Category: General

SC4 wins national Innovation of the Year Award for its Experience Center

St. Clair County Community College has received an Innovation of the Year Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College for its work in establishing its interactive, STEAM-based Experience Center. The college won the award in the category of Community Engagement Education and Forward-thinking Partnerships.

This year, the League nationally awarded 57 winners, including just four from Michigan. SC4 team members recognized for their work on the Experience Center include President Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kirk Kramer, Executive Director of Budget and Project Management Becky Gentner, Institutional Technology Manager Spencer Hazlewood, Project and Purchasing Manager Jessica Smith, Professor of Physical Science Suzanne Doherty, and Professor of Biology Carrie Dollar. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Director Mel Drumm also was recognized.

“We are honored to receive this award,” says Dr. Snyder. “The Experience Center is a place where students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members of all ages can feel engaged and inspired. We are grateful for the continued support, collaboration and leadership of our community, here on campus and far beyond.”

SC4 is one of more than 1,100 community colleges in the United States, which in total enroll nearly half of all undergraduates in the nation — just over 13 million students, according to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

SC4 announced an official partnership with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and its Unity in Learning initiative on the 16,000-square-foot center in fall 2018. The center — the only one of its kind in the region — provides interactive teaching and learning opportunities for students and guests of all ages through exhibits, field trips and educational programming opportunities.

Located in the college’s Clara E. Mackenzie Building, the center strengthens the college’s ability to engage and serve current students, attract future students to campus, and serve as a regional center of experiential learning for the community. It features interactive displays, traveling exhibits, 3-D pens and technology, a circuit center, a coding station, a virtual reality simulation, an augmented reality sandbox, a fossil dig area and larger-than-life exhibits in its Dr. Bassam H. Nasr Science Museum — including a woolly rhinoceros skeleton replica, T-Rex and Mastodon skull replicas.

“The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and SC4 share a vision to bring the excitement of learning to as many individuals as possible,” said Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Director Mel Drumm in a release launching the Experience Center partnership. “We are pleased to collaborate with such a well-respected and forward-thinking community college partner, and we look forward to expanding interactive learning opportunities for Michigan students and residents.”

Future Experience Center enhancements include a Jacob’s Ladder display that highlights the power of electricity and a gifted Tarbosauras skeleton cast thanks to the SC4 Foundation and two Community Foundation of St. Clair County donor advised funds.

Additionally, the Experience Center is a growing regional field trip destination, partnering with the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) to ensure field trips seamlessly align with K-12 science-based curricula in the region. For more information on scheduling a visit, please send an email to experiencecenter@sc4.edu.

Residential living enhances college experience at SC4

Emily Fleischmann likes to hang out with friends in her dorm’s spacious common area, where they cook dinner, watch movies or play games. It’s typical college stuff, but these students attend community college, which typically lacks the convenience and bonding experiences that come with student housing.

Last fall, St. Clair County Community College (SC4) became the first community college in Southeast Michigan, and one of only a few throughout the state, to offer student housing. Known as the Dock, the facility is right in the heart of vibrant downtown Port Huron, just a short walk to the college campus.

Read more about how new student housing is changing the community college experience at SC4 from The Keel. 

SC4 announces community trip to see ‘Billy Elliot’ at Stratford Festival Theatre

St. Clair County Community College has announced a community trip — open to all area residents — to the Stratford Festival Theatre for a production of “Billy Elliot” with Music by Elton John on Sunday, June 23.

For $150, participants can enjoy luxury bus travel, priority seating at the theatre, a post-show chat with cast members, dinner at the scenic Marquee Restaurant overlooking the Avon River, refreshments and prizes.

“I think these trips are a great opportunity for our college and community to come together and share in some truly special cultural experiences,” says Bonnie DiNardo, SC4’s director of community education and relations.

Located in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival Theatre is North America’s largest classical repertory theatre company, presenting a dozen or more productions across four distinct venues each year.

“Billy Elliot” is set in a mining town riven by a bitter national strike, where 11-year-old Billy lives with his bereaved family. But Billy’s discovery of his talent for dance awakens in him a passion that will transform his life and win the hearts of his whole community. With its inspirational story, moving dance numbers and music by pop legend Elton John, this gritty new take on the smash-hit show — reimagined for Stratford — really packs a punch.

Space is limited. Those interested must register by June 16.

Itinerary:

  • 8:30 a.m. – Depart SC4 College Center parking lot.
    Enjoy contests, trivia and prizes on the luxury
    bus.
  • 10:30 a.m. – Enjoy downtown Stratford, take time to shop,
    explore and have lunch on your own.
  • 1 p.m. – Return to bus for five-minute ride to
    Stratford Festival Theatre. Explore the
    gardens, museum and gift shop.
  • 2 p.m. – “Billy Elliot”
  • 4:30 p.m. – Post-show chat.
  • 5:30 p.m. – Dinner at the scenic Marquee Restaurant.
  • 7:30 p.m. – Return to Port Huron.
  • 9:30 p.m. – Arrive at SC4.

For questions, contact Jessica Smith at 810-989-5789 or jasmith@sc4.edu.

SC4 faculty, staff honored for years of service

St. Clair County Community College faculty and staff members were honored at a staff luncheon ceremony Friday, May 3, on the college’s main campus. Forty-seven employees received awards and recognition for their dedicated service to SC4.

“SC4 faculty and staff members work hard to maximize student success on our campus every day,” said SC4 President Dr. Deborah A. Snyder. “We are pleased to honor and recognize retirees and employees for their continued commitment and service.”

Retiring employees:

  • Linda Becker of Marine City, associate degree nursing professor, 29 years.
  • Christopher Hiebert of St. Clair, engineering graphics professor, 29 years.
  • Kelli Kearns of Marysville, workforce development coordinator, 17 years.
  • Patti Lindgren of Emmett, accountant, 18 years.
  • Gail MacGregor of Clyde Township, financial aid representative, 36 years.
  • Larry Mavis of Chesterfield Township, chemistry professor, 25 years.
  • Daniel McCarty of Marysville, business administration professor, 9 years.
  • Matthew Morabito of Port Huron, electronics professor, 33 years.
  • Pennie Munro of Avoca, associate degree nursing professor, 18 years.
  • James Neese of Fort Gratiot, English professor, 31 years.
  • Marilind Roff of Port Huron, office administration professor, 27 years.
  • Celeste Skalnek of Clay Township, director of college, cultural and alumni relations, 10 years.
  • Lis Tollander of Port Huron, academic services coordinator, 21 years.

Employees honored with service awards:

  • Jessica Brown of Grosse Pointe, director of TRIO student support services, 5 years.
  • Tangie Christmas of Port Huron, speech professor, 20 years.
  • Christine Deaton of Smiths Creek, payroll manager, 35 years.
  • Bonnie DiNardo of St. Clair, director of community education and relations, 30 years.
  • Carrie Dollar of Grosse Pointe Woods, biology professor, 10 years.
  • Julie Easton of Port Huron, advising secretary, 30 years.
  • Frank Edwards of Port Huron, physical plant staff, 20 years.
  • Jason Eveningred of Port Huron, physical plant staff, 10 years.
  • Patty Fasbender of St. Clair, executive assistant to the chief operating officer, 15 years.
  • Scott Fernandez of Fort Gratiot, education and history professor, 20 years.
  • Jessica Flann of Port Huron, director of advising, 10 years.
  • Jim Frank of Burtchville Township, English and French professor, 20 years.
  • Patricia Frank of Burtchville Township, history professor, 20 years.
  • Celina Grondin of Fort Gratiot, director of institutional research, 10 years.
  • Elizabeth Jacoby of Armada, English professor, 5 years.
  • Thomas Kamsickas of Fort Gratiot, physical plant staff, 15 years.
  • Mike Kindle of Port Huron, physical plant staff, 20 years.
  • Laurie Lamont of Lakeport, associate degree nursing professor, 15 years.
  • Roger McClelland of Kimball Township, emergency services program director, 5 years.
  • Joe McFalda of Casco Township, welding professor, 20 years.
  • Brent Morton of Port Huron, senior campus patrol officer, 15 years.
  • Barry Moses of Croswell, physical plant staff, 35 years.
  • Marci Orrell of Emmett, assistant director of financial aid, 10 years.
  • Darlene Pauly of Fort Gratiot, veteran and sponsorship billing representative, 30 years.
  • Julie Perry of Croswell, clinical nursing professor, 5 years.
  • Julie Ruiz of St. Clair, advising and career specialist, 20 years.
  • Jessica Smith of Clyde Township, project and purchasing manager, 10 years.
  • Marie St. James of East China Township, mathematics professor, 10 years.
  • James Thomason of Port Huron, physical plant staff, 35 years.
  • Stacey Turo of Riley Township, associate degree nursing clinical instructor, 5 years.
  • Michael Ward of Fort Gratiot, physical plant staff, 20 years.
  • Jeffery VanHamlin of Chesterfield Township, mathematics professor, 10 years.
  • Michelle Watta of Port Sanilac, psychology professor, 10 years.