Category: Student success

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 services specialist

Jordan Scheidecker—an adaptive sports and disabilities support services expert, three-time national championship wheelchair basketball player and national championship coach—has been named wheelchair basketball head coach and disability services 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.

SC4 celebrates 65th edition of Michigan’s longest-running, student-led literary and arts magazine

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) students have received recognition for their work in the 65th edition of Patterns, Michigan’s oldest literary and arts publication aimed at showcasing student writing talent and works of art.

Patterns is designed by an SC4 student. Zoe Palmateer was the graphic designer for this edition, while faculty members Sarah Flatter, Jim Frank and Gary Schmitz provided direction and support to students.

“Patterns is an opportunity to celebrate being creative and to recognize the unique talents of our next generation of artists,” said Flatter, SC4 professor of fine arts and graphic design. “We congratulate all of those who contributed to the 65th edition of Patterns and honor their success.”

Awards were given to students during a Patterns Award Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, April 27, on the College’s Port Huron campus.

The following students received awards:

Literature

  • Eleanor Mathews Award, writing — Payton Wiley of St. Clair
  • Blanche Redman Award, poetry — Karen Crorey of Marine City for Depression Exits
  • Second-place poem — Daisi Dixon of Emmett for Home
  • Third-place poem — Maggie Whitehouse of Yale for Car-Ride to Church
  • Kathleen Nickerson Award, essay — Tony Cole of Kimball Township for Rise of the New Woman: An Analysis of Historical Context n “The Yellow Wallpaper”
  • Second-place essay — Kathryn Manhart of Jeddo for My Friends Are My Power: Kingdom Hearts and the Importance of Connection
  • Richard Colwell Award, short story — Olivia Brody of East China Township for Guidance
  • Second-place short story — Krysta Saunders of Kimball Township for Wine is Thicker Than Blood
  • Third-place short story — Payton Wiley of St. Clair for To Bigfork

Art

  • Patrick Bourke Award, art — Ashley Cleland of Port Huron
  • First-place visual art — Cass Gordon of Snover for Scrap Bucker Sculpture
  • Second-place visual art — Zoe Palmateer of Fort Gratiot for Sailors’ Demise
  • Third-place visual art — Henry Charron of St. Clair for Leaf at Table Edge

Merit awards also were provided to students for having their work chosen for inclusion in Patterns:

Literary Selection of Merit

  • Sarah Coulter of Port Huron
  • Amanda Hurst of Marine City
  • Nicole Marabate of Capac
  • Katrina Mausolf of Minden City
  • Morgan McConnell of Casco Township
  • Riley Petit of Clay Township
  • Lilly Rodriguez of Emmett
  • Payton Wiley of St. Clair

Arts Selection of Merit

  • Paige Burgos of Port Huron
  • Henry Charron of St. Clair
  • Ryan Churchill of Port Huron
  • Ashley Cleland of Port Huron
  • Cass Gordon of Snover
  • Marcus Helton of Port Huron
  • Bryce Hurd of Fort Gratiot
  • Katerina Lindsay of Riley Township
  • Brooke McIntyre of Melvin
  • Zoe Palmateer of Fort Gratiot
  • Isabella Perry of Capac
  • Rylee Pihaylic of Port Huron
  • Alina Poplawski of Marysville
  • Anna Rieck of Clay Township
  • Jacqueline Rodriguez of Capac
  • Evelyn Scarbrough Riley Township
  • Katsiaryna Trapashka of Port Huron

Production of Patterns is made possible by the financial support from SC4 and SC4 Friends of the Arts. Copies of Patterns are available in Room 10, SC4 Fine Arts Building, or the SC4 Library, in College Center, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or by calling (810) 989-5709.

SC4 honors students for academic achievements

St. Clair County Community College is proud to honor 180 students for their outstanding accomplishments in and out of the classroom during the 2022-23 academic year.

“Our students, who come from cities across our region and beyond, are committed to their education and work hard throughout the year to achieve their goals,” said Senior Vice President Dr. Pete Lacey. “The students honored at this ceremony are wonderful examples of what can be achieved in the classroom and out in our community.”

Achievement awards in academics, leadership, service and personal accomplishments

Applegate — Kevin Jensen
Avoca — Ezra Bartee and Maggie Whitehouse
Bad Axe — Nicole London
Berkley — Shelby Roy
Brown City — Jason Fields
Capac — Michael Bower, Clarissa Gottschalk, Kirsten Herndon and Gabrielle Lulis
Carsonville — Ellenor Scarbrough
Chesterfield — Leah Rospierski
Clay Township — Matthew Briskey
Clyde Township — Rebekah Delmedico, Lacey LaForest, Chase Miller, Tracy Morawski, Eliana Morgan and
Italo Rodrigues
Columbus Township — Jordan Carreira and Brenda McLeod
Croswell — Jillian Koehler-Smith, Teddy Maury and Toryn Sontag
Deckerville — Riva Phillips
Dryden — David Goodloe,
East China Township — Allen Brioc, Katherine Brozik, Paige Hart, Jenna Lesch, Julia Rausch and Madison
Rzeppa
Emmett — Michael Donnellon, Paul Donnellon, Marie Frohriep, Chris Heiden and Benjamin Rodriguez
Fort Gratiot — Sheima Ali, Donald Bragg, Holly Conely, Elle Fisher, Reese Georgia, Annette Heilman,
Brandon Leal, Jenna McKeever, Emily Munsie, Zoe Palmateer, Sarah Rhude, Colton Sciotti, David
Singleton, Gabriel Stephens, Logan Tuttle, Benjamin Wentzel and Brandon Zielke
Goodells — Lauren Behrendt, Alexander Bowerson, Hannah Gentner, Tessa Peters, Gabrielle Precour and
Darlene Zdral
Harrison Township — Kaitlan MilantoniIra Township — Marley Hubbard and Larissa Malone
Jeddo — Larissa Bailey, Olivia Crawford, Barbara Paldanius and Lowry Paldanius
Kimball Township — Kaitlyn Ambrous, Brandi Bassett, Tony Cole, Joseph Dickenson, Michele Erdman,
Francesca Frey, Alaina Jolly, Kari Jo Kelly, Siera Lacey, Christianna Melton, Amber Paul, Haley Roff, Lainey
Spadafore, Blake Stevens, Ronald Sullivan, Lindsay Thoms and Heather Welsh
Lapeer — Kelly DeBlock and Mariah Diller
Lexington — Justin Galbraith, Caitlin Gooding and Benjamin Kelley
Marine City — Hanna Lowes, Chase McKenzie, Peyton Ramsey and Kaylie Rickert
Marlette — Breanna Lefler and Shelby Swift
Marysville — Ashley Bales, Amber Fields, Connor Fitzgerald, Rachel Froehlich, Gwyneth Glombowski,
Kerrigan Guertin, Hala Kassab, Alexandra Nuculovic, Jadzia Onorati-Phillips, Reese Schomer, Wyatt
Stimac and Zachary Wieland
Melvin — Ann Demaray, Alissa Middleton and Angelina Schaufele
Memphis — Courtney Carlson
Peck — Jorden Lodge
Port Huron — Gloria Bean, Atlas Biberston, Ashley Cleland, Hailey Clink, Jamaal Collier, Jessica Compton,
Taylor Cook, Evan Crawford, Hailey Dawson, Matthew Diller, Christopher Doan, Timothy Fisher, Morgan
Fulgenti, Nicole Griffor, Clarence Hall, Timothy Hock, Gabi Hudson, Laura Jimenez, Brandy Johnston,
Madison Jozefiak, Leah Kain, Mary Kaminski, Colleen Kubisiak, Nicole Leininger, Danielle Malburg, Tresa
Miller, Erica Milot, Morgan Moeller, Ben Moore, Avery Morehead, Denver Morehead, Stephen Moss,
Amanda Osgood, Paul Prey, Niurka Rodriguez, Rachel Rugg, Tara Sasu, Brenda Saura, Ryan Scott,
Elizabeth Sliman, Emily Tribula, Arlonna Twitty, Peter VanOast, Josie Walker and Michelle Wright
Port Sanilac — Liliana Grigg
Riley — Amanda Overly
Sandusky — Nicolas Reaume
Smiths Creek — Austin Armstead
St. Clair — Jenna Cloutier, Joseph Dobat, Aurora DuVall, Jacob Eagan, Alex Hall, Sarah Kehoe, Rylee
Melczarczyk, Pette Moore, Brandi Schmitz, Edward Skelly, Bryson Stotler and Avery Turner
Utica — Erin Delevan,
Warren — Jennifer Chilcutt,
Yale — Hannah Gray, Megan Langdon, Mackenzie Witt and Dylan Wood

All SC4 Academic Team, All Michigan Academic Team winners

Joseph Dobat of St. Clair and Chris Heiden of Emmett

Faculty Memorial Awards

Amber Fields of Brown City is the award winner of the Faculty Memorial Award for a continuing student. Other nominees included Tony Cole of Kimball Township, Holly Conely of Fort Gratiot, Hala Kassab of Marysville, Tracy Morawski of Clyde Township, Emily Munsie of Fort Gratiot, and Zoe Palmateer of Fort Gratiot.

Joseph Dobat of St. Clair is the award winner of the Faculty Memorial Award for a graduating student. Other nominees included Chris Heiden of Emmett, Leah Kain of Port Huron, Brandi Schmitz of St. Clair, and Colton Sciotti of Fort Gratiot.