VistaTech Center

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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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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. 

Layout map for the new center
This image shows the renovations and additions that will create “VisTaTech 2.0.”

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.

The new "educational theatre"
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The new Vistatech marketplace
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Photo 1: A key component of “VisTaTech 2.0” is the addition of this educational theater to be used primarily by Culinary Arts.
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. 

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If you need resume help, contact Career Services – it’s free

Spring is a time of renewal, growth and opportunity. If those three words describe your career objectives or job search, then attend the free spring job fair from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, in the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College.

The job fair is presented by Career Services. More than 50 employers are expected.

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Photo 1: Students are encouraged to attend the job fair to network and explore opportunities.
Photo 2: The April 6 job fair is open to the public.

“The job fair is open to the public – anyone can attend,” said JoAnne Stadnicar, Director, Career Services. “We especially encourage students to attend – even if they aren’t looking for a job at this time – to learn more about the employers, what they have to offer, and to make that initial connection with what could be a future employer.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to network – any time a job seeker/student can get ‘face time’ with an actual recruiter, they should take advantage.”

Although no onsite interviews will be conducted, Stadnicar recommends that attendees should treat the job fair as a screening interview opportunity and prepare and dress accordingly. This also means making sure your resume is up to date.

If you need help with your resume, Career Services offers free assistance to anyone – students and community members alike. Contact them at 734-462-4421 or by email at [email protected].

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National Air Filtration Association recognizes outstanding work at VisTaTech Center.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still very much a part of everyday life, it’s comforting to know that Schoolcraft College has taken a leadership position in ensuring clean air in campus buildings.

That dedication and diligence was recognized on Thursday, October 21, as Schoolcraft College won a National Air Filtration Association (NAFA®) Clean Air Award for the VisTaTech Center. Schoolcraft is the only American college or university to win this award, which recognizes leadership and excellence in air filtration.

“We’re very pleased and honored to receive the NAFA Clean Air Award,” said Stephen Green, Director of Facilities Management. “It shows the dedication of our team at Facilities wanting to make the air as clean as possible.”

That dedication is readily apparent, said Larry Krass, Account Manager with Tri-Dim Filter Corporation in Belleville.

“I have been an air filtration specialist for over 25 years and there are locations that will not and do not take care of the HVAC units,” he said. “I know firsthand that some colleges only change the HVAC filters twice a year and final filters every three to four years. Schoolcraft College has a great staff that takes the time to do the maintenance needed to keep students, employees and community members healthy and safe.”

Crystal-style, Clean Air Award on a table
Schoolcraft College won a National Air Filtration Association (NAFA®) Clean Air Award for the VisTaTech Center.

To be nominated for the clean air award, each nominee must earn a total of 52 points using the criteria set forth by NAFA. In addition to achieving the minimum point requirement, nominees are judged on their due diligence in providing a clean and healthy building environment. 

Krass said facilities are gauged on a series of actions taken to increase filtration in their facilities. Schoolcraft College, for example, earned a high MERV* rating and received top points for this section.

In addition, Schoolcraft College earned high marks for:

  • Maintaining a filter maintenance program with quarterly filter changes
  • Gasketing filters to ensure all air flows through the filters and does not bypass the filters
  • Having digital filter monitoring devices in place to alert if a filter needs changing
  • Regular coil cleaning to keep the coils free from debris and mold issues

Group of men holding a crystal-style award
Shown (left to right) are: Paul Brown, Facilities General Maintenance; Bob Jarosz, Facilities HVAC; Larry Krass, Account Manager, Tri-Dim Filter Corporation; Brent Densmore, Facilities, General Maintenance; Jeff Modica, Facilities Management Supervisor; Rich Worosz, Facilities HVAC; and Stephen Green, Director of Facilities Management.

“I have to work hard with each facility and assist them in what is needed to give the best indoor air quality,” Krass said. “Some locations only want to order filters and are not interested in replacing gasket or cleaning coils. When I find a team like the team at Schoolcraft College, I look forward to helping to do the right thing.”

Green said Facilities looks forward to adding more buildings to the award list.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “The VisTaTech Center is such an important building because it’s a hub for our campus and the community. You can see we have more people here now and for them to know the air is clean offers tremendous peace of mind.”

*MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values and reports a filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. A micron is one-millionth of a meter. For comparison, the average diameter of a human hair varies between 70 and 180 microns. According to the EPA, the higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles.

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It will be 1-3 p.m. in the VisTaTech Center

Schoolcraft College will host the Fall Job Fair from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, in the VisTaTech Center. This event is free and open to the public, with free parking in the North Parking Lot.

Three people sitting together looking at a piece of paper
Bring multiple copies of your resume and dress professionally.

More than 70 employers from a wide variety of industries will be available to accept resumes and talk with job seekers about available positions in the fields of business, engineering, hospitality, health care, public safety, childcare/education, customer service, manufacturing and more. 

Please bring multiple copies of your resume and dress professionally.

Dress for Success Event October 7

To help with professional dress for the Fall Job Fair, Schoolcraft College students can attend the Dress for Success event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, in Waterman 210B in the VisTaTech Center. Presented by the Hinkle Student Resource Center, Career Services and Student Activities in collaboration with Dress for Success, Michigan, Dress for Success will be providing free brand-new apparel for students who need business attire for job interviews, job fairs, job training and the work environment. 

The mission of Dress for Success is to empower men and women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. For more information on Dress for Success, Michigan, please visit michigan.dressforsuccess.org.

A group of well-dressed professionals standing in a row
Schoolcraft College students can attend the Dress for Success event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, in Waterman 210B in the VisTaTech Center.

Students need to complete and submit the Dress for Success intake form, which is available by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 734-462-4443, by Wednesday, October 6. SC students then will have Dress for Success stylists select outfits and accessories for them to pick up the day of the event. Walk-ins also will be welcome at this event for students who would like to work with Dress for Success staff in selecting business attire to meet their specific needs.

Completed intake forms can be submitted via email or in person to the Hinkle Student Resource Center, McDowell Student Center Room 175 (Student Relations) by Wednesday, October 6. 

In addition, if you have business attire in good condition that you would like to donate, Dress for Success, Michigan does accept donations. Clothing and accessories must be in bags and can be dropped off to Waterman 210B on the day of the event, Thursday, October 7.