First Year Education - Holyoke Community College
Transcription
First Year Education - Holyoke Community College
Holyoke Community College Spring 2012 Volume 3 • Issue 1 Your Community Resource for Education, Training, and Enrichment TM First Year Education Laying the foundation for student success All Kinds of Students All Kinds of Support Not a typical student? Don’t worry, community colleges know how to help! HCC’s Adult Learning Center Nurturing new beginnings www.hcc.edu Welcome from the President Throughout my career in higher education, I’ve met many prospective students who wanted an education, were thrilled by the opportunity to learn, and eager to work toward a career that excited them—but were scared to death they might fail. Whether a high school student or an adult with years in the workforce, contemplating college can incite nerves in even the most confident soul. If that sounds like you or someone you know, I hope you’ll read this issue of Career Focus. You’ll discover what HCC students have at their fingertips: a comprehensive support network focused on student success. It starts in the classroom, with professors who care. Visit HCC, and you’ll notice conversations between students and professors that continue well after classes end. Walk past faculty offices and you’ll see students stopping by to ask questions, discuss assignments and plan their coursework for the next semester. Throughout the college, you’ll find an army of staff working to support the learning that takes place in the classroom. From Admissions to Advising, from the Center for Academic Program Support to Counseling Services, and from the Career Center to a host of specialized programs such as STRIVE, New Directions, and Pathways, HCC provides comprehensive services and resources that enable our students to thrive. If you (or someone you know) are ready to get started, I invite you to call or visit HCC. You won’t find anything frightening—just dedicated, caring people ready to help you take that important next step. Sincerely, William F. Messner President, Holyoke Community College Guide to HCC’s Course Schedule Publications The Registration Booklet is the source for credit course information. It is available online @ www.hcc.edu (PDF) and on campus. call the Welcome center (413) 552-2000 to request a copy. courses fill quickly and sections are added continuously, so for the most up-to-date information about course availability, instructor names, and course descriptions visit www.hcc.edu and click on “myHcc”. CareerFocus magazine provides articles and information about career and educational paths, along with information about HCC’s academic programs and education and training for business, organizations and individuals. It is mailed to many households in HCC’s service delivery area each semester and is available online @ www.hcc.edu (PDF). ege munity Coll nt Holyoke Com and Enrichme , Training, ty Resource Your Communi Spring 2012 Issue 1 Volume 3 • TM Students All Kinds of Support of All Kindsa typic al student? Not , community Don’t worry how to help! colleges know A Foun ess student succ lt HCC’s Adu ter Learning Cen nings HCC’s Business and Community Services Bulletin provides information about professional development and personal enrichment courses and programs for adults and children. Expand your knowledge. Learn new skills. Improve your life. meet new friends! The bulletin is available online (PDF). Print copies are available by calling (413) 552-2500 or (413) 552-2320. begin edu www.hcc. • more than 12,800 credit and noncredit students attended Holyoke Community college last year. Sprin tSt 1 nforCurren tsNov2 Registratio tudents Star orNewS gistrationf on2012 E• sIntersessi n Include y• ON LIN RDA ATu •S Ev ENI NG WIL IGH T& •DAy •T n Priority n OpenRe istration! Priority Reg • mandatory tuition and fees at Hcc are lowest among all 29 Massachusetts public colleges and universities. ’t Miss want! times you dents: Don need at the Current Stu now to Register n es you Registratio get the class of Priority by the end times fill at popular es scheduled Many class sStart: ionClasse Intersess Inside CourseList •Intersession all CourseList, ilight •SpringA-Z bject(day,tw coursesbysu turday,online,and &evening,Sa brick&click). reakout rick&ClickB •OnlineandB kout EveningBrea •Twilight& reakout •SaturdayB 2 Jan3,201 tart: ClassesS Semester 12 Jan23,20 information up to date ptions. C” for most click on “MyHCnames, and course descri cc.edu and instructor Visit www.h availability, about class n tratio during ity Regis for courses About Prior advisor and pre-register student s. Online with their advising to all current then “My ic ged to meet “MY HCC” program are encoura HCC provides academ .edu. Select certificate Students at www.hcc tion. a degree or Frost 273. info online enrolled in Center, Priority Registra and contact 221. If you are not in the Advising advisor’s name , Frost Look up your visit Student Records can meet with an advisor Or classes you Services.” only online taking are or du www.hcc.e 0.24.2011 updateasof:1 HOLYOKE COM MUN ITY COLLEGE BUSINESS & SPRING 2012 for Education First Year ation Educ dation for Nurturing new Did You Know? n Booklet egistratio 2—16 g 2012R udents:Nov COMMUNITY SERVICES COURSE BULLE TIN • Financial assistance is available to students who need help meeting educational costs. About 50 percent of Hcc students receive financial aid. • Hcc’s average class size is 22. • Hcc provides comprehensive support services to help students succeed. New Year, New Start • Computers & Technology • Personal Enrich ment • Professional Development • Testing & Test Preparation Non-credit Profe ssional Developme nt & Personal Enrich Classes start in Janua ECRWSS CUSTOMER BUSINESS ment Courses ry and throu ghout the spring Register now! www.hcc.edu • Hcc has more than 30 transfer agreements with public and private four-year colleges and universities in Western massachusetts and beyond. Graduates have transferred to Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Cornell University, University of Massachusetts, Westfield State University, Johnson and Wales University, Elms college, American International College, Springfield College, Western New England college and many more. • members of Hcc’s 2011 graduating class: Range in age from 18 to 74. Include 1,104 graduates who were awarded 1,148 associate degrees and certificates. Include residents of 67 massachusetts towns, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, and states and territories as far away as South carolina. countries of citizenship for International graduates include Dominican Republic, Lithuania, Peru, Poland, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Contact Us! Academic Affairs: (413) 552-2770 For help changing your major or switching your advisor. Admissions: (413) 552-2321 email: [email protected] Advising Center: (413) 552-2722 email: [email protected] For assistance with academic advising. David M. Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation: (413) 552-2161 Bookstore: (413) 552-2521 Buy and sell back class books. Career Center: (413) 552-2597 or 2322 Help searching and applying for jobs. Co-operative Education: (413) 552-2322 Center for Academic Support: (413) 552-2584 Problems with math or writing? can’t figure out English Lit? This is the place to call. Center for Business & Professional Development: (413) 552-2122 Training for business and industry, professional development, and more. Community Services: (413) 552-2324 Fun and informative non-credit courses and workshops and Adult Basic Education. Office for Students with Disabilities & Deaf Services: (413) 552-2417 [email protected] Provide accommodations to assure access to college programs and services. Online Learning Advising: (413) 552-2236 [email protected] Financial Aid: (413) 552-2150 Online Technical Help: (413) 552-2124 Student loans, grants, and other resources to [email protected] Online help for: WebCT, help finance your education. myHcc (Self-service), Student email. Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development: (413) 552-2500 [email protected] Placement Testing & Assessment: (413) 552-2055 For placement testing and photo IDs. Student Records/Registrar: (413) 552-2319 Transfer Affairs: (413) 552-2498 Want to take everything you’ve learned at HCC and transfer to a four-year college? Transcript Request Information Line: (413) 552-2142 For recorded instructions on requesting an official Hcc transcript. Library: (413) 552-2733 More books, Student Account Services: microfilms, periodicals, and online resources (413) 552-2101 Questions about your bill? than you could read in a lifetime! call or stop by Frost 201. Weather Hotline: (413) 552-2900, ext. 1418 Call this number during winter storms to find out if the college is open. New Directions: (413) 552-2346 Pre-admission counseling & services for adult women returning to school. Welcome Center: (413) 552-2000 Here’s where to get started! Student Affairs: (413) 552-2100 Great resource for campus activities, or any questions about student life. General Information: (413) 538-7000 Publisher:.......................Holyoke Community College’s Marketing and Communications department Editors:....................................William Murphy and JoAnne Rome Contributors/Editorial Support:.................................... Chris Yurko William Murphy and JoAnne Rome Photography:.............................. JoAnne Rome, Jack Scanlon and Chris Yurko Holyoke Community College President William F. Messner Holyoke Community College Board of Trustees John J. Driscoll, Chair Helen Caulton-Harris, Vice Chair Joseph Wright, Secretary, Alumni Representative James F. Carey John J. Ferriter Robert Gilbert Jorge Gomez James Lavelle David Morin Natalia Muñoz Julie Pokela Holyoke Community College maintains and promotes a policy of non discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, maternity leave, and national origin in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies, as required by Federal and State anti-discrimination laws. In addition, the college maintains and promotes a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity/expression. CareerFocus is published three times a year by Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 in partnership with Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. All rights reserved. No part of the material printed may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage retrieval system without the permission of the publisher. CareerFocus Questions about HCC’s programs and services described in this publication should be directed to the Welcome Center (413) 552-2000 or by emailing [email protected]. Comments and questions about the publication itself can be directed to HCC’s Marketing and Communications department (413) 552-2182; email: [email protected]. Contents Features 3 Resource Spotlight: HCC Advising Center 4 Facts and Finds Faculty Profile 5 Professor Vanessa Martinez 6 First Year Education Laying the foundation for student success 8 HCC’s Adult Learning Nurturing new beginnings Center 10 Degree or Certificate? Which path is right for you? Student Profile Student Profile 13 Business Corner: Innovation 12 Brenna Pevato 12 Silverina Reyes 14 The Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development 1 5 All Kinds of Students All Kinds of Support Not a typical student? Don’t worry, community colleges know how to help! 16 Resource Guide © 2012 Holyoke Community College Find More Online Download a free QR Reader for your smartphone and scan this code for more information about Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I1 Picknelly Adult & Family Education Center Comprehensive community resources in downtown Holyoke Located on the upper floors of the new Holyoke Transportation Center, the Picknelly Adult and Family Education Center (PAFEC) was established by members of the Juntos Collaborative, Holyoke Public Schools, and Holyoke Community College to provide Holyoke residents with free and low cost adult basic education and related services in an easily accessible location. Open from 8 am to 10 pm, the PAFEC offers GED preparation and testing, Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, tutoring and mentoring, career counseling, workforce development classes, transition to college programs, and credit college classes taught by HCC instructors. The newly opened Gill Technology Center offers free and low cost basic computer and software classes in English and Spanish, a career readiness certificate pilot program, Basic Essentials Skill Training for the Workplace (BEST) program, and free open lab sessions for the general public. PAFEC’s meeting space and video conferencing facilities are also available for area businesses and non-profits. • Wheelchair accessible • WiFi available throughout the building • PVTA buses to Transportation Center throughout day • Parking on street and in garage • Mountain Joe Cafe on first floor 206 Maple Street • (413) 552-2990 • [email protected] ollege munity C Enrichment olyoke Com H Fall 2011 Visit CareerFocus ONLINE and link directly to HCC’s programs and resources • Issue 3 Volume 2 TM ining, and cation, Tra ce for Edu nity Resour r Commu Valuable Career Information You Need Now You sky Even the it: m li o n is es to HCC NASA com th is Which Pa ou? Y r fo Right Certificate? • Just graduated from high school? Studieinsg Deaf de rstand Degree or Un re goes the cultu hand hand in ng ni le with ar ge the langua ts Media Ar r e t Centitude of options • Looking for a new career? • Need a better income? A mul roof under one lege munity Col Holyoke Com ion, Training, and Enrichment ce nity Resour Your Commu dies Deaf Stu erstanding Und goes the culture hand hand in ning with lear e the languag ts Media Ar Center ons de of opti FIT ORG. NON PRO US POSTAGE PAID R, MI ANN ARBO 48 PERMIT NO. A multitu roof under one ECRWSS CUSTOMER BUSINESS du www.hcc.e ity College Holyoke CommunAvenue ad 303 Homeste 01040 Holyoke, MA • Ready to move up? TM NASA com Degree ege munity Coll Holyoke Com Avenue ad 303 Homeste 01040 Holyoke, MA • Issue 3 Volume 2 sky Even the it: is noeslim to HCC th is Which Pa u? Yo Rightorfor Certificate? .edu www.hcc Fall 2011 for Educat The NEW Interactive CareerFocus magazine connects you directly to Holyoke Community College resources to help you choose the right education and career path. Check it out at hcc.mycareerfocus.org ECRWSS CUSTOMER BUSINESS 2 I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 Resource Spotlight: HCC Advising Center B y all accounts, HCC’s Advising Center was, for years, a rather unpleasant space. “Hot, ugly, musty, dark, noisy. Shame on us,” says Yanina Vargas-Arriaga, HCC’s vice president of Student Affairs. “For too many years, that place was an institutional oversight.” Today, students who visit the newly renovated and reconfigured HCC Advising Center in Frost 273 will find a much different and improved space thanks to a $700,000 reconstruction project. “We wanted a place that is welcoming and would function as a one-stop service shop for students with respect to their academic enrollment needs,” says Vargas-Arriaga. The new space is bright, fresh, open and inviting. Students can now sit and wait to talk to an advisor in the comfort of upholstered armchairs. There are six self-service computer stations for students who want to do their own research on classes, academic programs or transfer opportunities. “If they get stuck, if they run into a stumbling block,” says Vargas-Arriaga, “there is always someone there to help them.” I The center has more advising stations, ten now compared to seven before, and each one is large enough to accommodate students in wheelchairs. “We created larger cubicles that all look alike,” said Vargas-Arriaga. “It’s important that students don’t have to feel like they have to go to a particular advisor based on their mobility. “We want everyone to feel treated with dignity and respect.” Before, the Advising Center shared the space with HCC’s Educational Testing and Photo ID centers. But the noise and bustle from the Advising Center and Photo ID Center proved disruptive to students taking the mandatory tests used to gauge their academic levels. Those areas have now been split up. Educational Testing and Photo ID are now next door in an adjoining space, maintaining a connection but clearly separating their functions. The last piece of the reorganization was to move Transfer Affairs out of Admissions and into the Advising Center. “We believe in providing a seamless advising process for students,” says Vargas-Arriaga. “They can come if they need to have an (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu advisor look over their transcript, or get help making course selections, then see the transfer counselor to make sure they have the right credits they need for the college program they want.” There is also a reception area, a small meeting room in the back, and an extra office that can be used by college recruiters who come to campus to meet with potential transfer applicants. During peak times—priority and open registration periods—the Advising Center will see more than 200 students a week. All students—new, transfer or returning—must visit the Advising Center as part of their educational planning process. After they take their placement tests, they come to the Advising Center to meet with one of the on-call advisors, pick a major, review their test scores, and select their first semester classes. “All students are assigned a faculty advisor on the basis of their major, but the Advising Center is an open to any student who needs advising at any time of the year,” says Linda Scott, the advising center’s assistant director. During one recent morning, HCC sophomore Rachel Guillotte, a liberal arts major from Westfield, was resting in a cozy armchair in the Advising Center, waiting for her noon appointment with Transfer Affairs counselor Mark Broadbent. “I’m here to talk about transfer, to see what colleges offer,” she said. “I’m not up on this kind of thing so I’m hoping he will help me figure out where I want to go.” Students can make an appointment or just drop in between classes. They can also talk to an advisor by telephone (413-552-2722) or email ([email protected]). All services are free. The Center is open Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I3 Personality and Paycheck A N D Your personality may have a bigger effect on your bottom line than you ever imagined. openne$$ conscientiou$ne$$ extraver$ion agreeablene$$ neurotici$m Psychology’s so-called “big five” personality characteristics (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) are used by professionals to describe the human personality, but a new study shows that they may also describe how we earn, spend and save money. Chances are, if you are conscientious, even tempered and extraverted, you probably have more money in the bank than if you’re agreeable, open to experience and neurotic. University of Michigan economist David Weir and University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth collected data on almost 10,000 adults age 50 Can You Take It? How are you at receiving criticism? Do you get defensive? Angry? Hurt? Or do you gratefully accept feedback as an opportunity to improve yourself? And how are you at giving criticism? Do you accuse? Speak bluntly? Offer unsolicited advice? Or do you tactfully ask questions first and make suggestions later? Basically no one likes being criticized and most of us aren’t very good at delivering it either. But criticism has a valuable role to play in the workplace, so we can all use Majorly Important When choosing a career path, men and women are not as far apart as you might guess. There is a lot of overlap in the choice of college majors between the sexes–but a few notable differences too. Men still choose engineering and computer careers in much larger numbers– both fields in which six-figure salaries are commonplace. And women still dominate in English, humanities and liberal arts–fields that pay far more modest salaries. Although money isn’t everything, many college freshmen state that becoming financially well off is among their life goals, and the choice of a major can make a big difference in income. 4 I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus and older and compared their personality characteristics, their cognitive ability (IQ), wealth, and lifetime earnings records from Social Security. Not surprisingly they found that people who score high on conscientiousness not only earn more than average, they also save more than average. Even-tempered folks who score low on neuroticism tend to earn more money–but they don’t necessarily save more. And while extraverts and introverts earn about the same, it’s the extraverts who save more. And perhaps surprisingly, people who score high on agreeableness and some ground rules for both dishing it out and taking it. “How to Take Feedback” in the March 15, 2011 Psychology Today offers a few guidelines. “Much of our growth and development depends on interactions and other experiences that feel bad. Criticism has a hallowed role in nearly every area of human endeavor,” says author Karen Wright. Some of the rules of giving effective feedback are: •Leadwithaquestionsuch as “How do you think you’re doing?” so the other person feels included in the solution. •Don’tgivecriticismunless it’s been invited. •Makesureyouhavethe authority to give feedback. Criticism from those considered unqualified is rarely welcome. openness to experience tend to earn less and save less. So it seems personality has a real correlation with our work and money habits–as for the personality types that are more fun at parties, that’s another study. Source: “Personality, Lifetime Earnings, and Retirement Wealth,” October 2010 University of Michigan Retirement Research Center •Distinguishwhetheryour criticism is about another’s action or about your preferences. •Nevergivefeedbackwhen you’re angry; instead express disappointment and save the critique for later. •Criticismmakessome people feel attacked and others crushed–know who you’re talking to and tailor the message. Top College Majors WOMEN MEN Business Business Health Professions and Clinical Sciences Social Sciences and History Social Sciences and History Engineering and Engineering Technologies Education Visual and Performing Arts Psychology computer and Information Sciences and Support Services Visual and Performing Arts Biological and Biomedical Sciences Communication and Communication Technologies Communication and Communication Technologies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education English Language and Literature/Letters Psychology Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, Humanities Security and Protective Services www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 Faculty Profile: Professor Vanessa Martinez Five years ago, when she applied for the full-time teaching job at HCC, her PhD advisor at the University of Massachusetts warned her not to take it. “Vanessa,” she recalls being told, “you’re the type of person who will live in your office with students outside your door. Don’t do it.” She didn’t listen and laughs now at the accuracy of that prediction. But she’s not complaining. S ix students are camped out on the floor outside the office of Associate Professor of Anthropology Vanessa Martinez. Another has followed her there from class. “OK,”she says, surveying the group, “who was here first?” The scene is typical. The numbers speak to both her popularity and accessibility as a teacher. Martinez teaches anthropology and sociology at HCC. Her classes look at diversity in both the United States and around the world, examining issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, subordinate and dominant groups. She looks at institutional issues through this prism, such as education and health care, how history and language play a part, and then relates the theories to current events, like Occupy Wall Street. “The last section is sort of, once you’ve learned it, once you’ve & Affordable 20 Month Bachelor’s Programs Now Offered on the HCC Campus Earn a bachelor’s degree from Elms College in 20 months without leaving the HCC campus Enroll in accelerated programs in: Accounting and Information Systems Business Management Psychology Early Childhood Leadership Health Service Administration Financial Aid is available! Achievable • Accessible • Accelerated • Affordable For more information, contact: Jane McCarry at 413-265-2490 or [email protected] I (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu acquired this awareness, now what do you do?” Born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, Martinez — a “military brat,” she says – moved to the states when she was four but identifies strongly with her Hispanic heritage. “One thing I’ve been told is that I often serve as a mentor for Latino students who in the past haven’t been able to see themselves getting to the point where they’re a teacher or have the level of education I have,” she says. In October, Martinez received a “Latino Teaching Excellence Award” from Gov. Deval L. Patrick and was invited to the State House for a ceremony celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. “That was an incredibly humbling experience,” she says. “I think I am a pretty good teacher but I was like, wow, this is just amazing.” In her office, every inch of bulletin board space is covered with messages of social justice— bumper stickers, political pins, signs, flyers, newspaper articles: “Dissent Protects Democracy,” “War is Terrorism with a Bigger Budget,” “Keep Abortions Legal,” “Get Corporations Off Welfare,” and one of her favorites, “Juntos Somos Fuertes,” which means “Together We are Strong.” There is another her students always laugh at because they think it describes her so well: “Wellbehaved women seldom make history.” “I always tell my students, I don’t expect you to agree with me,” Martinez says. “In fact, I encourage them to do their own research. But the thing I care about most is: One, that you understand the anthropology; and two, that you understand why you think the way you do. You can keep whatever ideas you want, but at least know where they came from.” Expand Your Knowledge! Learn new skills. Improve your life and your career. Meet new friends! HOLYOKE COMMUNITY Business & Community Services Non-credit Courses COLLEGE BUSINESS SPRING 2012 COU New Year, For professional growth and personal enrichment • Professional Development K-12 educators Real estate professionals Human resources staff Managers Healthcare workers ICES New Start • Computers & Techno logy • Personal Enrichm ent • Professional Develo pment • Testing & Test Prepar ation Short-term, affordable classes offered each semester: • computers & Technology & COMMUNITY SERV RSE BULLETIN • Personal Enrichment Arts & Crafts Languages Outdoors & Leisure Legal Food & Drink money & Investment Programs for youth and those age 60 and over, too! Non-credit Professional Development & Person Classes start in Januar al Enrichment Courses y and throughout the Register now! www.h spring cc.edu check out the latest Spring 2012 Business & community Services Education Bulletin. Available online @ www.hcc.edu or by calling (413) 552-2500 or 2320. It’s easy to view courses and register with convenient walk-in, fax-in, phone-in, and mail-in options. NEW! Online registration now available @ www.hcc.edu/ces CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I5 First Year Education Laying the foundation for student success A ndrea Alvarez arrived at HCC for the fall 2011 semester feeling like a lot of other first-year students: confused, anxious, overwhelmed, alone. “I came in here not knowing anybody,” says the 18-year-old Alvarez, who lives in Holyoke. “Toward the beginning, I didn’t know anything.” Things are a lot different for Alvarez now, thanks to her involvement with HCC’s First Year Experience program, or FYE. The program targets first-time, full-time, degreeseeking students, particularly those at high risk for dropping out. “The goal is to improve the experience for students when they enter the college, improve retention, graduation and transfer rates, make sure they have a successful transition to college and that they are able to access the resources and support systems that are available,” says Michele Snizek, the FYE activity director. “The whole thing is about student success.” What made the biggest difference to Alvarez was meeting Pedro Rodriquez, the FYE academic advisor. 6 I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus Rodriquez identified professors he thought would be a good match for Alvarez. He referred her to the Career Center for help with her resumé so she could find a new parttime job and suggested she join the Black Student Alliance, an HCC club Rodriguez advises. “When we first met, she had a lot of anxiety,” says Rodriguez. “New school, scheduling. It’s a huge transition from high school. Since then, she’s joined a group and met some of my other advisees. She’s made some good friends, and she’s involved, and, academically, she’s doing real well.” According to campus statistics, of the 1,419 first-time, full-time, degreeseeking students who enrolled at HCC for the fall 2009 semester, 839, or less than 60 percent, made it through and returned for their second year. Also, typically, HCC courses with the lowest completion rates—lower than 70 percent—are developmental and introductory level courses such as English and math, the kind of courses taken during a student’s first year. The numbers suggest some kind of intervention is needed. The inspiration for HCC’s First Year Experience program came from a U.S. Department of Education initiative called the Foundations of Excellence project. HCC participated, creating a task force that issued a report and came up with a plan that became FYE. “The report showed that, because of who our students are, that we tend to attract more students at the developmental level, first-generation college, often coming in with a lot more challenges, that improving the first-year experience would be beneficial,” says Snizek. FYE is now in the third year of a fiveyear, $1.8 million, federal education grant that targets first year students on several levels. The first is improving orientation. Historically, HCC offered four student orientation sessions at the beginning of every semester. This year, the fall 2011 orientation program offered 13 sessions over two and a half weeks, including evenings, where new students could meet with faculty and other staff who work with them directly. “The goal is to improve attendance,” says Snizek. www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 The grant also pays for technology upgrades to improve information delivery to students. One example is DegreeWorks, a software program that will eventually provide students with the ability to do an electronic degree audit, analyzing their coursework and credits and potential career paths, and allowing advisors to share notes. speakers to answer questions about the Career Center, CAP Center and Writing Center. The first day of the fall 2011 semester, Slepchuk sent her students on a campus-wide scavenger hunt to familiarize them with the campus geography and student services. “Part of student success is building connections to these resources,” she says. In addition, the grant supports stipends for HCC faculty to develop pilot courses for first-year students. The fall 2011 semester saw the introduction of two Freshman Interest Groups, or FIGs, in the Foundations of Health program. Each FIG is a group of 15 or 16 students who take all their classes together for the semester. One FIG is a developmental level block consisting of Introduction to Health Careers, English and math. The second FIG is an introductory level block: Introduction to Health Careers, biology, nutrition and English. By keeping students together for all their classes, the hope is that they build stronger relationships with their teachers and each other. The Spring 2011 course catalog features courses with the First-Year Experience tag “FYE Course” to alert students that instructors for these courses will pay particular attention to the needs of new students. Perhaps the most important component of FYE is advising. Of the 2,000 to 3,000 students eligible for FYE services, Rodriquez will “We’ve noticed that they study together, call each other about assignments. They take more responsibility and have more initiative,” says Kim Slepchuk, the Introduction to Health Careers teacher for the developmental cohort. “We’ve noticed that (FYE students) study together, call each other about assignments. They take more responsibility and have more initiative.” –Kim Slepchuk, Introduction to Health Careers faculty see about 200. They are typically identified through Admissions or the Advising Center. Rodriguez looks for students who are enrolled in developmental courses, or undecided about their majors. He also looks for students of color, who are more likely not to complete their first year. Rodriguez offers a series of workshops throughout the year for both students and staff, with titles such as “First Year Survival Tips” and “Who’s My Advisor?” His experience is also serving as an experiment in how advising in general can be improved at HCC. “Relationship is first for me, versus just scheduling,” says Rodriquez. “When we talk, we’re always focusing on what’s going on in your life, what are you juggling, work, transportation, likes, dislikes, learning style. It’s always just getting to know each other and just checking in consistently.” While his door is literally always open, he also uses technology to stay in contact. He maintains a Facebook page he updates daily with news and information. “It’s constant communication,” says Rodriguez, “so these guys have it on their laptops, their cell phones, their iPads. Even though they might not come see me on a daily basis, the accessibility is there. They know that I’m here for them.” The FIGs also introduce students to campus resources by inviting guest I (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I7 HCC’s Adult Learning Center Nurturing new beginnings “A journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step.” -–Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu F or many high school dropouts or non-native English speakers who dream of earning their GEDs, going to college and finding a career, the first step of their long journey begins when they enroll in HCC’s Adult Learning Center. Located in the Picknelly Adult and Family Education Center (PAFEC), above the Transportation Center in downtown Holyoke, the Adult Learning Center (ALC) offers free basic education classes to area adults who want to get their GEDs and, perhaps, continue even farther. “I would say the philosophy of our school is to empower and enrich and crack open the critical learning in our students,” says Aliza Ansell, ALC special programs coordinator, “to show them a world bigger than they know.” Those students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They may be recent high school dropouts, or they may have dropped out 20 years ago. There are students who may have had undiagnosed learning disabilities or been laid off from a manufacturing company that moved their jobs overseas. Some are deaf. The ALC also serves the Hispanic population of Holyoke, many of whom come from rural parts of Puerto Rico with high illiteracy rates. ”They tend to be illiterate in both languages, English and Spanish,” says Ansell. ALC targets students at each educational level. Adult Basic Education (ABE) and pre-GED classes teach students basic writing skills and basic math; GED classes prepare them to take the General Education Development test, a precursor to college. Focus on Math (FOM) is geared for students who need more help passing the math section of the GED test. ALC also offers basic literacy and introduction to computers. “What I like to tell students,” says Gloria Granfield, who teaches ABE and pre-GED classes, “is that we’re here to help you find your voice.” Classes are always filled to capacity, so enrollment is capped at about 50. The waiting list is long, which speaks to the high demand for adult basic education services in Holyoke and neighboring communities. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday “I really just thought this was a place to get my GED and then I came here ... the school made me want college and a better life.” – student Katelyn Ahearn nights, with optional classes on Wednesday evenings. Luis Rivera, 22, of South Hadley, is a typical ALC student. He dropped out of Dean Technical High School in ninth grade and tried several different GED programs before finding his way to ALC. “I’ve been through so many programs before,” he says. “This is the one that’s been working, where I’ve seen the most progress in myself.” Even though classes are free, the expectations are high. If students miss just three sessions, they are replaced with someone from the waiting list. “The help they give you here is great,” says Irene Stefaniak, a GED tutor who is also a graduate of the program. “The classes are very organized, very structured.” Stefaniak, now 58, dropped out of school when she was 16 and only returned after her youngest daughter got married. “The main thing is, they make you responsible, so you want to do it.” Beyond the traditional adult basic education classes, the ALC also offers electives, which are unusual for a program of this kind. This model capitalizes on HCC’s partnerships with area colleges such as Amherst, Smith and Mount Holyoke, bringing in professors and students from top private settings to teach courses at no cost to students or the program. “What we’re learning is that it’s good for these institutions because they’re seen as connecting with the community, and then it’s good for our students because they have an exposure to these instructors and institutions,” says Ansell. “It’s kind of a way of giving our students, if they were ever so lucky to go to private school, a more rounded, liberal arts education.” For example, Ginetta Candelario, associate professor of sociology and Latin American studies at Smith College, taught an ALC class this fall on the history of Holyoke. Other outside faculty and students have taught or plan to teach courses 8 I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 Even though classes are free, the expectations are high. If students miss just three sessions, they are replaced with someone from the waiting list. in social justice, conflict and war, Spanish, health, philosophy, essay writing, science, and civic engagement. ALC students have gone to the Smith College Science Center lab to look through their microscopes and also learn about the solar system. “The students come in at these multiple levels and then we’re marching them toward the GED test,” says Ansell, “but the fact is that even if they pass the GED test, they’re still not prepared for college.” The electives help them to think critically, says Ansell, which benefits them on the GED test. They also give students a taste of what real college courses are like—and often make them hungry to continue their education and plan a career. “I really just thought this was a place to get my GED,” says GED student Katelyn Ahearn, who has taken the creative writing and history of Holyoke electives at ALC, “and then I came here and it was like, oh, take this extra class and this extra class I and this class will help you get into college. The school made me want college and a better life.” She is already planning her next steps after ALC—going to HCC, transferring to Smith College or Mount Holyoke and looking forward to a career in criminal justice. It’s a path similar to the one Stefaniak is on. In addition to being a volunteer tutor at ALC, she is a student in HCC’s Transitions to College and Careers program. When she’s done, she hopes to study interior design at Bay Path College. “I think this is a great beginning for people who have dropped out and want to go back,” says Stefaniak. “It’s worth it. They really get you prepared.” To learn more about HCC’s Adult Learning Center, contact Program Coordinator Aliza Ansell at (413) 552-2912 or [email protected] (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I9 Which path path is Which is Degree? Degree? Can be completed in as little time as two years full time, or part time at a pace that is best for you. It is challenging to complete most degree programs in two years, and some students opt to take slightly longer, especially if they have work or family responsibilities. Degrees prepare you for a career or transfer to a four-year college or university. They require completion of at least 60 credits, usually combining a specific list of major-related courses with a flexible choice of electives. Degrees ARTS AND SCIENCE (AA) Options in: American Studies H017 Biotechnology X012 Chemistry N012 CMTA Integrated Studies H043 Theater H011 Communications H012 Creative Writing H015 Electronic Media H035 Elementary Education M029 Honors H075 Liberal Arts and Science H010 Natural Resources Studies Transfer X021 Nutrition Transfer M071 Pre-Food Science Technology X015 Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental X052 Psychology H060 Sociology H070 Sustainability Studies Communication H084 ARTS AND SCIENCE (AS) Options in: Biology X060 Deaf Studies H080 Forensic Science Technician X072 Forensic Science Transfer X071 Mathematics N013 Physics N014 Physics Mass Transfer N016 Pre-Chiropractic X051 Pre-Forestry and Environmental Science (SUNY) X040 Pre-Medical Technology X081 Pre-Health Option M067 ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL STUDIES B041 (AS) ACCOUNTING B016 (AS) BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (AS) Banking* B029 Business Administration Career B026 Business Administration Mass Transfer B023 Business Administration General Transfer B034 Entrepreneurship B033 Human Resource Management B011 International Business B095 Paralegal Transfer B045 COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (AS) Options in: Computer Information Security & Assurance N063 Management Information Systems N053 Microcomputer User Support N057 Programming N056 CRIMINAL JUSTICE (S080) (AS) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (AS) Options in: Early Childhood Career M026 Early Childhood Transfer M027 ENGINEERING STUDIES (AS) Options in: Engineering N079 Engineering Science N082 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (AS) Options in: Environmental Science Field Technician M036 Environmental Science Transfer M031 HEALTH, FITNESS AND NUTRITION M115 (AS) HOSPITALITY AND CULINARY ARTS (AS) Options in: Foodservice Management B052 Hospitality Management Career B056 Hospitality Management Transfer B051 LIBERAL STUDIES (AS) Options in: Applied Technology C002 General Integrated Studies C001 General Integrated Studies -Elementary Education (Westfield State College) C004 University Without Walls C008 MARKETING MANAGEMENT (AS) Options in: Retail Management Career B081 Marketing Management General Transfer B037 MUSIC H025 (AA) NURSING M066 (AS) RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY M096 (AS) SPORT MANAGEMENT B096 (AS) VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCE (AS) Options in: Pre-Veterinary and Animal Science X031 Veterinary Technician X036 VISUAL ART (AS) Options in: Graphics H042 Photography H041 Visual Art H031 HUMAN SERVICES (H049) (AS) *This major has required off-campus courses offered by CFT. Students must be working in the banking field. Key 10 Selective Program: Special Admissions Process Financial aid prorated Special Admissions Process May be completed entirely online Evening Only 80% of courses may be completed online Not currently eligible for financial aid 50% of courses may be completed online I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus Check out schedules for information sessions and open houses on the web at www.hcc.edu www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 right for you? right foryou? you? Certificate? Certificate? HCC offers a range of certificates both credit and non-credit, as well as professional training programs. Can be completed in as few as two semesters full time, or part time at a pace that is best for you. They often require the completion of nine or more related courses and are designed to provide expertise in a particular field so you can launch a new career, strengthen current skills, or pursue an interest. Credit certificate programs Accounting Systems B017 Addiction Studies H024 Administrative Information Systems N040 Administrative Professional Studies B042 Coaching M105 Computer Information Security & Assurance Management N064 Computer Information Security & Assurance Technical Specialist N065 Computer Networking N062 Culinary Arts B111 Day Care Administration M025 Deaf Studies H081 Developmental Disabilities Direct Support S013 Electronic Media H036 Entrepreneurship B094 Firefighter Fitness Trainer M106 Forensic Science X073 Graphic Design H034 Group Exercise Leader M102 Health and Fitness Management M101 Health and Fitness Specialist M100 Hospitality Management B053 Human Resource Management B010 Human Services H019 Law Enforcement S082 Medical Assistant M010 Medical Coding M049 Music Performance H027 Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor M103 Practical Nursing M064 Professional Customer Service B085 Retail Management B084 Solar Energy H088 Strength and Conditioning Specialist M107 Supervision & Leadership in the Helping Professions H020 Wind Energy H089 Academic Support Helps You Succeed! Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS) Donahue Building, 2nd Floor, (413) 552-2584 Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Fri 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (unless noted otherwise) Comprehensive learning support: Math, Writing, Tutoring Centers, and Learning Lab • Free walk-in tutoring • Study groups and workshops • Handouts and instructional software • Internet access & word processing • Learning coaches Math Center (DON 246) Open until 3 on Fri. Drop-in for tutoring or math prep help for all HCC math or math-related courses. Professional and peer tutors, assistance through videos, computer software/tutorials, workshops, and other resources to help you master math. I Online Tutoring (www.etutoring.org) Available to all HCC students. Live one-on-one tutoring seven days a week in math, accounting, statistics, and life sciences. Submit subject-specific questions or your draft paper to an e-Tutor for suggestions and receive a response in 24 to 48 hours. Writing Center (DON 238) Drop-in assistance with your writing needs for all HCC courses’ writing assignments, not just English. Professional and peer tutors help you brainstorm to get started, polish up your first draft, review grammar, and help with research paper format. Tutoring Center (DON 244) Drop-in tutoring and tutoring by appointment in most subjects offered at HCC—from Accounting to Zoology. If we (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu Non-credit Certificate programs American Management Association University Program Certificate in Management Project Management Certificate Program Nursing Assistant Certification Training Program Career Readiness Certificate Training programs • Pharmacy Technician • Medical Office Worker • Direct Support Associate • Office Skills/Customer Service ESL kers, HCC English spea e iv at -n on n For d Language h as a Secon is gl ll n E rs fe of details, ca rses. For (ESL) cou 553. (413) 552-2 ol, llame n en Españ ió ac rm fo in Para -2553. al (413) 552 m ii na russko iq informac Dlq poluhen nu ite po telefo qzyke zvon . 234 (413) 552-2 don’t have a tutor for a particular class, fill out a Tutor Match Form and we will find one for you. METS (Mathematics, Engineering, Technology, and Science) mentoring program Academic and personal support for women and students from under-represented groups who are pursuing majors in math, engineering, technology, and science. ALANA Men in Motion Program Academic support and mentoring for empowerment and academic success for HCC’s self-identified African American, Latino, Asian American, Native American and multiracial men. CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I 11 Student Profile: Brenna Pevato F or Brenna Pevato, success is all about good timing. In volleyball, timing the jump is key to blocking shots at the net, one of her strengths as captain of the Cougar team. Good time management is one of the keys to her academic success at HCC, where the 19-year-old, second-year student from Ludlow maintains a 4.0 GPA. “Being on a sport keeps me busy,” says Pevato, a two-time All New England volleyball player. “It teaches me how to manage my time better.” During volleyball season, after morning classes, she can be found afternoons at the Bartley Center, practicing her blocks and sets. On weeknights, inevitably, she’s at home, studying. On weekends, in between traveling to volleyball tournaments, she works as a hostess at Olive Garden in Springfield. Her study habits don’t change at all in the offseason. “I plan ahead,” she says. “Even when I’m not playing a sport, I still do my homework the same way. I don’t slack off or procrastinate. Playing a sport has definitely helped me be better at that.” Pevato is studying liberal arts at HCC with a concentration in health and science and plans to transfer to a four-year school after getting her associates degree from HCC in June 2012. She’s looking at a bunch of fouryear schools, including the University of Massachusetts and Cornell, and thinking about a career in nutrition, one of her favorite subjects. When she’s not in class, at practice, studying or at work, she keeps herself busy by running and working out at the YMCA or in the Bartley gym. She has also volunteered on campus as a student tour guide. “I like to be healthy and fit,” she says. “I think that’s what brought me to deciding that I want to help other people be healthy, just helping people know what they should eat and how to make themselves healthier and finding ways to make people feel better about themselves.” Her hard work on the volleyball court and in the classroom hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s the recipient of the Class of 1954 award, the highest honor bestowed on an HCC athlete. She’s in esteemed company. The first recipient was HCC President Emeritus David M. Bartley. Pevato had not always planned to attend HCC. She was set to go to Simmons College in Boston, but at the last minute decided she wasn’t ready to leave home. “I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made to come here,” she says, “because it’s cheaper and I have ideas but I’m not set on what I want to do. So, being here has helped me. There are a bunch of transfer opportunities I didn’t know about. I really like how they’re helpful in getting you to the next step.” “I like to be healthy and fit. I think that’s what brought me to deciding that I want to help other people be healthy, just helping people know what they should eat and how to make themselves healthier and finding ways to make people feel better about themselves.” Student Profile: Silverina Reyes “I feel with a simple touch you can help someone feel better. You can change the world.” year in Afghanistan, where a good friend and fellow soldier died after a roadside bomb attack while she was back at camp. A t 20, Silverina Reyes was a single mother of a 3-year-old son, working small, part-time jobs for little money. She didn’t see much of a future on her present track. “I wanted to do better,” says Reyes. “I wanted to give him everything.” So, she joined the U.S. Army, served a year in Baghdad, Iraq, with the 320th Field Artillery Regiment’s quick reaction force. “If anything would happen in the city, we would be on call,” says Reyes. She served another 12 I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus It was partly that experience that lead her to HCC, where she plans to pursue a degree in nursing after obtaining her associate degree next spring. “I was not there to help my friend,” she says, “and I feel like I owe it to him to help others.” the movie G.I. Jane, starring Demi Moore. Her mother took care of her son while she was overseas. It was hard being away, she says, but believes the sacrifice will serve her family better in the long run. She’s married now and recently moved to South Hadley. Reyes, now 27, was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Holyoke when she was 11. Even though Spanish was her first language, she always did well in school, graduating from Dean Technical High School. But it wasn’t easy. She had her son, Jason, while still a student there. “I had tough times,” she recalls. “Being a single mother, you go through a lot.” Reyes is in the Foundations of Health program at HCC, where she enrolled full time in January 2011. She also reenlisted for another four years in the reserves. Army Specialist Reyes works part time four hours every morning at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, where she is an assistant to the commander. Sometimes she can be seen walking around the HCC campus in her military uniform. She laughs now as she recalls the inspiration for her decision to enlist— The more she thinks about it, she says her desire to take care of others goes back to childhood. “I remember when my sister would get any kind of cut, I would patch it up. In the army, my friends always came to me when they didn’t feel good. I would try to help them out by giving them a Tylenol or something like that or check their fever, so I guess it was always in my heart. I feel with a simple touch you can help someone feel better. You can change the world.” One day, she hopes to be an emergency room nurse, which she relates directly to being a war-time soldier. “I like that kind of stuff,” she says, “the adrenaline rush. You’ve got to react. You don’t know what’s coming.” www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 Business Corner: Innovation Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development Business Account Representative Iraida Delgado. By Iraida Delgado I n contrast to the prevailing market driven approach to improve a product, service or process within an established organization, existing theories about innovative business growth strategies differentiate between an incremental and radical approach to innovation. We have learned that innovation within a market is lead by entrepreneurship and a risk-oriented organizational culture. We have also learned that well-managed companies can lose market dominance by their inability to create an organizational culture that promotes risk and low profit margins. The common suggestive thread that writers such as Clayton M. Christensen and James M. Utterback proclaimed to be a solution for established organizations to stay competitive in an evolving global economy is that mainstream established organizations adapt a new model to respond to disruptive innovations. The new model suggests that mainstream organizations birth I a separate organization that supports a risk favorable culture. Patrick McLaughlin suggests there are nine themes and key constructs of an innovation culture that influence radicalism in new product, service or process development: • Freedom/Latitude • Attitude to Risk • Growth/Development • External confidence • Internal Confidence • External Perspective • Clear Objectives • Team Constitution • Company Infrastructure Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College provide a case study for illustrating how two mainstream organizations within the education industry have combined forces to respond to the shifting demands in (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu education/training in the business community. The birth of TWO – Training and Workforce Options—is the result of innovative minds within the education system responding to the needs of the community. There are no profitable incentives to innovate within governmental institutions, but entrepreneurial personalities will still innovate within the right culture, if it is conducive to innovation. References: Clayton M. Christensen -The Innovator’s Dilemma, 2003 James M. Utterback -Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation, 1996 Patrick McLaughlin - Developing an Organizational Culture That Facilitates Radical Innovation in a Mature Small to Medium Sized Company, 2005 Training & Workforce Options (TWO) 1 Federal Street Building 1 Springfield, MA 01105 Phone: 413.755.6100 • Fax: 413.755.6101 Email: [email protected] Web: www.trainingandworkforceoptions.com Both HCC and STCC have long sought to meet the need of local employers for employee training in everything from computer software and technology to project management, customer service, sales and more. Through TWO, area businesses and nonprofits now have access to affordable customized workforce training delivered by knowledgeable and experienced educators. By combining their strengths, HCC and STCC have improved access to employee assessments, skills training, and professional development; all services that will make a measurable difference in workforce productivity. CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I 13 Contact Us: Main number: (413) 552-2500 Email: [email protected] Hours: Mon-Th 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Online Course Registration www.hcc.edu/ces Kittredge Center for Business & Workforce Development Main number: (413) 552-2500 Email: [email protected] • Training for state, municipal, education and healthcare • Grant application assistance and partnerships • Management, supervisory and leadership training • Healthcare Training Institute • High stakes testing (licensure, professional, and ACT WorkKeys) (413) 552-2112 • Jump Start certificate program (413) 552-2042 or 2496 • Training & Workforce Options: custom training services Ksullivan@ trainingandworkforceoptions.com, 552-2339 The Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development Education & training you can use! Expert training and services that are practical, affordable, and get results for individuals and small, medium, and large companies and organizations. Employee Training For individuals For businesses interested in marketing goods and services internationally, the Mass Export Center offers training and assistance in the areas of marketing, legal issues, compliance and export logistics. No matter where you are in your education or career, the Kittredge Center has the resources to help you move ahead. The Career Center is the place to go to identify new career opportunities, re-tool your resume and organize your job search. Professional development is the key to advancement. The center offers courses for those in food service and hospitality, law enforcement, real estate, healthcare, K-12 education, management, sales, human resources, customer service, as well as continuing education courses for certified public accountants and real estate agents and brokers. For Businesses Whether you are an established business looking for cost-effective employee training options or grant application assistance, or an entrepreneur ready to create a marketing plan for your first start-up, the center offers programs, courses and consulting to meet your business needs. We can help you streamline business processes, define short- and long-term goals, develop strategic plans, establish benchmarks and implement best practices for your business. 14 I Spring 2012 I CareerFocus Our workforce training experts provide small classes and hands-on professional employee training. Massachusetts Export Center For Public & Nonprofit Organizations For government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit agencies and organizations, the center’s Public & Not-for-Profit Professional Development Institute offers grant application assistance and professional development training and services for managers, supervisors and front-line staff. Testing and Test Preparation For individuals, business and industry, organizations and government agencies Testing is essential for licensure and certification in many fields, and can help you evaluate or determine the skills you need to succeed. Need to prepare for the GED, SAT or LSAT? Prep courses include comprehensive review, practice tests, and test-taking tips and techniques. Community Services Main numbers: (413) 552-2320 or 2324 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] 24-hour/day course registration: (413) 594-1255 • ABE (Adult Basic Education) • Computer and technology training • ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) • Personal and professional enrichment courses • Professional development for K-12 educators • Testing and test preparation GED (413) 552-2292; email:[email protected] CLEP Test prep courses (GED, SAT, LSAT, etc.) Career Center (413) 552-2597; [email protected] Cooperative Education (413) 552-2322 or 2342; [email protected] Gateway to College (413) 552-2370; [email protected] Kittredge Center Conference Services and Space Rental (413) 552-2088; [email protected] Mass Export Center (413) 552-2316; www.mass.gov/export Can’t find what you’re looking for? For assistance, call the main number (413) 552-2500. www.hcc.edu I Holyoke Community College I (413) 552-2000 All Kinds of Students All Kinds of Support Not a typical student? Don’t worry, community colleges know how to help! By Eleanor Yates W hat you do know is that you’re ready for college. Perhaps you know exactly what you want to study. Then again, maybe you don’t. That’s why community college counselors are there to help you select a program that fits your interests and skills. Students have different needs If you’ve been out of school for a number of years, perhaps the idea of returning to the classroom is daunting. Maybe you’re concerned about how you will balance a job, family and other responsibilities. That’s why at community colleges you’ll find counselors to assist you not only in academics but also in your personal life. “At four-year institutions, counselors primarily see students who are recent high school graduates,” says Cindy Klauck, director of counseling at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, S.C. “But community college students are diverse in age and socioeconomic backgrounds.” Klauck says counselors are aware that students may have problems with transportation, child care, and their jobs. In addition, students may have been out of the classroom for years and their skills are rusty. Many have lost confidence in themselves. Attention to academics While not every community college is the same, all colleges will offer some kind of academic counseling in which students can take personality assessments and learn about careers and salaries. At most colleges, students also benefit from enrichment and academic success workshops, one-on-one counseling and contact with counselors by phone and email. Some colleges offer more intense academic counseling for those I with challenges. For example, Piedmont Technical College offers comprehensive academic counseling to students from low-income families, students who are first to attend college in their family and students who have disabilities. Community colleges are paying closer attention to their first-year students through comprehensive programs that include academic counseling. Holyoke Community College offers a First Year Experience (FYE) program that provides academic advising, career counseling, and a variety of classes especially for first year students. FYE workshops engage students in career exploration and offer “First-Year Survival Tips” throughout the semester. “The FYE program seeks to foster a sense of connection and teach students how to access the resources they need to succeed in a college setting,” said Michele Snizek, HCC’s Title II Activity director. If you plan to attend community college for two years and transfer to a four-year institution, it’s important to work closely with the transfer counselors at your community college. They will make sure that your courses will transfer successfully to the college or university you plan to attend. The counselors help you meet your deadlines. Approximately 70 percent of the students at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y. are now transfer students, according to Chris Belle-Isle, director of the Career and Transfer Center there. Monroe is among a growing number of community colleges that are increasing their articulation agreements, including with online universities. academic advisement, questions about university transfer, career interest, job search information and study abroad information. “At a community college, students may be enrolled in workforce training, obtaining a certificate or taking a single course for the boss for a promotion,” says Belle-Isle. “We find out our students’ needs, become good listeners and counsel accordingly,” he says. Attention to you Once you’re enrolled in college, you’ll find a way to make your busy life work. Sometimes, though, it takes just one car breakdown, or one child with the flu, and then the wheels begin to fall off the bus. However, HCC offers counseling services to help you manage life outside the classroom so you can remain in the classroom. Students can find help with stress management, depression, alcohol and drug abuse and more. “Students are surprised when they realize that counselors at HCC can help them with so much,” said Counselor Kathleen Keough. “We can help with time management and study skills, assessment of learning styles, career counseling and exploration of career paths, strategies for personal growth and development, and adjustment to life crises. There’s a lot we offer—the challenge is spreading the word and encouraging students to take advantage of these resources.” Stress-busting workshops are another way the college helps students stay on track. Each semester, HCC offers Stressology 101, a weekly drop-in workshop that teaches strategies for beating stress, managing time, stopping procrastination, and overcoming anxiety. “It’s my way of de-stressing for the week,” said HCC Liberal Arts major Brigette Menard. “It’s awesome that the college has this kind of help for students to talk to counselors about everything, not just guidance counselors who only want to talk about academics, but other issues too” Menard said. Menard said she has taken advantage of the range of support services on campus including career counseling. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do in my career, so I did a career assessment,” she said. As more veterans enroll, community colleges are providing additional services specifically for them. Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Mass. has expanded both personal and academic counseling services for veterans. At the new Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, veterans learn about courses, GI benefits and college life, says Kristine Larkin, assistant project director of the center. “As these men and women transition from service to college they encounter many barriers,” she says. “They often feel alone and need guidance and support in making sense of the unfamiliar.” “We try to keep on top of new interests, demands and programming efforts,” says Belle-Isle.” Last year Belle-Isle and his staff handled almost 1,500 counseling appointments. These included (413) 552-2000 Holyoke Community College I www.hcc.edu CareerFocus I Spring 2012 I 15 Your Community Resource Resources Career Center The HCC Career Center can help you find the right answers to your career questions. We’re your central source for information on careers, education and training programs, job search planning and employment opportunities and we’d like to help you! For information, visit the HCC Career Center, room 322, Kittredge Center, call (413) 552-2597 or email: [email protected] Gateway to College Are you or is someone you know a high school dropout or struggling in school? Holyoke Community College’s Gateway to College program can help. If you’re age 16-20 you can earn a high school diploma and college credits toward an associate’s degree or certificate. For more information and upcoming info sessions call (413) 552-2370 or email: [email protected] Interns and Internships InternHere.com is a free, easy-to-use website that connects students with local employers in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. For information, visit the HCC Career Center in the Kittredge Center, room 322; contact Richard Powers (413) 552-2361; [email protected] Massachusetts Export Center Training & assistance on international marketing, legal issues, compliance, export logistics and more. Call (413) 552-2316; www.mass.gov/export Meeting & Conference Services HCC offers competitively-priced space rental and conference services for your corporate meeting, conference, retreat, training seminar or workshop. • Partial-day, evening, full-day, and multi-day options. • Designed for workforce education/training, professional development, and corporate activities • Conference rooms, tiered amphitheatre, computer labs, and training rooms with flexible set-up options • Staffing, space, technology, food service • Local, state, and nationally-recognized trainers and facilitators • Conveniently located near Interstate 91 and the Mass Turnpike. Free parking. Special room rates available at nearby hotels Call (413) 552-2088 or email: capatterson@ hcc.edu for a free quote and availability. HCC High Stakes Testing & Computer-Based Learning Center The center works with testing and computer-based training providers to give business & industry, government organizations, and individuals access to unmatched testing and training experiences. Services include competency-based training in more than 3,000 topics; anytime, anywhere, “high stakes” licensure & certification testing for trade/professional exams, and occupational analyses. High Stakes Testing ACT Certification and licensure testing for many organizations including: • National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) • Boston University online courses • COMPASS–Skills testing for schools • Foreign Service Officer Test ACT WorkKeys Internet-based & paper/pencil assessments of job-related skills ACT PCTA WorkKeys Proficiency Certificate for teacher assistants CASTLE Worldwide Internet-based and paper/pencil certification and licensure testing CLEP (College-Level Examination Program®) 34 examinations that allow you to receive college credit for what you already know DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) 37 exams that provide your college with evidence of prior learning ISO Quality Testing Career-related licensure and certification examinations in medical, nursing, IT, and other professional fields. Kryterion Customized test delivery solutions for distance education organizations, IT certifications, healthcare certifications, professional & trade associations Microsoft IC3 & Microsoft Office Specialist International Exams (MOS) Pearson VUE Computer-based testing solutions for information technology, academics, government and other professions TOEFL iBT Test of English as a foreign language Computer-Based Education and Training ACT Center 3,000 computer-based and distance learning self study courses Flexstudy.com Online courses by the American Management Association ONLC Online, Microsoft authorized, instructor-led, hands-on IT training Plato Basic skills instruction and CPT, SAT and MCAS test prep. For NEWFDA Members ed2go Online, instructor-led courses Gatlin Education Services Online programs in healthcare, business, construction technology, web design, technical & IT certifications, and video game development For information visit www.thecenter-hcc.org, email [email protected] or call (413) 552-2112. for Education, Training & Enrichment Training The American Management Association University Program AMA University Program classes at HCC offer a structured approach to mastering the key skills that every manager—whether a seasoned pro or a newly promoted one—needs to succeed. Complete any five of 12 courses at HCC and receive the internationally-recognized AMA Management Certificate $325 per course, $1,625 for the certificate. Discounts available to employees of organizations that belong to the HCC Corporate College Program. For information or to enroll, call (413) 552-2086. Business & Professional Development Training As an authorized training provider, we offer high-quality, cost-effective contract training to meet your specific needs. Contact us for a free, no obligation training consultation. Professional development training, programs, and courses for: • K-12 Educators • Career Development Facilitators • Certified Public Accountants • Law Enforcement Officers • Project Managers • Food Service and Hospitality Industry Workers • Massachusetts Real Estate Professionals Continuing Education • Public and Not-for-Profit Organizations and Employees • and more! For details, visit www.hcc.edu and www.thecenter-hcc.org or call (413) 552-2500; or email [email protected] Career Development Facilitator (CDF) Training Hands-on, interactive training follows National Career Development Association curriculum. Suitable for experienced practitioners and those new to the field. For information, visit www.ncda.org For upcoming dates, cost and registration information, contact Barbara Foster (413) 552-2559; [email protected] Civil Rights & Diversity Training (by contract) Meets state requirements for human service agencies and other interested organizations. For information call (413) 552-2122 Computer & Technology Training for Individuals & Organizations Hands-on learning. Small classes. Rewarding results. Affordably priced. Course and registration information available online at www.hcc.edu/ces or Community Services, (413) 552-2320 or 2324 Consulting & Customized Training Services Business strategy and performance, alignment, leadership and teambuilding, sales and customer service, information security and assurance and more. For a free consultation contact: Iraida Delgado, (413) 552-2742; [email protected] Cooperative Education Current students gain jobs, experience, credits. Workplaces gain enthusiastic student workers. For information, contact Janet Rivera, Cooperative Education, Kittredge Center, room 319, (413) 552-2322; [email protected] or Experiential Education Coordinator Andrea Picard (413) 552-2342; [email protected] Jump Start Certificate Program FREE education and training for TAFDC (Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children) recipients. Maximum 16-week, noncredit, full-time program provides free, short-term education and job skills training. To qualify, you must be receiving TAFDC; have a high school diploma or GED; score appropriately on math, reading, and writing assessments; be committed to completing the program, getting a job, and entering full-time employment after graduation. Department of Transitional Assistance will pay for childcare and transportation during training. For information and to apply call (413) 552-2042 or (413) 552-2496. Language Services For businesses and individuals seeking to improve workplace language skills. Command Spanish - Real Spanish for Real People (by contract only for six or more employees). The quickest, easiest way for non-Spanish speakers to learn enough Spanish to get their jobs done. Designed for 27 different professions so you learn just what is relevant to your workplace. Accent Modification (on-campus course for individuals or group training by contract). Ideal training for white-collar, foreign-born workers with a good command of English who seek assistance in reducing their accents. Training can signifiantly reduce foreign accents in just 30 hours. For details, visit: www.thecenter-hcc.org, click ”language training” or contact Robert Griffin (413) 552-2086; [email protected]. Leadership through Culinary Teambuilding Foster a spirit of trust, creativity, enthusiasm, and team cooperation while building practical interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Engage in fun, lighthearted cooking activities that challenge you to come together as a successful, highly-functioning team. Workshops are customized to meet your goals. Contact Iraida Delgado (413) 552-2742; [email protected] Personal Enrichment Courses Learn new skills. Improve your life. Meet new friends. See ad on page 5. Course information and registration available online at www.hcc.edu/ces or contact Community Servicecs at (413) 552-2320 or 2324. Professional Development for K-12 Educators Earn PDPs in accredited self-paced VESI interactive courses packed with practical applications for the classroom. CD or online format and undergraduate and graduate level courses available. For courses and info, visit www.virtualeduc.com/holyoke or call Community Services (413) 552-2320 or 2324. Professional Development Programs from EANE Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE) provides assistance and training, drives key HR initiatives, and helps companies grow and save time and money. Course and registration information available online @ www.hcc.edu or call (413) 552-2320. Project Management Evening Certificate Convenient. Self-paced. No commute. Classes available on many topics. View HCC courses and register: www.ed2go.com/holyoke For information, call Arvard Lingham (413) 552-2320; [email protected] This 13-week, hands-on certificate program aligns with the Project Management Institute’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Great refresher course for current project managers and for new project managers who want to learn project management concepts and practices quickly. Learn to plan and execute successful projects using project management concepts and processes; prepare for Project Management Professional certification test; and earn 39 PDUs—four more than the required 35 hours required for the PMP designation. Course materials include templates for a project charter, scope statement, and quality management plan, and exams, quizzes, and 100-question practice PMP certification exam. For start dates, cost and registration information, call (413) 552-2086 or visit www.thecenter-hcc.org Gatlin Education Services Public & Not-for-Profit Professional Development Institute ed2go Online Courses Online career training programs in many fields. To view all HCC courses and register: www.gatlineducation.com/holyoke For information, contact Arvard Lingham (413) 552-2320; [email protected] HCC’s Corporate College Program The same comprehensive education and training services through live training or online learning that Fortune 500 companies provide to their employees. Fees start at $40 a year and are based on size of business or organization. Provides discounts on other HCC courses and workforce development grant application assistance. For costs and more information, call (413) 552-2111 Training and services for those working in government, education, healthcare, and not-for-profit organizations. For personnel and managers, supervisors and front-line staff in state and municipal government, schools and other agencies. • Customized professional development days • Computer software training • 39-hour Project Management Certificate program • Professional development training • AMA Management Certificate Program For details, visit www.thecenter-hcc.org, click the “professional development” or contact Keith Hensley (413) 552-2506; email: [email protected] Register now for spring classes! Credit classes start: Jan 3 Intersession & Jan 23 Spring semester Noncredit classes begin throughout the semester Enrolling is easy! Continuing students: Visit www.hcc.edu New students: Visit www.hcc.edu to apply or contact the Office of Admissions and Transfer Affairs (413) 552-2321; email: [email protected] Questions? Call the Welcome Center (413) 552-2000 Course schedules: Credit Courses Visit www.hcc.edu for Spring 2012 Registration Booklet (includes Intersession) PDF. Or click “MyHCC” for the most up-to-date info about class availability (courses fill and new sections open continuously), instructor names and course descriptions. Pick up a print copy on campus. Questions? Call the Welcome Center (413) 552-2000. Non-credit Professional Development, Personal Enrichment and Training for Business and Industry HCC’s Business and Community Services Bulletin, which includes non-credit personal enrichment and professional development course information, will be available in late December, online (PDF) and in print. Classes start throughout the semester. (413) 552-2500 or (413) 552-2320 or login to our online course shopping cart at www.hcc.edu/ces Back by popular demand! Intersession www.facebook.com/HolyokeCommunityCollege Jan 3-17 Earn up to three credits in an intensive 10-day session More than 20 courses offered during the day and online. Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue Holyoke MA 01040 www.hcc.edu