Author: Mark Rummel

On National STEM Day, SC4 announces SC4 STEM Fest with Michigan Tech to be held March 9

>>> REGISTER HERE FOR SC4 STEM FEST

In recognition of National STEM Day on Nov. 8, St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to announce that its second annual SC4 STEM Fest will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event—which again is free and open to the public thanks to generous donations and grants—aims to spark a sense of wonder and features more than 100 hands-on, interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics exhibits by SC4 and Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers.  

“Nearly 4,000 people from more than 130 zip codes registered for our inaugural STEM Fest event last year,” said Kristin Copenhaver, SC4 chief marketing officer. “It was a huge success for our college and community, inspiring the next generation of leaders and innovators in STEM as well as bringing excitement, energy and economic impact to our region.”

The event’s more than 100 activities and exhibits will have learners exploring a wide array of STEM topics. Specific session highlights will be announced shortly, with the event once again taking place throughout SC4’s Fieldhouse and Clara E. Mackenzie Building / Experience Center, which includes the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 and the Dr. Bassam H. Nasr Natural Science Museum. (Visit sc4.edu/stem-fest/stem-fest-experiences/ to view a list of last year’s activities. Please keep in mind, however, that 2024 activities and exhibits will/may differ.)

Mind Trekkers is a flagship program of Michigan Technological University’s Center for Educational Outreach. Powered by undergraduate and graduate student guides, Mind Trekkers travels across the country to deliver high-energy, hands-on, STEM demonstrations to learners of all ages, inspiring them to pursue post-secondary education.

“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with SC4 with the return of Mind Trekkers to this event,” said Cassy Tefft de Muñoz, executive director of the Center for Educational Outreach at Michigan Technological University. “The southeast Michigan community is fortunate to have such a strong educational leader in SC4 and we are looking forward to providing another fun and engaging experience for families in the region.”

More information regarding exhibits, details and registration soon will be available—though registration is now open. RSVP for the event at sc4.edu/stem-fest/stem-fest-registration/ now and be among the first to hear updates.

To help support STEM Fest and STEM programming at SC4, visit sc4.edu/give. Please direct any questions to SC4 at (810) 989-5789 or experiencecenter@sc4.edu.

TRIO Student of the Month — Michele Erdman

Twenty years ago, Kimball Township resident Michele Erdman, was thrown a curveball with a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy.

“My future was unknown, and all the plans our family had made went out the door,” said Erdman, a proud mother of four. “However, I did not let that stop me.”

On the contrary, Erdman kept busy and active camping with her family, volunteering at local schools and in living history French and Indian War encampments around the state of Michigan, traveling, antiquing with her husband, and cheering on her children in sports. She also set her sights on earning a college degree.

Erdman became a first-time college student in 2009. A year later, however, she needed to pause her schooling to focus on her family and health. “I knew that it was the right thing to do, but I also knew that it would not be the end of my goal of finishing college,” she said.

She started back at SC4 in fall 2021, this time more focused on a degree in business management after serving as a Kimball Township election inspector for more than 10 years.

“Volunteering within the local government sector has opened my eyes to how important our city and township governments are in our day-to-day lives,” said Erdman, who continues to serve as election inspector. “I am still unsure how I will be using my degree, but I know that between my education and experience, I am prepared to work in government or a non-profit to help better serve the people around me. I have a passion for people with disabilities. I am thankful for my Muscular Dystrophy as it has prepared me for life in a way that I probably wouldn’t have realized without this disease.”

Erdman is scheduled to graduate this year and credits SC4’s TRIO Program and the entire SC4 community for helping her cross the finish line.

“TRIO is a wonderful program that has given me some amazing opportunities to learn more about myself as well as to meet and interact with some amazing individuals,” she said. “It has helped me to better navigate college with personalized help as well as understanding how to navigate campus with physical disabilities. I am so encouraged by the students I meet and have gotten to know in the program.”

She added, “It has been an absolute pleasure meeting and interacting with the instructors, staff and students here at SC4. We are a family and community that truly care for one another. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given to be able to go to college. As an older student, I have never been made to feel as though I don’t belong. I am excited to begin my next chapter in life and look forward to where my degree will take me. I am very proud to say I have endured and overcome!”

Alumni Spotlight: Dallas Mitchell

Current or most recent title and employer?
Doctor of Chiropractic at Mitchell Chiropractic

How did SC4 help prepare you?
It prepared me for all of my college classes to come. I started at SC4 through Blue Water Middle College when I was 16 years old.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I love being able to help people from my hometown area be able to live a long and pain-free life without the use of drugs or other medicine.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I transferred to Wayne State after SC4, which I transferred credits back to earn three associate degrees. After two years at Wayne State I started at Palmer College of Chiropractic where I earned my Doctor of Chiropractic and Bachelor of Science.

Read more about Dallas here.

Alumni Spotlight: Sheri Faust

Current or most recent title and employer?
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the St. Clair River, Environmental Health Educator for the St. Clair County Health Department

How did SC4 help prepare you?
My experience at SC4 was rewarding because I was able to build relationships with my instructors due to the small class sizes. Some instructors evolved into personal mentors, like Bob Collins or more affectionately known as Bio Bob. He was a tremendous influence in my life as he devoted extra time out of class to spend time with students in the field teaching invaluable lessons and experiences that can’t be had in a classroom. It was his influence that convinced me I was on the right path to pursue my passion in natural resources management. Many of my instructors were influential in my early life as a young college student because they were personable, accessible and helpful. SC4 gave me the confidence to move on to a four-year university and pursue the career I was passionate about.

My various professional roles and titles have benefited from partnerships with SC4, so I’m grateful to have a long history with the College – both as a student and as a career professional. As a student, I became familiar with the landscape and culture of SC4, and when I returned back to Port Huron after college and marriage, getting reacquainted with SC4 staff and campus was familiar territory because I felt like I had a personal connection to the campus. This partnership has carried on for the duration of my career living and working in Port Huron.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
My interests, hobbies, passions and career all intersect. I think this is an ideal scenario which I feel lucky to be blessed with.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
After two years at SC4, I transferred to MSU and earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management. Additional certifications, community service and awards include: Certified Planning and Zoning Citizen Planner, Planning Commissioner for Port Huron Township, Board Member for the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Blue Water Woman Government Professional of the Year award