Author: Mark Rummel

SC4 students earn degrees, certificates

St. Clair County Community College’s 98th Commencement ceremony Friday, May 6, honored graduating students in numerous associate degree and certificate programs.

More than 400 students eligible to graduate from the current academic year, as well as 1,470 previous graduates who finished during the pandemic were invited to participate in the ceremony.

SC4 students earned one-year certificates and associate degrees in arts, business, science, general education, and applied arts and sciences. The official Commencement program with a complete list of student names, certificates, degrees and honors is available at sc4.edu/commencement.

Links to photo galleries and a video of the ceremony are available at sc4.edu/commencement.

Candidates for graduation for winter and summer 2022 semesters, ordered by hometown:

ALGONAC — Hannah Carithers, Cassidy Gordon, Raven Gunnells, Miles Hojnacki, Jasmina Jovanovska-Spence, Ciara Lane, Rachel Metcalf, Taylor Myers, Madelynn Saddler, Jonathan Saums and Lexi Wagner.

ALLENDALE — Alicia Munro.

ALLENTON — Emma Horetski.

ALMONT — Maria Bussone, Ashley Kraft, Holly Meno and Timothy Wolf.

ANN ARBOR — Kallie Albert.

ARMADA — Kayla Campis and Nicole Sawitzky.

ATTICA — Ashley Vissotski.

AVOCA — Russell Keuning, Sarah Koch, Julia McMillin, Nicholas Preston, Kyle Stapleton, Katherine Stevenson, Ashley Wescott and Craig Wilder.

BERLIN TOWNSHIP — Olivia McCarroll and Ashley Wampfler.

BROCKWAY TOWNSHIP — Virginia Kosek.

BROWN CITY — Breydon Andrez, Benjamin Garcia, Joseph Gingell, Chealse Miller and Tiffany Paschke.

BURTCHVILLE TOWNSHIP — Alison Lacey, Tyler Maxfield and Bethany Pomaville.

CAPAC — Ashlynn Fistler, Samantha King, Nicole Marabate, Grace McCarthy, Alyssa Orlando and Ava Vancil.

CARSONVILLE — Anna Hill.

CASCO TOWNSHIP — Alexis Jarvis and Alyssa Pollauf.

CASS CITY — Angela Bryant.

CHESTERFIELD — Mical Bey-Shelley, Giovanni Coletti and Ashley Howard.

CHINA TOWNSHIP — Haley Rittenhouse and Brooke Volkman.

CLAY TOWNSHIP — Sarah Borunda, Riley Brandt, Abigail Folkerts, Katie Gabriel, Alicia Jarvi, Marianne Karos and Percy Ziolkowski.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Amanda Bruce, Natalie Conley and Alicia Urben.

CLYDE TOWNSHIP — Brennan Ainsworth, Cameron Barlass, Alexa Bramer, Molly Hillis, Aiden Horn, Jordan Kelly, Katie Marcero, Gavin Schwentor and Riley Soulliere.

COLUMBIAVILLE — Lily Ragatz.

COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP — John Gross, Paul Jones, Dean Kalebjian, Logan Kessinger, Anna Roland, Carrie Rush and Kevin Zoeplitz.

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP — Kelly Bonam and Karleigh Mistretta.

CROSWELL — Susan Cornwell, Julia Krawczyk and Carla Reimel.

DAVISON — Darrell Washington.

DECKERVILLE — Timothy Rich.

DETROIT — Cameron Hudson.

EAST CHINA TOWNSHIP — Tristen Anglin, Zachary Burt, Jessica Hopkins, Amy Jabe, Olivia Jovanovich, Mary Langell, Molly Metheny, Karly Scharf and Lacey Tite.

EMMETT — Mark Donnellon, Kathryn Lozowski, Justus McCall, Alexandra Moran, Austin Snider and Sabrina Wicker.

FAIR HAVEN — Zachary Bral, Trevor Buza and Isabella Kawalec.

FORT GRATIOT — Halie Bearden, Alissa Bonney, Lydia Bonney, Brooke Booth, Tianna Boyd-Cleaver, Alexzandra Carr, Matthew Cronce, Emma Farnsworth, Abbigayle Haskell, Kevin Hilliker, Keenon Huss, Larissa John, Ethan Kane, Maxwell Kenny, Zoe Klink, Sean Kreda, Kiera McNeill, Kobi Moretz, James Phillips, Alexandra Platzer, MacKenzie Schott, Kassandra Sepsey, Kelleigh Shanahan, Lily Sharkey, Alisa Shudell, Lawrence Skotzke, Nicholas Stalker, Joshua Staples, Sophia Vani, Devin Walker, Ian Wilson and Luke Zeller.

GOODELLS — Christina Cooper, Tracy Lepak, Mya Lounsberry, Tara Peters and Rachel Walch.

HARBOR BEACH — Gina Ahrens, Camryn Booms, Brady Kirsch and Rebecca Roggenbuck.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Samuel Delisi, Jenna Eskelinen and Jenna Eskelinen.

IMLAY CITY — Jade Anderson.

IRA TOWNSHIP — Jennifer Darga.

JEDDO — Lily Connelly, Ciara Heckendorn, Donovan Paldanius and Cory Vanbuskirk.

KALAMAZOO — Stephanie Moravcik.

KENOCKEE TOWNSHIP — Brooke Thompson.

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP — Jacob Armstrong, Kaylyn Ashbaugh, Dominic Atkins, Cameron Colgan, Lauren Cooney, Averie Dunn, Ethan Dunsmore, Kyle Frizzle, Jackie Gibbs, Katie Gossman, Jessica Justice, Tara Lukasik-Blount, Brynn Meadows, Tyler Nunez, Nadine Ritchey, Lauryn Roff, Olivia Rousey, Beth Seibert, Kaitlyn Szukala, Max Thoennes, Robin Tomaschko, Amber Whitefield and Paige Zimmerman.

KINCHELOE — Logan Kessinger.

LAKEPORT — Asmara Miron and Daniel Rich.

LAPEER — Stacy Baldwin, Alexis Crenshaw, Rebecca Jar and Jessica Starr.

LEONARD — Carolynne Mole.

LEXINGTON — Brooke Albrecht, Brandon Barr, Alesha Hibbs and Cody Paris.

MACOMB — Jacob Horvath.

MARINE CITY — Victoria Beauvais, Melanie Carlson, Emily Casadei, Nicole Degasperis, Lydia Fowler, Chelsea Frost, Amanda Hurst, Karl Kozfkay, Heather Swearingen and Alyssa Westrick.

MARYSVILLE — Nichole Burgess, Michael Cowhy, Emily Dodson, Kaci Ferguson, James Fogal, Alicia Hall, Jennifer Harvey, Chantel Hilgendorf, Darren Hoxsey, Jenna Hude, Danielle Kettlewell, Heather Krawczyk, Krysta Krawczyk, Loretta Latimer, Luke Mosher, Kasie Mosurak, Andrea Peters, Paige Raymo, Aaron Rogers, Drew Saunders, Troy Walcott, Emily Westrick and Sean Wolfinger.

MELVIN — Hailey Chisholm.

MEMPHIS — Jordyn Malinowski, Mira Passalacqua, Isabella Quesnelle, Erica Syck and Gracie Walsh.

MUSSEY TOWNSHIP — Ryann Ramirez and Brianna Robberstad.

NEW BALTIMORE — Casondra Sumpter.

NEW HAVEN — Latonya Harmon and Lacrisa Jackson.

NORTH BRANCH — Katrina Guldi.

NORTH STREET — Destiny Harrison, Heather Jacobs, Kayley Lambert and Joseph Marcero.

ORTONVILLE — Natasha Krivak.

PEARL BEACH — Shayla Avers.

PECK — Courtney Angebrandt.

PORT HURON — Sydney Anger, Maleiah Banks, Brook Bauman, MacKenzie Beauchamp, Matthew Beebe, Danielle Bower, Lillian Caldwell, Ryan Churchill, Asia Cooper, Noel Cosby, Kylee Crane, Morgan Crigger, Monea Cureton, Di’mond Davis, Cristina De Gregory, Andrew Dietz, Amara DiTrapani, Elaina DiTrapani, Shylah Drouillard, Megan Drummond, Rachel Dubs, Courtney Ehrler, Courtney Fair, Jacob Frantz, Morgan Fulgenti, Jenna Fye, Jose Ganhs, Daniel Gore, Kaitlin Green, Avery Greene, Madison Greer, Michael Grove, Brooke Haggerty, Jessica Harmon-Franz, Kennedy Harrell, AnaLisa Harrington, Samantha Herman, Jenna Holzberger, Chandelle Howard, Paul Jacobs, Chaise Jawor, Allison Jones, Marc Jones, Logan Kellerman, Elaina Kocis, Toni Lasher, Somer Laubert, Amy Leach, Amanda Lemon, Skylar Lewandowski, Mikayla Madley, Kayleen McComas, Nelle McDonald, Linsay McLain, Laura McNeill, JR McPhail, Diamond Meadows, Brent Mitchell, Caleb Nevison, Logan Nichols, Amanda Nunez, Mari Olvera, Elaina Penn, Ethan Poor, Brandon Purcell, Paige Ringer, Nicholle Rose, David Roy, Hannah Sagash, Enesa Salihovic, Violet Sanchez, Sean Sapienza, Andre Sasser, Lauren Schoof, Athena Schrader, Helena Schrader, Conner Smith, Diann Smith, Hailey Stark, Skyler Streeter Fye, Makhia Tremble, Jennifer Tucker, Andrew Tyburskie, Zoey Vos, Kaley Wagner, Steven Webster, Avery Westbrook, Payton Westbrook, Thomaya White, Kaitlyn Willis, Tayler Willis, Julia Wing, Donna Wolven and Grace Wurmlinger.

PORT HURON TOWNSHIP — Armond Hicks.

PORT SANILAC — Samantha Coon.

RICHMOND — Renee DuVall, Regina Long and Camille Schafer.

RILEY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Enders and Chelsea Szyska.

ROMEO — Naomi Amey and Alivia Cameron,

RUBY — Sarah Kovacs and Sara Pilgrim.

RUTH — Tori Stein.

SAINT JOHNS — Cody Wood.

SANDUSKY — Olivia Bracken and Kailey Schomaker.

SNOVER — Samuel Gordon and Elizabeth Minard.

ST. CLAIR — Brennen Buckley, Samantha Dodson, Shelby Eveland, Zacchaeus Gilbert, Nathan Hartman, Luke Heid, Lydia Hiller, Dakota Holka, Stephanie Jandron, Emily Jurkiewicz, Megan Kammer, Sarah Kehoe, Makayla Kolakovich, Quain Korth, Emma Labeau, James Majeski, John Majeski, Chloe Mills, Katelynn Paynter, Ella Potthoff, Sydney Raymo, Kevin Rogers, Elizabeth Rylander, Drew Saunders, Danielle Sikora, Wyatt Stimac, Casey Verbeke, Brittany Watts and Heather Woodman.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Sierra Ganhs and Jake Myers.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Dominic Spahn.

UTICA — Sarah Miller.

VAUGHAN, ONTARIO — Stephen Phillips.

WARREN — Janae Smith and Jewel Smith.

YALE — Brooke Edgerton, Julia Hendershot-Reno, Olivia Iseler, Trenton Petersen, Chad Plenda, Carleigh Randolph, Cindy Starks and Donyele Watson.

New SC4, Wayne State partnership helps future engineers save time and money 

A new partnership between St. Clair County Community College (SC4) and Wayne State University will provide SC4 students with a seamless transfer pathway to Wayne State’s College of Engineering, strengthening the commitment of both institutions to prepare future leaders and innovators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for high tech, high skilled jobs.   

Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State in the following programs can now earn the majority of their core engineering courses as well as the bulk of their general education courses at SC4 before transferring on to Wayne State, where they must complete a minimum of 30 credits toward their degree.  

  • Biomedical engineering 
  • Chemical engineering 
  • Civil engineering 
  • Electrical/electronic engineering 
  • Industrial engineering 
  • Mechanical engineering  
  • Information technology 
  • Computer science  
  • Electrical/electronic engineering technology  
  • Electromechanical engineering technology  
  • Mechanical engineering technology  
  • Welding and metallurgical engineering technology   

SC4 students also can earn an Associate of Science degree along the way. 

The future-focused partnership comes as SC4 launches its STEM-based Challenger Learning Center in collaboration with Challenger Center and Unity in Learning, which consists of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Leslie Science & Nature Center, Yankee Air Museum and SC4.  

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed, STEM experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills. It offers fun and unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents. 

“We know many SC4 students transfer on to earn four-year degrees and have gone on to lead in cutting-edge industries, but too many others lose interest in crucial STEM subjects or encounter barriers along the way,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, SC4 president. “We can do more to inspire, educate and prepare students. Our Challenger Learning Center will provide greater access and opportunity to STEM experiences, and this partnership with Wayne State will help students save on tuition costs and time as they pursue a bachelor’s degree from one of Michigan’s most innovative four-year institutions.” 

“The demand for talented and innovative professionals in the STEM fields has never been higher, particularly in Michigan which has the fourth-largest engineering workforce in the country,” said Farshad Fotouhi, dean of the Wayne State College of Engineering. “This partnership with SC4 will strengthen the pipeline of students looking to become leaders in the high-tech marketplace, not only in Southeast Michigan but globally as well.” 

The institutions announced the partnership April 29 during a Challenger Learning Center at SC4 launch event. 

Prospective students can learn more about and apply to St. Clair County Community College online. Contact the SC4 team with questions at starthere@sc4.edu or 810-989-5571, or schedule an advising appointment online. 

Students who need help transferring to Wayne State can contact the Transfer Student Success Center at transfer@wayne.edu; set up a virtual advising appointment online at tssc.youcanbook.me/ or visit TSSC.wayne.edu to live chat with advisers from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. 

Use it or lose it

I’m sure we have all heard the age-old saying, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” I am not sure that I have always believed that until now.

Now, you have some great tools we have uncovered this school year as they related to financial literacy. I believe if you aren’t practicing some of those tools then you will most likely lose them. Let’s take a recap of the year by highlighting 15 of the tools outlined in the blogs. 

  • Create a personal monthly budget. Your budget is the foundation of your financial health, and it’s easy to get started. Learn how to create a personal budget by looking at the previous TRIO blogs on budgeting.
  • Start an emergency fund. Experts recommend setting aside at least three months’ worth of basic living expenses in case of an unexpected financial burden like a layoff or large medical expense. 
  • Spending money is/should be the perfect way to increase your overall value. Spending money should be a well-thought-out process, and the best way to remedy financial literacy is by budgeting. 
  • The five key components of financial literacy are earning, spending, saving, and investing, borrowing, and protecting. Credit is the ability to borrow money or access goods or services with the understanding that you’ll pay later.
  • Two primary forms of credit — revolving credit and installment credit. Revolving credit usually is your credit card. The second form of credit is installment credit. Installment credit is a loan that you borrow one amount and repay it with interest in accrues in installments each month.
  • Borrow is using something belonging to someone else to return it. “Loan” can be a noun, such as a sum of money that you must pay back with interest, or a verb, the act of lending something to someone.
  • Put a serious plan into play and stick to it. There is nothing that is out of your reach. If you write out a solid plan and work it, then you will have it. Financial health is yours.
  • Know your holiday triggers and combat them
  • If you are to be financially literate, it is safe to say that you must know yourself well, bad habits and all, for they are just as telling as the good ones.
  • Create a Financial Literacy Vision Board. Yes, let’s have a vision boarding party for our money. Statistically, we are 1.4 times more likely to accomplish our goals when we can picture them.
  • Our attitudes, behaviors, and heart posture concerning money are major factors contributing to our relationship with our money. 
  • Look at decluttering, sweeping, dusting, and tossing a few items out in your finances. 
  • Scammers are real, and it is your job to protect yourself.
  • Taxes can seem scary, but the best way to avoid any unnecessary stress regarding taxes is to plan and become informed. 

As summer quickly approached please don’t forget the 15 tools, we gained this year and don’t forget to use them, even during the summer months. Keep at your budget and if you have space in your budget, save more. As always, I believe in you, happy summer, and let’s build! 

April is tax season

Taxes can be a snooze fest topic to discuss but for us it’s not because we desire to grow and be more financially literate.

As you may know this is “Tax Month” and “Tax Day” is quickly approaching, April 15. This is the deadline when you must file your takes on all income earned during the previous calendar year.

If you are a single person, you only are required to file taxes if you make move than $12,200 during the year.  If you made less but had income taxes withheld throughout the year, you will likely qualify for a tax refund and might want to file anyway to get your money back. 

Taxes can seem scary, but the best way to avoid any unnecessary stress regarding taxes is to plan and become informed. 

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), scholarships, fellowships, and grants, including financial aid, are tax free only to a certain extent. To determine what qualifies as tax free, you must understand the difference between qualified and non-qualified education expenses. Here are some examples:

Qualified Education Expenses:

  • Tuition and fees required to enroll at an eligible educational institution.
  • Course related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required for the courses. 

Non-qualified Education Expenses:

  • Room and board
  • Health insurance
  • Research
  • Travel

It is important to remember that if any part of your scholarship, fellowship, or grant goes toward non-qualified education expenses, you will have to file a tax return according to the IRS. Your scholarship is viewed as individual income under the federal government if it is not purposely used for a qualified educational expense.

Here are some relevant forms to file your education-related taxes:

1098-T: Tallies expenses paid to the college or university

1098-e: Summarizes student loan interest payments

If you are paying back federal student loans, you may qualify for up to a $2,500 tax deduction based on the student loan interest you have paid. You may use the 1098-e to file for that deduction.

Of course, this does not have everything concerning taxes mentioned. However, as a student this information is golden. Again, I hope this information is beneficial for you. Get those taxes completed if you haven’t and get yo money! Who knows you could add to your savings or pay off credit debt? Let’s Build.

Reference

https://www.irs.gov/site-index-search?search=taxes&field_pup_historical_1=1&field_pup_historical=1&f%5B0%5D=focus_area%3A15686