Category: Academics

Winter 2023 fast-path courses help students and residents earn credits faster, explore passions at SC4

Registration is open for fast-path winter semester classes at St. Clair County Community College. Seats are available in 12-week classes starting the week of Feb. 6 and eight-week classes starting the week of March 13.

Fast-path classes allow students to earn credits that count toward general education or degree requirements at a quicker pace. Sections are available for classes in topics that include art, business, management, marketing, cybersecurity, English, French, history, mathematics, psychology, political science, speech and more.

Offerings this winter help students and community members expand their knowledge base and uncover passions.

Examples of some specific courses offered this winter include:

  • ART 120-67—Art Appreciation
  • BUS 150-66—Principles of Business
  • BUS 155-66—Principles of Management
  • BUS 186-65—Internet Marketing
  • BUS 252-65—Consumer Behavior
  • CIS 105-65—Cybersecurity Essentials
  • ENG 101-63—English Composition I
  • FR 101-2—Introductory French 1
  • GEO 105-63—Introduction to Meteorology
  • HIS 101-64—History Western Civ to 1715
  • HIS 150-61—History of U.S. 1877 to Present
  • MTH 110-62—Intermediate Algebra
  • MTH 120-65—Introduction to Statistics
  • PS 101-69—Intro to Political Science
  • PSY 180-63—Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 101-65—Principles of Sociology
  • SPC 101-63—Speech Communication
  • THA 105-61—Oral Interpretation

“Whether you’re a student interested in earning credits toward your degree or transfer pathway faster, or you’re a community member interested in taking a course of interest to learn and grow, our fast-path courses are a fantastic option,” said Jessica Brown, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Recruitment, Advising and Admissions.

A full list of courses and sections is available at sc4.edu/schedule, and new students can learn how to apply and register at sc4.edu/admissions/. Current students can register via the SC4 Portal at portal.sc4.edu.

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

Joe Gibbons receives SC4 Distinguished Faculty Award

Joe Gibbons has been selected as the recipient of the St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Distinguished Faculty Award for 2022. Gibbons has been a professor of chemistry at SC4 for 31 years.

For Gibbons, staying focused on his students and their needs is essential. He is proud of their accomplishments and stays in contact with numerous former students, now calling many of them friends. “It has been a privilege to accompany them on their journeys,” Gibbons says.

In addition to a full-time teaching schedule, Gibbons has served the College in a variety of other ways.

He has taken a leadership role as a department chair several times, currently serving as department chair of SC4’s Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Division (STEM). In this position, he brings a thoughtful, historical and forward-thinking perspective to STEM departments and disciplines.

Gibbons also has been at the forefront of assessment at SC4 throughout his 31 years of service, leading committees and taking on significant projects to ensure that the information extracted from assessment data is meaningful and leads to improvements for SC4 students.

Also nominated this year for the SC4 Distinguished Faculty Award were Sandra Geliske in radiologic technology, Brandis Hubbard in biology, and Katy McCullough in nursing.

The Professional Development Committee annually coordinates nominations of faculty by their faculty peers for the Distinguished Faculty Award (DFA). As a member of NISOD, SC4 award nominees and winner also are submitted for the NISOD Excellence Award.

​​​​​​​The winner is awarded a Golden Apple and also receives a $1,000 stipend to use toward professional development. NISOD provides medals to all of the nominees and a plaque for the winner.

Alumni Spotlight: Bill Kerr

Current or most recent title and employer?
Superintendent, Peck Community Schools

How did SC4 help prepare you?
The confidence I gained from my experience at SC4 was instrumental in the professional path I’ve taken to this point. The opportunities I was granted at SC4 were unique and I would not have had the same access at a larger institution. That experience was invaluable to me, helping me realize I could set high standards for myself and be successful. I’ll always cherish my time at SC4 and the relationships I made there.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I love the positive impact I am able to have on students, staff and the community from my position. My goal is always to put the very best resources and opportunities in front of our students and help grow the teaching profession. I am fortunate to work in the community that helped raise me so it feels like I am giving back on a daily basis. I am proud of the work we do here and the role it plays in helping young people thrive and achieve.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I moved on from SC4 and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education at SVSU and then went on to complete the Masters in Public Administration program at UM-Flint.

Scholarships available for SC4 students

St. Clair County Community College is accepting scholarship applications from students who plan to attend SC4 for the 2023-24 academic year.

SC4 has many scholarship opportunities available. Some are geared toward students who plan to study a specific subject, while others are intended for students from a particular town or high school. There are also a number of awards open to students based on academic performance and extracurricular activities.

“Whatever your background, there’s likely a scholarship that you are qualified to apply for,” said Executive Director of Financial Assistance and Veteran Services Josephine Cassar.

Visit sc4.edu/money to apply for available scholarships (after applying to SC4), including SC4 scholarships and scholarships through external sources. Apply for multiple scholarships by filling out just one online application. Many scholarships require a completed FAFSA, which can be submitted at fafsa.gov.

SC4, the SC4 Foundation, community groups and private donors offer numerous scholarships to fit nearly all student academic records, backgrounds and financial situations.

The priority deadline to apply for scholarships is Sunday, March 12.

For details, call the Financial Aid Office at (810) 989-5530 or email financialaid@sc4.edu.