April 15, 2027 @ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: W210ABC
Schoolcraft Business Club’s Pitch Competition: Open to all enrolled students.
Schoolcraft College Foundation
February 18, 2027 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Waterman Wing, Sutherland Room
Join us as we honor the recipients of the SC Mosaic Arts Awards! This inspiring event celebrates the vibrant talent and creative spirit thriving within our community.
• Recognition: A special ceremony to honor our inaugural award recipients.
• Inspiration: Hear from a compelling guest speaker who embodies the spirit of the arts.
• Culinary Delights: Indulge in a spectacular strolling buffet, expertly curated and prepared by our phenomenal Culinary Operations Team.
$1,000 prize awarded to winners in each of the following categories:
• The Interdisciplinary Voice (Best Written Work)
• The Digital Narrative Award (Best Visual and Media Storytelling)
• The Mosaic Cultural Expression Award (Most Diverse and Authentic Voice)
• The AI Generative Excellence Award ( Best AI Work )
• Runner Up in each category $250.00
CulEx offers a firsthand look at the education that has made Schoolcraft College a destination for culinary excellence, while raising critical support for student scholarships and innovative educational programs.
Detroit’s rich culinary heritage will take center stage this fall as the Schoolcraft College Foundation presents CulEx 2026: A Taste of Detroit starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 22 in Schoolcraft College’s Vistatech Center, located at 18600 Haggerty Road. This elevated culinary experience will celebrate the city’s iconic flavors, creative spirit and enduring influence on America’s food culture, all while supporting the Foundation’s mission.
Guests will enjoy an exclusive evening of Detroit-inspired cuisine prepared by Schoolcraft College’s nationally recognized Culinary Arts students under the guidance of Certified Master Chefs and expert faculty, alongside handcrafted desserts, locally inspired beverages, live entertainment and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the College’s award-winning culinary arts facilities.
More than an evening of exceptional food, CulEx offers a firsthand look at the hands-on education that has made Schoolcraft College a destination for culinary excellence, while raising critical support for student scholarships and innovative educational programs.
“CulEx is an extraordinary reflection of who we are as a college and as a community,” said Dawn Magretta, Executive Director of Advancement. “It combines exceptional food, remarkable talent and meaningful philanthropy into an unforgettable evening. Every guest
will experience the passion and creativity of our students while helping open doors for their futures.”
The evening will also celebrate the accomplishments of Schoolcraft College culinary alumni through the induction of this year’s Chef Squad honorees, which recognizes graduates whose leadership, creativity and professional achievements continue to shape Michigan’s vibrant restaurant community.
Savor the moment, support the mission. Proceeds from CulEx 2026 support student scholarships and programs through the Schoolcraft College Foundation. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now at scf.schoolcraft.edu or call 734-462-4400.
The May 28 panel at the Mackinac Island policy conference will showcase how industry-education partnerships are essential to build a solid pipeline of workforce-ready graduates.
The Schoolcraft College Foundation is leading the discussion at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference on Michigan’s workforce challenges. The Foundation has scheduled a panel discussion over breakfast May 28 with state leadership, education and industry/labor to showcase how industry-education partnerships are essential to build a solid pipeline of workforce-ready graduates. Interested parties can register here.
“Community colleges are an important part of Michigan’s workforce challenges solution,” says Dawn Dyer Magretta, Schoolcraft College Foundation Executive Director of Advancement. “We need to ensure community colleges are seen as a partner and relevant in today’s workforce as the continued evolution of technology, regulations and business models shift so we can prepare our students to fill talent gaps and be in demand for living wage-paying careers.”
The panel discussion will be moderated by Dan West, Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce President/CEO and feature:
Brett Gierak
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union Local 2 of Michigan President
Gierak serves as Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Local 2 of Michigan President and Bricklayers Pension Fund Chairman. He is actively involved in a number of industry and benefit organizations, serving as Health and Welfare Trust Fund Chairman, Cement Masons Pension Fund Secretary, and Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Security.
Susan Corbin
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity Director
Corbin has served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of Governor Whitmer, Director of Customer Assistance in the Michigan Public Service Commission, Deputy Director and Chief of Staff for the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth where she had oversight responsibility for the Unemployment Insurance Agency, the Worker’s Compensation Agency and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Dr. Robert Leadley
Schoolcraft College, Chief, Workforce and Economic Development Office
Leadley has served at Schoolcraft College in several leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Science and Dean of Occupational Programs and Economic Development. In addition, Dr. Leadley is currently teaching Business courses and has taught courses in Biology and Physical Education.
Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, live music, kitchen tours and more during the signature event, which will feature a Nashville chic theme.
CulEx 2025: An American Harvest — the Schoolcraft College Foundation’s signature fundraising event — will bring Nashville to campus on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The celebration takes place inside the Vistatech Center at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia, and kicks off with the Sponsor Pre-Glow at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main event at 6 p.m.
Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, live music, kitchen tours and more. The strolling farm-to-table menu features seasonal small plates and pastries prepared by the College’s award-winning Culinary Arts students and Master Chefs. Between bites, guests can explore state-of-the-art facilities – including the kitchens that host the Certified Master Chef exam for the American Culinary Federation – the American Harvest restaurant run by culinary students, and the Collaborative Learning Studio, a one-of-a-kind demonstration kitchen that opened in 2023.
This evening’s libation highlights include exclusive brews from the College’s Brewing and Distillation program, whiskey tastings from Detroit City Distillery and Nashville-inspired craft cocktails from Alchemi. Dance the night away with live tunes from The Fox and the Fiddle, followed by DJ-led fun that’ll keep the energy high all evening long.
“CulEx is more than a fundraiser — it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that brings our community together to support students and the future of education,” said Dawn Magretta, Executive Director of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. “It’s truly a unique evening you won’t find anywhere else.”
Sponsorship and ticket information are available at scf.schoolcraft.edu.
To mark the success of the campaign, guests can meet with several departments on campus during the open house inside the Vistatech Center.
Schoolcraft College will celebrate its highly-successful comprehensive giving campaign with an open house showcasing its efforts.
The open house, being held to highlight various departments across the College that have benefited from the Vision 2025 campaign, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26 inside the Vistatech Center at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty in Livonia.
The open house will allow visitors a chance to meet representatives from various departments across campus and learn more about the campaign’s impact.
First launched in 2020, the Schoolcraft College Foundation launched its Vision 2025 campaign, which aimed on collecting $10 million in donations. After smashing the initial goal, it was stretched to $18 million, a benchmark that was also reached. More than $19 million has been raised as the campaign wraps, an amount that has made an incredible impact on Schoolcraft College’s students.
“The mark of Vision 2025 on the campus community has left a major positive impact for students of all ages,” said Dawn Magretta, Executive Director of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. “Focusing on areas such as student success, community, and education and workforce development has only improved what we can offer not only to our students, but members of the community as well.”
Some of the programs supported by the Vision 2025 campaign include:
- The Campus Comfort Companion comfort dog program
- The STEAM at Schoolcraft multidisciplinary conference held each spring
- Scholarships for the Kids on Campus summer camp program
- The Noon Concert Series
- And more
Throughout the campaign, the Schoolcraft College Foundation established more than 110 new funds, aimed at supporting scholarships, advancement and gift annuity funds. In that same time, nearly $3 million in scholarships have been provided to nearly 3,200 students.
The funding comes from generous donors from the community, businesses, Schoolcraft College employees and more.
“We are so grateful for the charitable giving from our community to support the Vision 2025 campaign,” said Lynn Coburn, Chairwoman of the Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors. “Through their amazing generosity, our donors are important members of the Schoolcraft College family. We’re honored to celebrate their efforts during our upcoming open house event.”
The Vision 2025 open house is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to park in the new parking lot adjacent to the Vistatech Center and enter through the new entrance on the western side of the building.
Men’s and women’s soccer teams will take on Jackson College
An annual tradition, Schoolcraft College’s 2022 Tailgate Party will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, as the Ocelots take on the Jackson College Jets in men’s and women’s soccer.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $15 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger are free. Proceeds support Schoolcraft College Athletics. Order online by Wednesday, September 7, before prices increase.
All paid tickets include admission into both games, a Schoolcraft College T-shirt, hospitality tent with a barbecue lunch and more. The men’s game is at noon with the women taking the field at 2 p.m. The soccer field is on the southeast part of campus, across from the St. Joe’s Sports Dome.
For more information, call 734-462-5324 or email [email protected]. Thanks to the Schoolcraft College Foundation for its support of the Tailgate Party.
Photo 2: The Schoolcraft College women’s soccer team will take on Jackson College at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, as part of the annual Tailgate Party, which starts at 11:30 a.m.
24 students across 8 disciplines recognized
The Kehrl Academic Excellence Awards are awarded each year to the top students in the areas of Art, Communication Arts, Culinary Arts, English, Health Information Technology, Mathematics, Police and Fire. Faculty from each area developed the criteria for each award and then selects the awardees based on the requisite criteria.
The Kehrl Academic Excellence Awards are made possible by the Schoolcraft College Foundation through the generosity of the Floyd and Marian Kehrl Family, supporters of Schoolcraft College since 1964.
Here are this year’s winners:
Art
- Annabelle Smith
- Carrick Hill
- Penny Livingston
Communication Arts
- Andrew Kelly
- Joshua Mohlman
- Samantha Dul
Culinary Arts
- Isabella Breazeale
- Lauren Timm
- Hannah Folz
English
- Best Modern English Grammar student: Kyra Dickson
- Best Building Writing Skills student: Joaquaina Perry
- Most Improved Developmental English student: Heather Kahler
- Global Citizenship Award: Daniel Shahollari
Health Information Technology
- Jarrod Steckle
- Tallon Ora
- Lisa Locechli
Pythagorean Prize-Mathematics
- Olivia Hudson: First-prize winner
- Joseph Rosato: Second-prize winner
- Russell Clark: Third-prize winner
Police Academy
- John Dyda
- Kevin Koberg
- Kelly McLaughlin
Fire Academy
- James Brown
- Austin Saunders
Renovation, expansion will transform Culinary Arts, PPL and community programs
The Schoolcraft College Foundation has made a multi-year $1 million grant commitment to support the expansion and renovation of the College’s VisTaTech Center, with the goal of providing more experiential learning space for Schoolcraft’s renowned Culinary Arts program and the addition of a new high-tech demonstration space that provides unique opportunities for academic, professional development, and community-based education programs.
The over $6 million, 15,000-square-foot project, referred to as “VisTaTech 2.0,” includes an addition of 10,000 square feet and renovation of 5,000 square feet. The Foundation is proud to be the first funder to step up to support this exciting, student-centric initiative.
This funding maximizes the impact of the Foundation. “I believe it goes to the heart of the Schoolcraft Foundation’s purpose,” said Schoolcraft College President Glenn Cerny. “Donors will be able to see first-hand how their contributions truly impact creating high-end educational facilities that will enhance our mission of providing transformational experiences to our students, businesses, and the community-at-large.”
Schoolcraft’s students, faculty and members of the community have come to rely on the superior facilities and services of the College, and VisTaTech 2.0 is a further step toward improving the quality and expanding the capacity of the campus infrastructure and services.
Photo 2: Expanded Café retail space and Brewpub are part of “VisTaTech 2.0.”
Besides expanding the existing Culinary department’s American Harvest Restaurant, the new space will include an additional Culinary classroom and new innovative space that can be used as a demonstration kitchen, multipurpose lab and high-tech educational theater. As part of the renovation, spaces will be reworked to increase effectiveness of space utilization and offer a more welcoming space for students and community guests. This includes an expanded Café retail space and Brewpub to accommodate the increasing demands for those services.
“This investment is an opportunity to support the forward-thinking vision for students and the community served by Schoolcraft College,” said Lois McEntyre, President, Schoolcraft Foundation Board of Governors. “This is the largest single grant commitment made through our Vision 2025 Campaign and a way for the College to leverage this support for future investments.”
The project will start this summer and is expected to be complete by fall 2023. For information, contact the Schoolcraft Foundation office at 734-462-4455.
Funds awarded on first-come, first-served basis
The Schoolcraft College Foundation is awarding up to $100,000 in scholarships for the upcoming Spring and Summer terms through the new “Spring Forward with Schoolcraft Scholarship.” Students who enroll in 3 to 5 credit hours for the Spring or Summer terms can apply to receive $100. Students who enroll in 6 or more credit hours can apply to receive $200.
“We are excited to offer students a little extra help for Spring/Summer semester,” said Melissa Schultz, Chief Student Enrollment Officer, Enrollment Services, Schoolcraft College. “We realize times are tough and recognize that even $100 or $200 makes a difference in a student’s decision to continue their education during the Spring/Summer term.” Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are depleted. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is not required to apply.
Apply for the Spring Forward with Schoolcraft Scholarship at www.schoolcraft.edu/scholarships. For questions, call the Schoolcraft College Foundation at 734.462.4455 or email [email protected].
Registration for the 2022 Spring and Summer terms begins on Saturday, March 26. Search for courses online.
Proceeds enhance scholarships and grants
One of the most prestigious annual events at Schoolcraft College is returning in February.
The Culinary Extravaganza (CulEx), billed this year as the Diamond Jubilee Culinary Extravaganza, will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, in the VisTaTech Center. The Diamond Jubilee Culinary Extravaganza will showcase the skills of the distinguished and award-winning students and faculty of Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts and Brewing and Distillation Technology programs.
Proceeds from this fabulous strolling dinner will enhance scholarships and grants for the benefit of students and programs through the Schoolcraft College Foundation (SCF).
A wide array of sponsorship and ticket options are available. For more information, contact Carole Booms, Director of Annual Giving & Scholarship Administration, at 734-462-4455 or [email protected].
For more information, visit the Schoolcraft College Foundation website.
Schoolcraft College ceramics students, Culinary Operations donate bowls and food
Schoolcraft College’s Empty Bowl Luncheon is a great way to get a hearty meal, take home a new bowl and help ease hunger – all at once.
This year’s Empty bowl Luncheon will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, in the Wilson Room inside of Henry’s in the VisTaTech Center.
Photo 1 
Photo 2
Photo 2: Schoolcraft Culinary Operations donates hearty soup and fresh-baked bread.
Attendees can purchase a handcrafted bowl created and donated by Schoolcraft College ceramics students, with all proceeds going to the Schoolcraft Student Food Pantry. Along with their purchase, they will receive a bowl of soup and fresh-baked bread donated by Schoolcraft Culinary Operations.
The College’s food pantry is open to all members of the campus community and is committed to trying to address hunger and food insecurity issues on campus. Donations of non-perishable, non-expired food items are gladly accepted throughout the year. Donations can be placed in the collection bins in campus buildings or dropped off at the Student Activities Office in the lower level of the VisTaTech Center.
Learn more about the Schoolcraft Food Pantry.
Also, you can make your gift to the Food Pantry through the Schoolcraft College Foundation at schoolcraft.edu/giving. Select Food Pantry under the gift designation box.