Rangel appointed to Port Authority

Juan Rangel, MCC’s director of community engagement, has been appointed to serve as a commissioner for the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rangel, who was appointed to the post by Kansas City Mayor Sly James in July, will join eight other members on the board. He will serve on the finance committee.

The Port Authority, established in 1977 to enhance the economic vitality of Kansas City, oversees environmental stewardship and sustainable development along the downtown riverfront. The organization, classified as a redevelopment entity, controls 120 acres of land along the Missouri River and is also involved in the partnership that is recreating the former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base site in South Kansas City into an important regional economic hub.

Rangel will serve a six-year term as commissioner. In addition to this new post with the Port Authority, he is also on the boards of a number of other community organizations, including the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, the UMKC Women’s Center, Truman Medical Center, Guadalupe Center Inc., Heartland Men's Chorus and Research Development Institute.

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.

Economic Development Expert Craig Joins MCC Staff

Jessica Craig has joined the staff of MCC as performance manager of economic development for the Institute for Workforce Innovation.

Craig came to MCC from the Missouri Department of Economic Development where she worked as a field project manager for seven years. In that role, she coordinated business recruitment and expansion activities which included crafting incentive packages for companies. She worked with businesses across the Greater Kansas City region and was responsible for business development in the life sciences industry, including the Animal Health Corridor.
At MCC, Craig will be responsible for economic development

Chancellor: Search for MCC-Blue River president officially begins

Chancellor Mark James visited the MCC-Blue River campus today to announce the beginning of the official national search for a new campus president. Primary qualities sought in this individual shall be that he or she is dynamic, experienced in the field of education administration, demonstrates an understanding of budgetary concerns and knowledge of how to achieve success on the financial side of the position, and a variety of other noteworthy skills and abilities.

Concerns about budgetary struggles came up near the end of the meeting, and the chancellor approached them with all due concern, stating that our pragmatic approach to increasing revenue would include creating more programs that bring the school additional income. The I.W.I. program which has already experienced great success in forming over fifty lucrative business contracts was used as a great example of new opportunities and revenue streams at MCC.

Other plans may include expanding our collegiate district’s footprint and finding ways to serve college-bound individuals in the St. Joseph area whom will no longer find A+ and associate’s degree programs at Missouri Western that were available in previous years. Missouri Western’s recent move to become a university has engendered a number of opportunities for MCC in the St. Joseph area.

Regional Workforce Summit

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) will be hosting an all-day Regional Workforce Summit, Connecting Workforce Partners, on Tuesday, June 21, at Liberty Memorial. The summit is to formally launch the Regional Workforce Intelligence Network of Greater Kansas City (RWIN), a new workforce and economic data exchange system designed to encourage workforce data exchange and collaboration between area professionals.

The summit is part of the America Works Initiative funded by the Walmart Foundation, which The MCC Insider reported on in March.

Speakers at the event will include representatives from MARC, the Walmart Foundation, the Kansas City Business Journal, the Full Employment Council, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Johnson County Community College, and other notable community leaders. Representatives from MCC include our own Dr. Tom Vansaghi, associate vice chancellor of college and community relations, and Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation and interim director of the Health Science Institute.

There is still time to register for the event. The fee is $15.

Be a Fearless Woman!

The Women's Bureau, a division of the US Department of Labor and partner of the MCC Institute of Workforce Innovation, would like to invite MCC employees to participate in an upcoming seminar at the UMKC University Center on Saturday, June 4, 8 am-1 pm.

Be a Fearless Woman! is a one-day bootcamp that will help you find your purpose, face life challenges, manage money and explore new opportunities. Registration is $50 and includes a continental breakfast, boxed lunch, a gift bag, and three workshops. The registration deadline is May 20. To register, visit daciamoore.com, or contact Pat Lees at IWI with questions.

In addition to the Women's Bureau, the event is being sponsored by Second Wind Counseling & Consulting and UMKC.

IWI welcomes BTOP public computer center director

Rich Prather, public computer center director, and Amanda Turner, administrative assistant

Last September, MCC was awarded $2.5 million through the Pathways to Broadband Access and Technological Education at Missouri’s Community Colleges project (BTOP) and the Missouri Department of Higher Education to support public computer centers. The project is a joint effort between the Administrative Center staff and the Institute for Workforce Innovation (IWI).

Now, the project can now truly begin as MCC welcomes Richard Prather, director for the BTOP public computer centers, who came on board last month.

Prather brings thirty years of experience in telecommunications. After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in psychology and social work, he went to work for Southwestern Bell. As the company changed to SBC then to AT&T, Prather served in a variety of technical, managerial and marketing roles. Prior to Southwestern Bell, he worked with support groups in a Springfield psychiatric unit. He majored in psychology out of a desire to help others. Even when he joined the corporate ranks, he was always interested in starting up employee-assistance programs. When Prather retired from AT&T last year, he found he wasn’t really ready to retire. And when the opportunity to work with public computer centers came along, he jumped at the chance.

“I think this can truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Prather. The public computer centers will offer open labs to teach basic computer literacy, such as Microsoft Office, Internet usage, social networking, and a variety of other user-related topics with an eye towards employability. The centers will be open to any Missouri resident. People who come to the computer centers will be encouraged to take advantage of MCC opportunities like counseling, and certification and degree programs.

“I see the public computer centers as the first step in the stepladder to success,” said Prather.

Prather plans to measure the success of the computer centers not just by grant-mandated guidelines, but by making the program sustainable. In addition to equipment and software, the grant will fund a total of four full-time staff, and 13-14 thousand-hour positions, including a mobile lab operator. Amanda Turner, who worked previously in payroll at MCC, is Prather’s administrative assistant and an integral part of the team.

NUS staff is currently assisting the public computer center team to upgrade the equipment in campus computer labs, including software, as well as working out logistics for the mobile lab which will feature laptop computers. One of Prather’s aims is to have a standard, consistent feel to the MCC public computer centers while incorporating the unique personality of each campus and its community into its computer center. Plans are underway to launch the centers on all MCC campuses this summer.

LINC Works partnership gives families a step up

Every year, the Local Investment Commission (LINC) provides support to 3,300 clients in the Kansas City area while they search for employment. Now, their search just got a little easier.

Through a new partnership between the LINC Works initiative and the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.), people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) have the opportunity to get job training in high-demand fields.

In addition to supporting the mission of MCC, this important partnership with one of the region’s leading nonprofit community-based organizations brings in an average of $3,000 per student. Costs cover technical training, “soft skills” workplace preparation, connections to employers and academic support. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to help LINC clients get GEDs and technical certificates to help launch them in meaningful careers.

Since February, 45 students from LINC Works have enrolled in I.W.I. programs such as CNA+, certified mental health technician, and professional food preparation courses. Plans are in place for additional courses to be added on a monthly basis, paving the way for more participants. Options being explored for course offerings later this spring include welding, phlebotomy, sterile processing, commercial truck driving, and courses in the animal health sector.

I.W.I. hosts Customer Appreciation Night

Last week, the Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.) thanked Kansas City area companies in the annual Customer Appreciation Night at the Business & Technology campus. I.W.I. is proud to continue to be the go-to source for so many business consulting and training needs.

Fifteen representatives from a variety of companies and organizations came out to enjoy an evening of networking, food, prizes and guided tours of the BTC Harley-Davidson lab. The attendees included companies and organizations such as Hallmark, CertainTeed, ATK, Reit Management and Research, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Excelsior Springs Job Corps, and the Water Services Department of Kansas City, Missouri, reflecting the broad client base that MCC serves and will continue to serve.

The Institute for Workforce Innovation is movin’ on up . . .

. . . to the fourth floor of the Campus Center at MCC-Penn Valley. IWI relocated over 40 personnel from BTC and PV into the space formerly occupied by the Applied Language Institute. All employees who moved from the BTC campus now have new phone numbers. Be sure to check the MCC phone directory for new contact information. IWI wishes to thank the following people for all their help in making the transition as smooth as possible:
Richard Hill and the MCC construction crew
Darrell Meyer, director of physical facilities
Tom Hulett and the BTC facilities staff
Jon Hopkins, Emit Bowman, and the PV facilities staff
Sheryl O'Roark and Carol Rodman in telecommunications
Robin Stoneman, Marsha Lerenberg, and NUS support staff
David Gray, Scott Haas, and mailroom support staff
Gary Wilson and MCC Campus Police
Troy Reed and Alana Deforest with MCC printing services
Joe Seabrooks, interim president, PV

Special thanks also to Debbie Goodall, president, MCC-BTC, for giving IWI program space to continue contract work for the district, as well as IWI staff Kevin Kelley and Jane Meyer for leading the relocation planning.

Episcopal Community Service reception catered by MCC students

More than 75 people attended the reception hosted by Episcopal Community Services (ECS) to celebrate the partnership between their Culinary Cornerstones program and the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.). The event was held at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral and catered by none other than MCC students participating in a new professional food preparation course.

The reception introduced the 15 MCC students enrolled in the program, many of whom were once served free meals at the ECS Community Kitchen. These students now have the opportunity to serve others while pursuing a career certificate under the tutelage of Anthony Herring, chef and director of the culinary program; Craig Adcock of Belly Up Bar-B-Que; Jude's Kansas City Rum Cake, and volunteer instructors.

In addition to the five hundred hot meals served to the homeless and underprivileged every week day, Culinary Cornerstones also boasts a professional catering service to give students plenty of hands-on experience. Last week's reception was the students' first time actually preparing food. Reception guests were left with high hopes for future student-catered events, including the program's graduation ceremony scheduled for May.

"Cooking and teaching-- it's a great combination," said John Hornbeck, president and CEO of ECS. Everyone agreed, the results were delicious.

Customer Appreciation Night at MCC-BTC

The MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation and Business & Learning Solutions is hosting its annual Customer Appreciation Night at the Business & Technology Campus. MCC is proud to honor its long-standing business associates from the Kansas City community, such as Ford, GM, Honeywell, Harley-Davidson, Cerner, and many others. Meet the people who make MCC and MCC students a success.

Walmart Foundation grant benefits MCC

Through its partnership with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), MCC is participating in a research project that is being funded through a two-year, $500,000 grant by the Walmart Foundation's America Works Initiative. The MARC project builds on the 2005 WIRED program, whose purpose was to analyze prominent industry sectors and develop training to address workforce needs.

The new funding will support a variety of workforce initiatives, including a survey of five hundred area businesses designed to determine Kansas City hiring and training needs. Research findings will benefit MCC in developing relevant courses for in-demand jobs, as well as continue to strengthen community ties. The MARC research committee is made up of a comprehensive group of educational institutions, industry experts, workforce investment boards and government entities concerned with workforce development. Pat Lees, performance manager for the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.) serves on MARC's coordinating committee.

The five hundred-company survey will commence by the end of this month, with results compiled in May. Plans are also underway to host an upcoming workforce summit this summer.

For more information about MARC or MCC research initiatives, please contact Pat Lees.

Reception to Celebrate New MCC Partnership

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) will host a reception to celebrate the new partnership between ECS’s Culinary Cornerstones program and the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation. This is MCC’s first collaboration with ECS to help train students in I.W.I.’s new professional food preparation program.


This partnership is an exciting opportunity for students to not only develop marketable career skills but to help the community. Training in food handling and related jobs will take place at ECS’s Kansas City Community Kitchen, which provides 500 hot meals every weekday to people living in poverty. The program is offered to disadvantaged students who are interested in a career in the culinary arts, and in fact, many of the students who enroll were once helped by the Kansas City Community Kitchen.

Professional and life skills training are also offered, including teamwork, communication skills, problem-solving, planning, stress management, job search and retention, and personal finance management. ECS’s Connections to Success program will also provide industry job placement.

The reception will be held on the evening of March 31, 5-7 p.m. at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral at 415 West 13th Street in Downtown Kansas City. Catering will be provided by Culinary Cornerstone’s current and incoming students.

For more information about this event, please contact Kevin Kelley, director of community development at I.W.I.

Seabrooks and Boyd oversee MCC-Penn Valley

Joe Seabrooks, president of MCC-Blue River, has been appointed interim president of Penn Valley. Seabrooks will retain his position as president of Blue River during this interim assignment with additional assistance from Blue River’s deans and leadership team. Bernard Franklin tendered his resignation as president of Penn Valley this week.

Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation (IWI), has been appointed as the interim executive director of the Health Science Institute (HSI). Boyd has been charged to work with Director Sandy McIlnay to create opportunities and build bridges between allied health, nursing programs, and area health care employers. She will also retain her position with IWI.

MCC in the news: helping people get back to work fast

MCC was featured in a Fox 4 news story yesterday about short-term healthcare career training delivered at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute in partnership with the Full Employment Council.

I.W.I. Leaders Learn, Network at Latino Conference

As part of the Institute for Workforce Innovation’s Latino outreach initiative, Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation, and Juan Rangel, director of workforce development, attended the inaugural National Council of La Raza (NCLR) workforce development conference in Chicago on Oct. 13-14.

Approximately 500 people attended the conference, entitled “¡Listo! Preparing Latino Workers for the New Economy,” with the goal of bringing together workforce development stakeholders from the local, state and national level to exchange ideas about program strategies, policy, and strategic partnerships. The NCLR presented a new report entitled, Learning in Context: Preparing Latino Workers for Careers and Continuing Education, which explores the impact of integrated training programs on low-skill and ESL participants. Workshops were offered along five tracks: career pathway strategies; serving vulnerable workers; youth workforce development; strategic partnerships; and local, state and federal policy solutions.

Hispanics represent the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce, with nearly 21.6 million Latino employees in the U.S. today. By 2050, it is estimated that one in three working-age Americans will be Latino. Through I.W.I., MCC is making a concerted effort to address Latino issues in education and community and workforce development.

Boyd and Rangel met with representatives from Carreras en Salud, a program sponsored by the Instituto del Progreso Latino, in search of a model site for a bilingual CNA program. Other opportunities for MCC to expand its outreach include law enforcement programming and other partnerships. Also in attendance at the conference were representatives from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, El Centro, the Guadalupe Center, the Full Employment Council, Donnelly College and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Institute for Workforce Innovation – new hires

Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation (IWI), is pleased to announce that IWI now has filled three key positions. These positions will facilitate increased resource generation, provide more services to students and clients, improve communications, and measure and evaluate outcomes from IWI’s divisional initiatives. Each of the people assuming these new roles are current MCC employees working within IWI so they are ready to jump in and provide leadership to their respective areas.

Carolyn Brown will serve the district as performance director for resource development, responsible for identifying federal, state and local grants. She will also identify viable funding opportunities, facilitate development of proposals, and support implementation for any funds awarded.

Kevin Kelley will serve as performance director for community development, responsible for identifying and developing new opportunities for training with area employers. His team will process all new ideas for IWI, conduct preliminary research, and design curriculum that meets employer requirements. He will also participate in identifying partnerships and grant opportunities to support new ideas.

Elaine Mondschein will serve as performance director for workforce development. Her team is responsible for expanding and continuously improving non-credit workforce development programming and associated support services, building and enhancing partnerships with funders and community agencies engaged in workforce development, and extending linkages with K-12 educational and workforce entities.

A major function of these new roles will be to collaborate within MCC to maximize the use of available resources to better meet the needs of IWI clients. Each of these positions is accountable for the revenue generated by their respective teams.

A final position, the performance director for business development, is being advertised. This position will lead the Business & Learning Solutions unit and be responsible for generating contract training opportunities with area employers. The hiring committee will be reviewing candidates in the coming weeks with hopes of filling the position by mid-November.