Road closures that may impact you - June 4

The 38^th Annual Hospital Hill Run will be held Saturday, June 4, 2011. Broadway will be closed (Northbound) from 31^st Street  to JC Nichols Pkwy, 7 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. For additional information visit http://www.hospitalhillrun.com/

State responding to severe storm and tornado that struck southwest Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY – The State Emergency Management Agency continues to work with Missouri state and local agencies to deploy all available response resources to Joplin following the deadly tornado that ripped through the city Sunday evening, May 22. Search and rescue and other emergency operations were expected to continue through the night.

In response, the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Red Cross has established a shelter at Missouri Southern State College, 3950 East Newman Road, Joplin, Mo 64801. The shelter facility is the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center. The facility can also accommodate pets.

Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should call 800.427.4626 or 2.1.1. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should go to: https://www.showmeresponse.org//.

Missourians wishing to make donations to help with the relief effort can go to http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/recover/donations.asp or call 800.427.4626 or 2.1.1.

Residents affected by the tornado who wish to notify their friends and family that they are safe should go to: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php. Friends and family who would like to check on their loved ones in the affected area can use the same site.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 2.1.1. The United Way’s 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800.427.4626.

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.

Graduation at MCC-Business & Technology

MCC-BTC's 2011 graduates toss their hats in celebration, Friday, May 20.   BTC graduation highlights include: Fredward, the robotic Graduation Marshall, handing degrees and certificates to well-deserving students, and witnessing the entire staff and student body dance to Black Eye Peas, "I Gotta Feeling."  Click here to see more pictures from graduation.

MCC-Maple Woods pins 2011 class of veterinary techs

Congratulations to the following students, who successfully completed the veterinary technology requirements and will be moving on to careers or other institutions.

Kindell Berger

Sean Bratt

Meghan Carpenter

Meagan Hake

Lauren Hernandez

Amanda Hudson

Jessica Jones

Trynt Kelly

Cassandra Mast

Amanda McKee

Kendra Myers

Kayla Patton

Jessica Quinn

Stephanie Rodriguez

Amber Selsor

April Smith

Gina Sola

Chelly Sumner

Kelley Taylor

Sandra Tucker

Becki Williams

Aimee Wilson

Andrea Wolfrum

In Memorium: MCC-Maple Woods honors colleagues

The MCC-Maple Woods family would like to take a moment to remember the following colleagues who passed away during the previous year.

Katherine Fausset-Brock
Katherine was a learning specialist at MCC-Maple Woods. She passed December 10, 2010.

Marialice Estopare
Marialice served in the Advising and Counseling office at MCC-Maple Woods for several years, also volunteering her time to serve the Maple Woods Staff Association and the District Staff Council. She passed on April 16, 2011. A service is planned in her honor at 9 a.m. June 18, 2011 at the One Community Spiritual Center.

Dr. Ron Brink
An instructor of speech and theater, Dr. Ron Brink was a charter member of the faculty at MCC-Maple Woods, beginning in 1969 until his early retirement in 1998. After retirement, Dr. Brink continued to be active at Maple Woods, and he wrote much of the curriculum still used by the department today. In addition to his love for teaching, Dr. Brink was also a very talented artist, and his work is displayed all over the campus. He passed May 19, 2011.

MCC-Blue River graduates featured in Examiner

MCC-Blue River graduate Meghan Ferguson and many of her peers made news in the Examiner newspaper:

Link to article: http://t.co/JB8Sia3

MCC’s high-tech, high-touch approach featured in article

The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development recently published an article on MCC’s use of the Course Signals Program.

Graduation at MCC-Longview

There was plenty of pomp and celebration at the 2011 MCC-Longview Graduation ceremony held at the John Knox Village Pavilion on Friday.



Graduates lined up and walked across the stage receiving their diplomas and entering a new chapter in their lives.



For more photos from the graduation ceremony, be sure to check out the MCC-Longview photo blog.

Rewards for Marriott

Like the hotel chain that bears her name, Patti Marriott is known for great hospitality.

“She’s the kind of person who just makes things happen,” said one colleague. “She is unassuming and treats all people with respect and cordiality.”

Her cordiality and hospitality are what earned Patti the honor of May employee of the month for the Administrative Center. Patti is known around the AC for being kind and committed to her work.

“She is not loud or pushy, just goes about her job of advancing the MCC mission every day,” said her nominator.

Patti is a MetroSoft system manager, which means

Career opportunities

CO# 11-068 AC Network Administrator


* posted 05/20/2011
* will be removed from the website at 11:59 pm Sunday, 06/05/2011 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51331

CO# 11-069 AC Computer Support Specialist

* posted 05/20/2011
* will be removed from the website at 11:59 pm Sunday, 06/05/2011 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51332

Penn Valley celebrates commencement 2011

Congressman Cleaver served as keynote speaker at Penn Valley's 2011 commencement ceremony.

More than 400 students at MCC-Penn Valley completed coursework requirements for associate's degree and certificate programs. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver delivered an inspiring message at this year's commencement ceremony reminding graduates of the importance of thanking those who helped them in their academic journey.

The hard work has paid off for Jajuan Turner and Rosie Garcia-Muzquiz who were among this year's graduating class.

MCC Board Chairman David Disney and Congressman Cleaver congratulate Penn Valley graduates.

Congressman Cleaver joins MCC Board members and Penn Valley leaders for an inspirational commencement celebration.

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.

Make a slideshow design

Penn Valley honors top scholars, advocates

The end of the school year marks a time when Penn Valley pauses to pay tribute to those who've made amazing progress. Convocation honored the best and brightest students as well as faculty and staff who've made remarkable contributions to the campus.

Awards presented included: Applied Language Recognition, Project Success Student Achievement, Student Ambassador College Service, Homors, Outstanding Student Leader, Outstanding Athletes, Outstanding Contribution to a Special Interest Group, Outstanding Student Advocate, Academic Achievement, President's Appreciation, President's Citation and Outstanding Contribution to the College.

Student Ambassadors were recognized for another great year of service.

Jorge Ruiz received the Outstanding Student Advocate award.

Associate Dean of Students Carroll O'Neal proudly shows off her Special Recognition award for nearly 45 years of service. 

Veronica Highley, Futures Program Director, proudly accepts the President's Citation award for Truman Medical Center's partnership with Penn Valley.

Employees: End of FY accounting info

MCC employees, please click here to view information regarding cut off dates for the end of FY2011.

Fulfillment center meets, exceeds expectations

Since opening last fall, MCC’s fulfillment center has streamlined the distribution of more than 100,000 pieces of mail to prospective and current MCC students. That equates to increased efficiency, which means cost savings across the district.

The fulfillment center, a division of MCC printing services, was established in 2010 to centralize and expedite mailings to prospective students and, eventually, to current students.

“The prospect communication team was looking for a way to increase efficiency of communicating with prospective students,” said Jim Siercks, printing services manager. “We determined that in order to eliminate duplication of effort and to help with inventory control across the campuses, we should centralize operations.”

After three years of planning, the fulfillment center opened its doors in October in a section of the printing services area on the first floor of MCC-Business & Technology. Charlie Tidwell, a recent graduate

Plaza de Ninos awarded NAEYC accreditation



Plaza de Ninos students enjoy trick or treating at Penn Valley.

Congratulations to Plaza de Ninos at MCC-Penn Valley for receiving accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) again.

In a letter, Stephanie Olmore of NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation, said "The administration and teaching staff of Plaza de Ninos are all to be congratulated for the continuing efforts to provide a high-quality early childhood program for young children and their families. On behalf of NAEYC, and specifically the NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation, I commend your program’s outstanding efforts in maintaining NAEYC Accreditation."

The accreditation is effective until August, 2013.

MCC-Penn Valley to serve as home to KC Youth Jazz

For 10 years, Kansas City Youth Jazz has preserved the city's rich jazz legacy by offering music instruction and technique to area youth. The organization will call MCC-Penn Valley home effective June 1, thanks to Penn Valley Music Instructor Clarence Smith. Smith will also assume the role of musical director of KCYJ -  following in the footsteps of renowned jazz educator, Leon A. Brady.

“I have revered Mr. Brady since I started teaching 25 years ago,” Smith says. “He is one of Kansas City’s jazz icons; a man who is legendary because of his dedication to kids and desire to keep jazz alive by inspiring the youth of our community. KCYJ is a remarkable program that has impacted the lives of so many young people in Kansas City. It is a privilege to step into a leadership role and carry on the legacy that Mr. Brady started.”

The move to the Penn Valley campus provides KCYJ with a strong ally as the organization continues to grow.

“The majority of our participants attend suburban schools,” Smith explains. “We’d like to attract more students from the urban core, and Penn Valley has programs in place that will help with that effort. At the same time, KCYJ students and parents will learn about Penn Valley and all that MCC offers the community. The collaboration between KCYJ and the college is a win-win for all sides.”

KCYJ’s summer session begins June 4, with a concert scheduled for July 31. That event will include a 10-year anniversary celebration and special recognition of Brady as the organization’s founder.

To learn more about Kansas City Youth Jazz, click here.

Lady Scouts headed to Oklahoma

Leah Smith signs a letter of intent with Rogers State University.

Rician Walker proudly shows her Hillcat pride!

Two of MCC-Penn Valley's finest women's basketball players are headed to Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma. Rician Walker and Leah Smith recently signed on with the Hillcats after an amazing career at MCC-Penn Valley. Go Rician & Leah!

MCC helps school kids at Spofford Home

MCC is putting together an in-kind donation to help the kids at Spofford Home get ready for the next school year. Spofford Home is a home for children who have suffered through traumatic life experiences and mental health issues.


Here’s what the kids at Spofford Home need:


School uniforms (Navy/Khaki bottoms, White/Navy tops)

Back packs

Wal-mart gift cards (starting at $5, to buy school uniforms)

Markers

Glue sticks and Elmer’s glue bottles

Composition journals

Please send donations by interoffice mail to Amy Slater at MCC-Blue River or bring them to Amy in the Student Life and Leadership Office.

Amanda Hallier from Spofford Home says,