Alumnus credits Schoolcraft for his career in Health Information Technology

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It took a conversation with an acquaintance to lead Colin Rhys Camper to his career path.

Camper, who graduated from Schoolcraft College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Technology in 2021, said he did not know that field existed when a client of his hairdressing mother mentioned it to him. Being he was interested in coding using SQL and Java, he decided to check out the program.

Several years later, he’s now working in the field as a billing adjudicator for Allstate, a job he’s passionate about.

“Everyone on my team is Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certified and we all use our broad knowledge of medical practices to parse through medical records to ensure they line up with the correct billing. It doesn’t sound exciting on paper, but in practice it’s a lot of investigative work,” he said. “I myself have been working on the special investigations side and I honestly feel like Sherlock Holmes from time to time.”

After transferring many of his general education credits to Schoolcraft College, Camper began taking classes specifically focused on health information technology, which prepares students to enter the world of electronic health care recordkeeping. He got involved in different groups on campus, including tutoring fellow HIT students and getting involved with the HIT Club, a decision that he called a “no-brainer.” He worked closely with Peggy Chapo, the HIT Program Coordinator, to keep students together when in-person activities were not taking place.

“I did not have any previous medical history or skills and felt if I was going to get anywhere, I needed to network heavily. The HIT club introduced me to several peers who are still in the field today,” he said. “It also gave me the opportunity to lead during the pandemic when I became the de facto president. Peggy Chapo and I put a lot of effort into keeping students tightly knit together during that time.”

After graduating and obtaining his RHIT certification, Camper worked at Trinity Health indexing medical records for the Livonia-based health care system. A year later, he went to Allstate.

He said the job security has been a welcome addition to his career, something the numbers for the field back up: the job outlook for workers in HIT show an increase in 7% between 2021 and 2031, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“The job security is important to myself as a parent and husband,” Camper said. “Knowing what I do has an immediate impact on the financial and administrative sector of my career means I can generally rest assured I’ll always be employed.”

Such work is great for those looking to get into health care but don’t necessarily want to be face-to-face with patients, Camper said.

“It’s a broad field that really offers flexibility to your needs. It’ll take some time to get there but I started with zero relevant experience and ended up at my career goals within 1.5 years of graduation,” he said. “If you’re interested in logistical problem solving, extrapolating large sums of data, or dealing with varieties of information in a multitasking sense, this is for you.”

Schoolcraft College offers a Health Coding Specialist Certificate and a Health Information Technology Associate of Applied Science that can help prepare students to enter the field. More information on the program can be found at schoolcraft.edu.

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Schoolcraft College students, faculty and staff recently packaged and delivered more than 85 gifts to those in a local shelter.

Santa Claus is the one best known for delivering presents during the holidays. But that’s not stopping students, faculty and staff from Schoolcraft College from getting in on the giving.

Several students and faculty members helped gather and package up items for the holidays earlier this month to donate to residents of the Samaritas Family Center in Westland. Items collected during the drive, entitled Project Share Joy, were bagged up by Honors Scholars and English students in the Student Activities space in the lower level of the Vistatech Center and loaded on a truck to deliver to dozens of residents at the shelter in time for the holidays.

The drive, organized for years by English faculty member Dr. Anna Maheshwari, is a passion project for her.

“It brings us so much joy to watch children get these gifts and the thanks we get from the shelter,” she said. “These children would not get a Christmas gift had it not been for us adopting them. It makes it our obligation to give back.”

Donations of items such as dolls, Lego sets, toiletries and more were all bagged up in homemade pillowcases and gift bags and loaded onto the Student Activities truck, where they were delivered to those residing in the shelter. Items were donated from students, administrators, faculty and community members. Toys for Tots also provided some of the toys as well. More than 85 gifts were delivered.

Large group pose for photo inside an open truck
Students, faculty and staff collected more than 85 gifts to donate to the Samaritas Family Center in Westland for the holidays.

Yan Li, a student who is also the vice president of leadership for the Omicron Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, said helping to organize and package the gifts to families in need is a worthwhile endeavor to give back to the community.

“You just can’t help but want to help,” he said. “I just can’t wait to see the joy when they get delivered to them.”

In addition to the donations to the shelter, the remaining items will be donated to other groups, including some that will stop by campus to pick up items, as well as foster homes in communities such as Livonia and Redford Township.

“We have built up relationships with other community organizations over the years and will be providing any extra toys left over from the Toys for Tots distribution by Friday this week,” said Todd Stowell, director of the Student Activities Office.

Maheshwari said she plans on continuing the drive each year, even after her eventual retirement. Coming from humble beginnings, she said, helps her stay motivated to help others.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t have much and now to be able to do this for children who are probably going to remember these small gifts for the rest of their lives I know they will pay it forward,” she said.

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About 20 students spent three days in West Farmington Cemetery in Farmington Hills this fall as a part of their class, becoming more familiar with the layout and documenting those whose remains are buried in the cemetery.

Several Schoolcraft College students got into the spirit of the season earlier this year, spending part of their fall semester working in the cemetery.

Students in Professor Alec Thomson’s HIST 152: 19th Century American History class took their studies out of the classroom and into the final resting place for those who settled in present-day Farmington Hills. About 20 students spent three days in West Farmington Cemetery this fall as a part of their class, becoming more familiar with the layout and documenting those whose remains are buried in the cemetery.

“This is our first term undertaking this type of project, but I think it has gone very well and students appear to be making good connections between these historical events and our commitment to the past,” said Thomson, who teaches political science and history. “Ultimately, we want students to think of studying history as a dynamic exercise that not only provides us with opportunity for reflection but a deeper understanding for mapping our future. The work of the students creates a tangible link between the past and the present.”

A service-learning project, the work the students did fit into developing the research skills of historical study, including, but not limited to, data gathering and analyzing primary sources.

Thomson, who also serves on the Farmington Hills Historic District Commission, said students used a mobile application to map the locations of the graves, as well as to record the information displayed on the headstones. 

The goal is to have this data hosted on a website that will be accessible to the public and allow members of the local community and those around the world to wish to learn more about the people buried in the cemetery. Visitors will be able to search for individual names, veteran status or by date.

The cemetery, located at 12 Mile and Halsted roads in Farmington Hills, was established in 1835 as the Baptist Burying Ground. It contains more than 200 gravesites, with many dating back to the 19th century.

“In class, we discussed how the cemetery started and what the surrounding area used to look like. As someone who loves history, I found it extremely interesting and thought-provoking to see how far the area has come, in what is my opinion, in not a very long time,” said Declan O’Hare, one of the students in Thomson’s class. “I think cemeteries are often thought to be sad places or even off limits, so being able to walk around and gather information from different graves was an eye-opening experience for me. I also took the opportunity to look at the ages of some of the people buried there, some my age, some older, and even younger than me.

“This gave me the chance to put myself in their shoes and draw questions as to what life was like in the time they lived.”

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The annual sale of ceramic bowls, dishes and other items went a long way in helping Schoolcraft students in need of food.

An annual fundraiser to help students brought in thousands of dollars as the semester begins to wind down.

The annual Empty Bowls fundraiser took place Dec. 6 in the Vistatech Center, selling ceramic bowls, plates and other pottery created by Schoolcraft College ceramics students. The fundraiser, which helps fund the College’s student food pantry, brought in $3,000 during its three-hour sale.

“Empty Bowls is a longstanding Schoolcraft College tradition, and I couldn’t be prouder of the community for stepping up and supporting our students,” said Todd Stowell, director of the Student Activities Office. “The money raised during this awesome event will help our students who need some assistance as they continue their studies.”

people looking at tables of ceramic bowls
Patrons check out the selection of ceramic items at the Empty Bowls fundraiser Dec. 6.

Those who purchased an item from the sale were also treated to lunch: the College’s Culinary Operations donated bread and soup for guests to enjoy as a thank you for their purchase, served up by Student Activities staff.

The student food pantry is available for students who need some additional assistance while they attend classes. Those looking to donate can drop off non-perishable, non-expired items to the Student Activities Office in the lower level of Waterman wing of the Vistatech Center.

Food donations can be placed in the collection bins in campus buildings or dropped off to the Student Activities Office. Items recommended for donations include cans of tuna or chicken, canned soup, chili or stew, pork and beans, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and spaghetti sauce, canned vegetables and more. Those looking to give money can identify their gift to the Schoolcraft College Foundation to specifically go toward the student food pantry as well.

Students in need of the food pantry’s services can visit the Student Activities Office can stop by from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday during the fall and winter semesters. More information can be found at schoolcraft.edu/student-activities/food-pantry.

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The team will take the ice beginning in the 2024-2025 season and play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

ocelot head logo

Schoolcraft College is excited to announce the addition of men’s ice hockey to their field of varsity level sports. The team is slated to begin play in the fall of the 2024-2025 season.

This will be the first intercollegiate ice hockey team that the college has launched as part of the Schoolcraft College Athletic Department. All team members will be full-time students and follow the academic/eligibility guidelines of the college athletic department and their governing body.

The announcement is another step forward in accomplishing the goals set forth in the institution’s plan to add athletic opportunities for the student body, while also expanding enrollment within the college. The plan includes an effort to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, while gaining collegiate experience as a student-athlete. The program hopes to also elevate the college’s profile and inspire the campus and surrounding communities to enthusiastically embrace Schoolcraft College athletics.

With the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) currently offering no sponsorship in ice hockey, the Ocelots will be a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The program will play as a Division-II independent and will be one of a limited number of two-year colleges that participates in the ACHA.

Livonia native Dan Phelps has been hired to serve as the Head Coach of the newly-formed program.  Phelps comes to Schoolcraft with 24 years of coaching experience, including 10 years at the high school level, six in Tier I youth hockey, two at the junior hockey ranks and six seasons in collegiate hockey, where he was the ACHA DI Head Coach, and ACHA Hockey Director at Adrian College.

“I’m extremely grateful and honored to be given this opportunity to lead the program for Schoolcraft College.  I’m looking forward to the journey ahead and building a sustainable program that Schoolcraft College is proud to have in their athletic family,” Phelps said. “I’d like to thank college president, Dr. Glenn Cerny and Athletic Director Patrick Yelsik, for their diligence in the work already put in, and their support to field a first-class program. I look forward to working with them as the program takes fruition.”

As part of the athletic department’s family, the program will receive the opportunity to the amenities available to all the College’s sports teams. The goal is to play 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 will be a non-scholarship sport.

“This is yet another example of the College’s commitment to athletics and using it as a vehicle to contribute to our enrollment goals as well as increasing the opportunities that our students are afforded beyond the classroom,” Yelsik said.  “It’s the epitome of a win-win.”

Home ice for the Ocelots will be Mike Modano Ice Arena in Westland.

“Adding men’s hockey as a top-level sport is a no-brainer for Schoolcraft College,” Cerny said. “Being located in such a hockey-rich community such as Livonia, I can’t wait to cheer on the Ocelots when they take to the ice next year.”

The roster for the inaugural team is currently being constructed. For those interested in becoming a part of the program, please submit a recruiting questionnaire or reach out to the coaching staff through the college athletics website at www.schoolcraftocelots.com.

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The celebration of anime, manga and plenty more returns Dec. 2 to the Vistatech Center.

An anime invasion is coming to Schoolcraft College.

Otaku U, the convention that attracted hundreds last year to the Livonia college, returns Dec. 2 for its second year of celebrating all things anime, manga, video games and more.

 The event, put on by the Schoolcraft College Otaku Anime Club and sponsored by RIW Hobbies & Games, will have activities and event for all ages, including:

  • A vendor hall filled with local vendors and artists
  • Anime AMV viewings
  • A cosplay contest
  • An array of panels
  • Tabletop gaming area hosted by RIW Hobbies & Games
  • Name that anime team trivia

Musical guest Playing with Power will perform in the afternoon. Special guests voice actors Tyson Rinehart and Aaron Campbell, known for their work on anime programs, will host panels and provide signatures to fans.

“Not only are we expanding our connection with the campus community but we are also focused on creating a safe, exciting space for all,” said Julianne Serson, a former student who is a member of the club and social media coordinator for the event. “This year will include more panels created by fellow students, more collaborative work between various organizations, more gaming options thanks to RIW Hobbies and Games, more amazing vendors, another phenomenal voice actor, and more!”

New to the event this year is a gaming tournament, which will take place in the lower level of the Vistatech Center.

Completely student-ran, students began planning for the second iteration of the event back in March. They hope to make it bigger than last year’s, making it a staple in metro Detroit celebrating all things anime.

“We feel that events like these are essential to the growth of our student leaders who are involved in the creation and execution of the program, but also provides those in our community wherever they may live a chance to come together around this common interest,” said Todd Stowell, director of the Student Activities Office at Schoolcraft College. “I am confident that we will have another wonderful show that the students and the community will say is an unforgettable experience.”

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Vistatech Center on Schoolcraft College’s campus, located at 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI 48152. Advance tickets for those who are 11 and up can be purchased for $7 and $5 for those 10 and under at otakuu.org. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 per person.

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Several students assisted in the creation of baskets full of Thanksgiving food to help students in need this holiday season. 

Anita Dixon can’t say enough about the generosity of her fellow Schoolcraft College students.

The Nursing student who lives in Taylor recently stopped by the Waterman Wing of the Vistatech Center and picked up one of several dozen Thanksgiving baskets being prepared by Student Activities. The basket, full of delicious items such as stuffing, sweet potatoes, a turkey and pumpkin pie, was a blessing to have during a time where the assistance was appreciated. 

“I think it’s very kind and very generous. They’re so friendly,” she said. “It’s very generous of them to give their time.”

Several dozen baskets were prepared by the Student Activities Office to help out those needing some holiday cheer this Thanksgiving. An annual tradition, students and staff assembled the boxes and distributed them Nov. 20, enough time for those students who were selected for a basket to begin preparations for Thanksgiving dinner. 

person putting food inside boxes
Schoolcraft College students help pack Thanksgiving baskets Nov. 20 outside the Vistatech Center. 

Noah Walters, one of the students helping to assemble and distribute the baskets, said this was his first time assisting with the Thanksgiving drive at the College. 

“I wanted to help the community,” he said. “It’s just been great to see the people’s faces light up. Even if they can’t provide the home-cooked meal that they want, they can still get a good meal for Thanksgiving.”

The items were purchased using money raised from several fundraisers throughout the year, including Empty Bowls and other charitable drives ran by the Schoolcraft College Foundation. Money also donated to the College for the food pantry also assisted with the drive, and the Culinary Arts Department donated the turkeys for each basket.

Todd Stowell, director of the Student Activities Office, said the drive is a great way for students to help one another during the holiday season.

“Students helping students is truly a great thing to see, and Schoolcraft College has some of the most giving students around,” he said. “I’m proud of the work our students do to help each other and am glad we can help them celebrate the season with a full Thanksgiving meal.”

To donate to the Schoolcraft College food pantry, bring non-perishable items to the Student Activities Office in the lower level of the Vistatech Center. For more information, contact the Student Activities Office at 734-462-4422.

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Two state-of-the-art soccer fields are being added to Schoolcraft College’s campus in partnership with the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club.

Two state-of-the-art soccer fields are being added to Schoolcraft College’s campus in partnership with the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club.Throughout the years, Schoolcraft has prioritized its investment in youth sports and being an asset to families in the community. This project builds on Schoolcraft’s proven success with private entity collaborations and commitment to Livonia and its surrounding communities.

“We are proud of our successful partnerships with diverse organizations to make our institution a desirable resource for others,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College. “This development is the next step to making Schoolcraft College the community destination it’s become known for.”

Specifically designed for youth players, both fields will feature artificial turf. The two playing surfaces will be specifically lined to accommodate four different field sizes that cater to players of all ages in youth soccer. The fields will be positioned on the south side of campus. All players will have access to on-campus athletic and Trinity Health medical facilities.  

“We are elated for the new soccer fields our players and their families will soon be able to enjoy,” said Ed McCarthy, executive director of Michigan Wolves Soccer Club. “One of the major benefits of training on Schoolcraft’s campus is not only the top-notch soccer fields, but the fact that it is truly a holistic asset to the community. If a player unfortunately gets injured, we have trainers and medical facilities just steps away. Not only will this partnership enhance the physical and mental development of our student athletes, but it will bring our community closer.”

3D rendering of two soccer fields
A rendering of the new soccer fields on the south side of Schoolcraft College’s campus.

The construction of the new fields involves repurposing the former children’s center lots and optimizing the campus space without compromising parking availability. The fields are expected to be completed by June 2024.

Schoolcraft College and the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club have held a mutually beneficial partnership since 2016. The Michigan Wolves, based in Livonia, has been an integral part of the community for 40+ years, coaching and mentoring athletes from ages 4 to 19. Prior to having the new soccer fields, the Wolves were capped at 600 players. With the new development, the organization can expand and include usage for some recreational teams.

Being a prominent city for soccer players and families in Michigan, Livonia has consistently produced some of the state’s best players over the past five decades. In alignment with this legacy, Schoolcraft College and the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club are committed to upholding and furthering this tradition through their partnership.

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More than a dozen students from the eastern European nation recently stopped by campus, getting a taste of life at an American community college.

Pasta dishes. Taylor Swift. Dogs.

These are the things Schoolcraft College students in Professor Colleen Pilgrim’s social psychology course found they loved in common with a group of students visiting the College from Ukraine earlier this fall.

More than a dozen students recently came to campus as a part of a program called Global Ties Detroit, a nonprofit organization that hosts international students on behalf of the United States Department of State and other groups.

Group of students from Ukraine
Ukrainian students take a photo with Schoolcraft College students in a Social Psychology class. Several students from Ukraine stopped by Schoolcraft College earlier this fall as a part of a several-week visit to the United States.

Spending several days in metro Detroit the Ukrainian students traveled across the region, visiting places such as Toledo Museum of Art, Mexicantown in Detroit, a trick-or-treating event in West Bloomfield, several Ukrainian businesses and organizations in the area and – just for fun – Great Lakes Crossing.

“We are trying to do a slice of everything,” said Laura Kline, a program consultant for Global Ties Detroit who has accompanied the students on their trip to Michigan.

The students were originally scheduled to come to the U.S. several years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed that trip. Now, in 2023, the students have come for several weeks, first visiting Washington, D.C., before arriving in Detroit.  

They arrived at Schoolcraft College to meet with students and experience time at an American community college. In addition to meeting with students in Pilgrim’s Social Psychology class, they also spent time relaxing in the Student Activities facilities in the Waterman Wing of the Vistatech Center.

Pilgrim said her course is a global one, being tied in through the Schoolcraft College International Institute, which weaves cross-cultural learning opportunities into the coursework.

students going through goodie bags
Ukrainian students received Schoolcraft College goodie bags to take back home to remind them of their time on campus.

Kline, who formerly taught at Wayne State University, said she had participated in previous Multicultural Fairs at Schoolcraft College and knew it was a great place to bring international students. She has previously brought students from other nations to the campus in Livonia, including some from Kazakhstan last year.

“I’ve loved Schoolcraft. You guys are always awesome. Everything you do here is awesome,” Kline said.

Akhtem Amzayev, a Ukrainian who traveled with the students to the U.S., said they see many parallels between the Midwestern city and their home nation. With their home country currently at war with Russia, leaving plenty destroyed, the students have seen what a city can be as it bounces back from difficult times, as Detroit has in recent years.

For them, Amzayev said, that gives the students a new perspective before they headed home.

“I think what’s important for students from Ukraine is to see Detroit and all its challenges that it’s had and now it’s recovering,” he said. “Now they see how it’s rebuilding and the students from Ukraine, where a lot of destruction is happening, that gives them hope.”

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The space on the second floor of the McDowell Building dedicated to serving student veterans will reopen during a grand opening Nov. 9 after several months of renovation and expansion.

Schoolcraft College’s Veterans Resource Center played a major role in helping Lauren Harman start college.

The Navy veteran was nervous about enrolling in school after spending several years in the military, but she said she felt much more comfortable after speaking with the leadership at the center.

“When starting my educational journey at Schoolcraft College, I was nervous about starting college after being out of college for eight years but upon meeting with Brent Landau, director of the veterans resource center, he listened to my concerns and really understood me first as a person and then a student and directed me in choosing the right classes that fit my current financial situation as well as the needs of my degree,” she said. “He guided me with resources that would benefit me as a veteran and made my time at Schoolcraft College less stressful.”

Schoolcraft College will soon offer a new experience for its student veterans like Harman after a several monthslong expansion of its veterans resource center.

Now named the Mark L. Whitfield Veteran & Military Services Center, the space on the second floor of the McDowell Building dedicated to serving student veterans will reopen during a grand opening Nov. 9 after several months of renovation and expansion.

With three times the usable space, the veterans resource center will have two additional office suites, a dedicated lounge dubbed the Masco Command Post and lounge space for student veterans. The new center will have more than 1,600 square feet aimed at assisting student veterans during their academic journey.

“This new space will welcome our student veterans in an unmatched way. With new amenities and offerings, we’re excited to be able to offer our vets the absolute best,” said Landau, who serves as the director of the Mark L. Whitfield Veteran & Military Services Center. “It’s only fitting we open this space during the week where we honor those who served our country in the armed forces.”

The center aids veterans and current military members to help them become thriving students at Schoolcraft College. Its mission is to help student veterans navigate the enrollment process by assisting with transcripts and other materials, as well as make sure students are aware of any eligible Veterans Affairs benefits or scholarships.

Donations fueling expansion

The center is named for Mark L. Whitfield, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who served six years in active duty, as well as spent time as a Navy Reservist. He is a retired Commander.

Funds to benefit the new center continue to be raised by the Schoolcraft College Foundation, which continues to accept donations for the space. It currently has $40,000 in matching funds given by four families: the Fausones, the Mahoneys, the Stroms and the Whitfields. To give a donation and help the resource center, please visit the Foundation’s website.

“Donating to support the Mark L. Whitfield Veteran & Military Services Center is a great way to show support to those who have fought for our freedoms,” said Dawn Magretta, executive director of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. “What better way to celebrate Veterans Day than with a gift to support our veterans looking to further their education?”

Lauren Harman
Lauren Harman attended Schoolcraft College after spending time in the Navy.

Harman served active duty in the Navy from 2014-2019, spending time on the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, where she worked as a culinary specialist. She left active duty in 2019 as a Petty Officer 3rd Class and joined the reserves for two years before leaving the service in 2021.

She attended Schoolcraft College to complete her general education requirements before transferring to the University of Detroit-Mercy, where she is currently in her senior year studying social work. She hopes to go on to graduate school and work with hospice patients, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care, and to get certified in suicide prevention to be able to teach it to others.

Harman said she valued her time at Schoolcraft College and believes any veteran looking to go back to school can achieve their goals.

“If I had any advice for anyone, especially veterans looking to start college, I’d say: find a career you would be okay with doing the rest of your life and go for it,” she said. “You are never too old. Stop making excuses and strive for a better future because it is achievable.

“I would recommend any veteran looking to start at Schoolcraft College to use the Veterans Resource Center as they are your own personal resource that other students don’t have access to.”

Members of the public, as well as donors, are invited to stop by a tour the space anytime from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9.

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The new program, SC BeWell, provides free resources to support students’ mental health and well-being.

Schoolcraft College now offers a brand-new service for whatever life challenges students may face involving mental health, including stress, academics, relationships, or feeling anxious from having too much on their plate. That new program, SC BeWell, provides free resources to support students’ mental health and well-being.

This program, which launches Nov. 1, is provided to all Schoolcraft College students taking classes.

SC BeWell launches with support of a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and The Ballmer Group as part of the Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative (D3C3). D3C3 is an initiative that supports community colleges in southeast Michigan focused on increasing equitable access to educational opportunities, boosting graduation rates and more.

Through SC BeWell, students have access to a variety of resources, including a mental health support phone line available 24/7, counseling services, self-guided mental health and wellness programs and more. A Wellness Hub is also offered, which includes articles and videos on mental health and wellness topics such as fitness and nutrition; academic performance; mental and emotional health; and more. That Wellness Hub can be viewed at SC BeWell.

These services are offered to Schoolcraft College students, including those taking credit courses on campus or through Distance Learning.

“We’re hopeful this service becomes a valuable resource for our students and their mental health,” said Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Chief Student Services Officer for Schoolcraft College. “We know our students’ academic success is dependent on having the resources they need, and we’re excited to begin offering these programs.”

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The show, created by Joseph Zettelmaier, follows a group of radio actors rehearsing when they hear the infamous “War of the Worlds” show that induced panic of an alien invasion. Performances take place Oct. 27, 28 and 29, as well as Nov. 3 and 4.

Martians are on their way to invade the James R. Hartman Theatre at Schoolcraft College…or are they?

That’s the question as the stage is set for the latest theatrical production, “It Came From Mars,” which will open this weekend. The show, created by Joseph Zettelmaier, is set during the 1930s. It follows a group of radio actors rehearsing when they hear the infamous “War of the Worlds” show that induced panic of an alien invasion.

Performances take place Oct. 27, 28 and 29, as well as Nov. 3 and 4. All performances will take place in the James R. Hartmann Theatre inside the Liberal Arts Building on the College’s Livonia campus.

flyer with an alien spaceship flying image

The show, directed by Michael Alan Herman, has been years in the making: it was originally scheduled to run in the spring of 2020, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Herman said this fall was the right time to bring the show to the stage.

The performance follows a crew of actors who do not realize the 1938 radio performance by Orson Welles is a fictionalization, prompting them to fall into comedic disarray.

“They legitimately think the world is ending and dissolve into slapstick mayhem as they try to starve off the end of the world,” Herman said. “It’s one of Joe Zettelmaier’s very best plays and we are overjoyed to share this story with the Schoolcraft community.”

Actors have rehearsed for several weeks, preparing their lines and getting into character. Zachary Hantz plays Quentin, “a very self-centered but passionate director who wants nothing more than to get his radio show ready and on the air.”

A student studying theater technology, Hantz said he’s excited to present such a great show to the community.

“I’m extremely excited to perform this show for everyone. I’ve never been a part of and worked with a more supportive and committed cast and all of us have been working so hard to put on the best show to everyone who comes out,” he said. “What makes it special for me is that I feel like it’s been a real test of my skills as an actor and more than that the cast have all become wonderful and unforgettable friends of mine and I could not have asked to be welcomed to a better show.”

Ronya Mallard, a former Schoolcraft student who last attended the school in 2012, returns to the stage to portray Julia, Quentin’s ex-wife. “It Came From Mars” is her 19th performance overall and 10th on the stage at Schoolcraft. She said she always remembers what Hartman, who died in 2017, said when it came to performing.

“Every new show is always special. The cast, the crew, the director, the story, the stage. It’s always different. Dr. Hartman always quoted Stanislavskis method of giving every performance ‘The Illusion of the First Time.’ That’s always stuck with me,” she said. “For anyone who comes to see the show, it is their first time. Every moment, every beat, every scene. It’s always the first time for that audience and the thrill of preforming live has always elevated me as not only an actor but as a person as well.”

The show is recommended for middle school and up, for mild language and thematic elements. Performances will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 28, Nov. 3 and 4, and 2 p.m. Oct. 29. It will take the stage inside the James R. Hartman Theatre, which is room 500 in the Liberal Arts building. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students with ID. Tickets can be purchased by calling 734-462-4596, online at schoolcraft.edu/theatre or at the door.