Category: General

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.”

Award-winning country artist to perform Oct. 12 at SC4

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to welcome award-winning singer, songwriter and storyteller Bob Marshall to campus for solo acoustic performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

A second-generation cowboy, Marshall has been a solo performer for more than 40 years and specializes in a mix of contemporary western sounds and originals. His eclectic taste in music is inspired by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Marty Robbins, Burl Ives, Motown, the blues greats, rock and roll, and various other singer-songwriters.

Also a member of the Bob Marshall Band, Marshall has won the Will Rogers Award for “Vocalist of the Year” (Academy of Western Artists), “Country Album of the Year” (CMA of Texas), and was a Pro Cowboy Country Artist Association (PCCAA) Nominee for “Songwriter of the Year.”

His music and personality, according to bobmarshallband.com, are “homegrown to pull the audience into a personal experience with an entertainer who knows how it is done.”

The Oct. 12 Bob Marshall concerts are free and open to the public—as are all upcoming arts events at SC4—and no tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

Fall 2023 DEI book recommendation and Nov. 17 discussion announced

St. Clair County Community College’s (SC4) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion announces “Subtle Acts of Exclusion,” by Dr. Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran, as its fall 2023 book recommendation.
 
Students, faculty and staff members, alumni, community members and friends are encouraged to read the book—available for free in the SC4 DEI Office, Welcome Center, Suite 250, or by request at dei@sc4.edu—and attend a guided book discussion on Friday, Nov. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.
 
Dr. Leah Howell, director of Learning Design at Everspring, Inc., and Dr. Portia Watkins, Michigan State University director of Transitions and Transfer Student Success and a trainer of the Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation program, will serve as facilitators for the Nov. 17 event. (Full bios available here.)
 
“We look forward to welcoming back Dr. Howell and Dr. Watkins to campus as we come together to cultivate a shared experience and participate in group dialogues to enrich our personal reflections,” Brown said. “‘Subtle Acts of Exclusion’ will help us explore our assumptions and understanding of each other. While some may initially dismiss the topic as political correctness or oversensitivity, the text encourages us to consider the lived experiences of others, consider the feelings and reactions to words and phrases, and expand our own ability for understanding, recognizing that viewing the world solely through our own lens denies the humanity of others.”
 
To register for this free event, visit sc4.edu/office-of-diversity-equity-inclusion/news-and-events/event-registration/ or send an email to dei@sc4.edu with questions.  

Alumni Spotlight: Josh Chapman

Current or most recent title and employer?
President & CEO YMCA of the Blue Water Area

How did SC4 help prepare you?
Gave me a great experience and prepared me for academic success. SC4 was the first place I had any real success in an academic setting. That success gave me the confidence and motivation to continue my education and eventually graduate college. I hope to at some point get my master’s and teach at SC4.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I get to help people as a job!

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Transfer, Bachelor of Arts from Central Michigan University