Category: Student success

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.