Month: April 2019

SC4’s Jo Cassar receives Michigan Student Financial Aid Association Lifetime Achievement Award

St. Clair County Community College’s Director of Financial Assistance and Services Jo Cassar was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association.

Cassar is only the 14th person among all colleges and universities in Michigan to receive this prestigious recognition since it was first awarded in 1985. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, she is known as a leader among financial aid professionals in the state and across the country.

“We are so proud to have Jo on our team,” said Vice President of Student Services Pete Lacey. “After joining SC4 in 2001, Jo has helped improve college access for thousands of students and families by sharing her knowledge and expertise. Congratulations to her on this outstanding and well-deserved honor.”

SC4 adds summer EMT course as demand for paramedics increases across the country 

As EMS providers across Michigan and throughout the country work to address a widespread shortage of paramedics, St. Clair County Community College has added a summer emergency medical technician course to help students enter the field.

SC4’s state-certified, 274-hour basic emergency medical technician course runs from May 6 to Aug. 14, combining classroom instruction and clinical experience in an ambulance and emergency room to train students for careers as emergency medical technicians.

After completing the class, graduates are eligible to earn their EMT license and enter a paramedic certificate program. SC4’s accredited paramedic program prepares students to take the national registry paramedic certification exam and apply for a Michigan paramedic license in as little as three semesters. Because of the high demand nationwide, licensed paramedics have immediate access to career opportunities.

“If there is a paramedic out there with a state license who wants to work in EMS, they have a job right now,” Tri-Hospital EMS CEO Ken Cummings recently told the Times Herald.

SC4’s EMT course, ZPFT 850-01, begins with a mandatory orientation Monday, April 29, or Friday, May 3, at 10 a.m. in the college’s Applied Technology Center, room 134.

“It’s a very fulfilling career,” said SC4 program director Roger McClelland. “It’s in your blood and very fulfilling to help others, and that’s what the career is all about — the service to the community.”

Those interested can find detailed information and register online at sc4.edu/emt.

SC4 hosting free health sciences information sessions this month

This month, St. Clair County Community College will hold a number of free information sessions on main campus for three of its health sciences programs.

Attending an info session is the first step for anyone interested in earning a health sciences degree from SC4.

Schedule:

Health Information Technology — Associate Degree Program

The health information technology program prepares students for a variety of careers in the health care field. Students learn the process of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information, which is vital to providing quality patient care, supporting medical education and research, and more. Graduates are eligible to take the nationally recognized Registered Health Information Technician Exam.

  • Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 18
    Acheson Technology Center, Room 206

Evening appointments are available by contacting Program Director Karen Wilson at klwilson@sc4.edu.

Radiologic Technology — Associate Degree Program

The radiologic technology program prepares students to become radiologic technologists by combining imaging technology with patient care skills to create quality radiography images. It has a five-year, 100 percent first-time passage rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Exam, a national registry exam that grants certification in radiologic technology.

  • 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18
  • 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 24

All radiologic technology info sessions take place in the Welcome Center, Room 206.

Medical Assisting — Certificate Program

The medical assisting program is a 12-month certificate program that prepares students to perform various clinical and administrative duties in a variety of health care settings. Graduates gain the knowledge and skills necessary for further health sciences education and are eligible to take the national credentialing exam.

  • Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 18
    Acheson Technology Center, Room 119

Those interested in attending an info session can find detailed information about all of SC4’s health sciences programs at sc4.edu/health.

SC4 now accepting college housing applications for upcoming academic year

St. Clair County Community College is now accepting applications from students who are interested in living in the college’s new residence hall during the 2019-20 academic year.

The college’s housing complex, known as The Dock, officially opened Aug. 3, 2018, in downtown Port Huron, making SC4 the first community college in Southeast Michigan to offer student housing. The residence hall provides fully furnished accommodations for up to 80 students, featuring private bathrooms, high-speed wireless internet, parking, laundry facilities and much more.

“This is a great way for students to have a full college experience while not breaking the bank,” said SC4’s College Housing Manager Nathanial Shrapnell.

Bedroom at College Housing

In addition to enjoying convenient access to the area’s growing arts, entertainment and dining scene, students who are U.S. residents and live in The Dock pay in-district tuition rates at SC4. During the 2018-19 academic year, students from the local community and around the world chose to live on campus.

“I love living here,” said Caio Rodrigues, an international student from Brazil who explained that SC4’s new student housing was a major factor in his decision to attend the college. “It’s given me the chance to connect with different people, and it’s great being right downtown and just steps away from the movie theater.”

Bathroom at College Housing

To be eligible to live at The Dock, students must meet ongoing academic and enrollment requirements. Those interested can find detailed information about College Housing and submit an application for the 2019-20 academic year at sc4.edu/housing.

TRIO Student of the Month: Tonya Taormino

I chose to attend SC4 because it was close to home and offered a great criminal justice program with a strong reputation.

As an older, nontraditional college student, I had a hard time developing the skills needed to handle the heavy load of schoolwork and a demanding home life. I applied for the TRIO program to take advantage of the more personal tutoring help they offer. The program has helped me keep on track by monitoring my grades and offering early registration to help me get into classes I need that usually fill up fast. After juggling some responsibilities and getting help from TRIO, I have excelled and even received Presidential Honors in three different semesters.

I can’t recommend the TRIO program enough. The staff takes a personal interest in your success, and I would not have made it to graduation without their help. Advisor Shawne Jowett has spent countless hours helping me get into the courses I need to graduate and laying out a detailed plan for the years I’d be at SC4. I’m a planner, and I needed to know what I was going take every semester. Shawne was invested in me and helped me reach my goals.

In the fall, I plan to return to the SC4 campus as a Ferris State student, taking classes at the University Center to earn my bachelor’s in criminal justice. I hope to find a rewarding career at a drug treatment center.

Baseball and softball seasons begin at SC4

Spring has arrived, and the baseball and softball seasons are underway at SC4 as the Skippers gear up for home games against conference and non-conference opponents.

Led by head coach Ryan Kottke, the Skippers baseball team looks to make an early impact with home games against Mott Community College on April 5 and Cleary University JV April 7. The SC4 softball team, led by head coach Ron Matthews, will play home contests against Alpena Community College April 6 and 7, Oakland Community College April 9, and Delta College April 12.

Baseball batter swinging at the plate

All home baseball games are played at Sanborn Park in Port Huron, while softball contests take place at Pine Grove Park.

Fans can have some extra fun at the ballpark during special promotional games this season. During rivalry days on Saturday, April 20 (softball), and Saturday, April 27 (baseball), attendees will receive free SC4 rally towels. And during Pup at the Park days on Saturday, April 13 (baseball), and Saturday, May 4 (softball), fans can take in the game with their four-legged friends.

Softball batter swinging at the plate

A number of Skippers baseball and softball players have gone on to play and coach in local and national collegiate and professional sports. For instance, former Skipper Paul Fry is off to a great start with the Baltimore Orioles this season, and Bill Nahorodny’s Major League Baseball career was just recently featured by NBC Sports.

For more information, including rosters and full season schedules, visit sc4.edu/athletics.