MCC-Maple Woods business degree offers two options

Students seeking a business degree, and even those who may not be seeking a degree but have an interest in business, can now choose from two options - getting out and into the workforce immediately or transferring to a four-year institution to continue their studies.

The Associate in Arts - Business degree is for students who want to continue studying at a four-year college or university in pursuit of bachelor's degree. Students who have an interest in business but have not decided on a major yet can also choose this course, as it provides all of their general education requirements and gives them a taste of what future business courses will be like, should they choose to continue.

The Associate in Applied Science - Business degree is designed for students who want to complete their degree and head straight into the workforce. Areas of emphasis include accounting, logistics management, management or office management - students will cover some general education requirements, but will devote most of their study to both focused and general business courses.

The program is headed up by business faculty Kim Luken and Jim Moes, both of whom share a passion for, not to mention a wide breadth of knowledge of, the business world. Both instructors are active in the business community - Luken heads up MCC-Maple Woods' free tax preparation efforts for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Moes operates his own business while teaching business courses full time and serving as an advisor for the MCC-Maple Woods chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

MCC-Maple Woods Business Program continues to build on strong foundation

Whether students are seeking a solid business foundation before transferring to a four-year institution or completing a two-year degree designed to get them into the workforce faster, the MCC-Maple Woods business faculty are making sure the program fits the needs of students taking just one course or completing their degrees.

Development of a two-year course load, mixing on-campus and online courses, has been developed by faculty and designed to make the most out of students' time.

Business Program Highlights:

• New Business Classroom - Classroom 105 in the Computing-Business building has been redone and is being used for classes this semester. This classroom has been redesigned as a “smart” classroom. Traditional desks have been replaced with workstations that house computers that lift up out of the desk. The room can quickly convert to a working lab. The computer monitors can then be lowered and are out of sight when not in use, giving students’ clear workspace.

• Additions to the MW Library - Over the past six years, we have added 221 new business books to the library collection. These books have assisted our students with assignments, projects, and are keeping students abreast of current events in the business world.

• VITA Program - MCC-Maple Woods will once again be hosting a Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (“VITA”) site on our campus during the 2010 tax filing season (i.e., February 2011 – April 2011). This year the site will be moved from its previous location in the Learning Resources Multi-Media lab to the new classroom discussed above (CB 105). We are moving to the larger room to accommodate more taxpayers. The VITA program is staffed by community volunteers, as well as students that complete BSAD 252: Individual Income Tax (this is a service learning class). BSAD 252 is an excellent class for students planning to major in Accounting – it looks good on a resume and allows students who are proficient in accounting to see how their skills can be a tremendous resource to the community.

• Facebook - The Business program has created a “fan” Facebook page to better serve and connect with students. The use of social media to promotes the program, sends out announcements, facilitates business discussion, offers business tips and suggestions, informs students about job leads, etc.

Future Initiatives to Expand/Improve the Business Program

• Continue to invite MaryLynn Munger, student employment coordinator, into classrooms to discuss cover letter, resume and professionalism in the workplace.
• Invite the Writing Center into classrooms each term to assist students with basic writing skills.
• Invite Mary Northrup, reference librarian, into classrooms to discuss and inform students about library support services.
• Invite the Financial Aid department into classrooms to help students understand the financial aid process and what it means to receive and properly use financial aid.

For more information on the MCC-Maple Woods Business Program, or to offer feedback to the instructors and program coordinators, contact business instructor Jim Moes.