes,” Chef Misiak said. “From them we created two new foundation cooking classes in the first year; a new nutritional class was created that included an emphasis on lab production; wine and spirits, once an elective choice, is now in the core program; and we expanded our restaurant classes hours to promote a better learning environment for the student.”

To reflect the updated curriculum, the program will be called Professional Culinary Arts and offer the following credentials.

Professional Culinary Arts Skills Certificate – 21 credits
Professional Culinary Arts Certificate – 43 credits
Professional Culinary Arts Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree – 60-66 credits

The program is stackable to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Culinary and Dietary Operations and is certified by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF).

A closer look at what’s new

Students in the Certificate and AAS tracks will especially benefit from the impact of the updated and new courses. “These courses are especially key to teaching new competencies required by the industry,” Chef Beland said. “In some cases, we were able to streamline. With CUL 125, for example, we included material previously covered in the advanced pastry class. Further, we built both CUL 210 and CUL 245 to support the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation requirements and industry expectations.”

New courses include:

CUL 125 – Foundations of Classical and Contemporary Pastry
CUL 130 – Foundations of Cooking A (Dry Heat Cookery)
CUL 135 – Foundations of Cooking B (Moist Heat Cookery)
CUL 210 – Wine and Spirits
CUL 245 – Foundations in Healthy Cooking

High school students can get an early start

Schoolcraft College has articulation (transfer) agreements with several area school districts that can allow high school students to complete their prerequisites. These districts are:

Livonia Public Schools
Oakland County Public School District
Plymouth-Canton Public Schools
Saline Public Schools

Agreements in place with those districts allow students to receive credit for CUL 102 (Culinary Sanitation) and CUL 103 (Introduction to Professional Cooking Skills and Techniques) before entering Schoolcraft College.

Learn more about Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program.

* CMC – stands for Certified Master Chef (CMC) from the American Culinary Federation (ACF)

** CCE – stands for Certified Culinary Educator® (CCE®) from the American Culinary Federation (ACF)

*** CEC – stands for Certified Executive Chef® (CCE®) from the American Culinary Federation (ACF)

March 28, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

If you need resume help, contact Career Services – it’s free

Spring is a time of renewal, growth and opportunity. If those three words describe your career objectives or job search, then attend the free spring job fair from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, in the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College.

The job fair is presented by Career Services. More than 50 employers are expected.

“The job fair is open to the public – anyone can attend,” said JoAnne Stadnicar, Director, Career Services. “We especially encourage students to attend – even if they aren’t looking for a job at this time – to learn more about the employers, what they have to offer, and to make that initial connection with what could be a future employer.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to network – any time a job seeker/student can get ‘face time’ with an actual recruiter, they should take advantage.”

Although no onsite interviews will be conducted, Stadnicar recommends that attendees should treat the job fair as a screening interview opportunity and prepare and dress accordingly. This also means making sure your resume is up to date.

If you need help with your resume, Career Services offers free assistance to anyone – students and community members alike. Contact them at 734-462-4421 or by email at [email protected].

March 28, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

During the fall and winter semesters, Schoolcraft College recognizes students for high academic achievement by naming them to the Dean’s List. The minimum requirements are:

Full-time students with a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.
Part-time students who, after completing a total of 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 credit hours, have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

A total of 1,586 students made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester. Go to http://schoolcraft.edu/deanslist to see the complete list in alphabetical order.

Congratulations to all!

The Dean’s List recognizes high academic achievement. Go to schoolcraft.edu/deanslist to see the complete list.

March 21, 2022 by mlemon

There is a shortage of qualified instructors

When it’s cold in Michigan, riding a motorcycle isn’t exactly top of mind. But if you’re an experienced motorcyclist, this is the right time to think about sharing your experience and improving your skills by becoming a certified RiderCoach through Schoolcraft College this spring.

“Becoming a certified RiderCoach is a great way to share your passion for motorcycling with new and experienced riders, get more involved in the motorcycling community, and make some extra money,” said Sean McGlinn, Motorcycle Safety Coordinator for Schoolcraft College’s program, which is part of Personal & Professional Learning (PPL).

This video explains the benefits of becoming a certified RiderCoach.

RiderCoach Prep (the instructor-training course) is approximately 90 hours long. Course schedules will vary, but students should plan on 7 to 11 days of intensive classroom and hands-on (range) activities. There are three classes between the months of April, May and June.

Applicants must have their own motorcycle and their CY endorsement for at least one year, and they must successfully complete a Basic RiderCourse. Cost is $75 and an additional $50 if the applicant has yet to take a Basic RiderCourse.

motorcycle class group — The motorcycle training classes historically have been some of the most popular at Schoolcraft College.

Candidates who successfully complete the course will become certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) RiderCoaches. Certification lasts for two years, and RiderCoaches apply for recertification by teaching a minimum of four classes, completing professional-development courses, and submitting these records directly to the MSF.

In addition, the Detroit Metro Motorcycle Safety Consortium (which includes Macomb Community College, Monroe County Community College, Oakland Community College, Schoolcraft College, and Wayne County Community College District) highly recommends that candidates familiarize themselves with the curriculum they will be teaching by shadowing the instructors of a Basic RiderCourse (BRC) prior to RiderCoach Prep.

McGlinn completed his BRC at Schoolcraft in 2011 and obtained his MSF RiderCoach Certification in 2021. He has been the Motorcycle Program Coordinator at Schoolcraft College since January 2018.

“I have been riding motorcycles since I was a kid,” he said, “and I am privileged to work for the program that has benefitted countless motorcyclists, including myself, in Metro Detroit and beyond.”

The motorcycle training classes historically have been some of the most popular at Schoolcraft College.

“Motorcycle sales continued to boom last year,” McGlinn said. “While we are tremendously proud of training approximately 2,600 students last year, we weren’t able to accommodate everyone who inquired about our courses.

“We typically train around 3,000 students every year, and there will be a backlog of students who weren’t able to take a course last year. A shortage of RiderCoaches exists throughout the State of Michigan, so consider enrolling and helping others to experience life on two wheels.”

RiderCoach applications are currently being reviewed. To request a RiderCoach application, contact [email protected] or call 734-462-4448.

March 21, 2022 by mlemon

Staff, faculty help students succeed

STEAMzSchoolcraft: Bridging the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences will be held virtually this Friday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m. Previous years facilitated 26 student presentations with over 200 attendees.

This year’s virtual summit theme is: Transforming Lives Through Storytelling. Specifically, how can we transform the world we live in through data-driven storytelling? Students will be encouraged and mentored by Schoolcraft College faculty and staff to explore this question.

Behind the scenes, Schoolcraft College staff, faculty and leadership worked together to make this event possible. The STEAMz Committee and student mentors team comes from various departments across campus:

Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services, STEAMz Committee Chair
Elizabeth Kenney, Learning Center Coordinator
Olga Martinez, PTAC Program Manager
Emily Podwoiski, Scholars Honors Coordinator
Jennie Rokakis, Learning Support Services Assistant
Annika Sholander, Academic Success Coach for International Learning
Deborah Taracuk, Communication Arts Faculty
Katie Webber, Administrative Assistant III
Dr. Carmen Wilson, Academic Success Coach for Reading
Christopher Wood, Physics Faculty and Department Chair

young professional smiling — Students will vie for awards in a number of categories.

Selected students received a scholarship provided by a generous grant through the Schoolcraft College Foundation and will be mentored by faculty and staff to strengthen their presentation, research, and story. To align with this year’s theme, students are encouraged to combine a meaningful story with research findings to drive curiosity and inspiration with their audience.

The event will open with a welcome from Dr. Michele Kelly, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and share a special video message from Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. In addition, several faculty and staff played a key role in this year’s event. Scott Davis, Curriculum Technologist; April Harden, English Faculty; and Christina Stansell-Weaver, Communication Arts Faculty; will serve as presentation judges. Judges review all presentations and evaluate them on a series of criteria, which they later use to award students on their presentation or lightning talk. Categories students can win awards are:

Best Presentation
Best Lightning Talk
Out of the Box
Top Investigator

An additional award will be presented to the student who captivates the audience – the People’s Choice. Attendees can vote for their favorite presentation to award the presenter or lightning talk. Students who are awarded will receive an e-certificate to add to their professional portfolio.

STEAMzSchoolcraft Virtual Summit will take place this Friday, March 25, at 1: p.m. via Blackboard Collaborate. The event is free to attend – registration is not required. Visit the website and click on the “Attend STEAMzSchoolcraft” button to attend this year’s event during the designated date and time.

If you have questions, please contact Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services and STEAMzSchoolcraft Committee Chair, at [email protected].

March 16, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

There are fewer than 80 Certified Master Chefs in the world

Schoolcraft College will be the site of Segment 1 of the American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) Certified Master Chef® (CMC) exams starting Friday, March 18, through Monday, March 21, in the American Harvest restaurant in the VisTaTech Center.

A CMC is considered the highest level of the profession, and demonstrates mastery of culinary competence and expertise through education, experience, knowledge and skills consistent with the master chef level.

“Schoolcraft College was selected as an approved Certified Master Chef testing site by the American Culinary Federation,” said Jonathan Moosmiller, CMC and American Master Chefs Order (AMCO) President. “The criteria included excellence in educational programming and strong leadership. The Certified Master Chefs program has worked with Schoolcraft College for many years, assisting in providing CMC chefs as Schoolcraft Instructors. The American Master Chefs Order is proud to continue this partnership with Schoolcraft College and the American Culinary Federation.”

There are fewer than 80 Certified Master Chefs in the world, with Brian Beland, Schoolcraft College’s Department Chair of Culinary Arts, among those to hold this distinguished ranking. In addition, faculty member Joseph Decker has attained the ranking of Certified Master Pastry Chef® (CMPC).

“We are honored to welcome this group of exceptional chefs to Schoolcraft as they look to demonstrate, and validate, their mastery of cuisine in their pursuit of earning the Certified Master Chef designation,” Chef Beland said. “Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts students have benefited from the world-class kitchens and instructional environment for many years, and we are excited to share what we have the privilege to experience daily with them.

“Hosting the CMC exam is a great opportunity for the students in the program as well. The students are able to experience highest level of practical culinary certification first hand by supporting the exam candidates and evaluators as kitchen apprentices and hospitality support services. This gives the students personal interaction opportunities and experience in ‘the arena’ feeling the pressure and seeing the intense focus.”

The facilities in American Harvest include:

70-seat full-service restaurant
5 fully outfitted kitchen labs dedicated to the various skill competencies of the craft
Collaboration with Schoolcraft Brewing and Distillation program
Retail Café Market space
Construction of a new Demonstration and Innovation Center recently approved with construction scheduled to begin later this year

three master chefs — Brian Beland (center), Schoolcraft College’s Department Chair of Culinary Arts; is shown with Shawn J. Loving (right), who previously held that role; and Michael Russell. Each is a Certified Master Chef.

To apply for the exam, candidates must already be a Certified Executive Chef or Certified Culinary Educator, provide a letter of recommendation from current CMCs or CMPCs, and have completed education courses on sanitation and food safety, management, cost management and wine.

The exam schedule begins on Friday, March 18, with Freestyle Cuisine. Healthy Cooking follows on Saturday, March 19, then Global Cuisines on Sunday, March 20. Pastries and Baking concludes the exam on Monday, March 21.

Schoolcraft College’s Proud Heritage of Culinary Arts

Herman Breithaupt is credited with establishing Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program in 1966, with his son, Robert Breithaupt, directing the department later that year.

“We began the first year with 16 students,” Robert said. “After that we had a list of students waiting to get into the program, and it has continued that way to the present day.”*

Schoolcraft College is continuing to prepare its Culinary Arts students for the ever-evolving realities of the complex restaurant industry by updating several areas of the curriculum.

“With the help of industry experts who provided valuable feedback, data from surveys from students and employers, plus input from other valued sources within Schoolcraft College and beyond, we’ve adjusted our curriculum and programming to better train our students to become valued employees and leaders in the restaurant industry,” Chef Beland said.

The goal is to raise competency and improve skill sets in several key areas in cooking and operations, including:

Apply nutritional concepts to menus
Demonstrate fundamental cooking principles
Perform advanced butchery skills
Understand restaurant financial controls
Incorporation of alcohol service and accountability
Improve time management skills
Increased focus on baking/pastry

To reflect the updated curriculum, the program will be called Professional Culinary Arts and offer the following:

Professional Culinary Arts Skills Certificate – 21 credits
Professional Culinary Arts Certificate – 43 credits
Professional Culinary Arts Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree – 60-66 credits

The program is stackable to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Culinary and Dietary Operations and is certified by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF).

Learn more about Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program.

*From Page 68 of “Reaching Out … A History of Schoolcraft College” by Samuel Hudson.

March 14, 2022 by mlemon

Today for our Staff Spotlight story we’re sitting down with Bernadette Bacero, one of our Instructional Designers, or IDs for short. She shares more about this important role and also gives us some insight into our Distance Learning team.

Schoolcraft College: Hello, Bernadette Bacero! Please tell us a little about your background and what led you to Schoolcraft College.

Bernadette Bacero: Hello! Feel free to call me Bee. I started my career as a secondary history teacher, teaching first at Mumford High School in Detroit and then my alma mater Divine Child High School in Dearborn. I loved sharing my passion for history and watching students grow throughout the school year. When COVID-19 arrived, I discovered I also had a knack for supporting my colleagues as we made the switch to online spaces. When the opportunity arrived to do similar work at Schoolcraft College, I leapt at the opportunity to contribute something new!

Schoolcraft College: Can you please explain what an Instructional Designer does?

Bernadette Bacero: We partner with Schoolcraft College’s faculty to design and build the best possible version of our online courses. Faculty create drafts of their online courses, and then we work with them to polish the course into its first-rate final version. The Instructional Designers approach each development in two ways:

First, we go through the course as the stand-in student. Does the material flow in an intuitive way? Does it feel welcoming (especially if the students aren’t familiar with the subject matter)? Does the workload feel manageable? Does it feel like there’s a person on the other side of the screen?

Next, we put on our Instructional Designer hats. As IDs, we’re always keeping up with the latest educational technology trends and research-based best practices. We use this expertise to keep our online courses as up to date as possible, empowering our Ocelot students to take control of their learning using the latest tools in the best ways. We also work hard to ensure that all our courses meet accessibility standards so that all students are able to actively engage in their courses.

At the end of the day, if we’re doing our job well, most people won’t notice that we’re there.

Schoolcraft College: What does a “typical” day look like for you?

Bernadette Bacero: You can usually find me working in BTC 140, affectionately nicknamed “The ID Bunker.” I’ll start my day by going over courses that are currently in development. Faculty send me the first and second drafts for their online courses. I look them over to make sure they’re properly aligned with course competencies (i.e., Are students learning exactly what we want them to learn?) and meet accessibility standards (i.e., Will all students be able to interact with this course?). I’ll offer feedback and suggestions and then send the course drafts back to faculty. We’ll continue this process several times over the course’s development until it’s ready to be built in Blackboard.

My day will also include brainstorming sessions with the other Instructional Designers and sometimes the larger Distance Learning team. The IDs consistently work as a team to troubleshoot problems common to more than one course, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such an energetic think tank. If one of us doesn’t have the answer, Jason Kane or Kaylynn Mortensen (our other two IDs) will be more than ready to offer a helping hand. We work as a team as much as a possible, and we wouldn’t be nearly as effective without the level of trust and professionalism between us.

Schoolcraft College: What are some of the challenges for you and your team?

Bernadette Bacero at a computer — Bernadette Bacero, Instructional Designer, is part of the team that partners with Schoolcraft College’s faculty to design and build the best possible version of our online courses.

Bernadette Bacero: I think the most obvious challenge is that we’re working with a wide variety of disciplines throughout the college. I could start my day working on a course in Microbiology and after lunch change gears to Spanish. This variety is what makes our partnerships with faculty so important! Our faculty are experts in their fields, and they know what students need to learn in their classrooms. We meet in the middle and collaborate on the best ways to deliver the best learning experiences for our students. What will work well in French might not translate well into a class for Criminal Investigations. We do our best to learn from every successful course development but also tackle each new course in its own unique context.

I think another challenge that comes to mind is less of a challenge and more of an opportunity. Distance Learning is taking the lead as Schoolcraft College transitions from Blackboard to Blackboard Ultra. We’re very excited to make this update as Blackboard Ultra will offer students and faculty improved course design and navigation, and Blackboard Ultra’s mobile app has been redesigned to provide a better student experience overall. There’s plenty of work ahead of us in this project, but ultimately, I think it’s work that is incredibly necessary for Schoolcraft College to stay relevant and current in the education field.

Schoolcraft College: What are some highlights for you so far?

Bernadette Bacero: I came on board to Schoolcraft at the end of June 2020. It was still early(ish) days in the pandemic, and I was working entirely remote. It would have been all too easy to feel isolated from the rest of the Distance Learning team, but they worked hard to ensure that I felt included and supported as I grew into my role. I’m incredibly grateful to each and every one of them for reaching out to me, supporting my questions, and (digitally) showing an interest in getting to know me as a person.

I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know other members of the college, particularly through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. It’s a topic I’m particularly passionate about as a first-generation Filipino-American, and getting to know colleagues outside of Distance Learning has made me feel an even stronger connection to the Schoolcraft community.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention my first meal at American Harvest. Just thinking about it makes me and my stomach happy.

Schoolcraft College: The COVID-19 pandemic put an even greater focus on Distance Learning. This is an area Schoolcraft College has excelled at for many years – in fact, we’re celebrating 40 years of Distance Learning. What are your thoughts about this milestone and what’s next for Distance Learning?

Bernadette Bacero: In my mind, Schoolcraft College has always been a positive fixture of the community, and so much of that can be credited to the work Distance Learning has accomplished in the past 40 years. From mailing coursework to students to broadcasting faculty lessons on public TV stations, Distance Learning has earned its reputation as a leader in the field. As a member of the Livonia community and now working here as an Instructional Designer, I can confidently say that the spirit of Distance Learning has been a combination of enthusiasm to try new things and the expertise to ground these new ideas in solid pedagogy. I hope that this attitude will continue to drive Distance Learning forward for another 40 years, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.

What’s next for us? I mentioned that Blackboard Ultra is on the horizon. We’re elbow-deep in converting current and future courses to the new format and working on the next season of Distance Learning’s award-winning series What’s Your Problem?

Schoolcraft College: Thank you, Bernadette! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Bernadette Bacero: I’m looking forward to getting to know more of my Schoolcraft Colleagues as we transition to a post-COVID19 world. Feel free to stop me in the hallways to chat or pop by the ID Bunker in BTC. I would be very happy to show off my office plants. (I’m very proud of them.)

March 14, 2022 by mlemon

Deadline to apply is this Friday

Individuals working in schools who are interested in becoming a certified teacher, or currently certified teachers who wish to add endorsements, can take advantage of a new program that provides a $10,000 grant.

The Grow Your Own grant is part of the Michigan Department of Education’s Future Proud Michigan Educator initiative to support K-12 personnel.

Schoolcraft College has been approved by the state of Michigan to offer an Alternative Route to Interim Teacher Certification (ARC) Program. This program is designed for college graduates, who meet specific admission requirements, to be able to become certified classroom teachers using a rigorous, accelerated preparation program.

Teacher working with young students — Aspiring or current teachers can take advantage of the $10,000 Grow Your Own grant.

The teaching certificate will enable program completers to teach in Michigan’s public, charter, and parochial classrooms in a wide variety of disciplines. An individual can become certified to teach in as little as one semester. Unlike the traditional teacher preparation program, the alternate route candidate’s certification is not contingent on their academic major or minor.

In addition, currently certified teachers can now also use the ARC program to add additional endorsements to their teaching certificates. Candidates will be provided an Individual Program Plan (IPP), which will allow them to use prior coursework to satisfy specific ARC program requirements. As in the case of initial certification, a major or minor is not required for the new endorsements.

Applications: Interested individual staff members should speak with their building and/or district administrator to coordinate an application. Deadline for the application is March 18, 2022. Funds can be used to pay for expenses incurred between February 1, 2022, and August 30, 2022.