Category: Student success

New SC4, Wayne State partnership helps future engineers save time and money 

A new partnership between St. Clair County Community College (SC4) and Wayne State University will provide SC4 students with a seamless transfer pathway to Wayne State’s College of Engineering, strengthening the commitment of both institutions to prepare future leaders and innovators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for high tech, high skilled jobs.   

Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State in the following programs can now earn the majority of their core engineering courses as well as the bulk of their general education courses at SC4 before transferring on to Wayne State, where they must complete a minimum of 30 credits toward their degree.  

  • Biomedical engineering 
  • Chemical engineering 
  • Civil engineering 
  • Electrical/electronic engineering 
  • Industrial engineering 
  • Mechanical engineering  
  • Information technology 
  • Computer science  
  • Electrical/electronic engineering technology  
  • Electromechanical engineering technology  
  • Mechanical engineering technology  
  • Welding and metallurgical engineering technology   

SC4 students also can earn an Associate of Science degree along the way. 

The future-focused partnership comes as SC4 launches its STEM-based Challenger Learning Center in collaboration with Challenger Center and Unity in Learning, which consists of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Leslie Science & Nature Center, Yankee Air Museum and SC4.  

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed, STEM experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills. It offers fun and unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents. 

“We know many SC4 students transfer on to earn four-year degrees and have gone on to lead in cutting-edge industries, but too many others lose interest in crucial STEM subjects or encounter barriers along the way,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, SC4 president. “We can do more to inspire, educate and prepare students. Our Challenger Learning Center will provide greater access and opportunity to STEM experiences, and this partnership with Wayne State will help students save on tuition costs and time as they pursue a bachelor’s degree from one of Michigan’s most innovative four-year institutions.” 

“The demand for talented and innovative professionals in the STEM fields has never been higher, particularly in Michigan which has the fourth-largest engineering workforce in the country,” said Farshad Fotouhi, dean of the Wayne State College of Engineering. “This partnership with SC4 will strengthen the pipeline of students looking to become leaders in the high-tech marketplace, not only in Southeast Michigan but globally as well.” 

The institutions announced the partnership April 29 during a Challenger Learning Center at SC4 launch event. 

Prospective students can learn more about and apply to St. Clair County Community College online. Contact the SC4 team with questions at starthere@sc4.edu or 810-989-5571, or schedule an advising appointment online. 

Students who need help transferring to Wayne State can contact the Transfer Student Success Center at transfer@wayne.edu; set up a virtual advising appointment online at tssc.youcanbook.me/ or visit TSSC.wayne.edu to live chat with advisers from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. 

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 opens early registration for Mission Lunar Quest

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to launch its Challenger Learning Center website and announce early mission registration opportunities for Michigan and Ontario students and educators, businesses and corporations, and community members.

SC4—in partnership with the Challenger Center, a nonprofit science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education organization, and in collaboration with Unity in Learning, which includes the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Leslie Science & Nature Center and the Yankee Air Museum—will officially launch its Challenger Learning Center on the College’s campus in Spring 2022.

The Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed, STEM experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st century skills. Challenger Center and its network of Challenger Learning Centers aim to ignite a passion for learning in students and open their eyes to new possibilities for the future. The Center offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for learners of all ages and unparalleled programming for 5th-8th grade learners (adaptable for 8th grade+) that aligns with national science standards.

Though the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 won’t officially launch until Spring 2022, early registration for the first space mission offering, Lunar Quest, is now open. Lunar Quest takes crew members, serving in a variety of STEM-based roles, to the Moon in search of a long-term human habitat. It is the first of four space missions that will take flight in the Challenger Learning Center at SC4. Half day (min. 18 guests/max. 35 guests) and full-day experiences (min. 36 guests/max. 70 guests) are available, and pricing varies based on mission experience.

“We’re thrilled to launch this website and open registration for those interested in reserving a mission experience,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College. “Our nation needs future leaders who are adept at understanding and solving the challenging problems of today and the future. The Challenger Learning Center at SC4 will help support STEM education, exploration and innovation with experiences that go far beyond an everyday field trip, outing or corporate training session.”

Additional opportunities such as a Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp will be available beginning in Summer 2022.

“We’re incredibly excited to see the momentum continue to build for the Challenger Learning Center at SC4,” said Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “We’re hard at work building the Spacecraft and preparing Mission Control to welcome students and community members to fly our newest space missions that we developed in partnership with NASA. The countdown has started and we can’t wait to open the doors of this new Center in 2022.”

Added Mel Drumm, president and CEO of Unity in Learning, “The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is delighted to collaborate with SC4 upon the opening of the new Challenger Center. This new informal learning experience will immerse each participant into life-like simulations well beyond anything previously available in Southeast Michigan. As the newest member of the region’s Unity in Learning collaborative, the Challenger Center will join with three regional science, nature and aviation organizations to become the region’s newest destination for hands-on discovery, exploration of the natural world and experiences that take flight.” 

Challenger Center was founded in 1986 in the aftermath of the Challenger accident by the crew’s families, who were firmly committed to carrying on the spirit of their loved ones and continuing the Challenger crew’s educational mission. Challenger Center and its network of Challenger Learning Centers have reached more than 5.5 million students worldwide.

For more information and to book a Lunar Quest mission, visit challenger.sc4.edu.

New nursing scholarship created in memory of Marilynn Campbell

The St. Clair County Community College Foundation (SC4 Foundation) and the Community Foundation are honored to work with Herbert Campbell to honor his late wife, Marilynn Campbell, through a new nursing scholarship.

“I funded this nursing scholarship in loving memory of my wife of 70 years,” said Herbert Campbell. “She was a passionate believer in the value of nurses who cared for patients with compassion and professionalism.”

Marilynn was a graduate of Port Huron High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She also graduated from the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City before marrying Herbert. Marilynn raised three wonderful children with Herbert and lived up to her No. 1 goal of providing love and care for her family.

When her children grew up, Marilynn had a strong desire to become a registered nurse. She enrolled at Port Huron Junior College (now St. Clair County Community College), received her associate degree in nursing in 1973 and became a registered nurse.

Marilynn used her nursing degree to work at Port Huron Hospital and served the community for several years caring for mostly pediatric patients.

“She was soft spoken, but so caring and gracious,” Campbell said. “It would make Marilynn so happy to be part of helping students become nurses. I appreciate the SC4 Foundation and their partnership with the Community Foundation for making the process of opening this charitable fund so easy.”

The Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Scholarship will help her legacy of being a devoted wife, mother and loving caregiver live on for future generations of nurses.

“We are grateful to Herb for creating the Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Scholarship in honor of Marilynn,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, SC4 president. “It’s clear she had a profound impact in the lives of family members, friends and strangers alike. This scholarship will enable her legacy to live on through the life and work of SC4 nursing alumni for years to come.”

Marilynn Campbell in a nursing uniform

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Herbert and help customize the ideal way in which he wanted to give back to the college and honor his wife’s legacy of caring for others,” said William Oldford, president of the SC4 Foundation. “The fact that he trusts the SC4 Foundation with her legacy is a true honor.”

SC4 nursing students can apply for the Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship beginning in 2022. Selection will be based on financial need with a preference for students who reside in St. Clair County.

The SC4 Foundation connects donors with opportunities to support St. Clair County Community College in whatever way fits their interests. Whether it’s supporting students, opportunities on campus or enhancements of learning spaces, the SC4 Foundation is proud to support our community’s college.

St. Clair County Community College and the Community Foundation bring to the area a combined 175 years of service to the community in education and philanthropy. Since 2018, the collaborative philanthropic partnership between the organizations allows donors to have an even greater impact on both SC4 students and the community.

More information about the SC4 Scholarship and Foundation.

College celebrates new edition of ‘Patterns’ magazine

St. Clair County Community College recently released the 63rd edition of Patterns magazine, Michigan’s oldest literary and arts publication aimed at showcasing student writing talent and works of art.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020-21 academic year, traditional activities surrounding the creation and publication of the magazine were delayed.

“Patterns is an opportunity to celebrate being creative and to recognize the unique talents of our next generation of artists,” said Sarah Flatter, professor of fine arts at the college. “We’re excited to honor students and their success while at SC4.”

A digital version of Patterns is available on our website at sc4.edu/patterns.

The following students received awards:

Special honors

  • Eleanor Mathews Award, literature — Makenna Joppich
  • Patrick Bourke Award, visual art — Brandi Schmitz

Essays

  • Kathleen Nickerson Award — Thomas Short for “A Father’s Love: Rejection from the Beloved”
  • Second-place — Samantha Kicinski for “Another Day at the Office”
  • Third-place — Rebekah Delmedico for “Advertisements and Persuasion: Manipulating our Wants into Needs”

Poetry

  • Blanche Redman Award, — Lindsey Sobkowski for “Rainy Day Villanelle”
  • Second-place — Makenna Joppich for “Living Room Windows”
  • Third-place — Patricia Jo Bowman for “Eli”

Short stories

  • Richard Colwell Award, — Emily Kean for “Pareidolia”
  • Second-place — Natalya Reid for “She Strings the Beads to Make a Brighter Day”
  • Third-place — Makenna Joppich for “Brother”

Visual Art

  • First-place — Skylar Aleman for “New View”
  • Second-place — Doug Penrod for “Strange Medicine”
  • Third-place — Heather Brassfield for “Snowy Dirt Road”

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

Literary Selections of Merit

  • Makenna Joppich for “Marred Sky”
  • Zachary Kerhoulas for “Autumn Leaves”
  • Stacy Nichols for “Dinner Bell”
  • William Patterson for “Morning Coffee”
  • Jacqueline Wahl for “The Ruby-Eyed Man”
  • Avery Westbrook for “Espresso Express”

Visual Art Selections of Merit

  • Heather Brassfield for “Cades Cove Barn”
  • Miranda Benner for “Wagon Wheel”
  • Hannah Buckley for “Morning at 40th Street Pond”
  • Alicia Fortuna for “Face off”
  • Vera Klimovich for “Daydreamer”
  • Doug Penrod for “Marine City Throw Back”
  • Brandi Schmitz for “Lucy in the Sky”

Production of Patterns was made possible by the financial support from St. Clair County Community College and SC4 Friends of the Arts.