New Nino Salvaggio market breaks ground on campus, will open in 2025

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A ceremonial groundbreaking that took place Nov. 7 marks the beginning of construction for the new international marketplace on campus.

A groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction for the new Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace on the campus of Schoolcraft College.

The new market will be located in the North commuter lot on the campus of the College near the Vistatech Center along Haggerty Road. 

It will feature a wide array of gourmet goods, including produce, meats, flowers and more. It will serve as an important educational hub, providing opportunities for Schoolcraft College students in programs such as Culinary Arts and Supply Chain Management, among others.

“Having a Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace right here on campus will give all of our students real-world experience that will enhance their education,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “This marketplace will help teach our students in ways no other community college can offer. We cannot wait for our students and the community to see this wonderful addition to the campus.”

large arc entrance to a market building
A rendering of the new Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace that’s planned on the north end of the Schoolcraft College campus. The new market, which will offer several educational opportunities for students, is expected to open in 2025.

Work on the 48,100 square-foot marketplace will take place over the next several months. Construction on the new parking lot adjacent to the Vistatech Center will wrap up by December.

Founded by the late Nino Salvaggio in 1979, the company will expand its footprint to the tri-county area with the opening of the Livonia store. Nino’s children Leo Salvaggio and Andrea and Frank Nicolella continue to expand upon Nino’s legacy by building this new store and investing in the community.

“On behalf of our entire Nino’s family, we are proud to make this significant investment in the community and excited to introduce our marketplace to Schoolcraft College and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Leo Salvaggio, one of the owners. “We’re pleased that Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio share a commitment to being deeply rooted in the community we serve. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome everyone to our newest store.”

The project is being financed by Comerica Bank. The new market is expected to open after construction wraps up in Fall 2025.

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“Proof,” which opens Friday in the James R. Hartman Theatre, holds big ideas of greatness, madness, romance and mystery wrapped in family drama, as the discovery of a mysterious notebook raises questions of Catherine’s own genius – or madness.

The Schoolcraft College Theatre Department and the James R. Hartman Theatre are proud to announce the Fall semester production of “Proof” by David Auburn.

Directed by faculty member Paul Beer, “Proof” is the story of Catherine on the eve of her 25th birthday. She is in the home of her father Robert, a once-brilliant mathematician, following his death. Catherine cared for Robert in his final years as he descended into mental instability, and this weekend, she must confront his funeral, her estranged sister Claire who comes to “help,” and Hal, Robert’s graduate student who is combing through Robert’s old notebooks, hoping to find some undiscovered bit of brilliance left behind.

This play holds big ideas of greatness, madness, romance and mystery wrapped in family drama, as the discovery of a mysterious notebook raises questions of Catherine’s own genius – or madness.

“The play’s dialogue is remarkably real; these characters exist in three dimensions as we watch them cope with grief and love and discovery,” Beer said. “I’m thrilled to have a talented cast and crew of students and alumni bring this story to life!”

The show is well-known with plenty of accolades to its name: “Proof” won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize, as well as a Tony Award for Best Play.

Cast and crew members are a mix of Schoolcraft students and alumni, some returning to the stage, and some performing with the ensemble for the first time.

“I’m always pleased to have alumni stay connected to our theatre program, and to introduce new and talented students to our audience,” Beer said.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25, 26, Nov. 1 and 2. A matinee performance will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. All performances will take place in the James R. Hartman Theatre, located in room 500 inside the Liberal Arts Building at Schoolcraft College.

General admission seats are $20 ($15 for students). Tickets are available online at schoolcraft.edu/theatre or by calling 734-462-4596.

“Proof” is the first of three productions for Schoolcraft Theatre this year. A Night of One-Act Plays (featuring plays by David Lindsay-Abaire, Joseph Zettelmaier, and Michael Alan Herman) is coming in February 2025, and Samuel Hunter’s “Clarkston” will take the stage in April 2025.

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Work has commenced on a new parking lot that will allow guests at the Vistatech Center to park closer when visiting.

Additional improvements taking place this fall to Schoolcraft College’s Vistatech Center will enhance the user experience in the state-of-the-art facility.

Construction has begun on a new parking lot to the west side of the Vistatech Center on the Livonia campus that will add 260 parking spaces in the new lot. This new lot will allow for visitors to the Vistatech Center to park significantly closer to the building, including handicap spaces. Electric charging stations for vehicles will also be added.  

The new parking lot will also connect Schoolcraft College’s North parking lot and the lot adjacent to the Bradner Library and McDowell Student Center. 

parking lot and building rendering
A rendering of the new parking lot currently under construction at the Vistatech Center. The new parking lot is expected to open later this year.

“This project builds onto the wonderful improvements that wrapped last year at the Vistatech Center,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “We’re excited to make the experience at the Vistatech Center even better for our students and guests visiting this amazing facility.”

The Vistatech Center underwent an $11 million renovation that wrapped up in 2023, which included the addition of a new prefunctionary space, a brand-new demonstration kitchen named the Collaboration Learning Studio, and a refreshed Main Street Café and American Harvest restaurant. 

Work on the new parking lot is expected to take place throughout the fall. The new lot is expected to open by the end of the year.

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Students can grab a hot lunch from Henry’s every day of the week, as well as get food from the JC Café again this semester.

Hungry Schoolcraft College students rejoice: more dining options have returned for the fall semester.

Henry’s, the College’s food court located in the Waterman wing of the Vistatech Center, has brought back several hot food options for students looking for lunch in-between classes. Several grab-and-go dishes are available during lunchtime, including burgers, chicken, French fries and pizza.

The additional hot food was brought back after the College heard from students and employees wanting to have additional options for eating without having to leave campus. The grab-and-go hot food is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday in Henry’s.

“The driving force behind expanding the food options at Henry’s is to give students an affordable hot meal on campus,” said Amanda Schroer, the Café and Markets Manager for Culinary Operations at Schoolcraft College. “We heard from our students that bringing back hot food choices were important. We’re glad to provide these to our customers.”

Henry’s continues to offer its typical menu items, including salads, drinks, coffee, snacks and more in addition to the grab-and-go hot food.

The expansion of the menu at Henry’s is not the only dining option changing this semester. The JC Café, located on the first floor of the Jeffress Center, has reopened for the semester after being closed in the spring. The café offers salads, sandwiches, snacks, drinks and more to those taking classes or simply studying in the building. Run by Culinary Operations, the JC Café is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The additional food options expand the already-offered markets available to students, employees and the public. That includes Main Street Café in the Vistatech Center, Elite Market inside the TrinityElite Sports Center, Ocelot Market inside the Livonia Medical Center and Trinity Health Sports Dome; and Ocelot Market Express inside the Physical Education Building.

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The funding will help strengthen a student inventory survey to better identify needs students have as the semester progresses.

Additional state funding will help bolster Schoolcraft College’s Early Action program to better serve students and identify intervention needs.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) recently announced Schoolcraft College would receive $200,000 from the first round of awards from the new College Success Grant program to aid the Early Action initiative. This funding will assist the College by strengthening a student inventory survey to help identify intervention needs. This survey – which saw nearly 600 responses from first-time students – inquired about any needs or concerns students have as they begin their academic career.  

The funding will also aid in promoting the use of academic resources to students and develop early support-seeking while strengthening case management. Part of the survey’s goal is to identify any issues early in the school year with students before an Early Action case is filed by a faculty member.

Early Action can help keep students on track in their classes as a semester begins. Whether students are doing great or need some additional assistance, instructors identify students who can benefit from academic support and refer them to Learning Support Services. From there, a staff member reaches out to the student to provide resources, be it tutoring through the Learning Center, Academic Success Coaching or other campus services.

“We’re hoping to reduce the number of cases we get, because if we can help these students before they come up on our radar via Early Action, they will be more successful,” said Travis Michalak, an Academic Success Coach for Learning Support Services. “. “Student Success is everything we do here, and Early Action has helped us work with students who show signs of needing additional support.”

The money will also be used to hire an Early Action Advocate to assist with Early Action cases.

The money comes from the first round of College Success Grants, which awarded $3 million to colleges and universities across the state to expand support for students.

“We are excited to partner with the Governor on another important initiative to expand access to postsecondary education for more Michiganders,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “The College Success Grants make strategic short-term investments that will yield long-standing benefits by creating a more supportive system for students as they strive to earn a skill certificate or college degree.”

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Dozens of employer will attend the event, which runs from 4-7 p.m.

Looking for a job? Schoolcraft College has you covered.

Schoolcraft College is proud to bring back its job fair, taking place from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 10 in the TrinityElite Sports Center on its main Livonia campus, located at 18600 Haggerty in Livonia.

Employers from several fields, including health care, education, accounting, business, supply chain, manufacturing and engineering and more will be speaking with candidates throughout the afternoon. Employers in attendance at the job fair include Trinity Health, Roush, DHL and many more.

Those attending should bring copies of their resume and dress for success to engage in real-time interviews with prospective employers. The job fair is free and open to the public.

“We’re looking forward to connecting job seekers to their next employer at our job fair this fall,” said Sharon Christian, Director of Workforce Mentorship and Placement at Schoolcraft College. “This event is a mainstay here at Schoolcraft College and it’s a great way to help advance our mission of getting our students employed.”

The TrinityElite Sports Center is located in the southeast corner of the College next to the TrinityElite Sports Dome. For more information on the job fair or for those looking to strengthen their resume and interview skills, contact Schoolcraft College’s Career Mentorship and Placement office at 734-462-4421 or via email at [email protected].

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The Ocelots finally take the ice as the new intercollegiate hockey team begins its season.

The skates are laced. The pads are on. The ice is prepped.

It’s time for Schoolcraft hockey.

After being announced late last year, the Ocelots Ice Hockey intercollegiate team will finally take to their home ice this weekend, welcoming the Trine University Thunder to Mike Modano Ice Arena in Westland as the inaugural home game.

The Ocelots have begun play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, where they play as a Division II independent.

“After plenty of practices, scrimmages and preparation, we’re looking forward to welcoming our fans to the first-ever Schoolcraft hockey game,” said Dan Phelps, the head coach of the Ocelots and a Livonia native. “This team marks a new beginning and has plenty of talent from across the region to compete. We can’t wait to play in front of our fans.”

Schoolcraft opened the season away Sept. 22, playing at the University of Toledo, where the Ocelots fell 5-1. Freshman defenseman Jerome Pegrum scored the first goal in the program’s history, putting the puck in the net in the first period against the Rockets. 

Schoolcraft is one of a handful of two-year colleges that participates in the ACHA. Schoolcraft is playing a hybrid schedule, competing with programs across all three ACHA divisions, which are predominantly all four-year institutions. As a member of the ACHA, the program is a non-scholarship sport.

Moving forward, the team will play against several other well-known schools, including Davenport, Concordia, Oakland University, Central Michigan and Michigan State, to name a few. The regular season will conclude Feb. 22 when the Ocelots take on the Calvin University Knights.

For more information, including a full schedule and roster, visit schoolcraftocelots.com.

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The main event to mark the month takes place this week with a free 5K run/walk happening Sept. 25.

Schoolcraft College will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of ways to celebrate.

Recognized every year between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the cultures and contributions of people whose ancestors came from places such as Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The first big event is the Hispanic Heritage 5K Run/Walk, which will take place at noon Sept. 25 beginning at the Fitness Center. The route will take us through campus with markers throughout celebrating Hispanic heritage. While there are several paid versions that include receiving items such as a medal, physical bib and more, participation in the event is free. For those interested in participating, please sign up using this link and be sure to join the Schoolcraft College Ocelots team to log your time. Those who cannot make it to the walk can still participate by completing a 5K on their own time before Oct. 15.

In addition to the run/walk, the Bradner Library has a selection of books available to check out celebrating Hispanic heritage. These options are a great way to relax and enjoy both fiction and nonfiction offerings from Hispanic authors.

Finally, the Main Street Café will offer a few special treats the next several weeks celebrating Hispanic heritage. One will be a Alfajores cookie, a Peruvian sweet that has a dulce de leche center sandwiched between shortbread. Also for sale at the Café is a Tres leche Cake, a light cake made with several kinds of milk that gives the dessert a sweet, airy texture.

These sweet treats will join the usual lineup of items for sale at the Main Street Café inside the Vistatech Center for the next several weeks. Main Street Café is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Hispanic heritage is a crucial part of this country’s fabric and I’m glad we can celebrate this important month here at Schoolcraft College,” said Beth LaForest, Chief of Staff. “I encourage everyone to get involved on campus celebrating this important month.” Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off the heritage months during the academic year. Schoolcraft College will plan several events and activities for the corresponding months. More details on events will be announced in the future.

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The International Student Center has created a new space for students to come study, relax and take a break in between classes.

International students at Schoolcraft College now have their own space to get ahead on their studies.

The International Student Center, located in the McDowell Student Center, recently opened a dedicated student study space. Aimed at providing students with an area to study and rest in-between classes, the lounge has a table, computers and more to benefit international students. The space also offers snacks and personal hygiene products as well.

“This is the first time we’ve offered such a study space for our international students and we’re happy to give them a space that is all their own,” said Laura Leshok, director of the International Student Center. “Already we’ve seen plenty of our international students find comfort in coming to have a quiet space for them to feel more at home whenever they are on campus.”

The study room occupies a former break room within the International Student Center that had previously served as the temporary home of the Veterans Resource Center while its space was renovated in 2023.

The study room is open during the day Monday-Friday.

The space has seen plenty of usage as the semester progresses, especially given the large number of international students currently enrolled at Schoolcraft College. The College has more than 250 international students enrolled from nations such as India, Brazil, Germany, Senegal and plenty more. Visit schoolcraft.edu/international-students to learn more about the offerings Schoolcraft College has for international students.

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A Bentley High School graduate, Tom Shipley was part of Schoolcraft College’s first class back in 1964.

Tom Shipley remembers the first day of registration for the first class of Schoolcraft College.

The Bentley High School graduate had plans to attend a four-year university back in 1964, but then he was told about this new college opening in Livonia by Dr. Lois Waterman, the school’s first dean. With the Vietnam war draft looming large, he knew he needed to become a full-time student to avoid getting his number pulled. So he put on his best clothes and headed to the newly-created college, where he waited in line to register for classes. He and a lot more people.

“They were only expecting like 400 kids. Eleven hundred showed up,” he said. “People were lined up for registration.”

Now, 60 years later, Shipley lives right down the road from his alma mater. He recently shared his experiences during a visit back to campus.

Person observing wall artwork
Top Shipley looks at a portrait Dr. Lois Waterman that hangs in the wing that bears her name.

He remembers seeing the administration building constructed first, complete with images of what the College would eventually look like. Those buildings all had the look of the Forum building.

The first place on campus was known as the “Plywood Palace,”  just outside of the Forum Building and it was called that because it was more of a tent with a plywood floor.

Shipley said many of the same challenges and issues today’s students face were similar back in the 1960s. He and his fellow students all tried figuring out what classes to take, how to balance working with attending school and what they would eat throughout the day.

Given the College’s award-winning culinary arts program hadn’t started yet, students then relied on getting food elsewhere.

“If you want to go get something to eat, you’d had to go to Wintergarden Tavern at Seven Mile and Farmington. It was that or else you went to Plymouth Road to Daly’s, Big Boy’s or something,” he said. “There was nothing else out here. Absolutely nothing other than Hawthorne Center, Northville State Hospital or a Rent-It store at Six Mile and Haggerty.”

His first semester, he took several classes, including geology, English, French and biology. Several physical education classes were taken off campus on account of the gym not yet being built. Mr. Marv Gans, the physical education teacher, loved rugby, which led students to play plenty of it. Shipley remembers courses happening at Merri-Bowl in Livonia and at the psychiatric hospital in Northville Township.  

old paper ticket with class info
A close-up of Shipley’s receipt from his first semester. He took 16 credits for a total of $135.50.

Staying a full-time student was an important move for Shipley and many of his male classmates. If he wasn’t enrolled full-time, that meant they were eligible to be drafted.

“Twelve credits were the magic number to keep out of the draft,” he said. “If you went below 12, you gave the Selective Service office a visit.”

He graduated with his associate degree two years after starting, opting to transfer to Western Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and history. Right before graduating, Shipley got word his number came up and he would be drafted after earning his degree. So instead of waiting, he opted to join the Navy, where he spent the next 30 years of his career.

He retired as a chief petty officer and later worked for the Department of Homeland Security before retiring.

It was Schoolcraft College where he developed his love of rocks. He now owns a wide collection of them, found during his time in the service where he traveled the world. He attributes this to the passion his instructors had.

While attending Schoolcraft College was a way to avoid being shipped to Vietnam, Shipley said it was a great experience to begin a new life in adulthood. It helped set him up for success for the rest of his life. 

“You had to get up early in the morning, you had to dress yourself,” he said. “And there was nobody there to make you.”

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Learn more about the Honors Program at Schoolcraft College and what students do to enrich their studies in the classroom and beyond.

Two words best sum up the experience in the Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program: academics and service. 

These are the pillars of the Honors Program at Schoolcraft College, which aims to enhance a student’s college experience with additional rigor. Students in the Honors Program gain valuable experiences and have additional learning opportunities to better prepare them for transfer to a four-year college or university. 

In their initial Fall semester, Honors students take the introductory course to the Honors Program, HUM 190: Individual Humanism: An Honors Colloquium taught by Dr. Mark Huston (Philosophy).  In their final Winter semester, Honors students take ANTH 290: The Individual and Community: An Honors Capstone Course, currently taught by Professor Jessica Worden-Jones, Coordinator of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. In the Capstone course, Honors students are paired with a non-profit organization and develop a service-learning project that addresses a particular social issue. 

“Those two pillars, academics and service, are really emphasized in those two classes,” said Errin Stegich-Moloney, Manager of the Center for Experiential Learning. “Our students see a lot of growth from their first class to their capstone class throughout their time at Schoolcraft College.” 

Honors students then select four Honors-designated courses that fit within their program of study.  In these elective courses, Honors students collaborate directly with faculty in diverse academic disciplines to create unique projects in each course.  These Honors projects go beyond normal coursework, as they are intended to challenge students in applying course principles in the real-world, lead peers in learning activities, conduct field research, identify and report on special resources, construct a prototype, create a work of art or enact change. 

These additional responsibilities were something Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program recent graduate Jonah Efrusy said were extremely beneficial to him. 

“Not only did it help me to learn additional information that I would never have had the opportunity to research, but it created an environment in which I had to learn how to be a successful multi-tasker,” he said. “Balancing multiple classes is hard enough, without a large project on top. That being said, it helped me shape my communication and time management skills.” 

person speaking at a podium
Student Noah Spicer presents during a capstone presentation earlier this spring for the Honors Program. Part of the program requires Honors students to develop a service-learning project that addresses a particular social issue and present on it.

The experiences do not just end in the classroom.  Honors students have outside learning opportunities available to them to enhance their academic careers. Honors students are required to complete several hours of Service and Enrichment hours, encouraging them to become active participants in their communities.  Honors students also have other off-campus high-impact learning opportunities and fellowships provided through the Center for Experiential Learning at Schoolcraft College.    

Honors students receive other benefits as well, including a scholarship to help cover the cost of their Honors courses, an Honors designation on their transcripts when they graduate, and benefit from articulation agreements to the honors colleges at four-year universities such as Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University. Graduates of the program represent the program at Commencement with regalia recognizing their achievements. 

While the deadline for applications to the Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program for the Fall 2024 semester has passed, applications will be accepted in late-October for the Winter 2025 application period.  Interested candidates must be accepted at Schoolcraft College, have a minimum 3.3 GPA or higher, complete the online application, and submit a required letter of recommendation.  

More information can be found on the program’s website, schoolcraft.edu/scholars. 

Joining the program is something Efrusy said changed his life forever. He couldn’t recommend the program enough for those looking to get involved on campus.

“Being surrounded by fellow scholars who strive for excellence, along with the constant support of our program coordinator, helped motivate me to represent our program and aim to be the best student I could be. Being a scholar in the honors program, I found myself more attentive, ambitious, open-minded, and prepared in the classroom,” he said. “All of the little things I had learned through my years in the program have made the largest impact on the person I am, and the student I will continue to be.” 

Feature Photo: Jonah Efrusy listens to fellow students present their Honors capstone projects earlier this year.

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To observe Disability Pride Month, we look at what is offered through the Disability Support Services office and how they assist students. 

Students with disabilities have a friend in Schoolcraft College.

From accommodation in classroom tasks and activities to assisting those with audio-visual and medical needs, the Disability Support Services office plays a major role in making sure education is attainable for everyone.

Through the Americans with Disabilities Act – which was signed into law in July 1990 – staff at Schoolcraft College work to afford students with disabilities the opportunity to learn and earn college credit.

“The Disabilities Support Services office assists the college in ensuring equal access to programs and activities by offering reasonable accommodations and by providing encouragement and support for students with disabilities,” said Joanne Dawson, a Disability Support Services Advocate.  “Accommodations address barriers in testing, classroom tasks and activities, in addition to audio-visual and medical needs.”

Dawson, one of two advocates in the Disabilities Support Services office, said the ADA emphasizes the importance of preparing students with disabilities for life after high school. Admitted students with a student ID number can provide the DSS office documentation of their disability.  Documentation of disability can be a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan from their high school, or the Disability Verification Form completed by a qualified health care professional. Once documentation has been reviewed, students can contact the DSS office at 734-462- 4330 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment with a DSS advocate.

In addition to the DSS office, other efforts have been made across campus to improve accessibility for wheelchair users. Such improvements include modifications to the restrooms inside the Liberal Arts building.

Working with students and parents to better understand and bridge the pathway for students embarking on the collegiate experience. “We work with students and parents to understand the differences between accommodations in high school and in college, familiarize new students with the process of setting up accommodations, and encourage students to set up services early,” Dawson said. “Schoolcraft college strives to become a more inclusive and accessible campus.”