MCC welcomes new faculty and staff



Look at all these beautiful people!

The faculty and staff attended new employee orientation today at MCC-Penn Valley. The new employees and their campus is listed below in alphabetical order:

Carlos Bass, MCC-Maple Woods, Art
Heather Boell, MCC Administrative Center
LeAnn Bradberry, MCC-Business & Technology
Paul Bradley, MCC Administrative Center
Dawn Brady, MCC-Penn Valley, Counselor
Erwin Brown, MCC-Longview
Allen Cassity, MCC-Longview
David Collins, MCC-Blue River, English
Sarah Collins, MCC-Longview, Speech
Tracy Curry, MCC-Maple Woods, SCF Learning Center
Benton Dick, MCC Administrative Center
Ahmed El-Sherif, MCC-Penn Valley, Chemistry
Melissa Giese, MCC Administrative Center
Carol Gohdes, MCC-Penn Valley, Denistry
Carla Huffman, MCC-Maple Woods, Chemistry
Brian Hurley, MCC Administrative Center
Jody Hyman, MCC-Penn Valley, EMT/Paramedic
Julie Ingwerson, MCC-Maple Woods
Jennifer Johnson, MCC-Longview, Math
Tami Knight, MCC Administrative Center
Donald Lee, MCC-Penn Valley, Math
Kelly Mathews, MCC-Penn Valley, English
Roger McDougle, MCC-Penn Valley (Don Bosco)
Stacey McMillen, MCC-Penn Valley, Math
Liz Miller, MCC-Business & Technology
Mandy Moore, MCC-Blue River, Counselor
Anne Morgan, MCC-Longview, Philosophy
Alicia Norris, MCC-Penn Valley, Math
Mildred Nottingham, MCC-Penn Valley, Reading
Jana Osborn, MCC Administrative Center
Christopher Parrett, MCC-Maple Woods
Amy Prochaska, MCC-Business & Technology, English
Daniel Reneau, MCC-Longview, Art
Ricky Rapp, MCC Administrative Center
Sharon Soares, MCC Administrative Center
Jennifer Stephenson, MCC-Penn Valley, English
Zouhair Tamsamani, MCC-Blue River, Math
Tiffany Timmons, MCC Administrative Center
Lavon Tonga, MCC-Longview, Biology
Cynthia Tooley, MCC-Blue River, Sociology
Amber Wiggins, MCC-Blue River

Only 5 Days left to enroll - giddy up!

Students can still register for classes for the Fall semester! Register online through Wednesday, Aug. 24 or on any campus through Aug. 26.

Still time to enroll!

Students can still register for classes for the Fall semester! Register online through Wednesday, Aug. 24 or on any campus through Aug. 26.

Former head softball coach returns to Ottawa University

After rebuilding the MCC-Maple Woods softball team from scratch and establishing an excellent work ethic among her players, former head softball coach Kerry Casper is returning to Ottawa University where she had previously spent two years as an assistant softball coach. She will be serving as an enrollment advisor.

Casper came to MCC-Maple Woods in 2006 and steadily rebuilt a program that had languished without a head coach for three seasons. She came in with a strong background in the sport, having served the University of Minnesota-Crookston as a dynamic pitcher for four seasons. Recruiting mostly local talent, Casper developed an inexperienced squad into a team with great chemistry and softball knowledge, as well as academic excellence. The MCC-Maple Woods softball team consistently had the highest team GPA amongst the athletic teams at the college.

Tiffany Carter, assistant coach, has been named the interim head coach. She came to MCC-Maple Woods fresh from Northwest Missouri State University, where she served the Bearcats as a catcher and infielder. She is a native of the Kansas City Metro area and helped with the recruitment of talent from the surrounding areas. Carter will assume her duties as interim head coach immediately.

Bookstores still need help - give a few hours of your time

The MCC bookstores still have a several volunteer positions to be filled beginning tomorrow through Aug. 26. This is a great way to connect to students in a different way and learn more about MCC processes. You can even have fun while doing it!

To volunteer contact the bookstore managers listed. For more information on the areas of help needed, click here.

Bookstore Contacts:
BTC – Lawrence Ore 5487
BR – Nita Isenhour 6690
LV – Michelle Capps 2226
MW – Beth Austin 3182
PV – Selin Gaona 4190

Rangel appointed to Port Authority

Juan Rangel, MCC’s director of community engagement, has been appointed to serve as a commissioner for the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rangel, who was appointed to the post by Kansas City Mayor Sly James in July, will join eight other members on the board. He will serve on the finance committee.

The Port Authority, established in 1977 to enhance the economic vitality of Kansas City, oversees environmental stewardship and sustainable development along the downtown riverfront. The organization, classified as a redevelopment entity, controls 120 acres of land along the Missouri River and is also involved in the partnership that is recreating the former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base site in South Kansas City into an important regional economic hub.

Rangel will serve a six-year term as commissioner. In addition to this new post with the Port Authority, he is also on the boards of a number of other community organizations, including the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, the UMKC Women’s Center, Truman Medical Center, Guadalupe Center Inc., Heartland Men's Chorus and Research Development Institute.

Broadway entrance to Penn Valley parking garage to close

Beginning Sept. 5, the northeast entrance to the Penn Valley/Administrative Center parking garage (off Broadway) will be closed for maintenance. This entrance will be closed through November 14, 2011.

The closure is part of the MCC District Parking Garage Maintenance and Repair plan. MTS Construction Company is scheduled to repair the concrete drive on the northeast side of lot D. Barricades will restrict pedestrian access to the immediate area, but leave access open to the entrances of the Administrative Center and parking garage. The southeast entrance from Broadway will remain open.

MCC-Maple Woods textbook library continues to grow, assist students

While most people think the biggest part of paying for college is tuition, that's not always the case. Just ask any A+ student, whose tuition is covered by state funds, but whose textbooks have to come from somewhere.

Textbooks can be prohibitively expensive, and every MCC campus has one or more programs designed to ease the burden on already-overextended students. A book-loan program for single parents returning to campus and a rental system via the bookstore is available at each campus. MCC-Maple Woods also has its own programs that aim to ensure students can participate fully in their classes - among them the Emergency Book Fund, funded by faculty and staff via donations and fundraisers and a textbook rental library that operates on the honor system.

Deb Cougill, assistant to President Merna Saliman, began building and maintaining her own rental library, free of charge, several years ago. Books are available to students based on need and loaned out on the honor system at the beginning of each semester. Since the start of the program, the number of books has grown steadily each year, with students not only returning the loaned books but also contributing others to the collection, making the selection wider for each new class of students.

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.

Employee's books can be purchased on Amazon

Author Lauren Scharhag is most known around MCC as Lauren Roberts - IWI’s administrative assistant and acting public information coordinator. But her love for writing doesn’t end there. She has recently co-authored The Order of the Four Sons, with Coyote Kishpaugh, a science-fiction/fantasy series. Details about her writing including excerpts can be found on her blog, laurenscharhag.blogspot.com.

Lauren has been writing for 18 years and has 3 additional books available including The Ice Dragon, Imperial-13 and The Winter Prince.

“I write because I love everything about writing - stories, characters and words," said Lauren. "I never outgrew my love for fairy tales and nursery rhymes. But mostly, I write because it keeps me relatively sane.”

About Order of the Four Sons:
Since before recorded history, the Order of the Four Sons has existed. From their beginnings in ancient Egypt to the boardrooms of modern times, they have fought a covert war against the enemies of humankind. But now, after 5,000 years, their greatest battle is about to begin. Welcome to the Order. The world is not what it seems.

Campus attendance maps reveal wide areas of service

MCC's office of institutional research and assessment recently conducted an analysis of the area from which students are drawn to each of MCC's five campuses, and the results might surprise you.

Using attendance data from the Spring 2011 semester, the research office created a map for each campus that uses a small dot to indicate the location of every student's residence in relation to the location of the campus. The maps, which can be accessed using the links below, illustrate that each campus serves students far beyond its specific geographic service area.

MCC-Blue River attendance map
MCC-Business & Technology attendance map
MCC-Longview attendance map
MCC-Maple Woods attendance map
MCC-Penn Valley attendance map

What's your purpose? A spotlight on Ian Jennings

Creating opportunities for individuals recently released from prison is part of Ian Jennings’ purpose. In his role as a student employment placement coordinator at Metropolitan Community College-Business Technology, he works with ex-offenders to help them gain the self-belief and confidence to help them move into careers where they can become productive citizens.
Want to share your pupose? Email Tom.Vansaghi@mcckc.edu

MCC Exhibits at MO State Fair - Science Fair in the Street

Metropolitan Community College sent 100+ Missouri State Fair visitors home with hand-built Cog Cards and a slightly cooled fair experience.  Click the video above to see MCC's Pedal Powered Cooling Station and kids building Cog Cards at the Missouri State Fair on Saturday, Aug 13.

Jen Dec and David Hawkins of MCC-BT brought parts, fixtures, and enough patience to help 100+ five to ten year-olds build planetary gear cards, which require precision glue-sticking and assembly of eleven tiny parts.  "The kids were fun", said Jen. "The kids REALLY liked building cards - we had their undivided attention for about ten minutes, which is pretty impressive - I say!"

The Pedal Powered Cooling Station used a water pump attached to a bicycle exercise trainer to mist fair patrons.  The pump pulled water from an 8 gallon tank and pressurized a series of misting heads.  "In all we pumped 24 gallons of water on the crowd.  Although I tried to con kids into taking a shift on the bike, I believe I ended up pedaling about 20 of the 24 gallons", said Alex Grigsby of MCC-BT.

Both the Cog Cards and Pedal Powered Cooling Station where designed at MCC's FabLab.  Science Fair in the Street was coordinated by Missouri State Fair and SCOPE.

Paradise Park donates $650 to MCC's emergency book fund

Chris Simon, general manager of Paradise Park, stands with MCC-Longview President Fred Grogan last week as he was presented a check for $650 dollars for the MCC-Longview Emergency Book Fund.

The money was part of a fundraiser held by Paradise Park at the 2011 Flights of Fancy kite festival.

The donation will benefit students who need assistance purchasing books required for the upcoming semester.

"We are thankful to Paradise Park and the support they lend not only to the campus, but also the support they give our students in a time of need," Grogan said.

Paradise Park is one of Lee's Summit's most popular family entertainment centers and, along with its owner John Ellis, has been a big supporter of the kite festival and the college for many years.

For more information about Paradise Park and their community involvement, be sure to check out their website at www.paradise-park.com

Student Ambassadors take pride in being the face of Maple Woods

MCC-Maple Woods admissions recruiters talk to prospective students, visit high schools and college fairs, and answer questions about the college, but one of the first impressions of Maple Woods to prospective students, first-time enrollees and their parents is provided by the Student Ambassadors.

Student Ambassadors give extensive tours of the campus to visitors, prospective students and their families. They answer questions, talk about student life and set anxious parents at ease.

This week, the Ambassadors will be completing an extensive training session designed to teach them how to best serve students and visitors to the campus and be a unique, knowledgeable face for the campus and MCC, focusing on leadership, teamwork and responsibility.

Career opportunity

CO# 11-120 LV College Bookstore Manager
* posted 08/12/2011
* will be removed from the website at 11:59 pm Sunday, 08/28/2011 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51387

CO# 11-121 PV Dean of Allied Health & Nursing
* posted 08/12/2011
* will be removed from the website at 11:59 pm Sunday, 09/11/2011 for the initial screening.
* For more information or to apply: www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51388

Employees:Demystifying the Request Process for Access to the MetroSoft System

Do you know how to request training or security for MetroSoft's system? Below are steps for employees to follow to gain access to MetroSoft’s systems.

The main indicator needed for employee system access is that employee’s supervisor needs to complete a form via the MetroSoft Training/Security Request form, available on the Info Exchange under Technology > MetroSoft Training.

Here are the steps:
1. Supervisor completes form.
2. An Organizational Development representative will contact employee regarding arrangements for training and/or any clarification needed.
3. Training materials/instructions will be determined per conversation with Organizational Development representative (or as indicated on the On the Job Training (OJT) Supervisor Sign-Off form).
4. Trainer will be identified.
5. Employee will complete training.
6. IF OJT is done, completed OJT Supervisor Sign-Off form will be turned in to Organizational Development.

After training is complete, access to the system can take up to two working days, so plan ahead to get training complete as needed. If system access takes longer, Contact Computer Services at 604.1133.

Video: MCC-Maple Woods presents Fitness Friday!

Bookstore Volunteer Opportunities for Employees

MCC bookstores want you! Help get the students set up for the first day of class! MCC employees are needed to volunteer at any of the campus bookstores during the week of Aug. 18 – 26 , time range between 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Exceptions to these dates are noted in descriptions below.

To volunteer, contact the bookstore manager to set up a time (contact information at bottom of post).

Volunteer Descriptions (It’s not a job, it’s an adventure!)

Internet order Window: Locations: PV, MW (8/11-8/26)
• Organize boxed orders.
• Verify student ID and order # against Bookstore order list.
• Validate ordered items against order summary.
• Reseal box and release to student.
• May require some lifting.

Receipt checker: Locations: PV
• Check merchandise/book receipts to match the merchandise/book leaving the store.
• Direct incoming traffic to the store.

Book re-stocker: Locations: PV
• Restock the back shelves.
• Will require some lifting.

Merchandise Re-stocker: Locations: PV
• Restock the sales floor.
• Will require some lifting.

Financial Aid Checker: Locations: PV, BTC, MW (8/11-8/26)
• Verify all students receiving financial aid have their aid posted to their accounts. If the aid is not posted, they will not be able to charge their purchases to their financial aid. BTC IS VALIDATING INTERNET ORDERS
• Volunteer will be equipped with a computer to check their account information prior to the student waiting in line.

Sales Floor Assistance: Locations: PV, BR (8/11 & 8/12 ONLY)
• Walk the sales floor to provide assistance as necessary.

Internet Order Filer: Locations: BTC
• Once order is processed, put in numeric order, hole punch and place in folder

Phones: Locations: MW, LV, BR
• Answer phones at bookstore

Bookstore Contacts:
BTC – Lawrence Ore 5487
BR – Nita Isenhour 6690
LV – Michelle Capps 2226
MW – Beth Austin 3182
PV – Selin Gaona 4190

Students prepare for fall semester as summer slips away

As the last weeks of summer "vacation" start to speed up despite a bunch of smart guys telling us that time moves at a constant rate, new students at MCC-Maple Woods begin the process of enrolling for classes and becoming familiar with the place they'll be spending a good portion of their time in the coming months.

New student enrollment groups are designed to walk students through the enrollment process in small groups so that advising and admissions reps can answer questions, walk them through step-by-step and introduce them to other important services like financial aid, student employment or even campus life. After learning the ropes of MyMCCKC and selecting classes, the participants tour the campus with Student Ambassadors, as both groups learn more about the Woods.