STEAMz Virtual Summit This Friday

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.

March 14, 2022 by mlemon

Neil Simon Comedy is a Classic

Schoolcraft Theatre will return to live performances in the James R. Hartman Theatre on the Livonia campus this month with the presentation of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. The play is designed and directed by faculty member Paul Beer and will feature performances and technical support from Schoolcraft College students and alumni.

“We are thrilled to welcome a live audience back to the James R. Hartman Theatre,” Beer said. “We‘ve missed the interaction with our live audiences, and hope to charm them with this classic Neil Simon comedy.”

The play observes Corie and Paul Bratter in the second week of their marriage as they settle into life after their honeymoon, when they are confronted with apartment problems, Corie’s mother and an eccentric neighbor. Audiences will relate to adjustments that all the characters make under new circumstances.

Performances will be Friday and Saturday on March 25 and 26 and April 1 and 2 at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on March 27 at 2 p.m. All performances are $20, and tickets are available at www.schoolcraft.edu/theatre or by calling 734-462-4596. Please note that, consistent with other live venues in the Detroit area, all audience members will be required to wear masks in the theatre.

From left, rehearsing a scene are Maddy Fohey, Bryan Lamance and Marion Beer.

March 9, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

Funds awarded on first-come, first-served basis

The Schoolcraft College Foundation is awarding up to $100,000 in scholarships for the upcoming Spring and Summer terms through the new “Spring Forward with Schoolcraft Scholarship.” Students who enroll in 3 to 5 credit hours for the Spring or Summer terms can apply to receive $100. Students who enroll in 6 or more credit hours can apply to receive $200.

“We are excited to offer students a little extra help for Spring/Summer semester,” said Melissa Schultz, Chief Student Enrollment Officer, Enrollment Services, Schoolcraft College. “We realize times are tough and recognize that even $100 or $200 makes a difference in a student’s decision to continue their education during the Spring/Summer term.” Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are depleted. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is not required to apply.

Students walking outside — Registration for the Spring and Summer terms begins Saturday, March 26.

Apply for the Spring Forward with Schoolcraft Scholarship at www.schoolcraft.edu/scholarships. For questions, call the Schoolcraft College Foundation at 734.462.4455 or email [email protected].

Registration for the 2022 Spring and Summer terms begins on Saturday, March 26. Search for courses online.

March 7, 2022 by mlemon

Training leads to careers to work in a surgical unit or behind the scenes

Schoolcraft College is offering two new rigorous, exciting health care programs. If your goal is to become an important member of a surgical team, there are two very different options. The first is to train to become a key behind-the-scenes worker. The second is the opportunity to work directly in the operating room.

Each program is set up so that students can start in one option and decide to go into the other option. With an aging population leading to an increase in surgeries, each position is in demand and will continue to be in the future.

Taught in the brand-new Health Sciences Center, Surgical Services offers the Sterile Processing Skills Certificate and the Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The new facilities feature the Surgical Services Suite, which is used for training and has all the equipment found in a real-world working environment.

“There is a huge demand for these jobs. The need for trained surgical support professionals continues to grow,” said Mary Jo Nowicki, BHSA, CST, FAST* and subject matter expert, who helped develop the Surgical Services programs. “These new programs at Schoolcraft College are a great fit for students graduating from high school, other professionals seeking a second career, or anyone looking to enter the medical field.”

Behind the scenes or hands-on?

The Sterile Processing Skills Certificate prepares graduates for a career as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), commonly referred to as a Sterile Processing Technician. In this role, they work with the Surgical Service department to inspect, process and distribute safe instruments and equipment to the surgical unit and the healthcare facility. Central Services is the department responsible for decontamination, disinfection, sterilization, packaging, storage and distribution of medical supplies and equipment.

Preparing for surgery — Certified Surgical Technologists assist with instruments and supplies during surgical procedures.

“The sterile processing technician’s work is one of the most important pieces in preventing infection and there are not enough certified registered central service technicians to fill the open jobs,” Nowicki said. “The CRCST’s work means a much lower post-infection rate with best patient outcomes and is a vital role.”

Successful students are prepared to sit for the national Certified Registered Central Service Technicians (CRCST) exam. The CRCST is an integral part of a multidisciplinary health care environment that works as a division of Surgical Services.

The Surgical Technology AAS degree prepares graduates for a career as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), commonly referred to as a Scrub Tech. This person works under the surgeon to establish and maintain a sterile field while assisting with instruments and supplies during each surgical procedure. Surgical Technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room and surgical field as well as making sure all necessary items are available for surgical procedures. During the case, they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon while working in the sterile role. They are the specialists of sterile technique.

“Becoming a surgical technologist is the fastest entry into operating room patient care. Surgical technologists scrub in, and it is the surgical technologists who are part of the sterile surgical team,” Nowicki said.

Students are prepared to sit for the national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam to earn their credential. Students must demonstrate competency knowledge of perioperative case management prior to entering a clinical internship.

Surgical tools and equipment — Sterile Processing Technicians inspect, process and distribute safe instruments and equipment to the surgical unit.

The clinical experience offers students hands-on surgical patient care through multiple surgical service specialties. Students will work under the auspice of the surgeon as well as the surgical team to gain the scrub experience required for eligibility to sit for the national Certified Surgical Technologist exam (CST) credentialing exam offered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

A closer look at the career outlook and programs

Sterile Processing Skills Certificate

Typical employers include hospitals, surgery centers and medical offices. Further education and training can lead to a career as a Surgical Technologist, or work in health care management or materials management.
The Sterile Processing Skills Certificate is 19-21 credits.
- Full-time students can complete this in two semesters following the curriculum guide.
- Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them.

Surgical Technology AAS degree

Typical employers include hospitals, surgery centers and medical offices.
Further education and training can lead to careers as a Surgical Assistant, Surgical PA, or work in health care management, materials management and teaching.
The Sterile Technology AAS degree is 65.5-70.5 credits.
- Full-time students can complete in two and a half years (including Spring/Summer terms) following the curriculum guide.
- The educational and clinical learning experiences requires approximately 40 hours of participation per week in the second year of the program.
- Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them
- Students planning to transfer should check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides or discuss their options with an academic advisor. Number of credits may vary depending on the course selection.

“The new Health Sciences Center is exceptional, and I have never heard of a school supporting the training in Surgical Services as thoroughly as Schoolcraft College,” Nowicki said.

Learn more information on these programs at Schoolcraft College.

*BHSA stands for Bachelor of Health Service Administration. CST stands for Certified Surgical Technologist. FAST stands for Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technology.

March 7, 2022 by mlemon

The free event will be held in a virtual format

After 26 student presentations and over 200 attendees in the past two years, STEAMzSchoolcraft, a student-led conference that bridges the arts, humanities, and sciences, returns for its third year on Friday, March 25.

This year’s theme is “Transforming Lives Through Storytelling.” Specifically, the theme examines how to 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 idea. The STEAMz presentations focus on ideas, findings, and experiences highlighting academic and professional successes. Presenters address specific values, skills, and experiences needed to set and achieve thoughtful and actionable goals as they transition into university life or the workforce.

Maria Cielo Robles — Cielo Robles, a Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program alumni and medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, will deliver this year’s keynote presentation.

Cielo Robles, a Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program alumni and medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, will deliver this year’s keynote presentation. Prior to MSU, she conducted cardiovascular health disparities research at the University of Michigan and pediatric neurosurgery clinical research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, New York).

Robles has led multiple NIH*-funded substudies, published multiple co-authored papers, including first-author publications, and presented her work at numerous national conferences. She received an Associate of Science degree from Schoolcraft College in 2014. She was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and transferred to Cornell University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Health and Society in 2016.

The event also will feature in-depth and lightning talk presentations facilitated by Schoolcraft College students. 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. During the event, students will be evaluated and recognized for creatively addressing this year’s theme.

STEAMzSchoolcraft Virtual Summit will take place on Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m. via Blackboard Collaborate. A link to attend can be found on the STEAMz website closer to the conference date. The event is free to attend – registration is not required.

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

*NIH stands for National Institute of Health.

March 7, 2022 by mlemon

Matthew Sweeney earned three credentials, including two Associate Degrees, at Schoolcraft College

Schoolcraft College graduate Matthew Sweeney personifies the need to be flexible, determined and adaptable during challenging times. His path to success has been a bit circuitous to say the least, but now he enjoys a career as working for a company, KCS Advanced Machining Services, that supplies parts to a wide variety of high-tech industries.

Describing Sweeney only as an SC graduate actually does him a disservice – he’s earned three credentials from Schoolcraft College, including two Associate Degrees. The native of Farmington Hills started here in the fall of 2002 after being graduated from Schoolcraft Christian Secondary School.

“I had a great experience at Schoolcraft! It was excellent having so much hands-on training from instructors who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subjects.”
Matthew Sweeney, Schoolcraft College alumni and 5-axis machinist at KCS Advanced Machining Services

“I had considered Engineering, but really wanted to go into the skilled trades,” Sweeney said. “I chose Schoolcraft because it offered a lot of what I was interested in at the time; what interested me especially was the huge investment the school was making into its welding lab. So, I enrolled in the Welding and Fabrication program and graduated soon after with Schoolcraft’s Certificate in Welding & Fabrication.

“I had a great experience at Schoolcraft! It was excellent having so much hands-on training from instructors who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subjects.”

Sweeney put his skills to good use as a fabricator until a slowdown in the automotive industry led to a layoff. As a next step, he considered joining the military before an ad for the Farmington Hills Fire Department caught his eye. So it was back to Schoolcraft College, where he earned his Associate Degree in Firefighting Technology.

Another career reinvention

He enjoyed working as an On-Call Firefighter/EMT for six years, but also wanted a full-time position. Unfortunately, no departments were hiring. “So I want back to Schoolcraft once more to reinvent myself,” as Sweeney put it.

Skilled trades were still appealing, but this time he was intrigued by the Machining Lab run by Gene Keyes.

“He helped me get into a special Department of Defense Grant class being offered at the time that taught G&M code, the programming language CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines use,” Sweeney said. “So I took that as I attended my other classes and earned my second Associate Degree from Schoolcraft – an Advanced Manufacturing Technology Degree.”

Sweeney then worked for a few different manufacturing companies making plastic injection molds, gears, components and tooling. He joined KCS Advanced Machining Service in Livonia in 2019 as a 5-axis machinist. (A very basic description of a 5-axis machine is one that can reach five sides of a part and machine features on it in one setup.)

Sweeney describes KCS as a high-mix, low-volume 5-axis machine shop that creates prototype parts for a wide variety of industries, including consumer robotics, aerospace, automotive, marine and firearms.

“We make a range of components for all of them,” Sweeney said. “All of the work here is interesting, generally complex and often requires innovative fixture designs and creative approaches to machine them.”

These high-tech industries need parts created on high-tech machines by skilled professionals.

Schoolcraft College graduate Matthew Sweeney was featured on the cover of the January 2022 issue of “Modern Machine Shop” magazine.

“We use hyperMILL, which is top-of-the-line CAD/CAM software, to create out G&M code for our 5-axis machines,” Sweeney said. “Our machines are made by HURCO and MATSUURA, cutting-edge multi-axis machining centers. They are fast, powerful, and extremely accurate, capable of mass-production as well as short product runs.

“It’s great having new, state-of-the-art machines and software to work with — and a lot of times we push the envelope with both. Because of that we frequently find ourselves host to other industry leaders who are interested in what we do and how we do it.”

One particularly interesting project involves NASA.

“Two of our customers are developing NASA’s next-generation flight suits and extra-vehicular spacesuits as part of the Artemis program that’s headed first to the moon, then to Mars,” Sweeney said. “We’re the sub-suppliers making virtually all of the difficult components for the suits.”

Involved throughout the process

Sweeney said a unique aspect of KCS how one person will see a project through completion – being handed a print and a CAD model and taking it all the way to a finished part.

“All of us make programs, set up the machining centers, and then run the job,” he said. “Each of us programs, designs and builds fixtures, sets up machines, runs parts, and inspects them for accuracy.

“KCS’s owner, Kyle Szczypienski, continually invests in new technology, software and upgrades that constantly add to what we can do. He encourages all of us to continue learning as much as we can and it’s a very stimulating place to work because of it. I’ve been at KCS for three years now and have seen it grow rapidly. We don’t have worn-out machines and we don’t do things one way just because that’s how it’s always been done.”

Sweeney said manufacturing is a dynamic career with many opportunities.

“Automation is becoming more and more common even in small businesses, so learning about that is very important and offers more room for growth,” he said. “The impact of automation is only going to grow and accelerate.

“New manufacturing processes, techniques and increasing capabilities of software are all happening at once and so the overall impact is magnified. Employers are eager for talented and enthusiastic employees. It’s an exciting environment and young machinists are getting into the industry at a great time. Anyone with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a desire to learn and grow can do really well!”

March 3, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

When the horn sounded after the final game of the 2020-21 season, it also ended a difficult, challenging season for the Schoolcraft College women’s basketball team. The Ocelots finished 4-10 overall and just 1-6 in the Michigan Community Colleges Athletic Association (MCCAA).

One year later, the Ocelots are the champions of the Eastern Division of the MCCAA, sport an 18-6 record (13-3 in conference) and will take on Oakland Community College at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Great Lakes District B tournament. The winner advances to Saturday night’s championship game, with the champion advancing to the NJCAA National Women’s Basketball Tournament in Port Huron, Michigan.

This amazing turnaround has its roots in some familiar, though not always easy, principles that apply as much to the real world as they do to athletics: Hard work, dedication and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.

“It’s all due to lots of hard work from our players and staff,” head coach Shay Lewis said. “We took two weeks off last year after our one-win conference season. Since then, we’ve been in the gym.”

Coach cheering at the team — Head coach Shay Lewis encourages her team during a recent game.

Lewis took over in August of 2019 with a focus on improving the culture, recruiting and resources of the program. This includes adding veteran assistant coaches and other support personnel.

“I wanted our players and recruits to understand what our core values of the program were: Commitment, hard work, accountability, selflessness and team first,” she said. “Things couldn’t change until we started getting players who understood that and bought into it. I believe we have that now. We have a sisterhood that gets it’s bigger than them.”

The improvement was on full display in the season-opening game, a 70-60 win over No. 4 Owens Community College.

“We started five freshmen and got the win at their place,” Lewis said. “We – myself and the coaching staff – knew this could be a special team.”

This season’s success included an eight-game winning streak.

Team cheering each other on — The theme of “Sisterhood” is a key reason why the Schoolcraft College women’s basketball team won the Eastern Division of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association this season.

“We are very young and there has been a big learning curve,” Lewis said. “They had to learn how to work hard for this level, how to play hard and compete every night on this level and they had to learn that it’s bigger than them. It’s about ‘we’ and ‘us,’ not ‘me’ and ‘I.’”

Director of Athletics Cali Crawford, herself a former college basketball player, is pleased to see the program on solid footing again.

“Coach Lewis and her assistant coaches, Megan Murphy and Natalie Nowak, have done an amazing job,” Crawford said. “To go from the bottom of the conference to finishing first in the conference is a major accomplishment and a huge turnaround. I’m grateful for all the hard work our student-athletes, our coaches and our support staff have put in to make this a successful season.”

View the roster.

March 1, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

Next event is this Thursday at VisTaTech

The Canton Chamber of Commerce introduces Canton Chamber University, a series of workshops and programs designed to provide personal and professional enrichment opportunities for community members. Schoolcraft College is excited to collaborate and sponsor this endeavor, which aims to connect community leaders with educational opportunities offered by local businesses and institutions.

“The Canton Chamber is pleased to collaborate with its longtime supporter, Schoolcraft College, to present this new educational initiative,” said Thomas Paden, Canton Chamber of Commerce President. “Canton Chamber University comprises a series of professional and personal curriculums benefitting businesses, citizens and students. There are five University categories offered: 1. Business, 2. Finance, 3. Health and Wellness, 4. Talent Acquisition, 5. Student Life Skills.”

Canton Chamber University aims to offer programs every month focusing on the topics in each of the categories. The next program, highlighting health and wellness, examines stress management and avoiding burnout. It will be held from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. this Thursday, March 3, in Room 205 (Waterman Wing) of the VisTaTech Center on the main campus of Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia.

Nicholas Pomante, Wellness Coordinator for Eastern Michigan University’s Office of Wellness & Community Responsibility, will be presenting on this important topic. He holds a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition.

“Through this partnership, Schoolcraft College is excited to empower surrounding communities through educational programs,” said Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services and Canton Chamber Board Member.

Upcoming Canton Chamber University programs are:

Cooking Demonstration: Brick Oven Pizza
- Presented by Chris Dreis, Owner of Genova’s Pizzeria
- Monday, March 28, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Genova’s Pizzeria, 42911 Ford Road, Canton.
Resume Essentials
- Presented by JoAnne Stadnicar, Director of Career Services at Schoolcraft College
- Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at VisTaTech Center, Waterman Wing 205

Find the events and register.

February 28, 2022 by Schoolcraft College

The following is from the biography prepared by the Nobel Foundation on the occasion of Nelson Mandela receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. A more extensive biography is available on the Nelson Mandela Foundation site.

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Credit: Nelson Mandela Foundation, Copyright Eric Miller.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918. His father was Hendry Mphakanyiswa of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party’s apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.

After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela’s campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labor.

Nelson Mandela shown with Bishop Desmond Tutu — Photo 1

Nelson Mandela raising his hands — Photo 1

In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.

During his years in prison, Mandela’s reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant Black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.

Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into his life’s work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960, Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the organization’s National Chairperson.

Mandela died on December 5, 2013.

See more Black History content at schoolcraft.edu/BHM