Alumni Spotlight: Sheri Faust

Current or most recent title and employer?
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the St. Clair River, Environmental Health Educator for the St. Clair County Health Department

How did SC4 help prepare you?
My experience at SC4 was rewarding because I was able to build relationships with my instructors due to the small class sizes. Some instructors evolved into personal mentors, like Bob Collins or more affectionately known as Bio Bob. He was a tremendous influence in my life as he devoted extra time out of class to spend time with students in the field teaching invaluable lessons and experiences that can’t be had in a classroom. It was his influence that convinced me I was on the right path to pursue my passion in natural resources management. Many of my instructors were influential in my early life as a young college student because they were personable, accessible and helpful. SC4 gave me the confidence to move on to a four-year university and pursue the career I was passionate about.

My various professional roles and titles have benefited from partnerships with SC4, so I’m grateful to have a long history with the College – both as a student and as a career professional. As a student, I became familiar with the landscape and culture of SC4, and when I returned back to Port Huron after college and marriage, getting reacquainted with SC4 staff and campus was familiar territory because I felt like I had a personal connection to the campus. This partnership has carried on for the duration of my career living and working in Port Huron.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
My interests, hobbies, passions and career all intersect. I think this is an ideal scenario which I feel lucky to be blessed with.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
After two years at SC4, I transferred to MSU and earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management. Additional certifications, community service and awards include: Certified Planning and Zoning Citizen Planner, Planning Commissioner for Port Huron Township, Board Member for the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Blue Water Woman Government Professional of the Year award

SC4 announces President’s Honor List for summer 2023

A total of 235 St. Clair County Community College (SC4) students earned a spot on the President’s Honor List for the 2023 summer semester.

Students must complete at least six credits and have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher to make the list.

View the President’s Honor List for the 2023 summer semester—as well as the 2023 winter semester list recognizing 1,355 students—sortable by hometown.

Winter 2024 registration at SC4 now open

Registration for the winter semester is now underway at St. Clair County Community College (SC4). Winter semester courses—which are offered online and on-campus— begin Jan. 8, 2024.

Students interested in earning credits toward a degree or transfer pathway, as well as those community members interested in learning more about a particular topic or passion, can enroll now to secure their classes.

“SC4 credits are a fraction of the cost compared to four-year institutions and they transfer easily,” said SC4 Chief Marketing Officer Kristin Copenhaver. “Plus, we offer our students a wide array of support services, College Housing and exciting campus life experiences.

”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 their Service Center accounts within the SC4 Portal at portal.sc4.edu.

“Our successful community of SC4 alumni—who work as engineers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, welders, scientists, public safety officers, designers, managers, entrepreneurs and much more—illustrates there’s no one path toward a successful career,” said SC4 Registrar Carrie Bearss. “Students have many options, and we’re here to help each navigate the process so that they enroll in the right courses, programs and pathways to get to their next educational or career milestone.”

Dual enrollment and early/middle college options are available for current high school students to earn college credits at no cost. However, if cost is still a factor for other types of students, SC4 financial aid experts stand ready to assist.

“Our goal is to help students understand what support is out there so they can focus on what matters most—their classes,” said SC4 Executive Director of Financial Assistance Jo Cassar. “Most of our students receive financial aid, through a combination of federal, state and private funding sources, grants and scholarships. There’s potential support out there, but you won’t get it unless you fill out a FAFSA and apply for admission.”

New this year is the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides eligible high school graduates (starting with the Class of 2023) with up to $2,750 if they attend a community college, per year. Additionally, Michigan Reconnect—which just announced an expansion to assist Michigan students ages 21 and older—pays for qualifying students to attend SC4 tuition-free.

For more information about applying to SC4, contact the SC4 team at starthere@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5571. For course registration assistance, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5500. For more information about financial aid and scholarships, email financialaid@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5530.

Nationally acclaimed performer to take the SC4 stage Nov. 16

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will welcome nationally acclaimed acoustic singer and guitarist Cliff Erickson to campus for performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

Erickson—a longtime performer who’s opened for top industry icons such as Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys and Wynona Judd—brings to the stage original works along with passionate renditions of classic cover tunes.

His two albums, “Rendezvous” and “Acquired Taste,” released by Accurate Records, capture the essence of acoustic songwriting. Sales of his Christmas album, “The Spirit of Christmas,” released in 2005, raised thousands of dollars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Nov. 16 Cliff Erickson concerts are free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.