Author: Mark Rummel

SC4’s Josephine Cassar wins MASFAA State Leadership Award

St. Clair County Community College’s Director of Financial Assistance and Services Josephine Cassar has received the State Leadership Award from the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA). Additionally, the Summer Institute and Leadership Symposium Committee on which Cassar is a member received the Committee of the Year Award.

cassar-jo-img_1093.jpgAccording to the MASFAA website, the State Leadership Award is annually presented to recognize outstanding leadership and performance of a member from each of the nine states within MASFAA. Cassar was recognized for her exceptional contributions to the financial aid profession at the state and regional levels and for her integrity, character and creative leadership.

The Summer Institute and Leadership Symposium Committee received the Committee of the Year Award as a result of the committee’s performance and significant contributions it made to MASFAA.

Cassar, who also was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education to MASFAA and SC4. 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 said. “Jo has helped improve college access for thousands of students and families by sharing her knowledge and expertise. Congratulations to her on another outstanding and well-deserved honor.”

SC4 honors life of Dr. Mark Setter (1954-2019), names him Alumnus of the Year

Dr. Mark Setter, who passed away on Feb. 2, 2019, has been named the 2019 St. Clair County Community College Alumnus of the Year.

Dr. Setter attended SC4 following graduation from Port Huron Northern High School in 1972.

He completed his associate degree at SC4 in 1974, graduating summa cum laude, before earning a degree in dentistry from the University of Michigan with a post-graduate degree in periodontics.

Dr. Setter married his wife, Susan, his sophomore year of dental school and, upon graduating, returned to Port Huron to start his private practice in 1981. There, he enjoyed caring for his patients for more than 30 years.

An avid adventurer, Dr. Setter’s childhood was spent waterskiing, playing tennis and working at Black River Marina where he quickly developed a lifelong love for boats and the water. He and Susan raised children Dr. Michael Setter and Dr. Jill Bresler in Port Huron and traveled together to many exciting places around the globe.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Setter credited his time at SC4 for helping to prepare him for his future. He was an advocate for the college and the entire Blue Water Area community.

Read Dr. Mark Setter’s obituary

SC4 launches new online store

St. Clair County Community College is pleased to launch its new online store at shopskippersgear.com, just in time for the holidays.

From name-brand apparel, business accessories and drinkware to totes, jewelry and much more, SC4’s new online store provides more options and is sure to help Skippers and friends alike show their college pride.

Those interested in buying merchandise in person can visit the SC4 College Bookstore at 323B Erie St., or visit the Bookstore online for additional promotions.

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SC4 alumnus flourishes thanks to faculty connection, support

For St. Clair County Community College alumnus Jake Louks, SC4 offered the chance to connect with faculty in an invaluable way.

“At another university I attended before SC4, I felt like one of thousands,” Louks said. “I felt like college wasn’t for me because I didn’t like the big lecture-style courses I had at the university. At SC4, I was able to connect with faculty. My experience was totally different—small discussion-based classes with approachable faculty. It was more aligned with what I wanted.”

The Port Huron Northern High School graduate attended SC4 in 2009 and again from 2010 to 2012. While at SC4, he focused on taking transferrable credits and benefitted from faculty committed to his success.

“Faculty members are such an important resource. My SC4 professors did a great job bridging the gap and building a relationship, which allowed me to reach out outside of class for clarification and to bounce ideas around,” Louks said. “They gave me the space to become a self-advocate. They went above and beyond to make sure I could see the path I wanted to travel—both in their course and in life.

“Jim and Patricia Frank in particular had a big impact on me. They created a sense of community with my classmates and with them. They really helped me explore topics from separate viewpoints and disciplines.”

Louks transferred credits from SC4 to Western Michigan University, where he studied public history and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2015.

Upon graduation, he put his degree to work with service at an archival library and a national park. He then served as a career and college planning advocate with AmeriCorps and is now working as an organizer for a labor union that represents educators.

According to Louks, who is preparing to take the LSAT and has legal aspirations, his experience at SC4 helped him on his career path immensely.

“I don’t like the word networking, but SC4 helped me learn how to build relationships professionally, and when you have more people helping you it is much easier to succeed,” said Louks, who reversed transferred back to SC4 in 2016 and earned an associate degree. “I don’t think I would have completed an undergraduate degree without my experience at SC4.”

He added, “Community colleges represent the American Dream to me. I believe that the American Dream means that anyone should be able to settle and make a living where they want. That could be New York City, or it could be the rural thumb of Michigan. Community colleges help make that happen.”