by Candice Kelm and Madiha Kark

Corporations have been flocking to Texas for its business-friendly environment, location, and community, which is evident by the booming economy in Waco and the surrounding areas. These new businesses and growing corporations have created a demand for skilled workers willing to take initiative and learn new ways to handle and manage a changing workforce. MCC’s Corporate Training program can help employers equip their employees with the essential tools needed to succeed and take businesses and individual’s careers to the next level while revolutionizing the workforce into indispensable parts of an organization.

Through customized training and a wide range of highly interactive online courses, MCC’s Corporate Training Department can design a program based on the training needs and objectives of a business or organization. Classes may take place on the MCC campus or on-site at an employer’s location.

A broad variety of topics can be tailored to the best skills development and training program for any business:

• Industrial & Technical Training
• Leadership/Supervisor Training
• Computer Applications
• Communications
• Teamwork
• Workplace Spanish
• Customer Service
• Sales & Marketing
• Quality Improvement Management
• Project Management
• Workplace Safety
• Healthcare

MCC’s Corporate Training program partners with many local businesses to request Skills Development Funds, training grant funding from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). MCC has been awarded more than $12 million in grant funds to enhance the skills of several local companies’ current workforce and new employees. Most recently, the program received a $688,760 grant to train 781 new and incumbent employees in a manufacturing consortium comprised of Aramark, Marathon-Norco, Trane, and Vossloh Fastening Systems.

To learn more about MCC’s Corporate Training and how they can help your organization, visit www.mclennan.edu/cortraining or contact the program coordinators: John Hutchens at 299-8156 or [email protected], or Steven Wenzel at [email protected].

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Waco native Candice Kelm has served as the Sports Information Specialist for MCC Athletics since 2006 and lends a hand as a writer to the Marketing and Communications department. She received her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in journalism and business from Baylor University in 2002.

by Candice Kelm

Entering the “real world” is a major step in the lives of young people, and McLennan Community College wants to make it an easy transition for its students. Young people often struggle with personal finances. MCC has partnered with Inceptia to provide access to Financial Avenue, an online program, to give students “a leg up on financial education” by providing “smart resources to help demystify the world of personal finance while talking to them on their level.”

According to its website, Financial Avenue is an online program that helps students “identify their personal money philosophy, gain knowledge of key personal finance concepts from budgeting to investing, and come away from each course with a customized action plan to translate concepts into behaviors.” The course uses quizzes, videos, interactive tools, and easy-to-understand tips to help students become money-savvy.

Topics such as paying for college, budgeting, credit, identity theft, career planning, managing student loans, and understanding a paycheck are covered in the following 10 courses:

• Psychology of Money
• Foundations of Money
• College and Money
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Loan Guidance
• Earning Money
• Credit and Protecting Your Money
• Spending and Borrowing
• Debt and Repayment
• Future of Your Money

Each student receives a customized experience that adapts to their interaction within the courses that are based on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s financial education core competencies.

To learn more, visit FinancialAvenue.org.  Click “Log in” then “Sign up now,”  and use access code 23mc45.

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Waco native Candice Kelm has served as the Sports Information Specialist for MCC Athletics since 2006 and lends a hand as a writer to the Marketing and Communications department. She received her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in journalism and business from Baylor University in 2002.

 

by Candice Kelm

For over five decades, McLennan Community College has established and pursued its mission to engage, educate, and enrich its community. MCC’s Visual & Performing Arts division takes the mission to heart in providing numerous performances throughout the year by students and professional artists in the College’s state-of-the-art performance facilities. RiverSounds, the annual free outdoor concert series, is a prime example.

RiverSounds is held on Thursday evenings each June at the Bosque River Stage, a 350-seat amphitheater nestled along the banks of the Bosque River. The venue features stadium-style seats along with lawn seating where patrons can relax and enjoy the performances of their favorite local and regional artists.

The 2017 RiverSounds lineup will include four nights of outstanding performers from various musical genres and is sure to provide something enjoyable for everyone.

We kicked of the season last Thursday with Grammy Award nominee and legendary barrelhouse boogie and blues lady Marcia Ball. According to the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill where this legend has performed several times in the past, “The Texas-born, Louisiana-raised musical storyteller’s groove-laden New Orleans boogie, deeply soulful ballads and rollicking blues have won her an enormous, loyal and still-growing fan base.” What a great way to start the summer!

The Purple Hulls will open the June 8 concert. Identical twins Katy Lou and Penny Lea Clark, from the deep piney woods of East Texas, will entertain guests with their repertoire of Bluegrass Gospel tunes. The night will continue with Contemporary Christian music along with Praise and Worship by Antioch ‘Live’.

Eclectic fun music will take center stage on June 15 with the MCC Faculty Jazz ensemble opening for Brave Combo. MCC’s Faculty Jazz ensemble performs original compositions and standards from a wide variety of musical styles. Brave Combo brings a mix of everything from Japanese pop and Latin American dance tunes to orchestral classics and rock and roll.

Country and Americana will be featured on June 22 with local ladies Kayla Ray & Jonna Mae opening for Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, the “King and Queen of Americana Country.” Austin City Limits said of these local icons, “If Austin’s happily egalitarian music scene suddenly switched to a monarchy, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis might have to learn to perform while balancing hefty crowns.” (http://acl-live.com)

Admission is free to all RiverSounds concerts. Gates will open at 7 p.m. each Thursday evening with the first band taking the stage at 8 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs, food, and drinks are welcome, but no glass containers or pets are allowed.

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Waco native Candice Kelm has served as the Sports Information Specialist for MCC Athletics since 2006 and lends a hand as a writer to the Marketing and Communications department. She received her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in journalism and business from Baylor University in 2002.

 

 

By Madison Albee

Summer is the perfect time to have unique experiences and learn something new. MCC Continuing Education is committed to the development and enrichment of Waco and McLennan County. Our continuing education programs are designed to help individuals grow, explore their interests, develop their skills, or help them shift careers. Check out what we have to offer!

Community Programs

There are many different kinds of classes that are open to the Waco and McLennan County community, including but not limited to:

• Arts & Hobbies
• Culinary
• Fitness and Wellness
• Languages
• Travel & Special Events
• Kids College

Classes range from “House Flipping 101” to “Country Western Dance.” You are guaranteed to find a class that interests you, and even something that interests the kids! MCC Kids College offers classes such as “Babysitter Basic Boot Camp” and “Minecraft: Travel to the Future.”

Corporate Training and Workforce Education

For those interested in further developing their skills or wanting to shift their careers, MCC offers corporate training and workforce education over the summer with classes in the following areas:

• Auctioneering
• Computers
• Professional Development
• Law Enforcement
• Telecommunications
• Teacher Certification
• Truck Driver

Online courses are also available for corporate training and workforce education.

Health and Human Services

If you have always had an interest in the health and medical field, this summer is the perfect time to start your journey at MCC. We offer classes for those wanting to pursue positions such as:

• Activity Director
• EKG Technician
• Nurse Aid/Medical Assistant
• Massage Therapist
• Pharmacy Technician
• Personal Trainer
• Medical Coding Specialist

Some health and human services courses have entrance requirements such as immunizations and background checks. For more information, please call 254-299-8590.

Highlander Ranch

MCC’s Highlander Ranch offers some summer activities for members of the community interested in horses, horseback riding, and spending time outdoors.

• Clinics
• Pony Club
• Horse Shows

For more information about Highlander Ranch please visit www.mclennan.edu/highlander-ranch.

 To see ALL the classes MCC Continuing Education will offer this summer, please take a look at our online brochure.

A summer spent with MCC Continuing Education will be a summer well spent. Register now before classes fill up!

Online: Go to our home page at www.MCCandYOU.com and click on How to Register.

In person: Register at the Continuing Education Office. Office hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday.

Phone: Call 254-299-8888 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday. Payment must be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.

MCC hopes you have a sunny and educational summer!

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Madison Albee is a senior at Baylor University from Fort Worth, Texas. She is studying journalism/public relations with a concentration in marketing and is graduating this coming May. Currently Madison works for MCC as a public relations intern in the marketing and communications department. She is also the public relations assistant for Luca Magazine.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

By Madison Albee

Transitioning from high school to college is challenging for many, especially if you are the first one in your family to pursue higher education. MCC wants to see students excel during that transition and help them achieve their goals. Two ways students can accomplish this through MCC are with High School Pathways and the First Generation Scholars Program.

High School Pathways

High school students now have the chance to get their feet wet in taking college courses, and they can stay ahead of the game once they transfer to MCC or the four-year college of their choice. MCC’s High School Pathways program allows students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. Students may enroll in academic courses, which typically apply toward a bachelor’s degree, or workforce courses, which provide training for a particular profession.

High School Pathways provides many advantages for students getting ready to go to college. “Pathways students have experienced college-level work and interacted with college professors prior to high school graduation.  That experience can make the transition to full-time college student much less stressful,” said Program Director of High School Pathways Londa Carriveau. “The Pathways students who attend classes on the MCC campus benefit even more since they have been exposed to a larger campus, taken classes with students of varying backgrounds and ages, and handled practical matters such as an ID card and parking permit. In addition, the college credit hours earned in high school can save students money and help them either to graduate college early or to carry a lighter course load each semester.”

First Generation Scholars

If you are the first person in your family to attend college, then you have the opportunity to become a First Generation Scholar at MCC. Twelve to fifteen students are chosen each year to receive a $5000 scholarship to go towards their education.

First Generation Scholars also are presented with many opportunities during their time at MCC. They are able to experience campus enrichment activities that are only available to First Generation Scholars, and they have the chance to make presentations on and off campus. First Generation Scholars also volunteer on campus and in the community. They build leadership skills by mentoring local high school students, and they usually take a trip outside of Waco at least once a year for cultural enrichment.

Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEP) is a summer course only for students in the First Generation program. This gives students the chance to meet other scholars and learn information that helps with the high school to college transition such as study skills, time management, personal finance and other life skills.

If you know of a high school student looking to pursue higher education, please encourage them to look into steps they can take now to achieve that goal such as MCC’s High School Pathways or the First Generation Scholars Program. To learn more information about High School Pathways you can send an email to [email protected], or call 254-299-8937. For more information about First Generation Scholars email [email protected], or call 254-299-8597.

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Madison Albee is a senior at Baylor University from Fort Worth, Texas. She is studying journalism/public relations with a concentration in marketing and is graduating this coming May. Currently Madison works for MCC as a public relations intern in the marketing and communications department. She is also the public relations assistant for Luca Magazine.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

By Madison Albee

Part of the mission of McLennan Community College is to engage, educate, and enrich the community. To achieve this, we provide services that ensure student success. Not only is academic success challenging, but students may also experience a variety of personal, social, emotional, and adjustment issues that require assistance.

One very important (and little-known) program we provide is free counseling. The MCC Student Counseling Center provides free psychological counseling for students who are enrolled at MCC, as well as University Center students who attend classes through partner universities at MCC. MCC licensed professional counselors and counseling interns from the clinical mental health counseling program at Tarleton State University are available to help students overcome their challenges. Session lengths vary depending on the student’s needs.

Dr. Ryan D. Foster, director of MCC’s Student Counseling Center, said the Counseling Center serves more than one purpose: “The SCC’s purpose is twofold: (1) to serve students and families of students at MCC and University Center partner schools with comprehensive counseling and related services and (2) to provide opportunities for graduate students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Tarleton State University with supervised clinical training and experiences.”

Individual Counseling:

One type of counseling the Student Counseling Center provides is individual counseling. This is a one-on-one meeting with a licensed professional counselor or licensed professional counselor-intern. Individual counseling is designed to focus on short-term goals in order to facilitate students’ college success and adjustment. The number of counseling sessions a student will receive varies and is determined by the nature of the concern, and an agreement between the student and counselor. Some of the most common concerns for college students seeking counseling services include but are not limited to:

• Feeling stressed out or anxious
• Feeling overwhelmed by school workload, work, family responsibilities
• Feeling sad, depressed and/or low mood or energy
• Difficulty adjusting to a recent change
• Difficulty in making decisions or unsure of the future
• Relationship issues
• Feeling isolation from others
• Grief issues
• Sleep issues – sleeping too much or too little, difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep
• Concerns about alcohol/drug use
• Eating disorders
• Trauma – recent or past
• Thoughts of self-harm or harm to others

Crisis Counseling:

Another type of counseling the center provides is crisis counseling. The most common concerns that may warrant a crisis referral include but are not limited to:

• Concerns about my ability to keep myself safe
• Having a current plan to attempt suicide
• Having taken recent steps to end my life
• Having a strong desire to physically hurt or harm someone else
• Experiencing sexual assault/harassment/relationship violence
• Hearing voices or seeing things other people do not
• Experiencing emotional distress which prevent my ability to meet my daily responsibilities.

In crisis situations similar to those above, students are advised to call 911 if it is after hours, and they are not on the MCC campus.

Dr. Foster said he has seen students grow during their time spent at the counseling center. “I have seen clients of our counseling center develop healthy emotional boundaries, coping skills, self-awareness, and insight into their own intrapsychic and interpersonal process,” he said. “Many of our clients benefit from the emotional and personal growth that they achieve through counseling here.”

It is important for students to be aware that MCC has services available to them should they need it. Students may schedule an appointment by phone by calling 254-299-8210, sending an email request for an appointment to [email protected], or by coming by the counseling office, located in the Wellness & Fitness Building, Room 101.

For more information, go to http://www.mclennan.edu/counseling/crisis-counseling.

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Madison Albee is a senior at Baylor University from Fort Worth, Texas. She is studying journalism/public relations with a concentration in marketing and is graduating this coming May. Currently Madison works for MCC as a public relations intern in the marketing and communications department. She is also the public relations assistant for Luca Magazine.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

By Madison Albee

McLennan Community College recognizes that life can sometimes get in the way of achieving educational goals. That is why we have set up a series of student success initiatives, so students may find the resources, encouragement, and guidance they need to be successful now and in the future.

Completion Center

The Completion Center understands that there is more to a student’s life than college. MCC provides Success Coaches to help students find a way to balance it all. They are able to help students who want to see change in their lives, whether that be academic or outside of the classroom. Success Coaches meet with students one-on-one to help them with assetiveness, leadership, time management, decision making, and facilitating positive change. They also help students find resources for food, shelter, transportation, and health when needed. A student’s Success Coach continues to mentor them throughout their time at MCC to make sure they are overcoming their obstacles and meeting their goals.

Student Services Center, Second Floor, Completion Center
254-299-UCAN (8226)

Support and Empowerment Program

Started in 1979 as community service by the Junior League of Waco, Inc., The Support and Empowerment Program has now helped more than 7,000 students find the strength to begin a new life. McLennan Community College offers special services to single parents and displaced homemakers who want to continue their education but might need some help doing so. Some of the services available include funds for childcare, crisis intervention, academic counseling, stress management, and parenting workshops.

Adrienne Potts is a nursing student and mother who has participated in the program for most of her time at MCC. Potts feels that the Support and Empowerment program counselors have helped her greatly with trying to balance school and home life. “I can see they genuinely care about me and my success as a student. They are rooting me on as my #1 fan,” she said.

Lizette LaStrape
SEP Program Coordinator
254-299-8600
[email protected]

Men of Color Initiative

Historically men of color have faced many challenges in obtaining a college degree such as lack of role models, cultural barriers to higher education, and community pressures. The Men of Color Initiative at MCC encourages young men to stay in school and succeed in life. Students are mentored by MCC faculty and staff on their academic progress and attendance, and mentors support them in handling difficult situations. Mentees are able to develop a network of contacts, increase self-confidence, and experience success and recognition. This initiative not only strives to increase the retention and completion rates of traditionally unrepresented groups but also hopes to increase the campus’ awareness of issues with diversity and equity.

 Ronald Hochstatter
254-299-8944
[email protected]

TRIO Student Support Services

One of eight federally-funded TRIO programs, MCC’s Student Support Services is designed to improve student retention, graduation, and overall success rates. Student Support Services (SSS) offers free academic services to help students continue at MCC, graduate, and transfer to a four-year college or university in a timely manner. Students are able to participate in four-year campus visits and tours, tutoring sessions, financial aid and scholarship searches, as well as career and financial counseling.

Dawn Shulz, a TRIO alum and MCC graduate, reflected on how the program helped her while she was here. “I no doubt have an increased confidence in myself and my academic abilities through all the access to cultural events, leadership opportunities, and community volunteering… experiences that I might not have found on my own,” she said.
 
Student Services Center, Room 304
254-299-8431

Participation in these programs has led many students to pursue opportunities they might not have had otherwise. If you know a student that might be letting life get in the way of pursuing their educational goals, let them know there are resources available to them. Please use the contact information provided to easily reach out and get assistance.

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Madison Albee is a senior at Baylor University from Fort Worth, Texas. She is studying journalism/public relations with a concentration in marketing and is graduating this coming May. Currently Madison works for MCC as a public relations intern in the marketing and communications department. She is also the public relations assistant for Luca Magazine.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.