MCC-Maple Woods graduate and student employee moves on to Missouri State

Andrew Wilson, a MCC-Maple Woods graduate, former Ambassador and right-hand man for the Campus Life and Leadership office is movin' on up! Andrew is now attending Missouri State University and plans to major in art/animation. In his years at The Woods, Andrew served students, faculty and staff in many ways, including giving tours, helping plan activities, volunteering and amateur videographer. He will be greatly missed as our "Roving Reporter."

On behalf of everyone at Maple Woods, thank you for everything you've done, Andrew, and we wish you the best of luck at Missouri State. Go Bears!

Former MCC-Maple Woods student athlete killed in action while serving in Afghanistan

Matt Mason, who grew up in the small town of Holt, Mo. and who excelled as a student, athlete, competitor and soldier, was recently killed in action when a Chinook helicopter carrying members of the US Navy's elite SEALs was shot down in Afghanistan.

Matt Mason, who attended Kearney High School, was known as an easy-going student, and a talented linebacker and first-baseman. Although he graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in geology and geography, he began his college career at MCC-Maple Woods in 1992, where he continued his drive to be a fiercely competitive athlete, playing baseball for the (former) Centaurs.

That drive continued when he joined the SEALs, something his family and friends said he had wanted to do for many years. Even after being badly injured in Iraq in 2004, Mason was competing in the Kansas City triathlon just months later. According to family, he never considered staying out of combat an option, rejoining the SEALs and serving in multiple war zone missions.

Matt Mason was a scholar, athlete, father and distinguished serviceman. MCC-Maple Woods, Kansas City and the United States is extremely grateful for his dedicated service to his country.

Maple Woods vet techs contribute a combined 36 years of experience to local animal hospital

Located in the booming Animal Health Corridor, the MCC-Maple Woods veterinary technology program has a nearly 100% success rate of putting its graduates to work in the animal health industry, many times even before they graduate. Where do all the graduates go? Many of them work locally in clinics throughout the metro area, some continue pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine and some choose to go into research or other animal related industries in the area.

One veterinary clinic - Three Trails Animal Hospital in Independence, Mo. - is putting the skills of Maple Woods vet tech graduates to work. All four of the clinic's registered vet techs are graduates of the Maple Woods program, dating back to 1995. Vicki Dressler, Amy Richardson, Mariah Marshall and Megan Sander are just a few of the vet tech program's alumni who live, go to school and continue working locally after graduation.

Marshall and Dressler both worked at the hospital for four years before completing their degrees - but both said they were able to apply what they learned immediately, sometimes the next day.

"It was almost like work was an extension of school, or school was an extension of work. Everything contributed to my experience in and out of the classroom."

MCC-Maple Woods offers couple new beginnings

Finding themselves entering middle age, ensconced in careers and family life, Jill Cornett and her husband, Rick Schlottke, enrolled in an Introduction to Business class at MCC-Maple Woods. Under the guidance of instructor Jim Tjaden, neither of them ever looked back.

Jill Cornett had already completed her bachelor’s degree in English from Missouri Southern State University, and her husband Rick, who was working as a data analyst for an information technology company, was enrolling in a variety of courses as he explored the possibility of earning a college degree for the first time.

Rick’s aptitude for both data and geography led Tjaden to suggest he consider a geographic information systems certificate, which combines the two fields and prepares graduates to work in the field in two years. Rick completed to GIS certificate and graduated from MCC-Maple Woods in 2006, putting his skills to use immediately by going to work for the Clay County Assessor as a GIS technician. Rick went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in geography with a minor in business in 2008. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program at Park University and is a planning technician and GIS analyst for the City of Harrisonville.

But Rick isn’t the only one who decided to pursue academics again after a long break. Jill credits Tjaden with enabling her to pursue a higher degree as well. She completed a Master’s of Public Administration degree from UMKC in 2007 and is currently serving as city administrator for the City of Savannah, Mo.

“After taking that business course, I found the confidence to go back to school,” she said. “Neither my husband’s or my accomplishments would have been possible if Dr. Tjaden hadn’t supported and encouraged us at Maple Woods.”

MCC-Maple Woods Graduates: Walk On!

MCC-Maple Woods recently conferred degrees to its newest class of graduates at a ceremonay May 19, 2011, at the MCC-Business & Technology campus. President Merna Saliman, as well as Maple Woods alum Bob Rennison, addressed the graduates.

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MCC-Maple Woods Baseball Alum Stephen Ross (2010) finds success at Marshall

Former Monarch outfielder Stephen Ross (2010) was recruited by Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and is enjoying a successful season.

Read the full story here!

MCC-Maple Woods Baseball Alum Logan Morrison interview!

Logan Morrison, a former MCC-Maple Woods Monarch (2006) and current member of the Florida Marlins, gives an interview to "Answer Man" David Brown.

Check it out here!

Reaching out to bring alumni in

Since 1990, more than 320,000 people have attended MCC. That’s a lot of alumni. That’s a lot of success stories.

To reconnect with these former students, MCC marketing has launched a campaign called 320 thousand that encourages people to get back in touch with MCC by visiting http://www.320thousand.com/. With a goal of developing a comprehensive database of former students in order to re-engage them with MCC, the campaign encourages people who visit the site to register online as alumni. Registrants will then receive invitations to attend MCC events, participate in volunteer activities, support the MCC Foundation and network with other alumni, among other opportunities.

The call is not limited to people who earned a degree or certificate from MCC, though, says MCC marketing coordinator Monica Stevens, who is managing the recruitment campaign. Nor is it limited to people who attended MCC within the last 20 years.

“We want to hear from anyone and everyone who has attended MCC – from the person who took a single class here in 1948 to the person who has earned several associate’s degrees while attending multiple MCC campuses,” said Stevens. “So many of our former students have great stories to tell and we want to hear those stories.”

If you are a former MCC student, visit the 320 thousand web site to see how you can become part of this growing network of proud alumni. And if you have family or friends who have attended MCC, send them a link to this article so they, too, can join the movement!

STUDENTS: MCC-Longview's Mark Johnson shares his insights and wisdom (Nov. 16)

Join us for a presentation for students by MCC-Longview's own Mark Johnson, an internationally recognized expert in leadership and team building.

Johnson spent 21 years as a highly decorated Special Forces, Green Beret officer. In combat in Desert Storm, he led his Green Beret unit in special operations including reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, and coalition support.

Since retiring from the military Johnson has delivered over 500 seminars and motivational training programs to students, business leaders and companies across the country showing them his own formula for success. Do not miss out on this opportunity.

Formula for Leadership

Learn the secret formula for becoming an exceptional leader

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 3-6 p.m.

In the Education Center (Connected to the Business Building)

Dinner will be provided at the end of the program.

RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 11, to campus life & leadership at 816.604.2130, CC 253.

Check out: http://www.markthespark.com/
or The Mark Johnson Fan Club on Facebook

This event is ssponsored by MCC-Longview's campus life & leadership

MCC-Maple Woods grad shares parenting tips and tools

Former MCC-Maple Woods student Lorraine Esposito, now a life coach and author of "The Peacemaker Parent," is returning to campus to give back to her Northland community. The seminar, "The Glory of Failing," will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Campus Center, Room 103 and is free and open to the public.

Lorraine will be sharing information from her book, "The Peacemaker Parent," to all those interested in teaching their children (or grandchildren) valuable life skills without resorting to nagging or fighting.

MCC grad benefited through The United Way

This fall, like thousands of other young people across the metro area, Steven Pollard left friends and family behind and headed off for college. The 20-year-old Independence, Mo. man already has an associate’s degree from Metropolitan Community Colleges and is going to Emporia State University where he'll be studying political science. Pollard is excited about his future and has set some ambitious goals in life. He hopes to become a lawyer, get involved in politics and become a U.S. Senator someday. People who know Pollard say with his friendly personality, leadership skills and ability to communicate, anything is possible for the engaging young man.

The fact that he is heading for college with such lofty goals is a testament to Pollard and those who helped shape him, especially during his formative teenage years. Without their mentoring and guidance, Pollard says his life easily could have gone a different way.

At 16, Pollard and his younger brother were temporarily placed in a Salvation Army shelter until a more permanent placement could be arranged. The shelter staff noticed that Pollard had a positive attitude and was a good role model for his brother and the other children as well. They recommended he and his brother be placed at Drumm Farm, in a United Way-funded program for children in the foster care system, to add some stability to their lives.

From the day they arrived at Drumm Farm, the brothers began to thrive. Pollard said, "Once I got here, I realized it was a great place for us. The fact that my little brother got to be here with me was the best thing of all."

Pollard says, "My personal experiences with the foster care system and juvenile court were a factor in my wanting to become a lawyer and get involved in politics. I have seen how the system works from the inside. There need to be changes and I want to be in a position where I can someday help make those changes."

Reflecting on the five years he's spent at Drumm Farm, Pollard says, "The most rewarding thing has been the way everyone has worked together to help me succeed. They taught me the skills I need to be independent and prepare me for the future. Without a doubt, Drumm has been there for me. And although I didn't realize it at the time, through its support of Drumm Farm, United Way has been there for me. All I can say is thank you. I hope to make you proud-and maybe even convince you to vote for me someday."

Nominate outstanding community college alumni - deadline Sept. 3

The American Association of Community College's annual awards season is underway. Each year the organization honors Outstanding Alumni who have excelled in their field and given back to their community.

As the first community college in the country to offer an associate's degree, MCC is definitely poised to present an impressive slate of candidates for this honor. To nominate outstanding alumni for this prestigious distinction, apply online at http://www.aacc.nche.edu/About/Awards/oaa/Pages/default.aspx

Act quickly - the deadline to submit nominees is Friday, Sept. 3, 2010.

Calling all artists: The MCC-Longview Alumni Association wants you!

The MCC-Longview Alumni Association is looking for talented faculty, staff and alumni to participate in the Second Annual Arts Extravaganza.

Officials with the MCC-Longview Alumni Association are asking for anyone with flair for the creative to participate in this annual event that offers staff, faculty and alumni from all campuses the opportunity to show off their work and help raise money for the MCC Scholarship Fund.

From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 at MCC-Longview Education Center, artists will compete in seven different categories of art including such painting, sculpting, photography, ceramics, drawing, mixed media and new media.

"This is such a great opportunity for the community to support our alumni and give a boost to our scholarship fund that ultimately helps that students," organizer Joyce Johnson said.

Along with selling the art to raise money there will be a competition among the artists for most outstanding pieces as selected by the alumni association.

For more information or to learn how to participate in the Second Annual Alumni Art Extravaganza, contact Joyce Johnson at joycezgmbc@att.net or Norma Bark at 816.604.2494.

If you know of any alumni, pass on the word and help support a great cause.

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.