Faculty Spotlight: Brian Beland, Culinary Arts

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He is one of only 72 Certified Master Chefs in the world

Today for “Faculty Spotlight” we’re sitting down with Brian Beland, a Certified Master Chef and our new Culinary Arts Department Chair. He also serves as the Executive Chef at Country Club of Detroit, which has earned distinction as a Platinum Club of America.

Chef Beland
Brian Beland was recently named the Culinary Arts Department Chair.

Schoolcraft College: Hello, Chef Beland, and congratulations on your new role! To start out, could you please tell us about your position at Schoolcraft College, how long you have been with us and what classes you teach?

Brian Beland: Thank you and I appreciate the opportunity to be featured and represent the Culinary Team at Schoolcraft College. I was fortunate to join the Schoolcraft Culinary Team in January 2014. To be honest, I’m still learning on the job the many facets and roles of our department. Some of the highlight responsibilities include continuing the longtime tradition of culinary excellence and pursuit of a hospitality-first culture. I want to be a resource for the students and team members who make the Schoolcraft Culinary experience special and unique. And I want to be both a visionary and facilitator for short- and long-term curriculum and facilities planning for the department.

“The culinary industry and the educational model has been through so much change the last 10 to 15 years. We recognize that we need to maintain our standard of excellences, but also need to review what we are focusing on and how we are providing that to the students.”

Brian Beland, Culinary Arts Department Chair

SC: Please tell us a little about how one becomes a Certified Master Chef. What does attaining that achievement entail?

Brian Beland: For me, the Certified Master Chef process represents a commitment to lifelong learning and self-development. The process itself starts with a dedication to the personal development and refinement of cooking techniques, cuisine philosophy, time management and the desire for continuous improvement. The mindset carries through not only in the kitchen but in all aspects of personal and professional life. The exam itself is an eight-day practical cooking exam supported by levels of professional experience and education. The cooking practicals include: Nutritional, Cold Food Garde Manger, Classical Cuisine, Global Cuisines, Freestyle, Baking and Pastry, Continental European Cuisine and a Market Basket Final.

SC: What prompted your interest in the culinary arts? Did you always want to be a chef?

Brian Beland: In high school I became introduced to the kitchen. Initially, it was not the career path I through I would choose, but after some positive experiences and learning about myself along the way, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. I chose Michigan State’s Hospitality Business program as an opportunity to continue working in kitchens and also obtain some business background education. I chose all my externships in the kitchen, with my Level 2 experience at Country Club of Detroit. It was in that kitchen I found myself committing myself to the craft and profession. I enjoyed the hustle, the stress, the continual push to get better. It replaced team sports that I had been accustomed to participating in.

Chef Beland teaching teaching a student in the kitchen
Brian Beland has taught at Schoolcraft College since 2014.

SC: Culinary Arts is perhaps the best known program at Schoolcraft College. What is your vision and what are your goals for the department as we move forward?

Brian Beland: Our team’s vision is a pursuit of continuous excellence and preparing the students to be ready to take positions in industry. An initial goal for our team this year is to reboot our program, enrollment and restaurant services as we come out of a difficult one-month stretch that drastically disrupted the hospitality industry. At the same time, we have been working diligently this year on our curriculum. The culinary industry and the educational model has been through so much change the last 10 to 15 years. We recognize that we need to maintain our standard of excellences, but also need to review what we are focusing on and how we are providing that to the students.

SC: What do you like best about teaching at Schoolcraft College?

Brian Beland: Schoolcraft is an amazing place to be associated with. Our kitchen labs are built for individual student learning, allowing us as instructors to provide the opportunity for each student to cook and develop individual skills. As we move into the second year part of the program, students can take the fundamental development learned in year one and apply those skills to full-service restaurant operations and work as a team. It’s a privilege to be a part of a team and institution where the College, administration, Board of Trustees and community all believe in our vision and support our various offerings.

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

Brian Beland: Thank you! We look forward to seeing everyone back in the fall!

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The facility has membership opportunities available for community members

Summer is in full swing and so is the action at Schoolcraft College’s Fitness Center, which offers many familiar and favorite activities as well as some new options, such as open basketball on the Ocelots’ home court.

“We encourage the Schoolcraft College community and members of surrounding communities to take a look at what we have to offer,” said Patty Donohue-Ebach, Director of Recreation Services. “We have a full-service fitness center with a wide range of equipment, including cardio machines, weight machines and free weights. In addition, we have recreational facilities for several sports.”

Personal training sessions for individuals and small groups are available as well. You can learn more on the Fitness Center website.

“We encourage the Schoolcraft College community and members of surrounding communities to take a look at what we have to offer.”

Patty Donohue-Ebach, Director of Recreation Services

The Fitness Center is open 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. Weekend hours will be added in the fall.

Membership to the Fitness Center is free for active Schoolcraft College faculty, staff and credit students. Community members age 16 and older can join for $25 per month plus a one-time enrollment fee of $35. Prospective member can give the Fitness Center a tryout for just $5 for a daily pass.

The Fitness Center has:

  • Cardio machines
  • Weight machines
  • Free weights
  • Total body strength equipment
  • Functional fitness equipment
  • Full locker rooms with dry sauna
  • See the full list of equipment
Person lifting weights
The Schoolcraft College Fitness Center has a wide variety of free weights and equipment, such as kettlebells, for exercise.

Recreational opportunities include:

Racquetball and Wallyball courts in the Physical Education building are available to reserve. Active Schoolcraft College faculty, staff and credit students play for free. For others, it is $5 per person for 90 minutes of play.

Open basketball in the main gym in the PE building is available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and on Thursday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Active Schoolcraft College faculty, staff and credit students play for free. For others, it is $5 per person.

This is the final week of summer open lap swim, which is available every day from noon to 1:00 p.m. There is a capacity of 18 per timeslot and you must obtain pool pass from the Fitness Center front desk. Open swim ends Monday, July 26. Information about the fall schedule will be announced soon.

Track in the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center (ESC) is open to use when there aren’t volleyball camps going on. The best times to walk or jog are usually 7:00 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Use of the ESC is included in Fitness Center membership and it is an easy walk from the Fitness Center.

For more information about the Schoolcraft College Fitness Center, please call 734-462-4348 or email [email protected].

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Nancy Smith guided Northville girls to state title in 2013

An area coach with a strong record of success has been tapped to lead the revival of cross country at Schoolcraft College.

Nancy Smith, who led the Northville High School girls’ cross country team to a state title in 2013, is the new men’s and women’s cross country coach as the Ocelots resume their programs after a brief hiatus.

“Coach Smith’s passion, experience, success and her deep-rooted connections within the Northville and area cross country communities make her the perfect choice to restart our cross country program,” said Cali Crawford, Director of Athletics.

“I am super-excited to get going and bring in student-athletes interested in joining the program and build a program that is well-known and respected across Michigan and throughout the United States.”

Nancy Smith, Schoolcraft College cross country coach
Schoolcraft athlete running
Schoolcraft College will focus on invitationals in its first cross country season in three years.

Smith’s 30-year coaching career, the last 20 of which has been at Northville, includes:

  • 10 Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) titles
  • 9 regional titles
  • 12 top 10 finishes at state over the last 13 years
  • 1 state championship in 2013

Several of the school districts that Schoolcraft College serves, including Northville, Plymouth-Canton and Livonia, as well as the other KLAA schools, traditionally have outstanding cross country programs. That means Smith won’t have to go far to find prospective student-athletes for her teams.

“Without a doubt, Schoolcraft College sits in a hotbed of talented runners, so the immediate area will be my first focus of recruiting student-athletes, along with Livingston, Washtenaw and Oakland counties as well as Detroit Public Schools,” Smith said.

“My first plan of action is to reach out to any current graduates in the surrounding areas and try and find student-athletes who are interested in continuing their running. I will also start reaching out to local juniors and show them all the great facilities and programs that are available to them. I will use social media and reach out to my fellow coaching friends to spread the news of the return of the program, which will also be a big benefit at recruiting potential student-athletes.”

Group of cross country athletes posing for camera
Cross country was one of the first sports offered at Schoolcraft College.

Smith will have to hit the ground running, so to speak, as the season starts the first week of August. Competing in invitationals, rather than dual meets, will be the focus for this season. The Ocelots’ home course likely will be Cass Benton Park, which also is the home course of several area high schools.

“I am super-excited to get going and bring in student-athletes interested in joining the program and build a program that is well-known and respected across Michigan and throughout the United States,” Smith said. 

Prospective student-athletes interested in joining a team should visit the links below:

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Renowned classical bass singer adds author to list of accomplishments

Christopher Temporelli is an internationally acclaimed classical singer (bass), concert artist, professor, radio host and now author. This impressive and multifaceted list of accomplishments has its roots in Southeast Michigan, including Schoolcraft College, where he was a student in the fall of 1993 and the winter of 1994. 

“I have such fond memories of Schoolcraft College,” he said. “It was my first collegiate environment to be in and was a wonderful launching place for my future. I would recommend for anyone at the college to really take advantages of the resources the school has to offer, and make the most of opportunities as best one can.”

Christopher Temporelli began his college career at Schoolcraft College, then continued at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. (Photo credit: Won Suk Chang)

Christopher’s mother, Barbara Temporelli, is a Professor of Chemistry at Schoolcraft College. She and his father exposed Christopher to a variety of music at an early age, with performances at the Metropolitan Opera tour in Detroit an early favorite. 

“Chris would sit on the edge of his seat from excitement,” Barbara said.

The desire to go from observer to performer started with piano lessons during pre-school, followed by violin lessons.

“I have such fond memories of Schoolcraft College. It was my first collegiate environment to be in and was a wonderful launching place for my future.”

Christopher Temporelli, classical bass singer who attended Schoolcraft College 1993-94

Music Professor Donald Morelock then became an important instructor and mentor from middle school and on to Schoolcraft College.

“Professor Morelock was my private piano instructor in high school, and it made sense at the time for me to start up my education close to home, at Schoolcraft, and with top-quality professors and instructors,” Christopher said. “I took private lessons in my majors – which I ended up finishing in Piano and Voice performance at Michigan State University – and also took other coursework at Schoolcraft in such courses as music theory, as well as piano pedagogy.

“I also have very fond memories taking part in a choral ensemble.” 

Professor Morelock, who retired in 2011 after more than 40 years of service to Schoolcraft College, appreciated Christopher’s willingness to learn.

“He’s one of those students you don’t forget. He’s very special,” Professor Morelock said. “You could tell early on that he was very talented. He was always prepared for the lessons, interested in what I had to say, interested in making the pieces sound good.

“He was interested in theory and very much wanted a well-rounded education, which he got here at Schoolcraft.”

  • Christopher Temporelli developed a love and passion for music at an early age. (Photo provided.)
  • Christopher Temporelli performs at the Seoul Art Center earlier this year. (Photo provided.)

Christopher then went on to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Vocal Performance in 2005 from the University of Michigan. 

“One breakthrough moment for me was when I was singing a lead role with the opera at University of Michigan in my graduate school time,” he said. “It was the role of the ‘Forester’ in the opera Cunning Little Vixen. It was a fantastic experience singing a very pivotal role in a performance, and with an excellent team and musicians at U of M. 

“After the performance, for one of the School of Music brochures, my picture was used on the cover, as taken in the role. It gave me a feeling of ‘This career choice just might work out!’”

Performing career takes off

For the next 10 years, Temporelli focused on a performing career based in New York City. 

“It was very exciting to be building this type of career – and traveling around the world sharing music,” he said. “When I had a chance to teach at university, however, it was a new kind of excitement to help others, assist students in gaining these technical and musical skills – and develop themselves into artists. Both experiences have been very satisfying.”

The teaching experiences including serving as visiting professor for classical singing at a number of universities in South Korea. Temporelli also has served as adjudicator on national and international competitions. 

His most recent appearance was at the Seoul Art Center, one of the major venues in Korea and comparable to Lincoln Center in New York Center. Other credits include:

  • Michigan Opera Theater
  • Opera Atelier, Toronto
  • Has sung the U.S. and Italian national anthems for the Columbus Day Parade Gala at the NYC Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
  • Appeared on the red carpet of the Columbus Day Parade on 5th Avenue
  • Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.)
  • National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa, Maestro Pinchas Zukerman)
  • Weill Hall, Carnegie Hall, Manhattan, New York
  • Performed in an Asia a co-production between Beseto Opera and the Prague State Opera at Seoul Arts Center Main Opera House

As with all artists, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on his performance schedule.

“I was in India at the very beginning of the pandemic and needed to cancel last minute a concert there that was to have been my debut concert in India,” Temporelli said. ”I have had some virtual performances over the last period, including 2020 summer in a live broadcast from the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center–and that was very exciting.”

Turning a negative into a positive, Temporelli used the time to finish his book geared toward self-development.

Adding “author” to string of accomplishments

Temporelli is continually challenging himself and expanding his career and personal pursuits, so writing a book is a natural outgrowth. His work, FLOW Freedom Laws of the World ™: “Catch the Wave to your Current of Creativity” launched in December of 2020. 

Christopher Temporelli’s new book is available from Amazon. (Photo provided.)

“I wanted to share my ideas about how to pursue anything in a creative, successful and fun manner!” he said. “In summary, I wanted to have the chance to make these personal ideas available, and relevant, even outside of the field of music.”

Temporelli said along with his full schedule, the book took about two years two complete from conception to publication. It is available at amazon.com in a variety of formats. 

Dr. Temporelli is also happy to announce, that starting with a launch around September 2021, his book will be also be available in physical copies in shops across India, at all major airports and bookstores, published under the Times of India logo. 

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Grandmother serves as inspiration for dual-enrollment student

Schoolcraft College student Mackenzie Compton draws inspiration from her late grandmother, affectionately known as “nana,” as she moves forward to make a positive impact in the world.

“My nana was my grandmother on my father’s side and when my parents got a divorce she basically acted like a second mother to me,” Compton said. “I spent every summer with her camping and swimming in the pool. I was extremely close to her. Whenever I had a problem in life, she was the first person I went to. So when all of this happened it truly was hard on me, but it set off something in me to do better for her.”

Mackenzie sitting with her Nana
With Nana: Mackenzie Compton said her grandmother was like a second mother to her. (Photo provided.)

A native of Livonia, Compton was already familiar with Schoolcraft College. She became a Dual Enrollment student after starting at Livonia Churchill High School and continuing with Michigan Connections Academy.

“The phlebotomy program grabbed my interest,” Compton said of the program about how to learn to draw blood. “At Schoolcraft I took Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 237/238), Math 113, Math 128, Medical Terminology, Medical Office and Procedures, Biology (BIO 101), Software Applications (CIS 120), and Phlebotomy.”

She also plays travel hockey for Belle Tire out of Taylor, is active in in musical theater at Dearborn Youth Theater and works part-time at Ulta Beauty.

Despite carrying such a heavy academic load, working, and participating in other activities, Compton was determined to succeed – both for herself and to honor her nana’s memory.

“My absolute favorite class was medical terminology with professor Kathy Taylor,” Compton said. “She has stuck with me all these years because she truly cared about her students’ success more than anyone I’ve ever met. She helped me on several occasions and had genuine connections for her students. She was my favorite professor without a doubt.”

Professor Taylor, who teaches in the Health Information Technology program, was similarly impressed.

“Mackenzie was a student in my medical terminology class on-campus for the Winter of 2020 semester,” she said. “I remember the first day of class when I met her. She was an excellent student and participated in class positively.  

“It wasn’t until a few weeks into the semester that she mentioned she was a dual-enrolled student, and I was really taken aback by that fact. Mackenzie was the youngest student in class, but one would have never suspected.

“She was a very mature student – very well-spoken and always on time and always prepared for class. She was just a joy to get to know and was well-respected by her classmates.”

Compton heads to Michigan State University this fall to study nursing and human biology as she begins her pre-med path.

“After that, I am planning to attend medical school (hopefully in California) to study cardiology,” she said.

Professor Taylor sees nothing but success in Compton’s future.

“My impression of Mackenzie is she is an intelligent young lady who has a very promising future and will be quite successful,” she said. “She is a self-motivated, hard worker and focused; I am very confident she will achieve her goals. I believe Mackenzie is an inspiration for our future.”

Feature Photo – Graduation: Mackenzie Compton started at Livonia Churchill High School and continued with Michigan Connections Academy. (Photo provided.)

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Program offers chance to share experience, earn certification

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.

“Becoming a certified RiderCoach is a great way to share your passion for motorcycling with prospective 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 and Professional Learning (PPL).

PPL is the new name for the College’s continuing education department, previously known as Continuing Education and Professional Development, or CEPD. 

The RiderCoach course is approximately 90 hours long. Course schedules vary, but students should plan on 7 to 11 days of intensive classroom and hands-on (range) activities. Applicants must have their own motorcycle and have been endorsed for at least one year. Cost is $75.

“Becoming a certified RiderCoach is a great way to share your passion for motorcycling with prospective and experienced riders, get more involved in the motorcycling community and make some extra money.”

Sean McGlinn, Motorcycle Safety Coordinator for Schoolcraft College’s program.

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 various professional-development courses, and submitting those records directly to the MSF.

In addition, the Detroit Metro Motorcycle Safety Consortium, which includes Schoolcraft College and four other community colleges, highly recommends that candidates complete a Basic RiderCourse (BRC) prior to the RiderCoach Preparation Course to familiarize themselves with the curriculum they will be teaching.

Motorcyclists listening to instruction
The RiderCoach course at Schoolcraft College is approximately 90 hours over 7 to 11 days of classroom and hands-on (range) activities. (Schoolcraft College photo.)

McGlinn completed his BRC at Schoolcraft in 2011, has been with the College since January 2018, and recently became a certified rider coach himself.

“I am humbled and honored to work for the program that has benefitted countless prospective and experienced motorcyclists, including myself, in Metro Detroit and beyond.”

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

“Motorcycle sales were booming last year, presumably because of people exploring new socially distant hobbies,” McGlinn said. “While we are tremendously grateful for, and proud of, training around 900 students last year within the span of just a few short months, we weren’t able to accommodate everyone who inquired about our courses due to the reduced class sizes.

“Typically, we train around 3,000 students every year. There is a backlog of students who weren’t able to take a course last year, and we currently have a significant shortage of active RiderCoaches in the Detroit Metro Consortium.”

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

Feature Photo: A large backlog of students means that RiderCoaches are urgently needed in the Detroit Metro area. (Schoolcraft College photo.)

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Schoolcraft College was one of just 61 institutions – and one of just two from Michigan – selected by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to participate in its 2021 Institute on High-Impact Practices and Student Success. (The University of Michigan was the other participant from the state.)

The Institute is designed to advance campus- and system-level efforts to achieve quality, equity and student engagement goals through the design, implementation and assessment of active teaching and learning practices widely known as “high-impact practices,” or HIPs.

The Institute was held virtually June 15-18. The team from Schoolcraft College was:

AACU logo
  • Adam Authier, Director of Academic Innovation
  • Deborah Burke, Professor, Psychology
  • Sharon Christian, Director, Learning Support Services
  • Helen Ditouras, Professor, English
  • Dr. Elaine Lloyd, Professor, Nursing

“The AAC&U Institute on High-Impact Practices and Student Success provides an unparalleled opportunity for colleges and universities from across the country to collaborate on ways to become more intentional in serving all students and to improve both completion rates and the quality of student learning,” said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella.

Each team worked with leading experts and practitioners to identify opportunities for deepening connections between students’ assets and their educational experiences. Drawing on research that demonstrates a positive relationship between student participation in HIPs and improved student outcomes, the teams defined and started to develop curricular and cocurricular practices that support student engagement, advance curricular coherence, and generate equitable outcomes.

They also defined and strengthened processes for directly assessing student achievement of the learning outcomes that result from participation in HIPs. These assessment processes will help institutions set and monitor progress toward equity goals to improve educational outcomes for all students.

“The Institute represents AAC&U’s continued partnership with leading experts on high-impact practices and student success to examine the latest research and to address the most pressing issues related to equity, quality, and assessment to design sustainable efforts that are responsive to students’ needs and values the diversity of students’ identities,” said Tia McNair, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers.

The Institute focused on implementing educational change and bringing effective practices to scale in a time of unprecedented changes, limited resources, and variations in modes of delivery. The curriculum supported campus teams as they develop faculty-engaged, evidence-based, sustainable models and strategies to advance quality, equity, and engagement in service to academic excellence and social justice.

Topics addressed included integrating HIPs across modalities, aligning courses and programs with guided pathways, promoting connections between educational experiences and long-term career success, and encouraging an academically open environment while promoting the safe and civil exchange of ideas.

Professor Burke, Professor Ditouras and Dr. Lloyd graciously provided the following insights at the end of the Institute:

Q: What are your overall impressions of the program?

The AAC&U conference was empowering and enlightening as we learned from and collaborated with experts in the field and our colleagues at the college. If we want to future-proof the College, we all need to pay attention to expanding access to all facets of the higher education experience.

High Impact Practices (HIPs) include educational activities that engage students in active learning that elevate their performance on desired outcomes. 

Moreover, the conference focused on the essential role of HIPs in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, all of which are of high value to everyone working in education. HIPs are the best practice in ensuring the work of expanding access and accountability with concrete action plans.

Q: What was the format of the program?

As participants we engaged in keynote presentations, daily breakout sessions, and team consultations that centered on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging filtered through the framework of High Impact Practices.

Q: Are there any ideas in particular you want to bring to Schoolcraft College and why?

It is essential that the college re-configure the process of enrollment and advising, retention, co-curricular opportunities, governance, and teaching methodology to expand access through the framework of High Impact Practices.

Q: “Guided Pathways” seemed to be one of the key topics for this program, and it’s a topic that’s growing in importance here at Schoolcraft. In your opinion, were there any ideas from the program that can help us?

Guided Pathways, a portal to facilitate student completion with structures of support for first generation students, is a potential High Impact Practice that the College should continue to develop. HIPs should be embedded in all programing and practices at the college.  Below is a list of AAC&U’s High Impact Educational Practices. High-Impact Educational Practices | Association of American Colleges & Universities (aacu.org)

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Under the leadership of Adam Authier, Director of Academic Innovation, Schoolcraft College’s AAC&U team is comprised of a cross-section of our campus community. We are proud of the work our Schoolcraft team was able to accomplish, but we are not enough. It will take the involvement of the entire campus community to future-proof the College utilizing the framework of High Impact Practices in everything we do.

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Learning Support Services offers a wide variety of services to students at Schoolcraft College to help them achieve their academic goals. They offer tutoring, writing support, peer assisted learning, academic success coaching and more in the department, meeting students where they’re at in their academics. This department is unique in one major way – student employees make up more than half of their team.

“Want to learn real-world leadership skills all while sharpening your academics? Join our team,” said Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services. “Learn to work in a team setting and gain professional development opportunities while supporting your peers at Schoolcraft College! Many of our students make lasting connections.”

Learning Support Services is currently looking to hire tutors, peer consultants for Writing Support Studio, and student assistants to work on-campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

Tutors support in various mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics courses by appointment and group tutoring sessions. Peer Consultants provide writing support in the Learning Center’s Writing Support Studio.

“Our tutors, peer consultants and service desk team members are the engines behind our work in the Learning Center,” said Elizabeth Kenney, Learning Center Coordinator. “As a Learning Center team, we enjoy and take pride in our work to support students across a wide variety of academic areas. As a department, we offer ongoing training, leadership and other professional development opportunities for our student employees.”

Want to join the LSS team? Please attend one of the information sessions. Both in-person and remote sessions are available. Here’s the schedule:

DateTimeMode
Wednesday, July 1411:00 a.m.–noonIn person
Thursday, July 152:00-3:00 p.m.Remote (Link to attend)
Tuesday, July 201:00-2:00 p.m.In person
Thursday, July 2210:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.Remote (Link to attend)
For more information, visit www.schoolcraft.edu/LSS, or email [email protected]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reality Ready® boosts proficiency in four key areas:

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

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

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

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

Building on Core Abilities

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

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

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

How Reality Ready® works: Putting theory into practice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Named MCCAA Academic All-Conference were:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Professor Addi shared a few of his goals for retirement.

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

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

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