Career opportunites

CO# 11-037 LV Dean of Instruction

* posted March 18
* will be removed from the website on April 10 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51296

CO# 11-038 MW Associate Dean
* posted March 18

* will be removed from the website on April 3 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51300

CO# 11-039 PV Lead Groundskeeper
* posted March 18

* will be removed from the website on April 3 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51298

CO# 11-040 AC Senior Campus Police Officer
* posted March 18

* will be removed from the website on March 27 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51297

CO# 11-042 PV Performance Manager - Economic Development
* posted March 18
* will be removed from the website on April 3 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51301


CO# 11-041 BT Enrollment Manager (Internal Only)
* posted March 18
* will be removed from the website on April 3 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51299

BTC President and MW Lead Counselor Invited to National Discussion about Community College

Debbie Goodall, president of MCC-BTC and Barbara Cooke, lead counselor MCC-Maple Woods, will be part of a national discussion today in Indianapolis on how community colleges work with business and industry to educate students and provide a highly skilled workforce.

Goodall and Cooke are part of a group of leaders in education, philanthropy, business, and labor that was gathered by Martha Kanter, U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary for Postsecondary Education Initiatives. The summit on March 23 at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis is one of four regional summits aimed at significantly increasing the number of college graduates prepared for the twenty-first century workforce, with the ultimate goal of meeting President Obama’s challenge to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

The group will develop recommendations on ways industry-education partnerships can help students get high-quality credentials from community colleges. The recommendations will be presented at a national virtual symposium in April.

Joining Goodall and Cooke at the summit will be other Missouri community college leaders; representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the National Science Foundation; and experts in workforce and economic development.

Goodall and Cooke were nomitated to participate in the summit by the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA).

Physical therapist assistant students pass licensure exam with 100 percent success rate!

Students in the physical therapist assistant program at MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute recently passed the license exam. What's even more amazing, all 21 students took the exam and 100 percent of them passed on the first attempt!

Congratulations to these brilliant students as well as Gwen Robertson, program coordinator and faculty members Randy Leighton and Pam Stockman!

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.

MCC-Maple Woods Spotlight: Gay Straight Alliance

Kelsey Smith Foundation presents Safety Awareness Seminar at MCC-Blue River

The Kelsey Smith Foundation will present a Safety Awareness Seminar at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13. Guest speakers at the seminar will be the foundation’s own Rep. Greg Smith and his wife Missey, parents of the teen Kelsey Smith whose tragic abduction and death made national news in 2007.

The Kelsey Smith Foundation began as “Kelsey’s Army” in 2007 when she went missing. The group was dedicated to finding the young kidnapping victim; however, when her demise was confirmed, Kelsey’s Army reorganized to become the Kelsey Smith Foundation. The group’s new mission is to do everything in its power to insure that Kelsey Smith is the last person to ever meet with such an unfortunate end, by educating people about safety measures that could potentially save their lives.

As the daughter of a police officer, Kelsey Smith was not the most likely target of abduction. Furthermore, she was taken in broad daylight from a seemingly safe area in the public parking lot of a Target store. The abduction took only nineteen seconds, and Kelsey was missing for four days before her cell phone provider was finally convinced to locate her electronically. Her body was found using the cell phone data. This apparently impossible scenario illustrates just how unaware we all are of threats that

MCC-Longview's "Afterlife: Where do we go from here?" class/discussion begins TONIGHT.

What happens after we die?

This March, MCC-Longview is proud to present "The Afterlife: Where Do We Go From Here?" A three-night discussion and roundtable program that will bring together leaders from various religious backgrounds and cultures to explore and talk about what the afterlife means to them.

Each week different area religious leaders will sit down with MCC-Longview counselor Jim McGraw as moderator and explore some of the most vexing aspects of what happens to us after we die.

"We are excited to offer this opportunity to our community, and we anticipate that we will have persons of all ages (16 and over) and religious backgrounds present," Community Outreach Manager Jill Ladas said.

The event is scheduled for three separate evenings - March 22, March 29 and April 5 - from 7 to 9 p.m. at MCC-Longview's Campus Center, 500 SW Longview Road, Lee‚s Summit MO.

The schedule of presenters is:
March 22 - Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, Mormon, Agnostic/Atheist
March 29 - Judaism, Protestant, Islam
April 5 - Roman Catholic, Unity, Buddhist

Each panel member will make a presentation followed by questions from the audience.

Fee: $29 for all three weeks.

To reserve a seat in the class, contact the MCC-Longview Community Education office at 816.604.2030. For more information about the class, contact Jill Ladas at 816.604.2213

Last chance to buy gala tickets

With MCC's second annual Five Star Gala right around the corner, seats are filling up fast. Don't forget to visit the gala web site to buy your tickets.

The gala, themed Creating Bright Futures, will honor the Francis Family Foundation for their commitment to early childhood education and their support of MCC. Gala co-chairs David Disney, Kathy Disney and Carolyn Watley cordially invite MCC employees to attend. Proceeds from the fundraising event benefit MCC students through scholarships, academic coaching, emergency book funds and special projects throughout MCC’s five campuses.

MCC Five Star Gala
Thursday, March 31
5:30 reception, 6:30 dinner and program
Downtown Marriott Hotel - Muehlebach Tower
MCC employee tickets ~ $100
MCC alumni and retiree tickets ~ $125
Regular tickets ~ $250

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

Graduation Fair at MCC-Blue River

It is time to get fitted. Metropolitan Community College-Blue River is holding a graduation fair on two dates this week. On Wednesday, March 23, go to the Campus Center to get your cap and gown between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

If you’re in the market for a class ring, Jostens will be at the Campus Center on Thursday, March 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

You can get your cap and gown on either date, or if you cannot make it to the graduation fair then you will be able to get a cap and gown from the business office after March 24.

Graduation Fair, March 23 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and March 24 from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Center

Video update from MCC-Longview, Missouri Department of Conservation's Grow Native workshop

Several weeks ago, MCC-Longview's agribusiness/grounds & turf program hosted the Missouri Department of Conservation's Grow Native workshop.

Experts, authors and speakers from Powell Gardens, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Shaw Nature Center spent two days showing professional landscapers and home gardeners how to use native Missouri plants in their own plantings.

The MCC-Longview campus joined the MDC's Grow Native program last fall and seeded the south-east corner of campus with native grass seed and flowers in an effort to join the native plant program.

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!

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.

Blood Drive at MCC-Maple Woods!

MCC-Maple Woods will be sponsoring a blood drive from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Student Center. Cookies and juice will be provided, and all donors will be gven a free t-shirt and be entered to win one of 3 $50 gift cards. The Community Blood Center is really in need, so please consider donating!

MCC-Longview Faculty Art Exhibit: March 25

The MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center is proud to present the work of our art faculty in the 2nd Metropolitan Community College-Longview Art Faculty Exhibit.

The exhibition opens March 23 and will feature sculpture, digital prints, handmade jewelry and other media from our talented art faculty.

“We’re very fortunate to have with us an exemplary group of instructors who are not only excellent educators but also artists and designers active in their own practices as well,” said Daniel Reneau, MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center gallery curator.

The exhibit runs through April 23. There will be a reception with the artists on March 25 from 5-8 p.m.

The gallery hours are 12-4, Wed.–Sat. and is located at 500 SW Longview Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

MCC-Longview Faculty Art Exhibit

March 23 - April 23

Gallery Days and Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 12-4 p.m.

Opening Reception

March 25, 5-8 p.m.

MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

Artist featured are: Jay Hunt, Amy Kephart, Kim Lindaberry, Nancy Morrison, Sydney Pener, Daniel Reneau, Scott Seebart, Jim Smith, Susan Speck and Dee Washer

MCC-Maple Woods Fitness Center presents Fitness Friday!

Severe Weather Week video from MCC-Blue River students

This hilarious yet informative video from the students at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River discusses the FEMA building on campus and what to do in case of dangerous meteorological conditions.

MCC-Maple Woods celebrates Women's History Month with open mic night

Calling all performers! MCC-Maple Woods is hosting it's fourth installment of the Evening of the Arts and Coffeehouse - "A Night About the Ladies - Celebrating Women's Herstory" - from 6-9 p.m. March 30 in the Student Center. All performances are welcome from a variety of genres - poetry, prose, storytelling, music, dance, film, etc., and stories about women are preferred. Participants may also display original artwork at the event. The Collegiate Activities Board will host the Women's Herstory Trivia Challenge, and as always, there will be FREE coffee provided by the Maple Woods Bookstore!

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.

MCC-Maple Woods' Movie on the Lawn offers free family fun

Need something to do on a Thursday night besides catch Frasier reruns?MCC-Maple Woods will be showing Toy Story 3 beginning at 8:15 p.m. outside on the great lawn - bring some snacks and blankets or lawn chairs and make an evening of it! This event is free and open to the public, so take advantage of the non-Seattle related entertainment and enjoy the spring weather at the same time.

MCC-Longview presents guest director for summer theatre workshop

Theatre instructor Ryan Morehead has big plans for his summer.

In May, Morehead will be at the helm of MCC-Longview's newest theatre program and summer workshop that will transform the MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center into a dynamic space where students will learn about every facet of the theatre.

"This is going to be a new opportunity for students to learn not only about acting, but also lighting design, scenic and costume design, music, and everything that goes into the creation of a play," said Morehead.

The summer theatre workshop and classes are a new collaboration between the college and Morehead, who is the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.

Morehead will teach two acting classes (Acting I and II) and the new summer theatre workshop at Longview this summer. All of the work done in those classes and on stage will culminate into a series of final performances of the hit musical Songs for a New World in late July, by and for the students of Longview.