Category: General

Hispanic American Heritage Celebration set for Oct. 27

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) and the Hispanic Alliance of Southeast Michigan will host a Hispanic American Heritage Celebration to celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.
 
The event is titled “Introducing the Hispanic Alliance of Southeast Michigan: Our past, presence and future!” From 5 to 6:30 p.m., it will feature a panel discussion moderated by Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Thelma Castillo, and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. attendees can enjoy live music by Detroit’s PanaMO, a renowned Latin Jazz ensemble.
 
The event also will feature sample food from Doña Marina’s LLC.
 
Hispanic Alliance of Southeast Michigan (HASM) panelists and community volunteers include:

  • Jessica Totty – HASM president, Mexican and Indigenous descent, SC4 alumna, nurse and pastor
  • Jesus Castillo – HASM member, Veteran and U.S. Army Commendation Medal recipient, Consumer’s Energy retiree, former Hispanic Council of St. Clair County chairperson
  • Eunice Castillo – HASM member, Retired Port Huron Area School District teacher in charge of the English as a Second Language Program, former Hispanic Council of St. Clair County chairperson
  • Heather Fagan – HASM member, Doña Marina’s LLC, Seed & Soul Society president and co-founder, Nicaraguan-American
  • Iris Santillano – HASM member, event planner and SC4 alumna born in Puerto Rico
  • Irma (López) Santillano – HASM member, marketing and fundraising expert who is Mexican and Puerto Rican and speaks fluent Spanish

“We invite our community to come out and learn more about our Hispanic heritage through discussion and music,” said SC4 Chief Diversity Officer Jessica Brown.
 
The event is free and open to the public. For more information on other SC4 upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 Symphonic Band presents college and university ‘Colors of the Season’ concert Oct. 22

The St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Symphonic Band will perform a free college and university “Colors of the Season” concert from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre. 

Led by Erick Senkmajer—a longtime music educator and director of the SC4 Symphonic Band since 2012—the band will play fight songs and alma mater anthems. The band will also be performing a couple of Halloween-focused selections.

“Wear your college gear and cheer for your favorite teams,” Senkmajer said.

Those interested in finding Skippers gear can visit the SC4 Bookstore in the Acheson Applied Technology Center (ATC) on SC4’s campus.

All SC4 fall 2023 arts events are free and open to the public, and no tickets are needed. SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre seats 295. For the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events. Please note that additional programming may be added and event information may change.

SC4 names new Skippers Dance head coach

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) alumna and longtime dancer Abigail Davis has been named head coach of the Skippers Dance team.   

The co-ed, collegiate Skippers Dance team was created in 2019 and is open to any SC4 student who wishes to audition. The team performs at SC4 games and events throughout the year. The Skippers will also compete against other college and university dance teams.   

Davis, who currently works as a human resources coordinator at AGS Automotive, brings years of studio, competitive and ballroom dance experience to the Skippers team.   

“We’re excited to welcome Abigail as head coach of our Dance team,” said SC4 Director of Athletics Dale Vos. “Her experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to the team and to this institution. We look forward to more students becoming actively involved on campus and continuing their passion for dance right here at SC4.”   

“I’m excited to be able to work with this team and give back to the dance community that gave so much to me growing up,” said Davis, who earned an Associate in Arts from SC4 before earning a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Oakland University. “I look forward to serving as a coach and mentor to the students, while also getting the chance to be creative.”  

Those interested in joining SC4’s Dance team should fill out the form at sc4.edu/campus-life/athletics/athlete-interest-form/, or reach out to Davis at (810) 305-9799 or aldavis@sc4.edu with questions.  

TRIO Student of the Month — Ben Rodriguez

A first-generation college student, Ben Rodriguez has embraced many opportunities at St. Clair County Community College.

Rodriguez is a full-time student, attends tutoring, works with an advisor, has competed with the Skippers Cross Country team, and is a member of SC4’s Student Government. He also takes advantage of help and support from SC4’s TRIO Support Services Program.

“TRIO has been a big part of my educational journey here at SC4,” said Rodriguez, who also is a fan of country music. “Its staff members have provided encouragement and support, and the program has helped me obtain my goals of passing all of my classes.”

Rodriguez, who has long dreamed of becoming a registered nurse, is currently working on Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) course requirements and plans to transfer to the University of Michigan-Flint or Concordia University.

“Ben is a kind, caring and empathetic person,” said Stacy Healy, director of TRIO. “He has the work ethic, commitment and passion to make a remarkable nurse. We’ve enjoyed getting to know him and will continue to cheer him on throughout his time at SC4 and beyond.”