PTK asks students to commit to finishing their education

The start of the new semester mean many new challenges for students across the MCC district. On Wednesday, students from the MCC-Longview PTK were out in force asking students take those challenges head on and commit to finishing their two-year or four-year degrees before it is too late.

“It is important for students to realize how crucial it is to finish your degree before life or anything else can get in your way,” adviser Jan Rog said.

The group asked students to sign the Community College Completion Corps (C4) banner as a show of commitment that they will finish their degrees before it is too late.

President Barack Obama created the C4 in 2009 specifically challenging Americans to once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world and to produce an additional 5 million community college graduates by 2020. C4 is a student-led initiative headed by PTK chapters across the country. It purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of college completion and to provide resources that will aid students in their quest for completion.

For more information about the commitment drive, contact Jan Rog or your PTK representative on campus.

Welcome back to MCC! Now, let us know you're here...

Are you studying up in the Library? Or maybe you are grabbing a bite to eat in the cafeteria? Possibly you are discussing the latest math assignment with your teacher...

No matter where you are on campus, let us know.

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Check us out on Foursquare by searching for Metropolitan Community College.

Or look us up on Facebook at MCC-Longview Lakers. 

Become a Fan or fight your way to the top and become the Mayor. Either way, get checked in and get connected to MCC-Longview.

Minor Monuments exhibit opens at MCC-Longview Aug. 26

MCC-Longview presents: Minor Monuments, an exhibit by Katherine Anne Novotny.

This outstanding show by Katherine Anne Novotny takes modern icons we see everyday, such as a stop sign or crosswalk, and turns them into something new and unexpected.

Here is what the artist says about her show: "I can only consider my experience with our landscape to be glimpses or windows. The landscape is wild and ever-changing; the air can be dense and light, vastness can be freeing or trapping, the horizon moves up and down in a fast-moving train and from a plane remains about the same.

"When placed in my memory, these experiences become scenes... these scenes confront me with characters: a stop sign, a detour, a bridge overhead, a path underfoot, the green man means go and the flashing hand means no. With Minor Monuments I wish to reintroduce these sights by changing their materiality from a symbol to a manipulated form. My recent works are building blocks meant to be treasured and re-imagined within the space, whichever that may be."

Minor Monuments

Opening reception and lecture

Aug. 26 5-8 p.m.

Artist lecture at 6 p.m.

MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

Full show: Aug. 26-Sept. 24

Gallery hours: Wednesday-Saturday Noon-4 p.m.
MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center
500 SW Longview Road, Lee's Summit MO

Campus attendance maps reveal wide areas of service

MCC's office of institutional research and assessment recently conducted an analysis of the area from which students are drawn to each of MCC's five campuses, and the results might surprise you.

Using attendance data from the Spring 2011 semester, the research office created a map for each campus that uses a small dot to indicate the location of every student's residence in relation to the location of the campus. The maps, which can be accessed using the links below, illustrate that each campus serves students far beyond its specific geographic service area.

MCC-Blue River attendance map
MCC-Business & Technology attendance map
MCC-Longview attendance map
MCC-Maple Woods attendance map
MCC-Penn Valley attendance map

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."

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!

Mo. Higher Ed Commissioner visits MCC

David Russell, commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education, visited MCC last week for the first time since taking office last summer.

Commissioner David Russell and MCC leaders stop by the MCC-Longview automotive technology department as one stop on their four-campus tour of MCC.

Russell visited four of MCC's five campuses during his trip to Kansas City on Thursday. After meeting with MCC officers for briefings on a number of district-wide initiatives, the commissioner toured the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, then traveled to Longview, Business & Technology and Blue River. Time constraints prevented him from visiting MCC-Maple Woods but he received an overview of the campus during his meeting with the officers.

Russell was very complimentary of MCC throughout the day and appreciated being introduced to many of MCC's programs and initiatives, said Associate Vice Chancellor Tom Vansaghi, who hosted the commissioner's visit.

To see addition photos of the day-long whirlwind MCC tour, visit the photo album on MCC's Flickr page.

MCC hosts legislator lunch

With its Longview campus playing host, Metropolitan Community College welcomed several area state legislators to meet with Chancellor Mark James and President Fred Grogan.

The informal lunch meeting was the second in several meeting with Kansas City area lawmakers to renew relationships and build an understanding of the important of higher education in Missouri.

For more photos from the event, check out the MCC-Longview photo blog. 

MCC Opens Free Public Computer Centers

MCC has opened four new public computer centers (PCCs) and will open two more at the end of August. The PCCs, which will be free and open to the public, will give under-resourced residents access to computers for training to help them in the job market and in their personal lives.

“The PCCs will function as one-stop technology centers for launching new opportunities, new careers and personal enrichment, with a specific focus on the unemployed and underemployed populations,” said Rich Prather, PCC director.

The PCCs will be located on each of MCC’s five campuses and at the Pioneer location, a satellite extension of the Penn Valley campus.

The establishment of the PCCs is part of a state-wide Pathways to Broadband Access and Technology Education at Missouri’s Community Colleges project facilitated by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Funding is provided by

MCC PTK shines at state leadership training conference

Kappa Tau officers from left to right: Kelly Lucas-V.P. of Correspondence, Oscar Aguilar - V.P. of Public Relations, Alex Balmer - V.P of Service, Nicholas Franklin - V.P. of Leadership, Cathy Baker - Chapter's President, Rikki Atkinson - V.P. of Fundraising, Robert Gaines- V.P. at Large

PTK Vice President Oscar Aguilar and his fellow PTK officers attended the Missouri leadership conference in Columbia this past month. Here is what Oscar had to report after the breathtaking experience with other PTK chapters from around the state:

Friday, July 15, a group of seven Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members and two advisors from Longview’s PTK Chapter, Kappa Tau, headed to Columbia to attend the Missouri regional Honors In Action (HIA) conference held at Steven's college. 

Each year, the community college honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, invites honor students from two-year colleges in Missouri to participate in a weekend seminar concerning HIA. At this time, Phi Theta Kappa honor students are exploring the theme “Democratization of Information: power, promise, and peril” 

Video: MCC Student Ambassador Conference 2011

Baseball player Kyle Simpson heads to Missouri Western State University

From the LakeNewsOnline.com:

A former Camdenton Laker will continue his baseball career at the NCAA D-II level. Missouri Western State University announced that Kyle Simpson will transfer to play his junior and senior years with the Griffons.

Simpson played two years of junior college baseball for Metropolitan Community College-Longview in Kansas City. As a Longview Laker, Simpson was an all-region and all-district catcher and third baseman. As a freshman at Longview he hit .424 with six home runs while as a sophomore he hit .309 with two home runs.

Read more about Simpson here.

MCC Automotive is blazing new trails in Hybrid Vehicle technology

Blazing new trails in the automotive technology field is nothing new to students at Metropolitan Community College.

But did you know that MCC owns one of the first ever produced Ford Hybird vehicles and instructors use it daily to train the next generation of automotive engineers and technology specialists.

Even before Ford Automotive began mass producing the Ford Escape Hybird in 2004, instructors and students at the Longview campus were able to get a first-hand look at a prototype donated by Ford to the college.



Longview automotive instructor David Patience said the hybrid has been a valuable resource for students who want to learn about the inner-workings and mechanics of this new breed of car. Student can then take what they learn through the Longview Automotive Program and apply it directly to their career in auto engineering, mechanics or design.

The vehicle and hybrid training program is being featured next month in the Kansas City's Greenability Magazine.

To learn more about the Hybird vehicle and the MCC-Longview automotive program, be sure to check out www.mcckc.edu.

MCC-Longview joins Google+

Technology moves fast, but MCC-Longview is right there riding the wave of +1s and Google Circles with the rest of them.

Join MCC-Longview on Google+ as we share news from campus and the community.

Just sign in with your Google Account and get connected

Of course, don't forget you can still find MCC-Longview:

On Facebook - www.facebook.com/mcclvlakers
On Twitter - www.twitter.com/mcclongview
On YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/mcclongviewlakers
On Flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/mcclongview

MCC-Longview presents: Songs of a New World

MCC-Longview is proud to present Songs for a New World, a critically acclaimed musical written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, who has been praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Steven Sondheim.

Since its off-Broadway debut in 1995, Songs for a New World has delighted audiences around world.

Songs for a New World
8 p.m.  July 28, 29 & 30
At the MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center
Tickets: $10 at the door

For information, or to buy advance tickets, call 816.604.2030.

Student Profile: Dakota Fletcher, a rising star in the engineering world

Dakota Fletcher might have successfully finished his studies at Metropolitan Community College-Longview, but says the impression his experience at MCC left on him will last a lifetime.

Fletcher graduated from MCC-Longview this past spring with a degree in engineering. He now plans to take his education to the next level as he prepares to start classes at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

"I knew I wanted to go into some engineering field," Fletcher said. "And everything I heard from school counselors and professors at S&T was that starting at Longview was going to best prepare me for the kind of success I wanted."

MCC-Longview student reflects on his service in Joplin, Mo.

On Friday, July 1, a group of 75 student, faculty and staff drove to Joplin, Mo., to help in the ongoing clean-up efforts there.

One MCC student, Mike Simpson, wrote this short reflection after returning from his day of volunteer service in Joplin:

"It is impossible to describe the full magnitude of the destruction in the city of Joplin. All the many local and national newscasts couldn't prepare me for what I saw down there. As soon as our bus entered ground zero, I was overwhelmed with a sense of sadness and despair.

However, in the midst of all the rubble there were volunteers from all over the country. These people drove for hours to work in a cloud of dust in the sweltering heat to help people that they have never met. Being surrounded by so many of these kind-hearted people is a big relief in a city that has been plagued with so much sadness."

MCC will continue to provide aid to the Southern Missouri town in its recovery from the devastating tornado that left more than 150 people dead and left thousands homeless.

MCC-Longview July employee of the month: Arlene Arel

Please join me in congratulating Arlene Arel, Longview Café Chef, as July Employee of the Month.

Arline Arel moved to Grandview from Haverhill, Massachusetts, and then built a house in Lee’s Summit.  She began working as a chef in Longview’s kitchen more than 25 years ago — and also was the fry cook when needed.  She cooked up a storm for the employees and the students, enjoying every minute of it.  The last four years she has been the head cashier.  

Last summer, when Longview decided to close the kitchen. But it shortly reopened because Arline was willing to prepare hot food and the salad line by herself.  Again, this was a labor of love.

She maintains that she will never retire because she enjoys the company of Longview’s employees and students.  She says, “I love the students—seeing their growth and achievements."

She still finds time between semesters when the café is closed to go camping, boating, and swimming.  She has nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren with whom she enjoys her vacation time.

Congratulations Arlene!

MCC in the news: Staff and Faculty head to Joplin to help with ongoing clean-up efforts

At 5 a.m. more than 70 faculty and staff gathered at the flag poles at MCC-Longview as they prepared to head south to Joplin, Missouri.

The Lee's Summit Journal took time to talk with organizers and preview the trip in today's edition. Be sure to give it a read and support your co-workers headed to Joplin.

Tips to keep MCC cool over the HOT holiday weekend.

As staff, faculty and students across the district prepare for the 4th of July weekend it is important to remember a couple of energy saving tips from MCC-Longview Facilities Services Superintendent

Steve Greife.

1. As you leave Thursday or Friday for the extended holiday, turn off all the lights at your workstation.

2. Turn off all printers, copiers, and unused appliances.

2. Don't forget to turn off your computer.

"As we go into a very hot three day holiday weekend please help MCC use as little energy as possible.  Please do that every day – but it is especially important over a hot three day weekend."


Have a Happy 4th of July weekend!


[Image from inhabitat]