Category: Academics

Washington, D.C.-based alumna credits SC4 for changing worldview

Growing up without public schooling, Grace Haskin didn’t think she had a chance of going to college.

“I received a homeschooling education of sorts, but it was heavily biased and severely lacking,” Haskin said. “Higher education, especially for women, was not valued. Aside from the Internet, my siblings and I were very isolated from the outside world.”

Haskin, who knew she wanted to go to college from an early age, was able to find solace and inspiration online. She researched many college websites and learned most required a high school diploma and SAT/ACT scores.

“I didn’t think I had a chance of getting either of those things,” said Haskin, who did attend Marine City High School for one year.

Haskin turned to St. Clair County Community College for help.

“While I was attending Marine City High School in 2007, I was playing violin with the International Symphony Orchestra,” Haskin said. “The ISO practiced in the Fine Arts Building at SC4 every Tuesday night, so I was already familiar with the campus. The SC4 admissions team was very gracious to work with me.”

Haskin attended SC4 from 2008 to 2010, graduating magna cum laude with an Honors Associate of Arts with a concentration in music education.

After SC4, Haskin worked for a few years and moved to North Carolina where she attended East Carolina University and received her Bachelor of Science in communication in 2015. She then went to graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received her Master of Arts in conflict management and resolution in 2017 with a focus on national and international security.

Today Haskin, 29, lives in Washington, D.C., working as an analyst for the Government Accountability Office on the contracting and national security acquisitions team. There, she examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and activities; and provides analyses, recommendations and other assistance to help Congress make effective oversight, policy and funding decisions.

According to Haskin, her time at SC4 changed her worldview and gave her a new perspective.

“SC4 was truly my first exposure to so many different ideas,” she said. “The critical thinking skills I learned from Professor Thomas Obee’s class, for instance, are skills I use at my job every day in order to assess information in an objective and unbiased manner. My experiences at SC4 very much prepared me for the next steps in my education and career.”

Professor Tangie Christmas named NAACP award recipient

St. Clair County Community College Professor of Speech Tangie Christmas received the Geri Kimbro Humanitarian Award at the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP’s 60th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday evening.

Pictured above clockwise from top left: Professor Christmas accepts her award. SC4 Associate Degree Nursing Instructor and NAACP Port Huron Branch President Kevin Watkins presents Professor Christmas with the award. SC4 Board of Trustee Chair Dr. Nicholas DeGrazia congratulates Professor Christmas.

SC4 TRIO student finds support system

Kaitlyn Meldrum chose to pursue a college education at St. Clair County Community College for a number of reasons.

“It’s close to my family and gives me the opportunity to live at home,” Meldrum said. “The campus is small enough to navigate and is close to my job as well. SC4 also offers me the chance to complete the Michigan Transfer Agreement and to transfer to Wayne State University in the future.”

Like many students, Meldrum knew she would face some challenges once enrolled.

“Time management and mental health struggles are some barriers I’ve faced personally,” she said. “I have also faced educational barriers in math comprehension. I am a work in progress but with the help of my boyfriend, friends, family, teachers and tutors, I’m confident I’ll be able to overcome them.”

She also has found a great deal of support through SC4’s TRIO program.

“I was brand new to college and didn’t know what I was doing,” Meldrum said. “I was struggling in math class and I heard about TRIO’s tutoring and advising appointments. I thought that TRIO sounded super helpful, and it has been!

“TRIO has helped me obtain my goals by being supportive and keeping me motivated to do well. Shawne Jowett’s advising has really helped me in planning my semesters, and Amy Hengehold has helped encourage me and always makes me smile.”

Thanks to her support system, Meldrum—whose personal goals include continuing to learn new things and become more independent—is moving forward toward her goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science.

SC4 alumnus and former Skippers baseball player excelling at Lourdes University thanks to involvement at SC4

Nick Forsberg made the most of his time while attending St. Clair County Community College.

Nick ForsbergThe 2017 Cros-Lex High School graduate enrolled at SC4 in August 2017 and spent two years getting involved on campus. He played collegiate baseball, served as Student Government vice president, worked as a student ambassador and even started a fishing club to meet other students, pursue his passions and develop lifelong skills.

“My most memorable experiences at SC4 happened when I got involved,” Forsberg said. “The SC4 baseball coaching staff played a huge role in my success. Coordinator of Student Activities and Services Sherry Artman was always willing to help anybody and was a mentor on many of my projects around campus. James Welch was always helpful at the One-Stop with a smile on his face. Vice President of Student Services Pete Lacey was very influential and taught me people skills. And Criminal Justice Professor Jim Jones was a huge role model for me.”

Forsberg also spent a great deal of time in downtown Port Huron, eating at local restaurants and frequenting local businesses.

“SC4’s location provides ample opportunities for students to explore a downtown environment,” Forsberg said. “Not many community colleges – or universities for that matter – offer that same sense of location, community, energy and support.”

According to Forsberg, his numerous SC4 experiences helped prepare him to transfer to an out-of-state university.

“Many classes and experiences at SC4 are huge building blocks for bigger institutions or larger environments,” said Forsberg, who pitches for the baseball team and has started another fishing club at Lourdes University. “I’m grateful to SC4 and community colleges in general for all they do for students. They are the life of a community and help students build knowledge, acquire skills and develop relationships.”

Along with his love for baseball and fishing, Forsberg is passionate about pursuing work that helps people. He majored in law enforcement at SC4 and is now majoring in sociology of criminal justice at Lourdes University. He hopes to have a long career working in law enforcement and also has plans to become a fishing charter captain.