Finding Ways to Make Students More Successful!

Look what's happening at MPTC!

The Team building and Problem solving class students were assigned to solve a problem for a business or someone that needed a problem solved. One team decided to help Sandra Huenink (Dean of Basic Education) with the Student Success Center.

The team wanted to improve the attendance and find ways to keep enrolled students continue to use MPTC services for their educational successes. The group created surveys where they received feedback from the students. They have come up with new ideas for the student success center, for example opening lab just for Math. The students hope that their feedback helps the student success center and Sandra succeed to its highest potential.

Photo: Tiffany Konen, Shannon Roth, Sandra Huenink, Kelsey Kunsman, Liz Haushalter.

HEDIT Event!

Look what students completed for service-learning!

All four Fond du Lac County higher education colleges completed a combined service-learning project to showcase the topic of inter- faith that was highlighted at this year’s HEDIT (Higher Education Diversity Initiative Team) Conference. 

Brenda Schaefer’s ethics course pictured here was involved in the marketing and publicizing of, “A Night of Many Voices” that was held on UW-Fond du Lac Campus the evening of November 21st.

The event was well attended with over 100 participants that celebrated many different religions, music, and multi-cultural food! Special thanks to the HEDIT group who sponsored this event!

International Education Week 2013

Julie Lotto, advisor for the Fond du Lac chapter of the MPTC Multicultural Club, shares ways to support the Blue Mountain Project in Jamaica.

Celebrate International Education Week with us! Today, students enjoyed our Taste of Jamaica event on the Fond du Lac Campus. The Multicultural Club, Diversity Relations, and International Education hosted this event, which included tasty Jamaican treats and music.

We have two more dates planned for Taste of Jamaica: Wednesday, November 13, on the West Bend Campus, and Thursday, November 14, on the Beaver Dam Campus. Each event will take place 11:30-12:30 in the Commons Area.

Additional events planned for International Education Week include:

1) Vote in the Travel Photo Contest on Facebook! View the entire album on our Facebook page, and "like" your favorite pictures. Our students shared pictures from around the world!

2) Support study abroad students at a bake sale at the Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County Affiliate & ReStore on Saturday, 11/16, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Students will hold a 50/50 raffle. Do you also need new furniture, a lawnmower, or other items for your household? On 11/16, 10% of merchandise sales at the Habitat ReStore will be donated to our students, too!

3) Check out our Moroccan Cooking Demonstration at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, 11/18, on the FDL Campus (A-111). Learn how YOU can spend Spring Break in Morocco!

Diversity Relations Coordinator William Green and MPTC Student Alessio Ziel serve authentic and delicious Jamaican food at Taste of Jamaica!

MPTC Student Liz Rohde will complete service-learning projects in health clinics with the Blue Mountain Project in Jamaica this January.

Dean Caron Daugherty talks about our new study abroad program in MOROCCO! The program, which runs March 12-23, 2014, is still accepting applicants. Learn more about this program at an upcoming Moroccan cooking demonstration on 11/18 or the information session on 11/19: http://bit.ly/16WzYC7.

 

Philanthropy Award Event!

Look how much fun we are having at MPTC!

 

Students in Moraine Park Technical College's Business Meeting & Event Planning class are assisting the Columbus Area Endowment Board with their 2013 Philanthropy Award Event!  The event was held at Kestrel Ridge in Columbus on Saturday evening, November 3rd.  The event is honoring local philanthropist Alice Schmidt.  The students worked on a slideshow presentation, invitations, post cards, programs, name tags, banners, and assorted details that helped  make the event a success!

The students in the class are Audra Dates, Chelsea Lange, Anna (Lebakken) Gerndt, April Slack, Priscilla Trevino, and Alicia Weissenburger.  The class is taught by Pam Zander of Columbus.

Corrections Club Making a Difference!

Guess what our Corrections Club was up to last week! Criminal Justice/Corrections Club students gave their time and energy to Service-Learning and engaged in a project with Habitat for Humanity in Washington/Dodge County.

Corrections Club President, Jessica Parsons, has passion, enthusiasm and a sincere desire to become actively involved in the community through Service-Learning projects and has passed this passion on to other club members to become engaged in the process.

It began at a meeting when Jessica proposed the club focus should be on giving back to the community.  Students in the program/club identified poverty, homelessness, hunger, MH and AODA issues as some of the contributing factors affecting individuals and correlation among/within the CJ system.  In an effort to increase awareness and empathy among club members, it was decided the club would be part of the solution and get involved!

Club members and advisor met at a Habitat home in Washington County and assisted with mudding drywall, taping windows/doors to prep for painting, texture walls using a hopper and another student would complete the knock down of the texture. Two other students assisted with the breakdown of scaffolding at the other Habitat site (MPTC students in another program are currently building a duplex in Washington Co).

Photo: Joseph Clark, Peter Giove, Matthew Henning, Steve Smith, Jessica Parsons and Joan Barfield (Connections Science Instructor at MPTC).

Near lunchtime, the soon to be owner of the house arrived and the students had the opportunity to meet her and learn that she would be moving in with her four children. Currently, they are living in a homeless shelter.

Interestingly, many of the club members who helped with the house, were students in one or more of Brenda Schaefer’s classes and had the opportunity to engage in service-learning projects previously.

This is proof that service-learning is so meaningful to our students that they would love to help out again. Providing "service" and "learning" can create an impact in the lives of all members of a community.

Northeast Wisconsin Regional Network Gathering!

This last week we had the honor of hosting the Northeast Wisconsin Regional Network Gathering! We had a great opportunity to share and learn from one another!
 
We talked about how student learning is strongest when the service and work students do in the community is intentionally connected to civic development outcomes in the community. The Service Learning Program brings the campus and community together in partnership to share resources, meet real community needs, and educate students about their program. This gives students a chance to take what they learn from class and apply it in their community!

 

 

 

If you would like more information, please contact our service-learning VISTA Natalie Schmitz at 920-924-3337 or nschmitz2@morainepark.edu.

 

Moraine Park German Exchange Program 2013

Hallo wie geht es dir? Which is hello, how are you in German. Last week Thursday fourteen German students arrived from Frankfort, Germany in Madison, Wisconsin. To kick off the new journey in Wisconsin, the German students were welcome by their host.  I was excited to be hosting a German student for the third year in a row. Each time I learn new words, culture similarities and a priceless experience. On Friday, Moraine Park held a Welcome lunch for the German students at Park Terrace!

 

 

On the first night I made dinner for my host Danjeil. The meal included a fresh hamburger, sweet potato fries, and a variety of local beers from Wisconsin. The first night was a huge success with my host. I could tell from day one that my host and I have similarities. I am looking forward meeting the other students to expand my connections in Germany. Although my German speaking is not the greatest, but I do plan on improving my conversation skills before the students leave. Until the next blog I will give you an inside look on the activities planned for the German students.  Until then, Ciao!

Cheers,

Lee IV

Community Connections Fair!

Hope you had a chance to stop by all three of our campuses last week for the Community Connections Fairs! We had a great time learning about our community and making connections about service learning opportunities!

Community Connections Fair is a district-wide Community Resource/ Service-Learning Fair for all three campuses (Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, West Bend). All held from September 10th-12th at different MPTC campus each day.

For those who attended the event received information about valuable community resources, service learning opportunities and more information about MPTC services.

If you were unable to attend or would like more information about service learning opportunities, please contact our service-learning VISTA Natalie Schmitz at 920-924-3337 or nschmitz2@morainepark.edu.

Info Sessions: Jamaica and Morocco!

International Education is excited to share upcoming information sessions for two new programs: Culture & Culinary in Morocco and International Service in Jamaica. Join us at these information sessions in September to learn more!
  
Culture & Cuisine of Morocco: Info Session
Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Room O-103 on the Fond du Lac Campus

 

MPTC Instructor Tom Endejan will lead an educational exploration of Morocco’s culture and cuisine, traveling across Morocco on March 12-23, 2014. Students, alumni, and community members are welcome to enroll in this course on Moroccan culture! From the Moroccan coasts to Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains, this hands-on trip allows participants to prepare authentic Moroccan dishes and discover the country’s rich cultural heritage.
     
To RSVP for the Morocco info session on September 18, or to request more information on this study abroad opportunity, please contact Tom Endejan at tendejan@morainepark.edu or
920-924-3135.

International Service in Jamaica: Info Session
Tuesday, September 17 at 2 p.m.
Telepresence Room (FDL, WB & BD)
   
Students, join us to learn more about this international service learning opportunity! Escape Wisconsin winters with this meaningful and rewarding service learning program in rural Jamaica this January 2-12, 2014.  Students will work in the community of Hagley Gap, in the Blue Mountain region of Eastern Jamaica.

To RSVP for the info session on September 17 or request more information, please contact Amy Patterson at international@morainepark.edu or 920-887-4470.

 

 

 

Welcome Back, MPTC Students!

Welcome back to MPTC students! We had a great time meeting new students and sharing our study abroad programs at Welcome Days this month. Thanks to everyone who visited the International Education booth!

 

 

 

 

If you’re interested in study abroad programs, please check out our updated website and Facebook page. We have great opportunities in 2013-2014: hosting students from Germany, serving and learning in Jamaica, exploring magical Morocco, and staying with host families in Germany, among many additional options!

MPTC Hosts Japanese Delegates

At Moraine Park Technical College, we love hosting visitors from all over the world! Delegates from Japan recently visited the MPTC West Bend Campus as part of their exchange program with the City of West Bend. Moraine Park Board member Mike Miller, former mayor of West Bend, started the exchange program more than 20 years ago. The Japanese students and their host families explored spaces such as the Telepresence classroom and the nursing simulation lab with Pete Rettler, the West Bend Campus Dean. Kudos to Mike Miller and Pete Rettler for their work strengthening community connections--both locally and globally!

To see more pictures from the tour, please visit our Facebook page!

Join Us in JAMAICA--January 2014!!

Get ready for fun, sun, and service! We’re excited to share a NEW study abroad program for Moraine Park students. Join us for Moraine Park’s new, international service learning experience in Hagley Gap, Jamaica. The program will take place January 2-12, 2014. Plan to take a break from the Wisconsin winter, and enjoy the beautiful Blue Mountains of Jamaica!
    

During the affordable trip, students will live with host families in Hagley Gap, Jamaica, while completing service learning projects with the Blue Mountain Project. Depending on students’ interest, projects might include volunteering in health clinics, providing tutoring to primary school students, working with the local farmers’ cooperative, and/or working in sustainable construction.  Students can also enjoy the beach or even hike the Blue Mountains!

Set aside the dates: January 2-12, 2014. More information will be shared this fall! In the meantime, learn more about other students’ experiences through this video from Ripon College on service learning in Hagley Gap:

MOROCCO--MARCH 2014!!

Students, begin planning now for the next travel opportunity with the college. Spring Break 2014 -- Morocco Bound! Experience the magic and mystery of this fascinating kingdom and learn the language, customs, values, culinary classics and daily life in this coastal country in Northern Africa (it is approximately 9 miles from North Africa to Europe across the Straits of Gibraltar!).

 Hot mint tea service. Moroccan tradition has the server pour the tea from 2-3 feet from the glass.

 Fresh Atlantic catch of the day -- fresh grilled.

 Market

 Fishing fleets

Spice souk (market--fresh saffron, cinnamon and other spices)

Effective July 1, we will start marketing, promoting and encouraging participation in this adventure to the north of Africa. Our guided trip will be directed by a professional guide out of Madison, and Tom Endejan, culinary faculty, will facilitate the learning for the students. Plan now!!

Service Learning Student Recognition and VISTA grant opportunity

Thursday, May 2, Moraine Park celebrated and showcased student service projects from the semester. To make it even better, the culinary students provided the gourmet breakfast. The College service footprint in the Fond du Lac community topped 552 hours and almost $12,000--that number does not include several additional courses and projects not being tracked yet. We are very proud of the efforts of our faculty and students, seeking ways to enhance and strengthen our community connections through performance excellence.

 Members of both Brenda Schaefer's and Julie Dilling's courses from the spring 2013 semester.

 Overview of a service project.

 One group presents about their project with the Solutions Center.

Dr. Jim Eden, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Ms. Brenda Schaefer, S-L coordinator, Jenni Walsh, Executive Director of WiCC, and Dr. Sheila Ruhland, President of Moraine Park were on hand to celebrate and recognize our students' service efforts in the community.

 Q&A session

 The Culinary students delivered a beautiful gourmet breakfast to a packed room.

The College was also granted a VISTA volunteer to begin serving in August 2013. We are working with the Solutions Center to help heighten the awareness of poverty in our community. If you are interested in more information about the VISTA position, please contact Dr. Caron Daugherty at 920-924-3163 or cdaugherty@morainepark.edu.