Category: Student success

SC4 to Host Job Fair April 4

PORT HURON, Mich. – St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, April 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the SC4 Fieldhouse. The event is free and open to all SC4 students and community members seeking employment.

The annual Job Fair has taken place on the SC4 campus for more than 30 years and is a great opportunity for companies to engage with SC4 students as well as other job seekers. The event includes a large mix of industries such as manufacturing, sales, medical, criminal justice, and more. Attendees can view the companies currently registered for the job fair at sc4.edu/jobfair.

This year’s event is in partnership with several community organizations including the city of Port Huron, Macomb/St. Clair County Michigan Works!, St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance, Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce, McMorran Place, and the Marine City Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Seeing companies make connections and generate potential recruitment leads for their team is what makes this event a great experience,” said Nate Shrapnell, Manager of Residence Life and Student Conduct at SC4. Shrapnell added, “The event is a streamlined way for job seekers to network and explore available jobs. It’s also a great opportunity for companies to connect with each other. Overall, we’re looking forward to hosting another successful job fair this year.”

Companies interested in participating can view details and register online at sc4.edu/jobfair. Registration is $175 for companies, which includes a table and chairs for up to two representatives. Questions can be directed to SC4’s Career Services and Apprenticeship Coordinator, Daniel Spaulding, at 810-989-5614 or email djspaulding@sc4.edu.

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New scholarship honoring alumna Ellen Petho to benefit SC4 art and design students

Future generations of St. Clair County Community College (SC4) art and design students will benefit from a new scholarship thanks to a generous $100,000 donation from the Petho family in honor of SC4 alumna and interior designer Ellen Petho.

Ellen Petho called Port Huron her home for more than 75 years. She and her husband, Lou, raised their family in Port Huron. Ellen had a long and successful career in interior design. She also devoted herself to philanthropic work. She was proud to earn her advertising and design degree from SC4 in 1988. SC4 was an integral part of Ellen’s education and the beginning of her design career. While at SC4, she formed great relationships and had wonderful mentors.

Sadly, Ellen Petho passed away on Jan. 2, 2023. To honor Ellen and her devotion to art and giving to others, Lou, her daughters and their families have made a generous $100,000 donation to SC4 on its 100th year anniversary. This donation will provide scholarship money to aspiring art students. The scholarship will be called the “Ellen Petho Design Ideas Memorial Scholarship.” Through this scholarship, Ellen’s passion for learning, art and design, and giving to others will live on as her legacy.

SC4 students soon can apply for the “Ellen Petho Design Ideas Memorial Scholarship” at sc4.edu/scholarships.

To learn more about SC4 art, design, and other programs and career pathways, as well as how to apply and register for winter 2024 classes, visit sc4.edu/programs/.

Petho family, pictured above from left to right: Christine Moore, Lou Petho, Kathy Patterson and Karri Petho

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.”

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.  

SC4 names wheelchair basketball head coach and disability resources specialist

Jordan Scheidecker—an adaptive sports and disabilities support expert, three-time national championship wheelchair basketball player and national championship coach—has been named wheelchair basketball head coach and disability resources specialist at St. Clair County Community College (SC4).

Scheidecker brings to SC4 hands-on experience planning and implementing high-quality adaptive sports programs and experiences. He also brings recruitment- and diversity, equity and inclusion-based expertise and knowledge. His past roles include transition and outreach specialist at the Center for Students with Disabilities, graduate assistant of Adaptive Athletics, and assistant director of Wheelchair Basketball Camp, all at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

A disability awareness speaker who travels throughout the Midwest, Scheidecker earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jordan to campus,” said SC4 Chief Diversity Officer Jessica Brown. “His diverse combination of work and athletics experiences uniquely positions him to lead and support students on the court and across our campus. As one of just a few adaptive sports teams in Michigan—and the only community college in the nation—SC4 and its students will benefit greatly by having Jordan as part of our team.”

“I’m really excited to join the SC4 community and create greater awareness, participation in and support for adaptive sports and students with disabilities,” Scheidecker said. “We want to be a place that helps people find success and ultimately move on to where they want to go, athletically and academically. Through my roles at SC4, I look forward to doing just that by advocating for more awareness, leading and supporting students, and providing information from the perspective of a person with disabilities to an able-bodied, diverse population.”

Scheidecker will start in his full-time capacity in late October, though he’ll be on campus prior to that for the Wolverine Invitational and adaptive sports clinics to teach individuals how to play Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the SC4 Fieldhouse.

Committed 2023 Wolverine Invitational teams thus far include top teams from across the U.S. and Canada:

  • University of Michigan (NWBA Adult D2)
  • LWSRA Hawks (NAWBL) – Chicago
  • Kitchener Spinners (CWBL D1) – Ontario
  • London Forest City Flyers (CWBL D2 / NWBA Adult D3) – Ontario
  • Brampton Rockets (CWBL D2) – Ontario
  • University of Arizona (NWBA Intercollegiate Women)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University (NWBA Intercollegiate Men)
  • University of Wisconsin Whitewater (NWBA Intercollegiate Men)

With a full tournament schedule forthcoming, the University of Michigan tips off against the University of Arizona at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, and the championship game is set for Sunday, Oct. 1, at noon (12:20 p.m. tip off planned). Additionally, SC4’s new wheelchair basketball team will take on Michigan State University on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 12:30 p.m. in the Wolverine Invitational’s Emerging Teams bracket.

“This is high-level competition,” Scheidecker said. “The caliber of athletes is impressive and something the entire region should get excited about and attend. I’m looking forward to it!”

The co-ed SC4 wheelchair basketball team is open to SC4 students and community members with disabilities or those who are able-bodied and passionate about wheelchair basketball, with priority given to students enrolled at SC4. For more information about joining the wheelchair basketball team at SC4, visit sc4.edu/campus-life/athletics/athlete-interest-form/.

To learn more about the Wolverine Invitational at SC4—including ticket information and how to volunteer at the event—visit sc4.edu/wolverine.

SC4 open for extended hours Saturday, Aug. 19, to help students get registered for fall semester

SC4’s Welcome Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, to help students who still need to apply, register, pay for classes, talk with an advisor and more prior to the start of the fall semester on Aug. 21. 

The bookstore also is open Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 125, Acheson Technology Center. 

Of course, students can feel free to contact these offices with questions via email or phone as well.  

SC4 student perseveres, gains confidence on path to nursing career

“This isn’t working for me. I want more. I want to go back to school.”

Amber Fields—a single, working mom and caretaker without a high school diploma—remembers the day in 2018 she officially set her sights on becoming a nurse.  

“I was working dead-end jobs and was tired and burned out,” Fields said. “I’ve always wanted to help people and needed a change. I started searching paths, first to earn a GED. I came across 2GEN Learning Center and was met with immediate encouragement, love, and the support I didn’t even know I needed. It was my first step in becoming a nurse and I didn’t have to take it alone.”

2GEN, which “moves families toward economic security by improving educational attainment and addressing the non-academic barriers hindering success,” helped Fields get started.

“My son attended with me, attending developmental child care,” the mom of three said. “It took me about five to six months to pass, but I got my GED in February 2019.”

From there, Fields turned her focus to enrolling at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) and applying to its Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program.

“I filled out a lot of scholarship applications thanks to the help and support of my 2GEN family and the Community Foundation,” she said. “I was surprised to learn that I ended up getting every scholarship I filled out!”

Fields enrolled at SC4 beginning in fall 2019, taking prerequisite courses needed for the nursing program. She applied and was accepted into the nursing program in 2021, but had some difficulty in one class in particular.

“Unfortunately, I ended up failing the class,” said Fields, who had also started work as a full-time nurse aide at McLaren Port Huron. “That meant I had to wait until the next year to reapply to the program. So that’s what I did.”

She persevered and restarted her journey last fall. Since then, she’s continued on her path and even has been recognized for her efforts in the program. In April 2023, she was selected as the winner of the Faculty Memorial Award continuing student, an honor chosen by the SC4 faculty and presented at the Student Recognition Ceremony.

“I’ve gotten so much confidence going back to school and going to SC4,” she said. “The classes are small and you get really close with the professors. They know you and are very willing to help you through issues and with problems.”

Fields expects to graduate from SC4 with her ADN in 2024—and already is looking into where to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“Nothing worthwhile is easy, you just have to keep moving,” Fields said. “My dreams are coming true. I’m looking forward to heading into a rewarding career as an RN.”

For more information about applying to SC4 and registering for courses, contact the SC4 Admissions team at (810) 989-5571 or starthere@sc4.edu. For more information about financial aid and scholarships—including Michigan Reconnect, a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for adult learners 25 and older to attend SC4 for free or at a reduced cost—contact SC4 Financial Aid at  financialaid@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5530.

Photo credit: 2GEN Learning Center

Free and reduced tuition opportunities at SC4

St. Clair County Community College tuition is a fraction of the cost of four-year institutions and a smart step in earning college credits toward a degree or transfer. Still, we understand concerns about paying for college. That’s why we wanted to make sure you’re aware of all the ways you may be able to attend SC4 for free or at a reduced rate. 

For most of the following programs and options, students will need to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov for consideration. SC4’s FAFSA Federal School Code is 002310.

  • Scholarships – SC4 awarded nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in scholarships to students in 2021-22.
  • Dual enrollment – Dual enrollment allows students to begin taking free dual enrollment classes in the 9th grade and continue to take up to 10 dual enrollment courses overall in grades 9-12.
  • Middle colleges – High school students can earn free college credits through Blue Water Middle College (BWMC) and Career and Technical Middle College (CTMC). Students begin their junior year and remain connected to their home high schools—with full participation in all high school sports, band, graduation ceremonies, etc. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree at no cost through one additional year of study.
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship – Beginning with the high school Class of 2023, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is available to students in the 2023-24 school year.
  • Michigan Reconnect Scholarship – Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for students 25 and older to attend their in-district community college and offers a large tuition discount if students attend an out-of-district community college.
  • Fostering Futures Scholarship – The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides scholarships to students who have experienced foster care in Michigan on or after age 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify.
  • Tuition Incentive Program – The Tuition Incentive Program encourages students to complete high school by providing college tuition assistance after graduation. Eligible students are those who have or have had Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
  • Federal Pell and other grants (under “Grants” at link)- The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant program awarded to low and middle-income undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s or professional degree and are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. The award range is set by the federal government each academic year and currently ranges from $672-$6,495. More grants are listed at sc4.edu/admissions/financial-aid/types-of-aid/ as well.   

Additional assistance may be provided through Veterans services, employer programs, external scholarships, loans and payment plans, work-study opportunities.

Visit sc4.edu/financialaid for more information. Contact our financial aid experts—who are committed to helping students navigate processes and find the best methods of aid, payment plans and more—at financialaid@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5530 with questions

Three Skippers Baseball players awarded All-MCCAA Honors

Three St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Baseball players have been selected to the 2023 All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) teams. Sophomore pitcher/utility Brendan Seman was named to the All-Region XII and All-MCCAA teams as well as First Team All-Eastern Conference. Freshman infielder Brendan Battani and sophomore Pitcher Beau Becker were both named Eastern Conference Honorable Mention. Learn more here.

Five Skippers Softball players earn MCCAA Eastern Conference Awards

Five St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Softball players have been selected to the 2023 All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) teams. Sophomore shortstop Sarah Fantin was named First Team All-Eastern Conference and was named to the Eastern Conference All-Freshman Team. Sophomore pitcher/outfielder Meriah Mason, sophomore catcher/second baseman Abigail Thibodeau, sophomore infielder Miranda McNaughton, and freshman utility Brandi Bassett were all named Eastern Conference Honorable Mention. Learn more here.