Hankook Tire Ride and Drive at MCC-Blue River

On July 26, the MCC-Blue River Precision Driving Center was host to Hankook Performance Tires Ride and Drive mobile marketing campaign. Geared towards tire dealers, Hankook invited area businesses out to test and compare their tires to other brands by taking laps in custom Ford Mustangs.

“What we try to do is get them a little experience with the tire,” said Mike Woods of Hankook Tire. “They have a better feeling, a better confidence when they go back to the customer to sell the tire.”

With slaloms and hair pin turns on the course, the 30 dealers on hand seemed to be having a great time.

“If you like speed and driving fast cars, it’s awesome,” said Randy Sexton of Total Auto Care. “I am one of those that love it, and it’s been great.”

“It’s just a beautiful facility,” said Woods of the Precision Driving Center. “I can’t say enough about it. It’s more than we hoped for.”

Watch the video of Hankook in action!

For more information on the Precision Driving Center contact Carl Short at 816-604-6701 or
Carl.short@mcckc.edu .

MCC short-term welding program prepares student for work with manufacturer

MCC Continuing Professional Education (MCC CPE) is helping area residents get ready for work. Cole Homer recently completed a cohort-style 300-hour welding program through a partnership between Full Employment Council (FEC) and MCC CPE. Immediately after completion, Cole was hired by Webco Manufacturing, Inc. in Olathe, Kan. Webco is an employee owned company in the custom, production, and industrial fabrication industry.

Instructor, Jeffrey Metz, said the students have very little, or no, welding experience upon entering the program.

“I didn’t know if I’d be good at welding,” said Homer. “I have never done anything like this before, but I felt ready when I started my new job, and [they] are giving me on-the-job training.”

The program focuses on three common welding processes; SMAW (shielded metal arc welding), GMAW (gas metal arc welding) and GTAW (gas tungsten arc welding). The courses are based on American Welding Society standards to get the student workforce ready. Welding classes are held at MCC-Business & Technology campus (MCC-BTC).

During the program, students are provided help with resume writing, job search strategies, and interviewing skills by the instructor. Metz is a part-time instructor with more than 20 years experience in the U.S. Air Force as a machinist and air craft welder. He has worked at several machine shops and is soon going to work full-time for MCC-BTC employer partner, Harley Davidson, as a welding engineer.

Metz believes that it is important to equip these students not only with information, but hands-on skills so they feel comfortable at work from the very first day. According to Metz, Homer was able to catch-on to the material quickly because of the blend of 75 percent hands-on and 25 percent classroom instruction. This blend of hands-on training and classroom instruction is the model in all MCC CPE programs.

The goal is to prepare unemployed or underemployed people for work, or promotion in their current position.

For more information, go to mcckc.edu/getreadyforwork or call 816.604.1600.

MCC Partners with UCM to Serve Cass County

MCC and the University of Central Missouri have formed a unique partnership that will increase higher education and workforce training opportunities in Cass County. The collaboration, dubbed the Cass County Partnership for Advanced Training and Education, was formed in conjunction with the Cass County Commission, which has been working for years to bring higher education to county residents.

The initiative will address the county’s education and training needs by offering streamlined services and providing comprehensive information about all of the opportunities available through both MCC and UCM. Existing recruitment, advising and marketing efforts will become centrally coordinated to achieve a cohesive message.

Three primary groups will be served by the partnership:
· High school students looking for higher education or career training options after graduation
· Adults looking to start or complete a degree, certificate or career training program
· Businesses looking to increase their productivity and effectiveness through employee training

Preliminary needs assessment survey results indicate interest among each of these groups.

“The bottom line is, MCC and UCM want to provide easier access to education and training for Cass County residents,” said Juan Rangel, director of MCC Business & Learning Solutions and coordinator of the initiative. “There are 30,000 people in the county who have taken some college coursework but have not earned a degree or certificate. We’re now going to make it easier for those residents to look at all of the options – from an associate’s degree to a certification to a master’s degree – and decide what’s best for them.”

The partnership will operate out of a shared office in the Heritage office building in Belton. Belton is the only city in Cass County that currently falls within MCC’s district.

Two informational sessions for county residents are planned for early August. A formal announcement of the partnership is planned for mid- to late September.

HSI Recognized as a Model for Performance Improvement

On top of the national recognition it received earlier this year for being an outstanding community college innovation, the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute is now also becoming known as a model for performance improvement.

The HSI – built on a philosophy that interdisciplinary, experiential learning increases student understanding and, therefore, professional effectiveness – will be featured this week at a meeting of the local chapter of the International Society for Performance Improvement. Sandy McIlnay, director of the HSI, will be the guest speaker for the event, which is part of the ISPI’s Emerging Trends in Performance Improvement series. McIlnay will discuss the development and implementation of the HSI’s revolutionary learning environment and its impact on advancing healthcare career training and education.

Emerging Trends in Performance Improvement: Healthcare
MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute
Main Lobby
Wednesday, August 4
5:30-7:00 p.m.
$5 registration fee

The event is hosted by the Health Science Institute and the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation and conducted by the Kansas City chapter of the International Society for Performance Improvement. MCC employees are invited to attend. The cost is just $5 and includes light snacks. Register for the event at www.kcispi.org. If you have questions, contact Day Boswell, MCC Business & Learning Solutions performance consultant and MCC’s representative to the KC ISPI.

Line Tech Shish Kabob

All 24 new students in MCC's Electric Utility Line Technician program stack themselves on one pole.

"This exercise is all about cooperation", says Line Tech Program Coordinator, Susan Blazer. "Weaving around your neighbor, or stepping over his climbing belt 15 ft in the air creates an atmosphere where cooperation is not a choice."

To see more pictures from this series click here.

Applications for the Electric Utility Line Tech program at MCC-BTC are accepted August 1 through October 30 for summer admission. For more information about this program - mcckc.edu/LineTech

MCC-Maple Woods August Employee of the Month: Kathy Snyder

Kathy Snyder, MCC-Maple Woods student services assistant, brings a professional attitude and a great feel for customer service to the business office. She excels in giving students personal attention and making sure they have a positive experience, whether it’s explaining a procedure or giving them a shoulder to cry on.

While she takes the time to respond to every student in a positive and caring manner, she’s also a master of efficiency, especially this time of year when the lines to pay for classes are getting longer and longer.

Along with serving students, she goes above and beyond to assist other employees, delivering paperwork and providing a laugh to whomever she passes in the Administration Building.

Morrison continues to advance in baseball career

Logan Morrison, former MCC-Maple Woods Monarch and current starting first baseman for the New Orleans Zephyrs (a minor-league affiliate of the Florida Marlins), has recently completed another step in his baseball journey. After playing in the 2010 All-Star Futures game recently, Morrison, who was drafted by the Marlins in 2005, stepped into a major league starter role for the first time.

Morrison started in left field for the Marlins against the San Francisco Giants Tuesday, July 27. Morrison contributed one of the Marlins’ five hits that nights as the Giants went on the win the game 6-4. Since then, Morrison has contributed 2 doubles and an RBI for the Marlins and looks to continue his hitting streak tonight in the final game of the series.

MCC-Maple Woods athletes named to NJCAA Academic Team

Congratulations to the following student athletes from MCC-Maple Woods, who were named to the National Junior College Athletics Association’s (NJCAA) 2010 Region XVI Academic Team. Athletes are named to the team for achieving and maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA and for team leadership.

Baseball
David Carmona
Thomas Gean
Colin Letcher
Adam Seal
Neil Smith

Men’s Soccer
Bernardo Leite
Joshua Ogren

Women’s Soccer
Kara Chavez
Tara Chavez

Softball
Shawna Borger
Haley Hill
Sheryl Mattox
Jennifer Troutner
Mallory White

In addition, Jennifer Troutner was selected as an Academic All-American student athlete, having completed 3 or more full-time semesters with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher.

Penn Valley PIO heads to St. Louis

Rachel Gomez, who served as MCC-Penn Valley's public information officer for more than three years, is headed to St. Louis Community College's Florissant Valley campus.

Rachel was recently hired to head up public relations for the campus. Best wishes to Rachel as she uses her talent and skills to promote Florissant Valley's works.

Photo (Left to right): Rachel Gomez was surprised to be presented with a special employee award from her supervisor Tracy Hall. Penn Valley hosted a surprise party to wish Rachel well on her new endeavor.

Penn Valley bids farewell to retirees

Larry White, Judith Taylor, Tony Long, Maureen Kennedy, Jackie Snyder, Bernard Franklin.

MCC-Penn Valley recently saluted some of its hard-working, dedicated employees at a 2010 retirement celebration. Faculty and staff retirees include: David Curtis, Samuel Henry Dillard III, Rosemary Fusaro, Patricia Goodwin, Mitch Green, Maureen Kennedy, Tony Long, Modene McConnell, Jackie Snyder, Judith Taylor, Maureen Wiederholdt, Larry G. White and Ruth I Yonker.

MCC-Longview Library hour changing

With the summer semester winding down and the new fall semester just on the horizon, the MCC-Longview Library will be adjusting its hours. The library will be open the following hours.

August 1-22
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

August 23
CLOSED

Starting Aug. 24
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED

Fairy Princesses take over MCC-Longview for a day

This crowd of princesses held court at the MCC-Longview Community Education Office Friday morning as part of a campus-wide procession.

The Fairy Princess class was part of the MCC-Longview College for Kids program, which wraps up this week. The classes looked at various princess stories and taught the kids how to make their own princesses crafts, jewelry and decoration from items they can find around the house.

After the procession around MCC-Longview, the group then had tea on the lawn.

By all reports, the event was fit a king... or group of princesses.

Trailblazer Collegiate Academy Students Make Presentations

Twelve students in MCC-Blue River’s Trailblazer Collegiate Academy (TCA) recently presented their final projects for the summer session. The students made ten minute PowerPoint presentations on their researched prospective. The two topics the students addressed were “gender discrimination” and “the budget crisis in America.” The presentations were followed by a general discussion of the perspectives and how these perspectives shape opinions about specific issues. MCC-Blue River administrators, staff and faculty were in attendance during the presentations. The twelve area high school students make up the second class of the TCA program.

The TCA program offers high school sophomores the opportunity to get a jump on their education by earning an Associate of Arts degree, while finishing their high school diploma. TCA is designed for motivated students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are looking for a challenge. By working towards an associate degree, students are also exposed to the various ways they can view any issue and to understand the world in general.

The program, the brainchild of MCC-Blue River President Joe Seabrooks, was inspired by a visit by Seabrooks to Broward Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Their program, known as The College Academy at BC Central Campus, is known to be the most successful program of its kind in the nation. Seabrooks knew that MCC-Blue River could offer that same kind of opportunity to Eastern Jackson and Lafayette county high schools.

“Students in our community now have the opportunity to maximize their academic talents and reach their full potential,” said President Seabrooks. “We have phenomenal students in the Eastern Jackson county area who are capable of meeting any challenges placed before them.”

Upon his return from Florida, Seabrooks put together a committee involving key players from MCC-Blue River and superintendents from Fort Osage, Blue Springs, Independence, Grain Valley and Oak Grove high schools. By September of last year, the committee began designing the program by developing the criteria, curriculum, financial elements, marketing and the possibility of future scholarships.

The pilot program enrolled five students from Fort Osage High School last year. Those students met every Wednesday during the fall semester at MCC-Blue River for an hour and a half. For more information call 816.604.6400 or visit mcckc.edu/blueriver.

MCC-Maple Woods Book Club in action

Dying to express your feelings about your latest and greatest literary conquest? Want to share thoughts and discuss some of the best-sellers making the rounds today? The MCC-Maple Woods Book Club is just the thing. Gather around a table in the library once a month to discuss some of the newest and most-reviewed books released recently. MCC employees, staff, students and community members are all welcome to attend.

Past selections are included Noah's Compass, Plague of Doves and The Kite Runner. The next selection will be Making Toast, by Roger Rosenblatt. The story follows a man who has lost his still-young daughter to an illness. After moving in with her husband to help care for her three young children, the author paints a picture of the family and chores he surrounds himself with daily in order to give the reader and himself a finished portrait of his late daughter.

The next book group will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Circulation section of the library. For more information, contact Darla.Luckey@mcckc.edu or Mary.Northrupp@mcckc.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa regional conference showcases MCC-Longview student

This past weekend (July 16-July 18), the Phi Theta Kappa advisers and various Phi Theta Kappa student members of MCC-Blue River, MCC-Longview, and MCC-Maple Woods attended the organization’s regional conference in Sedalia, Mo.

It was an engaging, lively time, and it set a great tone for our upcoming school year. As a refreshing start to the year, MCC-Longview PTK adviser Jan Rog said the weekend conference was also a chance for campus leaders to showcase some of their talents – especially MCC-Longview student Kristine Vainovska.

Vainovska, an international student from Latvia, was awarded the Missouri Leaders of Promise scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to three dedicated PTK students throughout the state.

“This really is such an honor for me,” Vainovska said. “It’s humbling to be recognized like this for the work I have done with PTK.”

To even be eligible for the scholarship, the students must maintain a GPA of 3.25 and be a member in good standing through PTK.

Vainovska graduated from Hickman Mills High School where she was an exchange student. She stayed in the United States to attend college at MCC-Longview where she is getting her general education degree. In the Spring she plans to graduate and transfer to Northwest Missouri State University. 

MCC-Maple Woods STC offers summer camps, league play opportunities

Boost your summer league play or get a head start on fall with hitting and pitching clinics from MCC-Maple Woods coaches and players at the Sports Training Center. Head coach Marty Kilgore and assistant coach Kenny Hook will offer hitting and pitching camps designed to give players a solid foundation to build their skills on.

The all-ages hitting camp, directed by Hook, will be held Aug. 3, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. in the Sports Training Center facility. Participants will learn the fundamentals and mechanics used by college and many Major League Baseball organizations. Cost is $60 per player and interested players can register by sending an email to Kenny.Hook@mcckc.edu.

Along with the hitting camp, players will have the opportunity to attend a pitching camp directed by Kilgore from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 4, 2010. College- and professional-level pitching mechanics and techniques will be covered. Cost is $60 per player and interested players can register by emailing Kenny Hook at the address above.

Players may attend both camps at the discounted rate of $100 per player.

In addition to summer hitting and pitching camps, the MCC-Maple Woods STC staff will be offering fall league play to local players aged 11-14. Tryouts for the fall team, which will play and practice from Aug. 15-Oct. 15, 2010, will take place at 3 p.m. July 30 at the STC and 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at the Tiffany Hills Sports Complex, fields 5 and 6. There is a $10 tryout fee per player and individuals are responsible for providing their own equipment.

Players chosen for the team will get receive a 3-month membership to the STC facility and the opportunity to learn from college level coaches, and will participate in league play and tournaments. The cost is $625 per player and includes a uniform. For more information, contact Kenny Hook at (816) 604-3500 or Kenny.Hook@mcckc.edu.

Drama School From Hell

Despite its title, the Coterie Theatre's Drama School From Hell actually seemed quite enjoyable for everyone who participated.

Students spent this past week with Coterie professional actors, set designers and creative minds to create a feature play of their own. Their performance went on without a hitch Friday night as parents and supporters watched in the Studio Theater at MCC-Longview.

The class was part of MCC-Longview's College for Kids program and continues until August with several other classes still open.

New webpage gives employees easier access to accounting info

To simplify communication with MCC’s financial and accounting services department and to provide easier access to financial information, the department is rolling out a new webpage on InfoExchange.

The site, which can be found under the “Business Procedures” tab on the front page of InfoEx, lists contact information for department staff and PDF files of financial documents.

The page is separated into two sections:
· Department Info: names, contact information and area of focus of people you can contact with accounting or financial services questions or matters
· Financial Reports: budget books, fiscal year financial reports, monthly board reports, financial manager’s reports

To access the page:
· Log on to the myMCCKC portal and then select the InfoExchange link from the left-hand menu. (Or access InfoExchange whichever way you normally would.)
· From the InfoEx main page, click on the Business Procedures tab on the upper left-hand side (in the green strip)
· Within the Accounting and Financial Services section (the very first section), click on Accounting and Financial Services Website (the very first link)

Log on and check it out today!

MCC-Maple Woods Bookstore carries handmade fair trade items

As MCC campuses make an ongoing effort to support small businesses, the MCC-Maple Woods bookstore is taking it a step further by supporting global economic development – offering handmade bags purchased as part of a Fair Trade Federation exchange. The bags, which are handmade in Kathmandu, Nepal, are crafted from organic fibers native to the area by local artisans.

Fair Trade is a movement dedicated to equalizing trade practices on a global scale. Local specialties, items and handicrafts are purchased from local artists and vendors, often at a slightly higher price, while cutting out as many outside individuals as possible. The money flows to the workers themselves and infuses the local economy while supplying higher-quality items. All producers must meet conditions laid out by the Fairtrade Labeling Organization that ensures safe and effective practices for workers and the environment.

July 21 Technology Teacher Career Night

There's a shortage of high school engineering and technology teachers in the Kansas City area—especially Project Lead the Way teachers. MCC-Business & Technology and the University of Central Missouri are hosting a Career Exploration Night on July 21, from 6 - 7 p.m. at BTC.

Two UCM courses will be offered at BTC this fall. CTE 1000, Introduction to Career & Technical Education, is scheduled on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Penny Tepesch will be the instructor. CTE 1300, Introduction to Engineering Design, will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The Engineering & Technology Teacher Education program is all about educating the next generation of engineers and technologists. Many courses in MCC’s education curriculum fit in the program plan. Graduates will be certified to teach middle and high school Project Lead the Way courses anywhere in the U.S. (with teacher state certification). It’s an ideal program for a recent high school graduate or a person with industry experience or some college credit. To watch a short video and request more information, see TeachTechKC.com. To register for July 21 or a second event planned for Aug. 12, go to mcckc.edu/visitbtc.

Morrison plays in All-Star Futures Game

Continuing the long string of successes that MCC-Maple Woods baseball players have had following their time as a Monarch, Logan Morrison recently played in the 2010 All-Star Futures game in Anaheim, Calif. One of the top minor-league prospects this year, Morrison now plays first base for the New Orleans Zephyrs, a AAA affiliate league of the Florida Marlins, who drafted him in 2005. He was named the Marlins’ minor-league Player of the Month in June.

Morrison grew up in the Northland and attended Park Hill High School and Blue Valley West High School in the Kansas City Metro area before his family relocated to New Orleans. After being drafted by the Marlins, he returned to Kansas City to play baseball for the Monarchs.

400 enrolled in MCC-Longview College for Kids

Students enrolled in the LEGO Racers class, which started this week as part of the MCC-Longview College for Kids program, got a chance to test out their LEGO creations during class. Click for more photos.

On Tuesday, coordinators with the MCC-Longview College for Kids summer school program announced that they had enrolled their 400th student for the 2010 summer class schedule.

Although it is not the largest summer class in the College for Kids program history, it is one of the largest jumps in attendance in a single year. In 2009, the program had roughly 310 kids sighed up for classes.

This week kicked off the second half of the exciting summer school program. There are still seats available and many classes left. For a full list of classes click here or call 816-604-2030.

Benefit for Hope House at MCC-Longview

Casey Reid and her English 102 class, which has long been an advocate for many great causes here on campus, is sponsoring a Movie Extravaganza benefiting Hope House.

Reid and her class will be screening the Will Smith movie The Pursuit of Happyness and will also be accepting donations that will go directly to Hope House, which operates shelters for victims of domestic violence throughout the Kansas City area.

Movie Extravaganza: The Pursuit of Happyness

5 p.m. on July 17

MCC-Longview Education Center

You can get into the movie by bringing a donation item from the list below or a $3 donation to Hope House.

For more information e-mail mike.ekey@mcckc.edu or call 816-604-2090.

Here is a full list of items Hope House needs to continue their great work in the community:

Paper Towels
Size 4,5, & 6 diapers
Toilet paper
Conditioners, Moisturizing Creams, and Oil Treatments (For example, African Pride Oil Moisturizing Lotion, African Pride Magical Gro, Africa’s Best Herbal Oil, Blue Magic Hair Conditioner, Soft & Beautiful Conditioning Spray, Motions Oil Sheen Conditioning Spray, S-Curl Moisturizer
Thermometers
First Aid Cream
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Teething Gel
Pepto Bismol
Polident
Hair Brushes
White Twin Flat Bed Sheets
Infant formula
New packages of socks (white athletic, all sizes)
New packages of women’s underwear (all sizes)
Winter sleepwear (women’s larger sizes)
Women’s slippers
Towels and washcloths
Laundry soap – any kind
Conditioner
Deodorant
Big Bars of Soap
Lotion
Tooth Paste
Hair Conditioner
Body Lotion
Diapers (sizes 4, 5 & 6)
Bath Towels
Flip Flops for kids and adults
Bras (sizes 36+)

MCC in the news

MCC was featured in a recent front page article in The Kansas City Star, where columnist Diane Stafford explored the issue of structural unemployment. Stafford profiled two laid-off workers who are training for new careers late in life, including Daniel Dennis, a student at MCC-Business & Technology who is taking welding classes as he faces a September layoff from American Airlines.

Academy for Leadership and Development graduates

MCC faculty, Craig Bartholomaus (PV), Anne Mahoney (BR), Keet Kopecky (LV) , Penny Tepesch (BTC), Cynthia Proctor (MW) and Ben Wolfe (BR), graduated in June from the Academy for Leadership and Development.

The program is part of the Chair Academy, a division of the Maricopa Community College District in Mesa, Ariz., and is aimed at teaching advanced leadership skills and professional development for faculty in post-secondary institutions.

Congratulations, to all for their successful completion at the Academy for Leadership and Development

MCC-Maple Woods’ Dusty Mills to serve MoCPA

Dusty Mills, administrative assistant for student development at MCC-Maple Woods, was recently appointed as newsletter coordinator for the Missouri College Personnel Association (MoCPA) for 2010-2011.

MoCPA is an association for student affairs professionals across the state of Missouri. MoCPA promotes the learning and development of students enrolled in institutions of post-secondary education through the ongoing professional development of college student affairs administrators and student development educators.

MCC-Maple Woods July Employee of the Month: Denise Westrem

Denise Westrem, MCC-Maple Woods graduation advisor, has been named Employee of the Month for July 2010. Denise goes above and beyond her job duties of making sure students are ready for graduation and have everything they need to walk in the ceremony. One look around her office and surroundings, covered with boxes of caps and gowns and diploma covers on every available surface, and her dedication to getting students prepared to graduate and for the world they’ll enter afterwards becomes obvious.

Denise assists students in making sure they have everything required to complete their courses in time to graduate: she loans out books, helps them choose the right courses, serves as an encouraging ear. She also takes care of her coworkers, offering to take over the front desk so the front line can attend training sessions, workshops or take a much-needed break.

Amazing Work by Cisco Faculty

MCC instructors Kate Douglas and Ed McCarty were key players at SkillsUSA last month. They are both on the five-member national technical committee for internetworking, which plans and manages the contest. The online and hands-on competitions are designed to test the skills needed for successful entry-level performance in specific occupations. The Internetworking contest is based on the most current CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) standards.

McCarty is the Cisco Networking Academy coordinator at MCC-Business & Technology campus, and Douglas was hired full-time at MCC-BTC this year. She previously taught in the Cisco Academy at Herndon Career Center. She’s very proud of one of her Herndon grads, Stephen VanHorn, who took 3^rd in the national contest last month!

MCC-BTC to host First Robotics team

MCC-Business & Technology campus has begun recruiting home-schooled high school students from the KC area for a FIRST Robotics team. FIRST Robotics is an organization that develops technical, career and business skills in young students. BTC already has a mentor team (Joe Roche, Gene Giarratano, Dave Hawkins, and Andy Brewer) in place with over 60 year of industry experience behind them.

The student members will have the actual responsibility of raising the funds for the project (aprox $6,000-10,000), as well as designing and building the robot. The team will compete in the Greater Kansas City regional competition starting March 4, after only six weeks to design and build a working robot.

For more information about FIRST Robotics - http://www.kcfirst.org/ For more information about the MCC-BTC team contact Joe Roche – 816.604.5417

AC Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Lori Palmer, program specialist for instructional support, for being selected as the AC Employee of the Month.

Lori was nominated by several co-workers because of the time she spends volunteering for many of the committees created to organize events and do fundraising at the AC.

“She is always there putting to use her organizational skills,” said one nominator. “She is involved with every bake sale, book sale and holiday party every year. We wouldn’t get anything done without her.”

Lori began her 17 year career with MCC as a business office assistant at the Independence campus. In 2003, she worked in the Longview PACE office for Jane Zeitner, until moving to the AC in 2006 in her current position.

Insider: Why do you work at MCC?

Lori: Because you make a difference here. You can make a difference in some people’s lives and not even know it. We change a lot of people’s lives.

Insider: What is your dream job?

Lori: When I retire, I want to volunteer to rock babies at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Insider: What is the first thing you’d buy if you won the lottery?

Lori: A round-trip ticket for me and my husband to Australia.

Insider: What are three things you can’t leave your house without?

Lori: My cell phone, driver’s license and car keys.

Insider: What are your hobbies?

Lori: I sew, garden and sing in my church choir, which I really enjoy.

Region XVI Academic Team

Nine student athletes from MCC-Blue River's Trailblazer soccer teams have been selected by Region XVI of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for its academic team.

Isaiah Johnson and Jacob Rockhold will represent Blue River from the men’s soccer team. From the women's team, Aria Witherell, Rachel Thiel, Allison Hugill, Katherine Amos, Anna Johnson, JoAnna Driskell and Michelle Smith were selected.

To be recognized, a scholar athlete must be nominated by his or her athletic director, have completed two semesters of college work, have participated in one season at the varsity level and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better.

MCC-Blue River student named All-American

The NJCAA national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., is pleased to release the names of the 2009-2010 NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American and Academic All-American awards as well as the 2010 Spring All-Academic Teams. This year over 1,300 NJCAA student-athletes met the requirements for the individual academic honors while over 340 teams qualified for academic team accolades.

MCC-Blue River soccer player Anna Johnson has been named an Academic All-American. Johnson played two years for the women’s Trailblazer soccer team. At MCC-Blue River, Johnson was also active in the Martial Arts Club. Johnson graduated last May and will continue her education at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.

BARE will bare it all at MCC-Longview Studio Theater

BARE, the cult-hit coming-of-age musical that took Los Angeles and New York by storm, comes to Kansas City in a new, vibrant staging. The award-winning rock-pop musical plays at the MCC-Longview Studio Theatre July 9-18.

BARE is a searing and beautiful coming-of-age story told through a brilliant, pulsing pop-rock score played by a live band. This production features an immersive, environmental staging that is sure to be an exciting theatrical event!

A group of high school seniors at a Catholic boarding school faces issues of sexuality and personal identity. As they struggle to come to terms with who they are, and who the world thinks they should be, they seek answers in the church confessional and in less formal venues including a stage, a rave, a well-locked dorm room and ultimately, from within themselves. Its rich, vibrant score draws on many styles of contemporary music.

BARE is staged as part of an effort to produce contemporary or off-the-beaten-path works for Lee's Summit and the surrounding areas.

BARE features book and music by Damon Intrabartolo, and book and lyrics by Jon Hartmere, Jr. The award-winning musical premiered in Hollywood in October 2000. It was supposed to run for 32 performances at an 87-seat theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard. Four months later, it had become a multi award-winning sensation created by two 26-year-old writers and a 23-year-old director. The musical won the L.A. Weekly Award for Best Musical, the Ovation Award for Best Musical and the L.A. Drama Critics Award for Best Score. The show went on to a successful New York run, performing off-Broadway at the American Theatre of Actors.

Ten years after BARE's premiere, its themes of acceptance, tolerance and equality are increasingly relevant today.

The show will play the following performance schedule: July 9th, 10th, 17th & 18th at 7:30pm, with matinee performances July 11th & 17th at 2:30pm.

All performances take place at the Studio Theatre in the Cultural Arts Center on the MCC-Longview campus.

Regular tickets are $15. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at www.BareInKC.com. Group ticket rate available for parties of 10 or more people. For group sales, contact Ashley Gordon, ashley@BareInKC.com. Audience members are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as this intimate production features a strictly limited number of seats for each performance.

BARE is rated PG-13. The show is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.BareInKC.com.

MCC-Longview’s Kopecky graduates from Academy for Leadership and Development program

MCC-Longview biology instructor Keet Kopecky successfully graduated this past month from the Academy for Leadership and Development.

The program is part of the Chair Academy, a division of the Maricopa Community College District in Mesa, Ariz., and is aimed at teaching advanced leadership skills and professional development for faculty in post-secondary institutions.

Kopecky graduated from the year-long program, which covers topics such as strategic planning, diversity training, organization leadership and many others, on June 18.

To participate in the program, Kopecky was selected and nominated by MCC-Longview faculty and administration to attend. Congratulations to Keet Kopecky for his successful completion at the Academy for Leadership and Development.   

Choose Your Career Path

80 programs - 5 campuses - 1 college

visit http://www.chooseyourcareerpath.com/.