Category: General

Challenger Learning Center to open on SC4 campus

Challenger Center, a nonprofit science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education organization and St. Clair County Community College (SC4) are teaming up to open a Challenger Learning Center on the College’s campus. Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College will serve Michigan and Ontario students using programs that introduce STEM subjects and careers and inspire students to pursue these essential fields. The Center is scheduled to open in early 2022.

“SC4 is an ideal location for a Challenger Learning Center,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College. “We are committed to expanding student interest in STEM and encouraging STEM higher education opportunities on our campus. The addition of a Challenger Learning Center supports the college and our community by fostering a robust culture of STEM, strengthening STEM education opportunities, integrating business, industry and educational entities, and creating high-quality educational experiences for learners of all ages.”

The new Challenger Learning Center will be part of the Challenger Learning Center network that has reached more than 5.5 million students worldwide. Challenger Learning Centers offer a variety of hands-on STEM programs, with the core being its simulated space-themed missions that take place in a fully immersive Spacecraft and Mission Control and Briefing and Transport rooms. Aligned with national education standards and informed by real science data, these Missions excite students about STEM, introduce students to careers in various STEM fields, and help students build critical 21st century skills.

“We are excited to welcome St. Clair County Community College to the Challenger Center organization and look forward to seeing the students of Michigan and Ontario experience our unique STEM programs,” said Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “This year marks Challenger Center’s 35th Anniversary. For us, there’s no better way to recognize such an important milestone than to reach more students, and this new Center at St. Clair County Community College will do just that.”

Registration open for SC4 late-start winter classes

Registration is open for late-start winter semester classes at St. Clair County Community College. Seats are available in 12-week classes starting the week of Feb. 8 and eight-week classes starting the week of March 15.

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 winter include:

  • BUS 153-64 — Business Law
  • BUS 252-60 — Consumer Behavior
  • CIS 110-62 — CIS Concepts and Careers
  • CIS 115-81 — Microcomputer Applications
  • CIS 205-61 — Intro to Web Development
  • FR 102-02 — Introductory French II
  • GEO 233-60 — World Regional Geography
  • HE 101-65 — Math Related to Drug Admin
  • HE 102 — Medical Terminology (sections 62, 63, 65, 66)
  • HIS 102-63 — History of Western Civilization Since 1715
  • MTH 075-62 — Pre-Algebra
  • MTH 104-63 — Foundations of Math
  • MTH 113-64 — Pre-Calculus
  • MTH 120-65 — Introduction to Statistics
  • PE 128-01 — Weight Training
  • PSY 230-61 — Psychology/Effective Leadership and Supervision
  • THA 105-63 — Oral Interpretation

Current students can search for all courses and sections at sc4.edu/schedule. They can register and pay for classes in the SC4 Portal at portal.sc4.edu or on the SC4 mobile app.

New students can get started at sc4.edu/starthere.

For more information, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5500.

SC4 to host Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Jan. 18

St. Clair County Community College and its Global Diversity Advisory Council will present a celebration event for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s celebration was pre-recorded and will be available for viewing beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18, on the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion event page. Visitors may view the recording at their convenience any time after it is made available.

The theme of this year’s event is “Where Do We Go From Here.”

The event will feature a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy with a diverse variety of speakers, musicians and other performances.

Visit the event page to preview the program for the event and also watch two videos of Dr. King’s 1967 speech at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, entitled “Where Do We Do From Here?”

For details or more information, contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at dei@sc4.edu.

Time at SC4 prepared alumnus Lauren Tuckey for professional illustration career

For as long as she can remember, Lauren Tuckey has enjoyed drawing things. Now she’s enjoying seeing her work in print as the illustrator of her first children’s book.

After graduating from Yale High School in 2013, she chose to go to SC4 to save tuition costs and stay close to her family in Port Huron. While taking general education classes, Tuckey also took plenty of art classes on the side.

“In my art classes, I made many of my closest friends,” Tuckey said, “and was able to work on diverse art projects I wouldn’t have been able to do from home. I was featured in and worked on the annual Patterns book, too.”

She learned from her many talented art instructors, as well as other SC4 faculty, but has a special memory of one class that changed her approach to her art.

“Color and Design with Doug Frey was the most beneficial art class I took,” Tuckey explained. “He helped me step out of my comfort zone as an artist and explore techniques and styles that helped me sculpt the more well-rounded style I have now.”

After graduating from SC4, Tuckey had the chance to work with an author from North Carolina, Phil Routszong, to create illustrations for a children’s book titled Hobgoblin Humbug, which was published in October and is available for ordering through Amazon. She also stays busy illustrating custom portraits through her shop on Etsy.

Tuckey is a strong believer in the importance of community colleges.

“Colleges like SC4 are a great asset to students who want to save some money while still gaining a valuable education, experience, and great memories,” she said. “I’m thankful for everything SC4 equipped me with as I move forward as a professional illustrator.”

Photo: SC4 alumnus Lauren Tuckey (right) with author Phil Routszong and their book Hobgoblin Humbug.