Author: Mark Rummel

Alumni Spotlight: T.J. Brinker

Current or most recent title and employer?
Regional Vice President – Equipment Depot

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 provided a friendly learning environment that was close to home and budget-friendly. During my time at SC4, I began to build my professional network and also forged lifelong friendships. I grew as a person in the classroom and on the baseball field.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I have passions for talent acquisition, employee development, and fostering a unique corporate culture. Equipment Depot has given me the opportunity to build a number of high-performing teams and reward them for their results. One of our company’s core values is “Make it Fun.” Working for a company that strategically articulates fun as a core value has been a direct contributor to the way we view/treat our coworkers as family.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
After earning my associate degree at SC4, I transferred to Spalding University in Louisville, Ky. At Spalding, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. I also hold an MBA from the University of Louisville.

SC4 welcomes 1,500+ eighth graders to campus

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) welcomed more than 1,500 eighth graders to campus as part of its annual collaboration with the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) aimed at exposing young students to college.

Students from Algonac, Capac, Croswell Lexington, Fort Gratiot, Marine City, Marysville, Memphis, Port Huron, St. Clair and Yale toured campus May 9, 10, 16, 17 and 18 as part of the SC4/RESA DesignMyFuture Day.

While on campus, students explored educational and career pathways through fun, immersive experiences designed to inspire and excite. Activities included:

  • Blue Water Middle College (BWMC) Trivia, Fine Arts Theatre
  • Engineering Exploration, Clara E. Mackenzie Building
  • Athletics Experience, SC4 Fieldhouse
  • Vitals Check, Health Sciences Building
  • An Introduction to Career and Technical Middle College (CTMC), Health Sciences Building

SC4 experts were on hand to supplement activities with information about degree and career options in arts, computer programming, digital media technology, information technology, health sciences, metal machining, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), welding and more.

“We know college graduates typically experience greater levels of health, wealth and prosperity throughout their lives, and we have an opportunity and responsibility to provide early college exposure to young students and their parents,” said SC4 Vice President of DEI and Admissions Jessica Brown. “We’re thrilled to welcome these students to campus and are grateful to RESA and the many teachers and chaperones from across the county who helped make this initiative possible.”

Dual enrollment and early/middle college options are available for current high school students to earn college credits at SC4 at no cost. As early/middle college students, enrollees are still able to participate in their home high school extracurricular activities.

For more information, contact the SC4 Admissions team at (810) 989-5571 or starthere@sc4.edu. 

SC4 adds adaptive sports, wheelchair basketball team to its athletic offerings

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to announce the launch of a wheelchair basketball team beginning in the fall 2023 semester.

The SC4 wheelchair basketball team is open to SC4 students and community members with disabilities or those who are able-bodied and passionate about wheelchair basketball, with priority given to students enrolled at SC4. Those interested in joining the wheelchair basketball team for 2023-24 should visit sc4.edu/athletics, send an email to mjwhittredge@sc4.edu or contact the Athletics Department at 810-989-5670 with questions. 

This co-ed team brings collegiate athletic offerings at SC4 to 16 teams, joining opportunities in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, dance, Esports, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling. Its addition makes SC4 a leader in adaptive sports offerings among colleges and universities in Michigan.

“Our Skippers Athletics program continues to grow and flourish, and the addition of adaptive sports at SC4 is a significant step forward in creating a more inclusive and diverse campus community,” said SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos. “We’re thrilled to offer this new opportunity for both athletes and fans.”

Last fall, talented wheelchair basketball teams from around the Midwest and Canada converged at SC4 for an action-packed weekend of wheelchair basketball. Hosted by the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness department in conjunction with SC4, the Wolverine Invitational marked the second edition of the event and kicked off the second competitive season of wheelchair basketball for the University of Michigan.

This year, SC4’s wheelchair basketball team plans to schedule exhibition contests and games as part of the inaugural season. The team is also working to participate as part of the Wolverine Invitational, which is scheduled to return to the SC4 Fieldhouse this fall, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. 

“The opportunity to host the Wolverine Invitational right here on our own campus with high-caliber collegiate athletes from institutions such as the University of Michigan is extremely exciting,” Vos said. “We’ll provide more information on game schedules and more as soon as details are finalized.”