Fulbright scholar credits MCC-Blue River experience for success

Tamera Jenkins, Fulbright scholar lands in Canada

You can get absolutely anywhere in the world from right here at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River. Tamera Jenkins took that message to heart, earning her way to a Fulbright scholarship and an exhilarating experience studying abroad. From the Blue River campus in Independence, Mo., Tamera made her way to a world of new experiences at Simon Fraser University's Graduate School of Criminology in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“I was thrilled when my son went to Blue River,” Tamera says. And when she brought him to campus to procure permission for him to attend at a younger than normal age, Jon Burke, MCC-Blue River's dean of student development, gave her the encouragement she says she needed to continue her own education as well.

Jon described their first meeting, saying, “She told me that she had thought about going back to college herself at some point in the future. I encouraged her to take one class at Blue River—begin as a part-time student and then decide if she’d like to be a full-time student for future semesters.” In light of her Fulbright scholarship and her track record of academic success, Jon added, “In hindsight, it certainly appears that

MCC receives state and federal grants

MCC has been awarded two grants totaling about $90,000.

One grant, from the Missouri Department of Higher Education in the amount of $25,000, is focused on default prevention. The funding will partially cover the salary and benefits of the district's default prevention coordinator who supports students throughout the lifecycle of their student loans. The grant, which runs from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, is expected to positively impact MCC’s U.S. Department of Education cohort default rate.

Another grant, from the U.S. Health and Human Resources and Services Administration in the amount of $64,114, will provide scholarships for students in need. The scholarship funds will be granted directly to economically or educationally disadvantaged nursing students at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute. Economic need is determined based on the U.S. Health and Human Services poverty table; educational need is based on factors such as being a first generation college student or a recent GED completer or having attended a high school with a low graduation rate. The grant period is July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 with possible annual renewals.

Grainger Tools for Tomorrow Winners Get Sneak Peak at Prize

From left: MCC-BTC Dean of Instruction, Tom Wheeler; Electric Utility Line Tech student, Ryan McNary; Engineering Technology student, Judah Schad; and Grainger Branch Manager, Jari Allen.  Ryan and Judah were selected for the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarship - a $1,000 scholarship and a very large bag of tools after they graduate.     The Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program awards financial assistance for tuition and books to outstanding students earning an associates degree or certificate in the fields of electrical, plumbing, welding, construction, facilities maintenance, machine technology, electronic systems, automotive repair and other industrial programs.  Learn more about available scholarship here.

MCC Foundation Gives Surprise Gift to Students in Need

A generous donation from the MCC Foundation is sure to bring smiles to the faces of some very deserving students this fall.

The foundation’s board of directors approved a measure last week that would provide $500 scholarships to a group of almost 200 high-achieving students who are struggling to pay their college costs. Foundation board president, Anita Maltbia, presented a $100,000 check to MCC officials and student ambassadors during the college’s board of trustees meeting on Thursday.

MCC Foundation Board President Anita Maltbia, second from right, presented a check for $100,000 made out to "Metropolitan Community College Students" at the MCC board of trustees meeting on June 16. Pictured with Maltbia are (left to right) Mark James, MCC chancellor; Duc Nguyen, student leader at MCC-Penn Valley and MCC-Maple Woods; Mehrnaz Shahlari, student ambassador at MCC-Penn Valley; Maira Cuevas, student leader at MCC-Blue River and MCC-Maple Woods and student advisor for the MCC Foundation; and David Disney, president of the MCC board of trustees.   

Financial-need parameters have been established for the scholarships but specific students have not yet been selected to receive the awards, said Cindy Butler, MCC's district director of financial aid. The students, who will be identified by the financial aid office, will have completed at least half of the coursework for an associate's degree and be in good academic standing with the college.

“These are bright students who are poised to do well in school and in their careers,” said Maltbia, who is also director of the

MCC-Blue River alumnus Esther Francis receives Fulbright grant

Esther Francis, MCC-Blue River's newest Fulbright scholarship recipient

Each of the last two years, an MCC-Blue River alumnus has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study abroad. This year the Fulbright award went to Esther Francis, an MCC-Blue River graduate who spent a year living in Guanajuato, Mexico during her undergraduate studies. After her immersive, linguistic experience in Mexican culture, she knew that she had to find a way to go back.

The Fulbright Binational Business Grant allows Esther to spend another year living and studying Mexico. With the scholarship, she will attend graduate level courses at Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology while gaining experience as an intern for a Mexico City based company.

The Fulbright scholarship is awarded to a very select group of applicants based on their academic performance, professional achievement, and the leadership qualities they demonstrate. The Fulbright program was designed by the United States congress and passed into law by President Harry S. Truman to increase

MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers featured on KMBC 9 News

J.R. Byers has come a long way in the two years he spent at MCC-Longview. WIth graduation now behind him, J.R. is planning to attend Cornell College in Iowa using a $90,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cook Foundation.

KMBC 9 News caught with J.R. and featured him on the morning news show on his graduation day.

Three MCC-Longview students receive major Rockhurst University scholarships

Congratulations to three MCC-Longview students picked to receive 3/4 scholarships from Rockhurst University in Kansas City.

Leandra Stuckey, Jacob Turney and Kristine Vainovska will receive scholarships that will cover three-quarters of their costs at Rockhurst. The three joined hundreds of others from around the Midwest who applied for the only three scholarships given by the university.

Kristine is an international student from Latvia, and this is the second scholarship she has received.

"This is extremely exciting, honoring, and humbling to me. The two and a half years I have spent at Longview have truly paid off, as I have taken the advantage of all the possible opportunities open to me," she said. Kristine said she is looking forward to attending Rockhurst this fall and will major in Organizational leadership studies and minor in business administration.

Jacob tarted Longview in Spring of 2010, and will graduate this month with his AA degree. He will transfer in the fall to pursue his bachelor's degree in pre-medicine, with a major likely in humanities or liberal arts.  


"I am elated to have been awarded the Rockhurst scholarship, and will be very proud to attend should I stay in town," he said.

Leandra Stuckey plans to attend Rockhurst as well in the fall after graduating from MCC-Longview.

MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers receives national scholarship to finish bachelors degree

Photo: Byers receives a standing ovation from friends, family, fellow students and faculty at the annual MCC-Longview Awards Reception where he was named the winner of Jack Kent Cooke scholarship.

MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers was named this week a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship - a prestigious scholarship that will allow Byers a chance to transfer to the university of his choice to finish his bachelors degree.

The award took Byers by surprise on Sunday at the annual MCC-Longview student and faculty awards ceremony on campus. History instructor Randall Moore announced that J.R. had been named as one of the 50 scholarship recipients throughout the nation.

Surrounded by family and fellow Longview students, Byers said he was elated as he will now be able to work toward a full bachelors degree in Anthropology.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship makes it possible for the nation’s top community college students to complete their bachelor’s degrees by transferring to a four-year college or university. The Foundation provides up to $30,000 per year to each of approximately 50 deserving students selected annually, making it the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country.

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees – for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.

Byers is the third MCC-Longview students to be awarded this scholarship.

Janet L. and Richard D. Rees Veterinary Technology Scholarship awarded the MCC-Maple Woods Vet Tech program by

The MCC-Maple Woods Veterinary Technology program recently received a monies to continue to support vet tech students over the coming years. The Janet L. and Richard D. Rees Veterinary Technology Scholarship, endowed at $25,000, will be awarded in the one-time amount of $750 to one student each spring.

The scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student enrolled in the veterinary technology program with recommendation from a vet tech instructor or a counselor at a 2.8 or greater GPA.

The gift was awarded by Dick Rees in memory of his late wife, Janet. Janet had been a member of the HoAKC for 30 years, including serving as secretary and board member for the last 13. She dedicated much time and effort to involvement with several specialty clubs for Boston Terriers, her favorite breed. She also participated in dog shows with her own animals all over the country.

The Reeses were also a dedicated part of Goodin Heart of America Kennel Club Scholarship, which, along with awarding a $250 scholarship to a vet tech student each semester, also presents engraved stethescopes to each incoming student.

Dick and Janet Rees, pictured with MCC-Maple Woods President Merna Saliman, Dean of Instruction Mindy McCallum, Vet Tech Coordinator Chris Morrow, Natalie Short and Jessica Ramirez.

Scholarship and Financial Aid deadlines are almost here!

April 1, 2011, is MCC's and Missouri's deadline for financial aid and scholarships. Students: fill out your FAFSA and apply! Faculty and Staff: encourage your students to get to the Financial Aid office!

MCC-Maple Woods' Financial Aid office is dedicating every Friday in March to helping students fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is mandatory for all students who wish to receive any kind of financial assistance for upcoming semesters. FAFSA Fridays are held on a first come-first served basis and the are FREE!

Temporary changes to scholarship process

Plans are underway for a major process improvement that will make it easier for students to apply for MCC Foundation scholarships – a process that in the past has been difficult for students to navigate. The system enhancement will be implemented in 2012.

In the meantime, the scholarship process is temporarily being scaled back.

Temporary changes: For the 2011-12 academic year, the MCC Foundation will award the Bloch Scholars and the Fran and Wally Good scholarships and will grant renewals to students who remain eligible for scholarships they currently receive. Also, the process for requesting support from the Student Book and Emergency Fund will remain the same. While this represents a majority of the funding currently distributed by the MCC Foundation, some scholarships that have historically been managed by the foundation will not be awarded during this period. In a few specific cases, other scholarships deemed necessary by a campus will be administered by campus officials directly.

Permanent improvements: The streamlined scholarship-application process, which will be available for students enrolling for fall 2012, is designed to make the application process easier for both students and staff with the ultimate goal of awarding more scholarships. Further, the MCC Foundation has established a $250 minimum for awardable scholarships, another change designed to provide additional support for deserving students who need financial assistance. Currently, approximately one percent of MCC students receive MCC Foundation scholarships.

Honoree, Chairs, Theme announced for 2nd annual gala

In preparation for the second annual Five Star Gala to be held this spring, the MCC Foundation has announced the event’s honoree, chairpersons and theme.

The gala’s theme, Creating Bright Futures, is a nod to the commitment and passion of the honoree organization--the Francis Family Foundation, the event chairpersons--David Disney, Kathy Disney and Carolyn Watley, and MCC.

The Francis Family Foundation has contributed more than $20 million to MCC and is the namesake for the Francis Institute at MCC-Penn Valley. Recognized nationally for its commitment to pioneering advances in child care and early childhood development, the Francis Family Foundation has been particularly supportive of MCC’s work to provide high-quality training and education for aspiring childcare providers.

David and Kathy Disney served as co-chairs for the inaugural gala in 2010, along with Jackie Snyder, and will serve in the same capacity this year, along with Carolyn Watley. David, who is senior vice president at J.E. Dunn Construction Company, is president of the MCC board of trustees and has served on the board since 2000. Kathy, who is a professional photographer, is a strong advocate for education and youth in our community. Carolyn, who is president of CBIZ, serves on the MCC Foundation board of directors.

MCC employees are cordially invited to attend the gala, which will be held Thursday, March 31, at the downtown Marriott Hotel’s Meuhlebach Tower. Employee tickets are available for the discounted price of $100 per person, which is less than half of the regular ticket price of $250 per person. MCC alumni and retirees may purchase tickets for $125 each. Proceeds from the event go to student scholarships, academic coaching, emergency book funds and special MCC projects.

For additional information about the event or to order tickets, visit the Five Star Gala website.

Access Missouri award amounts to increase

Governor Jay Nixon announced last week an increase in award amounts for students receiving Access Missouri scholarship funds, the state’s largest need-based student financial aid program.

Award amounts will increase from $275 to $470 at public two-year institutions; from $950 to $1,010 at public four-year institutions; and from $1,900 to $2,160 at independent four-year institutions.

What does that mean for MCC students? The additional funding will increase our student eligible funds from $209,149 to $357,739 for the fall semester. Cindy Butler, director of student financial aid stated that MCC can double that to approximate that we will see $715,478 for the year. MCC has 1,524 students who receive these funds.

Commissioner of Higher Education David Russell said, “We base award amounts on estimates of how many students will be eligible. At the time award amounts are set – usually mid-summer – we do not know how many of those who are eligible will actually apply and attend college. We have traditionally taken a conservative approach to awards for the fall semester, making adjustments as needed later in the academic year.”

The state has provided more than $275 million in Access Missouri scholarships since the program was created in 2007. An average of 45,000 students with the greatest financial need have benefited from the scholarship awards each year.

The Winners: Grainger Tools for Tomorrow Scholarships

Two students at MCC-Business & Technology campus were awarded the Grainger Foundation's Tools for Tomorrow scholarship this week. Each will receive a $2,000 award and, in spring, a Westward tool kit valued at approximately $1,000. Grainger Foundation will award 150 such scholarships to students across the nation this year.

Pictured are Chris Jones, Grainger district branch services manager; Judah Schad, electronics & computer engineering technology student; Debbie Goodall, MCC-BTC president; Ryan McNary, electric utility line technician student; and Jari Allen, branch manager of Grainger's 18th Street distribution center.

Student Financials team sets the curve

Kathy Mercer (second from left) and Sherry Muirhead (second from right) from MCC’s Student Financials department accepted the Set the Curve Award from Paul Knight (left), TouchNet manager of client relations and Dan Toughey (right), TouchNet president.

MCC has won yet another hard-earned award, this time in recognition of the college’s efforts to streamline online payment options for students.

The Set the Curve Award was presented to MCC’s Student Financials department by the client advisory board of TouchNet Information Systems, the third-party vendor that supplies MCC’s online student payment, cashiering and online store systems. The award, which is presented every two years, recognizes innovation and achievement by TouchNet clients who set the curve in campus commerce.

“MCC won this award in part because of their commitment to student satisfaction, their focus on lowering delinquent accounts receivable, and their ability to effectively manage rapid growth in student enrollment,” said a TouchNet spokesperson.

Members of MCC’s Student Financials team accepted the award at TouchNet’s annual national COMTEC conference earlier this month in Kansas City. As part of the award, MCC will receive $500 in student scholarship funds.

MCC implemented the TouchNet system in 2009. Cindy Butler, district director of student financial aid, points to the value the system provides to MCC, especially to students.

“TouchNet software allows us to offer online payment options, electronic billing and direct deposit refunds to our students without the risk of storing their sensitive bank account information on our server,” Butler said.

MCC-BTC Welding Student awarded $500 Scholarship

Carolyn Cassidy with welding program coordinator, Dr. Tim Gill

Carolyn Cassidy, recipient of the Edgar Jimenez Scholarship, wants to be an artist but she plans to be a welder first.

“My first attempt at welding was in my first welding class,” says Carolyn. “I had zero previous experience with welding – I had never held a welding gun until I got to MCC-BTC.” However, she has climbed to the top of the class.

“Carolyn is a great welder – she has a perfect combination of skill, patience, ambition, and the desire to learn,” says Dr. Tim Gill, welding program coordinator. “That’s why I encouraged her to apply for the Edgar Jimenez Scholarship.”

Carolyn is now $500 wealthier due to the donation and scholarship set up by MCC student, Edgar Jimenez. After retirement, Edgar has audited classes at MCC for the last 15 years. As token of his appreciation, Jimenez donated $500 for a scholarship to be awarded to a deserving student. This year that student is Carolyn Cassidy.

At age 20, Carolyn says she has always wanted to be an artist. “I was planning to go straight into art school, but my uncle, who is also a welder, encouraged me to take welding classes as a way to both create art and have a skill to fall back on,” says Carolyn.

“I would like to design and build large metal sculptures some day. The welding skills I am learning now will certainly be of use when I am out of school,” Carolyn says.

After finishing her A.A.S. degree in Welding and Management, Carolyn plans to transfer to a 4-year school to work on a bachelor’s degree in art.

For more information about the new A.A.S. degree in Welding and Management click here.

Foundation scholarship opens new horizons for MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers

J.R. Byers is getting the most of his education. It’s not just that he is taking advantage of his classes or extra curricular activities while here at MCC-Longview.

Rather, Byers is also taking advantage of the MCC Foundation, which is helping with a full scholarship to pay for school.

“This has to be one the most important things the school is doing for its students,” Byers said of himself and dozens of others who received scholarships from the board and the foundation to complete their education.

“My opportunities have expanded exponentially,” he said. “When I first started I was not sure I could afford to go to a community college let alone a four-year school.”

As a former corporate trainer and business owner, Byers hit a string of bad luck when the economy began to go south. He had to sell his business and immediately started looking for a way to continue to support himself and his children as a single parent.

Originally, Byers had thought he was going to use MCC-Longview as a starting place for a teaching degree, but with renewed confidence given to him by instructors and an opportunity to save a little money on the side, Byers says he now wants to continue in his education and get a Master’s degree or even a Ph.D. in linguistic philosophy or anthropology.

His high GPA and involvement with Phi Theta Kappa also has made him an interesting prospect to other schools. Columbia, Syracuse and handful of others from around the country are all courting Byers as he now prepares to make the decision on where to go after next semester.

“Without the foundation, none of this would have been possible,” Byers said. “For me now, the sky is the limit.”

Even with an unlimited horizon ahead of him, Byers still is quick to credit those at the foundation and at the head of each of his classes for helping him become so successful in his two short years at MCC.

Foundation Makes Scholarships Easier to Find, Pursue

Throughout the year, the MCC Foundation works hard to manage scholarships, both by raising money to create and grow scholarships and by getting the word out about money that is available to students through these scholarships. Because dozens of scholarships go unclaimed each year, the MCC Foundation is celebrating National Scholarship Month with a campaign to raise the visibility of available scholarship money. Based on input and feedback from students and student services staff, the foundation has initiated several improvements to the scholarship-seeking process, including:

• Bettering the booklet: The online MCC scholarship booklet, which lists all of the available scholarships for any given semester, is scheduled to be available by the end of November, two months earlier than in years past. This will give students additional time to gather and submit the applications in time for the April deadline.
• Submission goes digital: In the fall of 2011, the application submission process itself will become automated so students will be able to apply online. This change will allow for earlier awarding, which will help students and their families make informed, timely enrollment decisions.

The MCC Foundation also has planned a number of activities and initiatives that celebrate MCC scholars, scholarship donors and the scholarships themselves, including:

• Thanks-a-thon: MCC scholars will gather on Friday, November 19 for the annual donor phone-a-thon, where they will spend the evening calling more than 500 scholarship donors to thank them for their contribution to MCC. The volunteer callers do not solicit donors for additional contributions during the call, and some even get to talk with the specific donor who contributed to their own scholarship, so the phone-a-thon is very rewarding for them. “We’ve received enormous amounts of praise for this activity on both sides of the phone,” said Jessica Ramirez, manager of community relations and fund raising at the MCC Foundation.
• Highlighting MCC scholars: Throughout the month of November, MCC scholarship recipients will be featured on The MCC Insider in articles that both recognize the scholars for their accomplishments and bring attention to various scholarships that are available.
• Adopt a Student: This spring, the foundation is launching the Adopt a Student program, which invites local business and civic organizations to support students in a fund-a-need format, allowing donors to choose the types of costs their contributions will cover. Using this proven fundraising technique, the foundation will help donors and prospective donors connect more closely with students in need. The foundation's scholarship committee, which includes business members, high school counselors and A+ program coordinators, has been instrumental in the development of the program.

So, be on the lookout for these and other changes that will help the MCC Foundation create opportunities for our students. If you are a student exploring scholarship opportunities, there are two ways you can get more information:

1. Click here to view the on-line scholarship booklet or follow this path on the MCC web site: Get Started --> Step 2 --> Scholarships
2. Schedule an appointment to see your campus financial aid officer

If you are an employee or community member exploring contribution opportunities, please contact Jessica Ramirez at 604.1458 or by email.

Here’s wishing you a happy and financially sound National Scholarship Month!

MCC Foundation Wants More Attention, Recipients for Scholarships

Foundation scholarships

Every year, dozens of available scholarships, representing tens of thousands of dollars, go unused by MCC students. That’s a lot of money! And the MCC Foundation would rather award it to deserving students than have it sitting in the bank. So, in honor of National Scholarship Month, the MCC public information department and the MCC Foundation are launching an awareness campaign to be sure students, faculty and staff are aware of this great, free alternative to student loans.
Watch The MCC Insider throughout November for information on MCC scholars and MCC scholarships. If you know of any current or prospective MCC students who could benefit from a scholarship, please share this information or encourage them to visit the MCC Foundation web page. Remember, if you want to email an MCC Insider article to a student, colleague or friend, you can do so by clicking on the envelope icon at the bottom of any story.

KC Star profiles scholarship in memory of Tony Singh

The entire community mourned the senseless murder of Tony Singh, a convenience store clerk who was shot in March during a robbery. The murder was especially tough for the MCC-Penn Valley family because Tony was the brother of Gurbhushan Singh, the campus' beloved financial manager.

The Singh family is determined to keep Tony's memory alive and has established a scholarship in his honor. So far, $15,000 has been collected. Each semester $250 will be awarded to a music student at Penn Valley.

To read more about the scholarship in The Kansas City Star, click here.