New students learn the ins and outs of A+

The Missouri A+ program is an important resource for students looking to attending college with an already stretched budget. The program provides for 2 years of free tuition at a community college based on attendance and other factors and has helped many students get costly basic courses out of the way and save money for transfer to another institution, as well as get certificates and begin working immediately.

But like everything financial-aid-related, there are rules and regulations and that's where MCC-Maple Woods' A+ Orientation course comes in to play. All students attending Maple Woods on the A+ program must complete a 3 hour, 1 credit hour course designed to teach them how the program works, how to keep receiving benefits, and how to excel at Maple Woods for as long as they are here.

Misty Chandler, Shelli Allen and Robin Stimac walk the students through important process while having a good time in Shelli's signature (and musical) style.

Student profile: Goodi Khalsa heads west to UC-Berkeley

Goodi Khalsa was regularly invited to speak with top administrators as a student while attending MCC-Longview. Here, she is meeting with Vice Chancellor Tuesday Stanley, MCC-Longview President Fred Grogan and Chancellor Mark James.

When Goodi Khalsa enrolled at Metropolitan Community College, she was unsure where her education would take her.

"When I first came to Longview I wanted to go into nursing," Khalsa said. "But after that first semester I wasn't sold on what I wanted to do, really."

With a strong background in mathematics and problem solving, she eventually realized that she wanted to go that route. Her interest in and love of math made her so successful at Longview that starting this fall, she will be transferring to one of the most prestigious math schools in the country: The University of California-Berkeley.

"I knew when I left here I wanted to go to the best school and so that is where I applied," Khalsa said, noting that she was courted by MIT and others. "I wanted to land at a school where I could not only get my degree in mathematics, but also go into a master's degree as well."

Even though she is leaving MCC, she is upbeat and positive about the time she spent on campus and working in the Student Life and Leadership office.

"(After high school) I felt a lot pressured that I needed to know what I wanted to do with my life," she said. "That is what I loved coming to Longview. I was able to explore just about everything before finally deciding."

Textbook sales begin Thursday

Books for the Fall semester go on sale Aug. 11. For more information, visit the bookstore website.

McCaskill representative visits Officer meeting

Corey Dillon, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, met with MCC Officers on Tuesday, Aug. 9 to talk about federal issues related to education. Dillion is pictured to the left of Chancellor James.

Video: 2011 Trailblazers Soccer Training Camp

Training camp has just begun, and a sense of motivation and pride is brewing in the air for the Trailblazers men and women soccer teams at MCC-Blue River.

Career opportunity

CO# 11-116 MW Enrollment Manager

* posted 08/05/2011
* will be removed from the website at 11:59 pm Sunday, 08/21/2011 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply:  www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51383

MCC In the News: Collaboration Works

 

On Thursday, Aug. 4, Fox 4 News ran a story on MCC regarding a new community outreach inititaive housed in the Health Science Institute. Since purchasing medical supplies can be a costly venture for many people in the Kansas City area, the Health Science Institute, along with other community partners, opened Collaboration Works, a medical supplies store that sells items like scrubs, dietary supplements, walkers, and other supplies for a reduced rate.

MCC is truly living up to its name as a community college by participating in this solution to a problem that affects so many people. In addition to providing a stellar education to people in the Kansas City area, MCC also aims to give back to the community that has kindly embraced each campus located in various parts of the city.

Collaboration Works has two locations: one inside the MCC Health Science Institute and the other in North Kansas City. The Health Science Institute location hours are are Mondays from 2 - 6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Customers are encouraged to call ahead at 816.421.1305 to verify that the store carries what they need.

Pesticide education from Timberbred, MCC student led green team

Timberbred has done it again. This MCC student led initiative was started by Morgan Brown. This time she's reaching out to educate the world about pesticides, their proper handling, and their effects on the environment. Take a learn for yourself by clicking the image below:

Learn more about this ecological MCC student led initiative by traveling just one click to Timberbred.com.

What's your purpose? A spotlight on Jan Rog

Jan Rog is a member of the English faculty at Metropolitan Community College-Longview.  Her compassionate, commitment to her purpose of teaching her students the English language runs deep. Rog explains her purpose best in this short video clip.

Video: MCC-Maple Woods presents Fitness Friday!

National Governors' Association Group Visits HSI

This year’s annual conference for the National Governors’ Association of State Workforce Board Chairs was held in Kansas City. In touring various sites around the metropolitan area, they made the Health Science Institute one of their stops.

The National Governors’ Association identifies priority issues and deal collectively with matters of public policy at the state and national levels. The mission of their State Workforce Board Chairs is to “to strengthen the nation's employment, training, and education systems, and collaborate with other national organizations engaged in areas of common interest.”

Over thirty representatives from around the country came for the half-day session which included a luncheon tour of HSI, a video presentation on MCC’s workforce development partnership with the Full Employment Council (FEC), and a panel discussion featuring MCC and FEC staff.

The theme for this year’s meeting was innovation with a focus on entrepreneurship as a driver for economic growth, so the conference was hosted as a collaborative effort between HSI, the Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.), the Chancellor’s office, and FEC. Chancellor Mark James and Dr. Joe Seabrooks, MCC-Penn Valley President, were also in attendance.

Employees: James accepts Insurance Committee recommendations

Vice Chancellor Tuesday Stanley announced today that Chancellor Mark James accepted the MCC Insurance Committee’s recommendation to continue with Blue Cross and Blue Shield as MCC’s health insurance provider for calendar year 2012. There is also an option for a second year renewal with varying renewal rates, dependent on employees' and retirees' participation in wellness activities. This will be presented to the MCC board of trustees in August and is expected to be approved.

In addition, based on the analysis of projected claims, Delta Dental is proposing a 3% increase in the dental rates. This will also be sent to the board. Vision Service Plan rates will remain unchanged.

As a reminder, from January 2012 to June 2012, employees will incur the additional 4.9% increase in health care costs through this contract. Open enrollment for health insurance will be this fall. More information on open enrollment will follow from Brandi Fockler and schedules will be posted on The MCC Insider.

Log into myMCCKC and enroll today!

Employees: Register now for your Health Risk Assessment

The MCC Living Well program is once again offering an opportunity for benefit-eligible employees to receive an incentive for participating in the annual wellness screening, completing the on-line Health Risk Assessment (HRA), and completing a health coach call.

Listed below is the schedule for dates and times the screenings are offered. Click this link and follow the steps to register. Only one registrant per time slot, so sign up soon to get the best selection:

MCC Health Fair Registration Link

BTC: Aug. 30 6:30 -11:30 a.m. Room 248
BR: Aug. 31 6:30 -11:30 a.m. Campus Center 128 & 129
PV: Sept. 7 6:30 -11:30 a.m. Campus Center 503
PV: Sept. 8 6:30 -11:30 a.m. Campus Center 503
MW: Sept. 13 6:30 -11:30 a.m. Campus Center 110
LV: Sept. 14 6:30 -11:30 a.m. Education Center 113


These screenings are free for the following participants:
• Early & regular retirees on the health plan
• Any benefit-eligible employee
• Spouses on the health plan

Any non-benefit-eligible employee may participate for a cost of $27.

All information within the wellness screening and HRA is confidential.

Athlete Isaiah Johnson receives NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement

Isaiah Johnson, NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement

The Trailblazers soccer team will begin this season without their Academic All American starter Isaiah Johnson, whom graduated in the fall. Johnson received this latest accolade, the NJCAA Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement in July, but the team is already back at work this early August in his absence; MCC-Blue River training camp has begun.

According to Trailblazers Coach David Owens, “Isaiah has been a high character student-athlete at MCC-Blue River for the past two years. He is extremely focused on his academics, having earned twenty-one college credits before he even graduated from high school. While at MCC-Blue River, Isaiah demonstrated a remarkable ability to balance academics and athletics.”

Johnson became a National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All American for his A average in the rigorous Associate in Engineering Program. He

MCC-Longview Employee of the Month: Hallie Cottrell

Please join me in congratulating Hallie Cottrell, Administrative Assistant in the Reading Department, as the August Employee of the Month (EOM).

Here is what Hallie's co-workers are saying about her:

“Hallie is prompt and prepared in meeting the secretarial needs of the Reading Department. She often anticipates our needs accurately.”

“She is always helpful to employees and students who come to the reading department with questions and needs.”

“Hallie is a conscientious employee, and I am glad to be able to nominate her for this award.”

CONGRATULATIONS, Hallie, on a job well done!

What's your purpose? A spotlight on Rodger LaBeth

Rodger LaBeth is an past football coach who authentically inspires employees and students at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City (MCC) to be the best they can be. He works tirelessly through his seminars and his blog Chalk Talk to motivate and inspire others for greatness. 

Read more about LaBeth at Tom Vansaghi's blog, Pupose Through Action.

Students: Thinking about transferring to a four-year?

Thinking about transferring to a four-year institution? TODAY.com posted Princeton Review’s top five picks in best of categories such as athletic facilities, campus food, professors, dorms, stone-cold sober schools and more. See the list here.

MCC mourns loss of former Blue River president

Malcolm Wilson, former president of MCC-Blue River, passed away on Saturday, July 30.

Malcolm was injured in a motorcycle accident last year, leaving him with debilitating injuries. Despite his injuries, he remained a beacon of hope and encouragement for all who visited with him, family and friends said.

Malcolm served as MCC-Blue River president from 2001-2007. He first came to MCC in 1983 to serve as dean of students at MCC-Penn Valley, then became director of student development in 1996. He served in that role until 1998 when he was named interim vice chancellor of student resources and development, a role he held until he was appointed president of Blue River.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 4, noon to 1 p.m. at the Heartland Church of Christ, 6120 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City, Mo. 64151. In lieu of flowers, Malcolm's family has suggested contributions be made to the Malcolm T. Wilson Difference Maker Fund at the MCC Foundation.

Malcolm was respected as a man of integrity dedicated to the ideals of diversity. He will be truly missed by the many people whose lives he touched. To observe his passing, the MCC flag at each MCC campus has been be lowered to half-staff until the completion of his funeral.

Video: MCC is now tobacco-free inside and out