Glenn Cerny

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Michigan community colleges will focus on students, workforce development

Although commencement ceremonies have concluded and Michigan community colleges, including Schoolcraft College, have sent another group of well-educated and well-trained graduates on their way to pursuing their dreams, the job of developing a strong workforce never stops.

Schoolcraft College, with a rich history of strong academic programs and business partnerships, has long been a leader in educating and training students for key roles in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, engineering and technology, health care, culinary arts, police and fire and many more vital occupations.

With all Michigan community colleges facing a number of challenges, including ones related to enrollment and funding, members of the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) will be meeting at Schoolcraft College this week, Thursday May 19, and Friday, May 20, to find creative ways to address those challenges with meaningful actions.

VisTaTech Center building
The VisTaTech Center will be the site of this week’s Michigan Community College Association meeting.

“We look forward to providing our great facilities at the VisTaTech Center to be an incubator of great ideas and solutions to the challenges community colleges face,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “I look forward to the open dialogue and wide range of perspectives as we work together to find even better ways to provide transformational learning opportunities for our students.”

The Michigan Community College Association fosters collaboration, connection, and partnerships among the 28 Michigan public community colleges and their stakeholders.

The MCCA provides strong legislative and public advocacy in Lansing and throughout Michigan, works to improve the image and credibility of community colleges, and advances numerous shared initiatives through the Michigan Center for Student Success, Michigan Colleges Online, Collaborative Programs, and the Michigan New Jobs Training Program.

Members of the MCCA are:

  • Alpena Community College
  • Bay College
  • Delta College
  • Glen Oaks Community College
  • Gogebic Community College
  • Grand Rapids Community College
  • Henry Ford College
  • Jackson College
  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College
  • Kellogg Community College
  • Kirtland Community College
  • Lake Michigan College
  • Lansing Community College
  • Macomb Community College
  • Mid Michigan College
  • Monroe County Community College
  • Montcalm Community College
  • Mott Community College
  • Muskegon Community College
  • North Central Michigan College
  • Northwestern Michigan College
  • Oakland Community College
  • Schoolcraft College
  • Southwestern Michigan College
  • St. Clair County Community College
  • Washtenaw Community College
  • Wayne County Community College
  • West Shore Community College

Learn more information about the Michigan Community College Association.

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Ocelots ready to make their mark in the world

Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College, presents a diploma to a happy Schoolcraft College graduate. Also pictured is Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer.

A beautiful day, a packed house of guests and nearly 300 graduates eager to make their mark in the world marked Schoolcraft College’s 57th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 7, in the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center (ESC) on the main campus.

Saturday’s ceremony was the second at ESC, but the first with guests. Last year’s graduation ceremony was open to students only due to health-related precautions.

This year’s keynote speaker was Marina Shoemaker, the Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategies DEI External Partnerships for General Motors.

The Student Reflection was delivered by Catreese Qualls, whose many accomplishments include 2021/2022 Division III International Vice President, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Dr. Cerny bestowed Honorary Degrees upon Marina Shoemaker, Michigan Senator Dayna Polehanki, and Chuck Dardas, President and CEO of AlphaUSA.

Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees, bestowed Distinguished Alumni Recognition upon Michael Siegrist, Clerk for Canton Township.

Stacy Whiddon, Chief Academic Officer, presented the Class of 2022. Skills Certificates, Certificates, Associate degrees, and Bachelor of Science degrees all were awarded.

Assisting Dr. Cerny in conferring degrees and certificates were: Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Chief Student Services Officer; Dr. Marty Heator, Dean of Students; Dr. Jerome Lavis, Faculty Forum President; and the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees: Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair; Brian D. Broderick, Secretary; Terry Gilligan, Treasurer; William P. Erwin Jr., Trustee; and Brett M. Gierak, Trustee. Carol M. Strom, Vice Chair, and Dillon E. Breen, Trustee, were unable to attend due to commencement ceremonies of family members.

The Star-Spangled Banner was sung by student Jared Glasel, a member of the graduating class.

Academic Marshals were: David S. Kelser, D.C., Associate Dean of Health Professions; Dr. Michele Kelly, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Dr. Robert Leadley, Dean of Occupational Programs and Economic Development; and Lori Timmis, Dean of Distance Learning.

Student Marshals were: Erin Bressler, Vice President of Leadership, Phi Theta Kappa; and Temitope Odunleye, international student.

The Processional, Recessional and other selections were performed by the Schoolcraft College Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Paul Michalsen.

Schoolcraft College Facilities, Media, Campus Police, Student Records, Food Operations, President’s Office, Bookstore, Student Ambassadors, Student Activities Office, and Marketing and Communications also contributed to the success of Schoolcraft College’s 57th Commencement, which can be viewed online.

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SC was a finalist for Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership at the American Association of Community Colleges Awards of Excellence program

two people holding an award
Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College, and Dr. Laurie Kattuah-Snyder, Chief Student Services Officer, hold the finalist award for Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership from the American Association of Community Colleges Awards of Excellence program.

Schoolcraft College’s ongoing partnerships and dialogue with area businesses, which help to expand program offerings, inform important curriculum updates and better prepare students to enter the workforce, was recently recognized nationally at the American Association of Community Colleges Awards of Excellence program.

Schoolcraft College was a finalist in Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership and was the only Michigan community college named a finalist in this category.

“By forging strong corporate partnerships on our campus, Schoolcraft College has been able to create more opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “These opportunities include internships, apprenticeships and jobs while in school as well as attractive career choices for our students when they graduate.

“Area business and industry have benefited as well as they’ve improved their job pipeline with graduates who are tailor-made for them. It’s a win for our students, a win for our corporate partners, and a win for our community.”

One example of a strong college/corporate partnership is Schoolcraft College’s relationship with Trinity Health Michigan. The College welcomed the Livonia Medical Center to campus in the spring of 2021. This facility provides a wide range of options to the community, including primary and specialty care physician services, urgent care, surgery center, clinical lab, radiology and physical rehabilitation services.

It’s also literally within walking distance of the new Health Sciences Center (HSC), a 110,800-square-foot facility that’s home to eight disciplines:

  • Emergency Medical Technology
  • Health Information Technology
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Imaging
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Surgical Services

The HSC was “officially” opened at a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, April 27.

“We look forward to building on our success in the coming years and continuing to serve our students, businesses partners and our community at the highest level,” Dr. Cerny said.

Learn more information about the American Association of Community Colleges Awards of Excellence program.

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Staff, faculty help students succeed

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Best Presentation
  • Best Lightning Talk
  • Out of the Box
  • Top Investigator

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

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

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

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College recognized for win-win partnership with Trinity Health

Schoolcraft College is one of four finalists in Outstanding College/Corporate Partnerships in the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) 2022 Awards of Excellence.

The AACC is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The Association represents more than 1,100 Associate Degree-granting institutions and more than 11 million students, and works to build a nation of learners by advancing America’s community colleges. The yearly Awards of Excellence underscore the association’s priorities and bring national visibility to promising practices among its member colleges.

Schoolcraft College is one of four finalists for Outstanding College/Corporate Partnerships

Schoolcraft College’s entry outlined how the ongoing partnership with Trinity Health has created tremendous learning opportunities for students and service to the community. This includes opportunities for clinical and practical experience for Schoolcraft College health care students within Trinity’s vast network.

Further, the Livonia Medical Center, on the northeast side of the campus, provides an array of services for community members and is literally within walking distance of the College’s new Health Sciences Center (HSC). The HSC welcomed its first students earlier this year, and by this summer all allied health programs will be housed in this facility.

“We are honored to be a finalist for the AACC 2022 Awards of Excellence,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “We are also grateful to our friends at Trinity Health for being such stalwart supporters of Schoolcraft College and understanding the value that a strong partnership can bring to our College and to the communities we serve.

“Schoolcraft recognizes that this type of collaboration is the key to the future of student retention and our ability to maintain our high standard of rigor. The relationships that Schoolcraft College has with its community partners are necessary for the continued growth of experiential learning opportunities for our students, program growth for our service district, and sustainable revenue solutions for the institution.”

A special committee of the AACC Board of Directors selected the finalists. Winners will be announced at the Awards of Excellence Gala on May 1 during the AACC Annual April 30-May 3 in New York City.

See the complete list of finalists.

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Schoolcraft College programs to transition to Health Sciences Center 

Driven by a desire to be responsible stewards and provide value to the communities it serves, Schoolcraft College has entered into an agreement to sell Radcliff Center to the City of Garden City. The College has been working with the city for the past six months to come up with the highest and best use of the Radcliff Center to benefit the residents of Garden City.

On Tuesday, January 18, during a Garden City Council meeting, the idea came forward that the city could purchase the building from Schoolcraft College to rejuvenate the Radcliff Center into a community center, a vital need for Garden City.

On Monday, February 21, Garden City’s City Council unanimously approved the purchase of the building and the property for $175,000, with an additional $35,000 to go toward select equipment in the building, closing costs and miscellaneous expenses.  

“Schoolcraft College has put a lot of money into it (Radcliff Center) over the past 30 years that they’ve been there and so it’s a win-win all the way across the board,” Council Member Jaylee Lynch said.

Radcliff Center building - Schoolcraft Community College
Radcliff Center is at 1751 Radcliff Street in Garden City.

The building, at 1751 Radcliff Street in Garden City, is 87,433 sq. feet with a 2,220 sq. feet vehicle storage and situated on 15.89 acres, including parking. The closing date will be on or before July 1, 2022.

“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me excited that we get to repurpose this building,” Council Member Brian Earle said. 

“The partnership with Garden City and Schoolcraft College has been strengthened through this process,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, Schoolcraft College President. “We’re very pleased that the Radcliff Center will continue to serve the Garden City community in a new way for many years thanks to the actions of Garden City’s City Council. We are excited to continue to work with Garden City to collaborate in the coming years.” 

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Garden City to move forward into the future,” said Pat Squires, Mayor Pro-Tem.