Category: Alumni

Alumni Spotlight: Christina Parraghi

Current or most recent title and employer?
Office Manager of Croswell Tire & Towing 

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 provided me with the foundation of classes to further pursue my degree at a university. I loved working on the old radio station 91.3 “The Bluewater’s only Alternative Radio” and actually remember hosting an event where a lanky flat-top hair Kid Rock came and performed at SC4 cafeteria years before he became famous!

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
All of my past career and work experiences have prepared me to handle the many different challenges and daily responsibilities that I encounter as a manager. I also realize that it’s important to never stop learning new skills but the most important skill is attitude and keeping a positive outlook for each new day!  

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Transferred to Western Michigan University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Alumni Spotlight: Cora Dewan-Smith

Current or most recent title and employer?
Property Manager with Village Green

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 helped me save a lot of money during my undergrad. I was originally a science major, and my last semester I took two business courses that really made me realize I had to change my path.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
Every day is different in the multi-family housing industry. I am able to help people find their homes.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Yes, I earned a BBA from Northwood University focusing on hospitality and franchising.

Alumni Spotlight: Mathew King

Current or most recent title and employer?
Sheriff, St. Clair County

How did SC4 help prepare you?
Earning my associate degree in criminal justice helped prepare me for my job as a Police Officer and later a Sheriff’s Deputy.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I like being able to positively impact the community that I live in.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
No

Alumni Spotlight: Justin Rich

Current or most recent title and employer?
Mechanical Designer – KUKA A&T

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 gave me a solid working knowledge of multiple CAD softwares, as well as design principles and basic controls design.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
It’s rewarding being trusted to come up with unique and creative designs.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I did not. My associate degree in engineering graphics has served me well.

Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Hall

Current or most recent title and employer?
Director-National Account and Latin America at Greenworks

How did SC4 help prepare you?
Gave me a solid educational foundation that allowed me to pursue further degrees.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
In Outdoor Power Equipment we get to do the simplest job: make tall grass short. When you get to do that, it’s not work, it’s fun!

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Yes. Completed my bachelor’s degree at Eastern Michigan University and my MBA in international business from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Alumni Spotlight: Joe Burgett Rachwal

Current or most recent title and employer?
District Community Leader/WomenHeart Champion at WomenHeart the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

How did SC4 help prepare you?
The Communications program helped me hone my writing skills in print media, confidence in public speaking, and a strong skill set in fund development and events planning.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
Sharing my personal story nationally and participating as a peer support educator annually at the WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I transferred to UM-Flint to continue my pursuit of a degree in communications, journalism and women’s studies.

Alumni Spotlight: Abigail Davis

Current or most recent title and employer?
Human Resources Intern at BorgWarner

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 helped prepare me for University by offering affordable classes. I was able to get an associate degree before becoming a transfer student.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I love helping other employees.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I graduate from Oakland University in April 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Development.

Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Totty

Current or most recent title and employer?
Nurse – Lake Huron Medical Center

How did SC4 help prepare you?
I received a wealth of knowledge from some amazing professors/teachers to attain my nursing degree. We are blessed to have a fine institution like SC4 right here in Port Huron.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I enjoy helping others. Nursing is a very personal profession. You have to gain someone’s trust quickly so they can receive the proper care. Listening is a huge part of what I do. I am not the expert, the patient is. They know how their body works and I must listen when they speak. Then I can offer and recommend solutions. It is definitely a partnership.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
No

Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Damman

Current or most recent title and employer?
Judge – 31st Circuit Court

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 gave me an opportunity to cost-effectively begin my education after high school. I remember having the greatest instructors who cared deeply about the success of the student body at SC4. Attending community college allowed me receive excellent instruction from wonderful instructors close to home. I remain very thankful that I had the opportunity to attend St. Clair County Community College.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I loved the law while in private practice. I was a trial attorney, and it was a career that I cherished. I also had the opportunity to serve the City of Marysville as Mayor for three terms and developed a strong desire to serve my community at a higher level. As a Circuit Court Judge, I use the knowledge and trial skills that I honed during my many years of private practice to serve the people of St. Clair County. It is the greatest career that I could imagine and I am thankful that the people of St. Clair County have trusted me in this position.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
After SC4 I transferred to Michigan State University earning a B.A. in psychology. I was a double major with law and society as my secondary major. After graduating from MSU I attended Wayne State University Law School, graduating with a J.D. in 2002.

Alumni Spotlight: Loren Gajda

Current or most recent title and employer?
Non-traditional student

How did SC4 help prepare you?
I finished my associate degree at SC4. SC4 helped me identify my academic strengths and weaknesses, and how to navigate toward my long-term professional goals.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I’m currently transitioning careers and am yet again in school, but SC4 was the first stepping stone in my professional journey. SC4 was the foundation for my current career path.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I graduated from SC4 in 2016. Afterward, I joined the Navy. After that, I graduated from Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville Professional Welder Program, and now I’m currently an undergraduate Russian language student at Stetson University in Florida.