Category: Learning

TRIO Student of the Month — Ann Mole

Ann Mole had some information from an insider when she decided to return to school to pursue a degree in graphic design: Her husband.

“He would talk about how much his instructors cared and helped him to achieve his goals,” she said, “so I chose to attend SC4, too.”

The TRIO Student Support Services program has proved to be an important part of Mole’s educational journey at SC4, and it’s provided extra support and encouragement for her when needed.

“The one-on-one advisor appointments gave me the encouragement to get through the semester,” Mole explained. “I’m grateful to Shawne Jowett, Amy Hengehold, and Jessica Brown, who I could always talk to when I needed somebody.”

“My graphic design instructor, Craig DesJardins, also helped to build up my confidence,” she continued. “Andrea Coleman helped me with my grammar and suggested the Grammarly program, which was very helpful. Adobe Creative Cloud software was new to me when I started, but with help from the instructors and other students, I was able to overcome that barrier.”

Mole would recommend the TRIO program to other students because of the feeling of support she’s received that has helped her reach her goals at SC4.

“Along with my husband, the TRIO program helped build up my confidence,” she said.

She’s planning to return to the classroom next year to continue toward her bachelor’s degree in graphic design. For her successful decision to return to school, Ann Mole is the March 2021 TRIO Student of the Month. Congratulations!

David Webb receives SC4 Distinguished Faculty Award

David Webb has been selected as the recipient of the SC4 Distinguished Faculty Award for 2021. Webb has been a professor of biology for 24 years at the college, teaching introductory biology and zoology.

His colleagues describe him as an endlessly curious person who lives what he teaches. He is passionate about birds and, when not in the classroom, is likely out observing them and other parts of nature. His knowledge of insects, parasites, birds, ecology, comparative anatomy, and general biology is “truly amazing,” according to one of his nominators.

Webb has traveled all over the United States in search of unseen species of birds and their habitats. He’s also an avid reader, not just about biological topics, but also other areas of science, American history, psychology, and politics. He’s well known for being the first person in the Clara E. Mackenzie Building every day, often working with students who need extra time to learn their course material, and he’s also a regular tutor in the Achievement Center.

“I go to him with my questions,” said fellow biology professor Bob Moldenhauer, “and I cannot remember an instance where he didn’t know the answer.”

Also nominated this year were Sarah Flatter, Arts and Graphic Design; Jim Jones, Criminal Justice; and Julie Perry, Nursing.

The Professional Development Committee annually coordinates nominations of faculty by their faculty peers for the Distinguished Faculty Award. As a member of NISOD our DFA nominees and winner are also submitted for the NISOD Excellence Award.

The winner is awarded a Golden Apple by the chair and also receives a $1,000 stipend to use towards professional development. NISOD provides medals to all of the nominees and a plaque for the winner, all of which are given to the parties at the all-faculty-in-service the following Fall semester.

Registration open for summer 2021 classes at SC4

Registration for summer classes at St. Clair County Community College is now open, providing a great opportunity for students of all backgrounds to earn valuable credits at a fraction of the cost of a four-year institution.

SC4 students continuing their education, guest students from other institutions, qualified Future for Frontliners students and MiReconnect prospects and community members looking to take courses for personal enrichment are encouraged to browse the full list of available summer courses online at sc4.edu/schedule.

Many courses that qualify for the Michigan Transfer Agreement are available, covering a range of subjects.

Classes are available in accounting, business, computer information systems, English, history, math, music, psychology, sociology, welding and more.

Additionally, students looking to complete health science prerequisites such as human anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology can benefit from summer courses.

Many summer classes are offered online. Courses also are offered in varied lengths for students to create flexible schedules.

Summer semester begins Monday, May 17. Students not currently enrolled can start the application process at sc4.edu/admissions/starthere. Current students can register online through their student portal or on the SC4 mobile app.

To speak with an admissions representative about options, or for details on how to get started, call (810) 989-5571.

SC4 checked all the boxes for alumnus Don Caluya’s mission

Don Caluya has already come a long way. But he’s just getting started.

While many people dream of traveling, Caluya’s target destination is in the night sky, about 239,000 miles away. He wants to be one of the next people to fly to the Moon, and one of his earliest steps toward that goal was on the campus of St. Clair County Community College.

“As an immigrant from the Philippines, I didn’t believe I had any chance of attending college,” Caluya explained. “SC4 allowed me to break generational barriers which gave me the confidence to follow my educational and career aspirations. Once I became engulfed in college classes at SC4, I knew that I could do more with my life.”

Caluya graduated from Port Huron Northern High School in 2008, and initially wanted to be an architect.

“When choosing a college, I looked for an option that was cost-effective, but which also had a great history and reputation,” Caluya said. “SC4 checked all the boxes and I was able to accomplish my education goals.”

SC4 offered Caluya the opportunity to get started and prepare for the bigger things he had planned.

“I got the best education at a fraction of the cost,” he said. “SC4 has top-notch educators who love their jobs and are willing to go above and beyond to help their students. The staff made helping people their top priority. They assisted me with all of the steps, including admissions, financial aid, and registration.”

Caluya is also excited about the Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College that will open on SC4’s campus in early 2022.

“The Challenger project within SC4’s walls will be the pride of the community,” he said. “It’s the first of its kind in Port Huron and the only one in Michigan. SC4 students and the community will have the resources and tools to be prodigious!”

After SC4, Caluya joined the U.S. Air Force, where he had the chance to travel all over the world. He became the proud father of “the most beautiful little girl in the world.” After the Air Force, he attended The Ohio State University, graduating in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in aviation and air transportation. He’s currently pursuing his master’s in business administration at Lindenwood University while working for The Boeing Company and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

“Long term, I’d like to be a test pilot for NASA, SpaceX, or Boeing,” Caluya said. “But my ultimate goal is to become an astronaut.”

Caluya has fond memories of his time at SC4 and believes that community college is a great place to start for students regardless of their long-term plans.

“Community colleges like SC4 provide not just an excellent academic infrastructure, but they also provide students hope, encouragement, support, and pride,” he explained. “SC4 gave me, someone from a small town in the Philippines, a sense of confidence and self-worth. I’m thankful to those who helped me along the way… my dearest and sincerest thanks.”

“Everything worth having has a stable foundation that it’s built on,” Caluya continued. “For me, this foundation came from Port Huron and SC4. Even though my bachelor’s diploma says, ‘The Ohio State University,’ it should also say ‘St. Clair County Community College,’ because a quarter of my credits came from there.”

Caluya also noted that NASA and large aerospace companies have programs that target community college students. The NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program offers support to students looking to enter the field. “NASA never overlooks top talent,” he said, “and they know the worth of these local institutions.”

Whether your dreams are in the stars or a bit closer to home, SC4 can help you get there. Just ask Don Caluya, who’s already come a long way but is still looking up.