Author: Mark Rummel

SC4 inducts 35 students into its chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society

St. Clair County Community College inducted 35 students from communities across the region into its Lambda Mu chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society during a special ceremony on Friday, April 12, in the SC4 College Center.

Phi Theta Kappa is a premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 countries.

SC4’s Lambda Mu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was chartered in April 1961. Since its beginning, the chapter has received numerous honors, including recognition as the top U.S. chapter at Phi Theta Kappa’s International Convention in 2000.

“When you join Phi Theta Kappa, you join the largest honor society in the world,” said Angela Heiden, Lambda Mu chapter advisor. “Phi Theta Kappa is so much more than just an honor society. It is a chance for students to gain leadership skills, earn scholarships and give back to their community.”

The winter 2019 inductees to the Lambda Mu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa are:

•  Kimberly Adolph — Columbus
•  Kateland Baker — Croswell
•  Megan Baltierra — Richmond
•  Abigail Bringard — Lakeport
•  Lisa Campbell — Port Huron
•  Colette Carlsen — St. Clair
•  Alyson Chisholm — Melvin
•  Amanda Connelly — Chesterfield
•  Elijah Coulter — Port Huron
•  Jack Demara — Almont
•  Jaden Dunn — Fort Gratiot
•  Jennifer Dupuis —Lapeer
•  Max Erikson — Port Huron
•  Patricia Forrester — Kimball
•  Chelsea Frost — Cottrellville
•  Phillip Hill — Port Huron
•  Destinee Jaekel — Fort Gratiot
•  Abigail Kaufman — Brown City
•  Janie Lacroix —Marine City
•  Shane Lentz — Carsonville
•  Brett Leuffgen — Clay
•  Kelly Long — Marysville
•  Kaylee McKillop — Marysville
•  Kacey Nowaczyk — Bruce Twp.
•  Neve Owens — Melvin
•  Jesse Prevost — Port Huron
•  Katelyn Robbins — Fort Gratiot
•  Caio Rodrigues — Port Huron
•  Tait Sapienza — Marine City
•  Rachel Schmaltz — Marysville
•  Heather Swearingen — Marine City
•  Mercedes Thomas — Marysville
•  Charles Ward — Marine City
•  Levi Woycehoski — Grant Twp.
•  Nole Woycehoski — Grant Twp.

Alumni Spotlight: George Armitage

George Armitage was like many high school graduates when he left Port Huron High School in 2008. He knew he wanted to go to college, but he was undecided as to what career path to pursue.

Today, the 29-year-old Grand Rapids resident and licensed professional counselor at Grand Valley State University’s Counseling Center credits St. Clair County Community College for giving him the opportunity to discover his passion.

“I chose SC4 at the time because I was uncertain about what I wanted to do career-wise after graduation,” Armitage said. “Initially, I was pre-medicine, but soon found little interest in many of the science subjects. SC4 was a good place for me to begin my educational journey and explore my general education courses.

“SC4 is also where I was first introduced to psychology,” he continued. “It was later during my tenure at SC4 that I became more and more intrigued by the subject and decided to pursue an education within psychology.”

Armitage went on earn his bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in counseling from Central Michigan University. He then received his Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of Toledo.

Most importantly, he said, SC4 allowed him to fulfill the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) Transfer Agreement and graduate with his associate degree in a short period of time.

The agreement gives students the ability to transfer up to 30 semester credits to meet many or all of the general education requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities.

“Attending SC4 for me was immensely beneficial, because it allowed me to explore my educational and career options,” Armitage said. “Beginning my educational journey at SC4 was also an appropriate financial decision for me, since I really had no idea what I wanted to do when I ‘grew up.’ SC4 allowed me the time and exploration with many different courses to figure out two things: how to become a college student, and how to find an appropriate career path.”

Armitage added he made the right choice when it came to attending his hometown community college.

“SC4 is where I was first intrigued by psychology,” he said. “Without my experiences there, I probably wouldn’t have pursued an education in psychology. Then I ultimately wouldn’t have completed my graduate education in professional counseling and became a counselor or counselor educator.”

Registration now open for fall 2019 classes at SC4

Registration for fall 2019 classes at St. Clair County Community College is now open. There is no deposit required to register through May 10. Classes will fill up fast — students are encouraged to register as soon as possible in order to get the classes they need to complete their degree programs or successfully transfer to a four-year institution.

Many in-demand courses, including those that qualify for the Michigan Transfer Agreement, are available in fall 2019. A number of classes are also offered online. From business and information technology to health sciences, engineering, criminal justice and much more, students can secure their spot in a variety of courses before the semester officially begins on Monday, Aug. 19. The full list of available fall courses is online at sc4.edu/schedule.

New students can apply to SC4 at sc4.edu/admissions/starthere. Current students can register online through their student portal or on the SC4 mobile app. To speak with an admissions representative about options, or for details on how to get started, call 810-989-5571. For registration assistance, contact the SC4 Call Center at 810-989-5500.

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.”