Category: Community

Registration open for SC4 late-start fall classes

Registration is open for late-start fall semester classes at St. Clair County Community College. Seats are still available in 12-week classes starting the week of Sept. 21 and eight-week classes starting the week of Oct. 19. Classes are available in Port Huron and online.  

Late-start classes allow students to earn credits at a faster pace. Class topics include biology, business, English, history, math, political science, psychology, sociology and more.

Examples of some specific courses offered this fall include:  

  • BIO 271 – Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • BUS 110 – Human Relations
  • BUS 150 – Principles of Business
  • BUS 153 – Business Law
  • BUS 155 – Principles of Management
  • BUS 258 – Human Resources Management
  • CIS 115 – Microcomputer Applications
  • ENG 102 – English Composition II
  • GEO 101 – Earth Science
  • HIS 150 – History of U.S. 1877 to Present
  • MTH 120 – Introduction to Statistics
  • MUS 106 – Music Appreciation
  • PE 128 – Weight Training
  • PSY 180 – Introduction to Psychology
  • PSY 220 – Life Span Developmental Psychology
  • PS 101 ­– Introduction to Political Science
  • SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology
  • THA 105 – Oral Interpretation  

Current students can search for all courses and sections at sc4.edu/schedule. They can register and pay for classes online in the SC4 Portal at portal.sc4.edu. New students can start at sc4.edu/starthere.  

Registration service also is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at SC4’s One-stop Student Services Center located in the Dr. James C. Acheson Welcome Center on the corner of Erie Street and Glenwood Avenue on the Port Huron campus. Services are being provided in the public areas of the first floor only. Face coverings or masks are required to receive service. Online, remote, and phone services continue to be available.  

Bank senior vice president Gary Schlinkert’s success began at SC4

Gary Schlinkert is a big advocate of community colleges. The Marysville High School graduate attended St. Clair County Community College from 1973 to 1975.

“Both my folks and I felt that two years at SC4 would be best – and a lot cheaper,” said Schlinkert, who is senior vice president of West Shore Bank in Ludington, Michigan. “I learned a lot and enjoyed my time there. I was involved in Student Government as a representative of Phi Theta Kappa, played sports and got to know other students, many of whom I am still in contact with to this day.”

According to Schlinkert, he also was inspired by SC4 faculty members to pursue new interests in economics and the stock market.

“I had several excellent professors while I was at SC4, particularly in the areas of economics, physics and mathematics,” he said. “Professor Tansky and Professor Falls were excellent instructors. I learned a lot from them. The fact that I remember their names after so many years is a testament to the impact they made on me as a young student.”

Schlinkert transferred from SC4 to Lawrence Technological University in 1975 to pursue a degree in architecture. However, he soon changed his path back to his interest of economics and finance, enrolling at the New York Institute of Finance. There he earned several certifications that prepared him for the licensing required to be a registered representative, insurance, options and commodity broker. 

Most of Schlinkert’s career has been spent as an executive in the financial sector. He was a licensed stockbroker for more than 30 years and was originally involved in bringing stock brokerage services to community banking customers at what is now a large regional bank. In his current position at West Shore Bank, he oversees wealth management, deposit operations, human resources, compliance and internal audit.

Schlinkert, who lives in Manistee, is in the process of transferring credits to SC4 to earn his Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees for summer 2020 graduation through the reverse transfer option. He maintained ties to SC4 through his son, Craig, who served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy, graduated from SC4 with his associate degree, and went on to Rutgers University and its National Transit Institute for Procurement. Schlinkert also has two daughters who received their bachelor’s degree, one from Oakland University (Jaime Greene) and the other from Alma College (Carly Schlinkert). Jaime also has her MA in Human Services. His grandson (Andrew Chambers) is currently enrolled at Macomb Community College.

Schlinkert plans on retiring in a few years after a long and successful career. He said he is proud of his family and of all others who choose to pursue higher education, especially at a community college. 

“The cost of a college education at a private or state university has become prohibitive,” he said. “The opportunity for a student to take their core classes at a fraction of the cost at a community college should resonate as this next generation of college-aged student prepares for their next step.”

“Not every job requires a four-year degree in order to be successful either,” he continued. “In addition to preparing for a four-year degree, community colleges also offer technology and certification programs to train future employees for good paying jobs.”

Schlinkert also serves on his bank’s scholarship committee, which gives multiple scholarships every year to qualified and need-based area students going to West Shore Community College. He recently helped establish an internship program at the bank to identify current and future West Shore students who have the potential to succeed in the world of finance.

SC4 hosts a Virtual Job Fair

PORT HURON – St. Clair County Community College will host a Virtual Job Fair on Aug. 18 and Aug. 20, 2020. The event will allow employers to connect with job seekers who are actively seeking work in the Blue Water Area. The college has several partners helping to make this event a success, including the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County; the City of Port Huron and McMorran Place; Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works; and the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce.

The deadline for employers to set up open positions and 15-minute long appointment slots is Friday, Aug. 7. Job seekers will then review the list of job openings, select appointment times, and enter their contact information during the week of Aug. 10 to 14.

Job Seeker on the telephone

Employers can sign up for as many appointment slots as they desire. SC4 is handling registration and communications with employers and job seekers.

For more information and to register as a company or job seeker, visit sc4.edu/virtual-job-fair.

SC4 to open an on-campus health clinic with St. Clair County Health Department

The St. Clair County Health Department and St. Clair County Community College announce the creation of a health clinic on the college’s campus.

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners authorized the Health Department to work with the college to create the clinic, which will have a full-time nurse on staff. The college will reimburse the Health Department up to $90,000 for staffing and also will provide the office space and utilities.

The clinic will serve as a bridge between pediatric and adult health care in the area, with direct links to the Health Department’s Teen Health and Personal Health clinics.

“This type of community collaboration is a win-win for everyone,” said Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department. “Health is a team effort and we are delighted to have this opportunity to work with our local college and this population.”

In addition to providing important preventative services to the area’s college-age population, it will improve accessibility to health services to those who typically are working or in class during regular clinics’ office hours.

“We’re pleased to establish a health clinic on our campus,” said SC4 President Dr. Deborah A. Snyder. “Health and safety are top priorities for our college. Having the clinic located at SC4 will further enhance the student experience and provide a vital new service to our campus community this fall.”

The Health Department and the college are finalizing the clinic’s location on campus. The clinic is expected to open during the fall semester.