Category: Faculty insight

Are you ready to start or continue your educational journey but not quite sure what path to pursue?

SC4’s business and accounting courses are a great place to start. “Minimum exposure to the topics we teach can prepare a person for a lot of the challenges and opportunities they will face the remainder of their life as either informed consumers or via employment in the business environment,” said Professor Terry Langan. He recommends that, “Undecided students should sample some classes to grow their view of the world and possible career choices.”

Professor Langan has been teaching a variety of accounting and business classes at SC4 for 30 years. The SC4 courses provide a solid base of knowledge in key business subjects such as accounting, business law, management, selling, marketing and economics.

“I’ve come to the realization that sometimes my impact isn’t immediate,” continued Langan. “I have former students approach me years later to let me know something I said or assisted with had a big impact on where they eventually found success. That is extremely rewarding.”

Professor Langan encourages new students to develop as many relationships with fellow students and instructors as possible. In the real world, it’s not always what you know, but who you know. He also advises students to take their education seriously. “Show up, be prepared, and do more than what is expected.”

Attending SC4 is a wise choice for students, especially considering its cost compared to the traditional four-year university is a real deal. “I truly believe SC4 is able to send students to university well prepared to be successful in their academic endeavors,” said Langan.

For example, our business transfer degree allows students to complete more than 60 credits toward a bachelor’s degree — with some agreements with institutions such as Northwood University, Siena Heights University and Walsh College permitting a full three years at SC4 before transferring.

Langan shared, “I’m looking forward to meeting students in person once again, getting to know them, and assisting with all aspects of their education.”

Registration for fall semester is open and classes begin the week of Aug. 23. A list of available on-campus and online can be viewed by visiting sc4.edu/schedule.

Not a student yet? That’s ok. There’s still time. Visit sc4.edu/starthere and fill out your free application today.

Professor Langan and the campus community are looking forward to welcoming you this fall!

If you are from the Blue Water Area there’s a chance you are familiar with Jim Jones. Jones got his start as a graduate of SC4 and has been teaching criminal justice classes for the college since 1997. In addition to teaching, he brings real life experiences to the classroom — as he’s currently a part-time police officer with the Marine City Police Department and previously served 28 years as a full-time officer for the Port Huron Police Department.

“My role at SC4 is overseeing and teaching in our Criminal Justice Generalist program,” said Jones. “The excitement about being back on campus is about the students, no matter what future visions or career aspirations they may have.”

There are critical shortages of police, corrections, and federal law enforcement officers. People with a desire to help others and who want to lead are great candidates for a career in criminal justice. At SC4, our students practice crime scene investigation (CSI) techniques, attend trials and other court processes, participate in field trips, and gain exposure to the field through presentations by active police officers and other criminal justice professionals.

Jones’ advice to new students is, “Don’t count yourself out. Know you can make a difference and find successes. What you say, what you do, and what you contribute to society matters.” As a professional in the criminal justice field, “Your future, and our future, is found in your hands,” continues Jones. Let SC4 help you be successful in this chosen career path.

“As a former student and graduate of SC4, I know how important this institution can be in one’s life,” shared Jones. Often, students will begin their studies, not really knowing where the future will take them or uncertain of what career they want to pursue. “Within a few short years, the same students are found working in their field of choice and making a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and thrive.”

SC4 offers an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Criminal Justice and four skill sets related to criminal justice in corrections, generalist, law enforcement and homeland security.

For those wishing to further their education, SC4 has a partnership with Ferris State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice that can be completed without leaving our campus.

Lastly from Jones, “Having new students arrive every year, and getting to know them, is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my job.”

Registration for fall semester is open at SC4 and classes begin the week of Aug. 23. A list of available on-campus and online can be viewed by visiting sc4.edu/schedule.

Not a student yet? That’s ok. There’s still time. Visit sc4.edu/starthere and fill out your free application today.

Professor Jones and the campus community are looking forward to welcoming you this fall!

SC4’s Essentials of Biology (BIO 101) course addresses the nature of biology as a science. Students learn core biological concepts and engage in the analysis and communication of biological subject matter.

This is an introductory course for non-biology majors. “Students will be better informed on issues that affect their everyday lives,” said Professor Dave Webb. “They will understand how science works and how critically important it is to make decisions based on legitimate scientific evidence.”

Two current examples of the above are climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. Webb states, “Students will learn how to distinguish scientific reality from misinformation.”

Webb is one of several professors teaching this course on campus this fall. While the course objectives are the same, the labs are unique to the professor allowing them to teach to a particular area of expertise and interest.

For example, taking advantage of Webb’s training in entomology, his fall class begins with a five-week sequence of labs centered on insect identification. Students learn:

• How to use two different types of microscopes
• Insect anatomy and the key features of major groups of insects
• The techniques used to identify specimens of the different major groups of insects
• How to collect insects in the field

“A field trip to collect insects is the most popular lab of the semester,” continues Webb. “It’s close to campus, which is convenient, and best of all — we’re outside.”

It’s important for students to experience biology out in the field looking at living organisms. While laboratory biology remains undeniably important, there is still much to be learned from biologists who roll up their sleeves, go outside, and get dirty.

Registration for fall semester is now open and seats are available for BIO 101 sections. Check out a full list of classes being offered at sc4.edu/schedule.

New to campus, visit sc4.edu/starthere. Professor Webb and the SC4 campus community look forward to welcoming you to campus in August.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn an everyday actor into a dramatic character? Do you want to learn how one alters their appearance with the use of makeup, or perhaps discover secrets to create the best Halloween face to surprise your circle of friends and family?

Then SC4’s Fundamentals of Stage Makeup (THA 107) class is for you! Instructor Stewart Reed loves teaching this class because it’s a great combination of academic content and fun. “It’s part theatre, part art, and part personal development,” said Reed.

Technically the course is a study of theatrical makeup, its techniques, basic principles and practical application. “Students will be able to do stage makeup on themselves or others,” continues Reed. “Whether it’s a little bit of old age on yourself, or doing fantasy makeup on 30 students — we can make great looking images and stay hygienic.”

Class assignments include creating clowns, fantasy, fake nose, medical simulations, mustache, old age, and zombie, to name a few. The class also has discussion topics related to diversity components such as age, beauty, gender, sickness, skin color, and class — all of which involve makeup. The course offers unique opportunities to collaborate with other programs on campus, such as the SC4 nursing program. “In the past we’ve had nursing professors come to class to ‘diagnose’ the student ‘illness’ based on the makeup.”

Additional topics include skin health, product safety, and part of the class is accepting your face as it is. “I like the class because we become a fun, close-knit group,” said Reed. “It’s hard to stay aloof when you’ve seen each other in a fake mustache, covered in fake blood, or make a life casting of someone’s face.”

If you are ready to explore the fundamentals of stage makeup through a combination of reading assignments, lectures, demonstrations and supervised practice sessions, space is still available. You can check out a full list of classes being offered at sc4.edu/schedule. Classes begin the week of Aug. 23.

New to campus, visit sc4.edu/starthere. Instructor Reed and the SC4 campus community look forward to welcoming you to campus in August.