Moraine Park scored in the top quartile of midsize employers who participated in Gallagher’s 2021 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey. The College was recognized as an organization that provides innovative solutions for creating organizational structures, workplace policies, and total rewards, which inclusively engages and motivates its employees.
Moraine Park was assigned points based on performances in:
Planning horizons for the benefits and compensation strategies
Extent of their wellbeing strategy
Turnover rate for full-time equivalents (FTEs)
Completion of a workforce engagement survey
Use of an HR technology strategy and its level of sophistication
Health plan premium increases or decreases at the most recent renewal
Use of a communication strategy
“Moraine Park Technical College takes a proactive and structured approach to planning, developing and implementing comprehensive benefits and HR programs,” CEO of Gallagher’s Benefits & HR Consulting Division, William F. Ziebell, said. “In doing so, they are able to develop a winning formula to attract, reward and retain the right talent and position the company as a destination employer.”
About Gallagher
Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 68 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.
About the Best-in-Class Benchmarking Analysis
Gallagher’s Best-in-Class Benchmarking Analysis profiles statistically significant attributes of top-performing midsize (100-999 FTEs) and large employers (1,000 or more FTEs). Data from Gallagher’s 2021 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey was interpreted to identify participants that excel in optimizing employee and organizational wellbeing.
Moraine Park Technical College hosted their third annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Literacy Week Project, donating more than 500 culturally responsive books to three local elementary schools.
In 2019, the College began exploring opportunities to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and developed strong partnerships with three area schools; Jefferson Elementary in Beaver Dam, Chegwin Elementary in Fond du Lac, and Green Tree Elementary in West Bend.
Each year, Moraine Park has donated culturally responsive books to the schools’ libraries, and employees of the College have spent time in the classroom or virtually reading books to the students.
“Engaging with our communities is a strategic priority for the College,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We value the partnerships cultivated with these three district elementary schools and look forward to working with them to celebrate the important work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for years to come.”
The following was written by Brittany Hahn, a Moraine Park Interactive Media Design student who recently attended the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo.
Moraine Park’s Interactive Media Design Club (IMDC) and I, an IMDC member, are extremely thankful that we were able to attend the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) as a club outing. Due to expenses and transportation, I would not have been able to attend without the support of the IMDC. It was very important to all of us that we were able to make it to C2E2, not only because it is fun (It was a blast!) but also because it is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and expand as an individual looking to make a career in the industry.
One of my favorite things to do at C2E2 is visit the vendor hall and artists alley. This isn’t because I love shopping (though I do – and WOW did I find a lot of things to buy), but rather because it is an outstanding opportunity to see other artists’ current work. When viewing the countless pieces of work done by others, we can learn to better differentiate between their various styles, composition structures, and chosen display methods (print, clothing, accessories, etc.) Not only are we learning to deconstruct and recompose their work, but so too are we learning what is popular and selling, which is an important thing to understand in any work line.
Seeing the vendor hall and artists alley is motivational. After leaving the convention, everyone in our club found themselves inspired to get home and get to work on new compositions. As an artist or anyone working within media design, it can sometimes be a struggle to find inspiration or material that piques one’s interest – With that in mind, C2E2 was very refreshing, refilling our hearts and minds with enthusiasm and creativity towards our work!
The vendor hall and artists alley are just two of countless attractions that make C2E2 an academic hit! While C2E2 is filled with attractions that everyone loves, such as the Maid Café, Autograph signings, the gaming hub, and more – There is one thing that everyone comes for, PANELS!
Panels are the core of C2E2, and they are what truly make it a great academic experience. Multiple panels are always running at once, giving a large variety of choices and opportunities to those who attend. As for what the panels feature, the variety is nearly endless!
Some of my favorite panels I noticed that were listed and running were:
Script to Screen/Screen to Script – A panel run by Legendary professionals that teach attendees how to write and polish their scripts, getting them screen-ready – and vice versa!
Kubert School Portfolio reviews – Have your portfolio looked at and critiqued! For those finishing up their degree, this is an awesome opportunity to be accepted to a large art school, or create a solid portfolio for leaving school behind and stepping out into the work field to become hired.
Libraries & Nerds Blerds, Books, and Making Bank – This panel explains how to use your local library to help you host events and promote your product/book/work to ultimately make bank!
Anti-Hero Sip and Sketch – Learn to draw in the style of Anti-Hero with Melissa of Salsa Sharks, picking up a bunch of new techniques while you fill out your now provided sketchbook.
Education in the stacks – A program giving advice in programming, giving 1 on 1 time that allows you to hone ideas for viable programs, connect it to education, find a good space/fit, and find a price range you should be asking for.
Play and Sculpt with Clay – A panel that covers anatomy, color theory, texture, proportion, and composition – Teaching you how to make Character design art with clay!
The list of panels goes on and on. There are panels for learning to write, panels teaching how to draw, program, sculpt, voice act, animate, and even panels that go over what your school and classes should be teaching (That’s right, there are panels designed for teachers and colleges!).
While I was at C2E2, after spending the majority of my time in the vendor hall, I made it to the panel “Passion to Profession – Your skills pay the bills!” The panel was great! It had professionals who went over how to find a career you enjoy by mapping your hobbies and skills, how to get over common job market fears. While I already knew how to turn my hobbies into a career – I found the entire panel very motivational. The panelists really pushed for everyone to stop waiting and perfecting their craft. They each gave personal stories where they took their work and just shoved it into the hands of companies, those of which snatched it up and hired them. They explained that most companies either couldn’t find the best of the best, or they can’t afford it – So even if you think you aren’t the best, they need you. It’s not to say that anyone isn’t less than the best, but rather, they wanted everyone to understand that they were good enough and that they were ready. They continued to offer advice and inspire everyone within the room, allowing for personal questions and sharing advice from seasoned experts in the crowd.
The panel was so motivational, that when I got home, I took images from a local nail parlor (their images looked very bad – dry skin, paint over flesh, just a bad job all over) and I edited them, cleaning them up using things we learned in past classes and online tutorials. I sent the edited versions back to the business and explained what I had done and that I could do more if they would like. Right away, they asked for more/for me to continue doing edits! This was a great way for me to continue building my portfolio, and something I wouldn’t have had the courage to do without attending the panel.
C2E2 is filled with countless opportunities for students and teachers to learn, grow, and expand within their desired field of study/work. I am extremely happy that I went, and I can’t wait to go again in the future. Again, had it not been for the IMDC and Moraine Park Technical College, I would not have been able to go. Not only did they cover the cost of the ticket to attend, but so too did they handle transportation. It was great traveling with like-minded individuals, bonding and having an awesome time at the convention. I am very thankful to have MPTC and the IMDC, as well as our amazing club overseers and teachers Mr. Ward and Mr. Sibilski–they suggested, set up, and attended the trip!
As decreed by U.S. presidential proclamation, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. January is also known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This is the time for each of us to learn about human trafficking in our city, state, nation and world, learn to learn to spot the signs of trafficking, and how we can help.
Did you know that Wisconsin is in the top five states for sex trafficking? The Highway 41 corridor from Chicago to Twin Cities has long been a “hotspot” for trafficking through our state. The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Human Trafficking Initiative is to make Wisconsin inhospitable to human traffickers and to support victim-centered strategies and partnerships throughout the state.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the misuse of other people. This often happens for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Trafficking can occur at any age.
Human traffickers often recruit vulnerable youth with force or deception. They may exploit youth through fraud, abuse of power, control, violence, or physical abduction. They may also threaten the youth or their family. Economic pressure can make a person more vulnerable to being trafficked.
Trafficking occurs in cities, suburbs, and rural areas. It is a worldwide issue.
Many youth who are being trafficked do not see themselves as victims. They may not realize they are being trafficked. From WI Dept. of Children and Families.
Moraine Park Technical College Nursing student, Carrie Kuehn of Beaver Dam, received the College’s first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students on Friday, Dec. 17, at the Beaver Dam campus Pinning Ceremony.
The award was created to recognize and celebrate nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families. The DAISY Foundation hopes that this program will inspire and motivate students to provide the best clinical skills possible and to impact patients and families with human spirit and kindness.
Kuehn was nominated by a fellow Moraine Park Nursing student, Shane Keck.
“Carrie is an inspiration at clinical,” Keck said. “She is such a professional and so quick at clinicals that we all marvel at her competency. She’s also unbelievably kind and picks others up when they’re down and struggling. Carrie is a phenomenal leader and I truly believe she’ll be a shining star of an RN someday soon.”
Kuehn, a fourth-semester student, was chosen through a blind selection process by Moraine Park’s DAISY committee made up of three Moraine Park representatives and one advisory member. Nominations for the award can come from any patient, staff nurse, fellow students, faculty or member of the community that the student has positively impacted.
“I had no idea I would be receiving this award,” Kuehn said. ‘It came as a complete surprise, and I am honored to have even been nominated. I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was a child, so the recognition means everything to me.”
Edi Gbordzi came to Fond du Lac looking to find a place to call home and an extended family of friends and supporters. In 2001, he immigrated from Ghana, West Africa, to Madison, Wisconsin. There he taught and performed African dance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and throughout the community.
“A goal in coming to the U.S. was to go back to school and become connected in my community,” Gbordzi said. “Teaching the art of African dance allowed me to be surrounded with others who had those same goals. This support group continued to motivate me.”
Gbordzi later relocated to California and welcomed his two children. In 2011, they moved to Fond du Lac to be closer to family. Once Gbordzi got settled in the area, he decided it was time to act upon his goal to pursue higher education. He connected with the Student Success Center at Moraine Park to begin his journey.
I learned that my transcripts from Africa didn’t cover all the areas needed for a GED diploma here in the United States,” he said. “At first, that was frustrating, but the staff were so helpful and great to work with. I ended up learning too much and that prepared me to further my education.”
“My parents owned their own business in Africa for many years,” Gbordzi said. “Their years of hard work inspired me to follow in their footsteps and pursue a business degree.”
Gbordzi is embracing the full college experience and has become a familiar face on the Fond du Lac campus.
“I enjoy being involved,” he said. “I am a member of student senate, diversity club and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Club. I also enjoy volunteering and participating in student life events.”
Gbordzi is a dedicated student and was awarded the Basic Education Scholarship for the 2020-21 school year.
“I’m grateful Moraine Park offered me a place to learn and grow,” Gbordzi said. “My overall goal is to find a good job so I can support my family. It is also important to me to continue learning. Moraine Park is helping to prepare me for both my future career and higher educational opportunities.”
Gbordzi is scheduled to graduate in May 2022 and looks forward to influencing the local communities.
Moraine Park Technical College held its fall 2021 Manufacturing Skills Academy completion ceremony on Friday, December 17. A total of 16 students finished the program, five from Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and 11 from Welding.
This program was designed to combat the skilled worker shortage by offering a variety of boot camp sessions. The boot camp sessions are free to participants, teach skills that are unique to a particular pathway, and connect students with area employers. The program also combines a 144-hour paid internship with coursework, including Occupational Math, Print Reading, Team Building, Problem Solving, and program-specific courses.
Participating internship sites for this session were Mercury Marine, RB Royal Industries, Inc., Mid-States Aluminum Corp., FZE Manufacturing Solutions LLC, Wabash National, Maysteel Industries LLC, The Jor-Mac Company, Apache Stainless Equipment Corp., Hy-Brid Lifts by Custom Equipment LLC, and Wisconsin Stamping & Manufacturing.
Moraine Park has had over 400 participants in the Welding and CNC boot camp programs since its induction in 2012.
The students who completed the CNC boot camp are Connor Philipsky of Fond du Lac, Devin Ferguson of Fond du Lac, Patrick Trieloff of Oshkosh, Tadayuki Ken Yoshino of Ripon, and Youse Chang of Fond du Lac.
The students who completed the Welding boot camp are Jesse Godina of Fond du Lac, Shayne Thornsen of Randolph, Eric Stierna of Oshkosh, Jennifer Gruender of Beaver Dam, Victor Nelson of Fond du Lac, Cody Holter of Beaver Dam, Weston Christensen of Neosho, Jared Landsee of Reeseville, Zachary Prator of Hartford, Joshua Boileau of Oshkosh, and John Dwyer of West Bend.
This year’s graduation speakers were students Zachary Prator, Jared Landsee and Devin Ferguson.
“The Welding boot camp is easily the most rewarding thing I’ve done,” Prator said. “When I started, I was lost and didn’t know where I was headed. The boot camp has shown so many different mindsets and has inspired me to start my own welding business in the future. I’m grateful to all my instructors for teaching me not only the course material, but also meaningful life lessons that made me a better person through this experience.”
Moraine Park’s Skills Academy boot camps are free to participating students, thanks to financial support from community resource partners and the Workforce and Training (WAT) grants.
Registrations for the spring 2022 boot camp program are now being accepted. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/bootcamps.
Moraine Park Technical College is committed to community engagement and student success. The College supports these commitments through the opportunity for students to participate in student community impact and apply their classroom knowledge to an applicable, real-world environment.
We encourage students to participate in our community impact awards program where students can track their service-learning or volunteer hours, submit their reflections, and earn a Bronze Award for 25 hours, Silver Award for 50 hours,Gold Award for 100 hours, and President’s Award for 200 hours!
In the 2021 fall semester, despite all the Covid-19 challenges, 15 students earned awards and logged over 1,600 hours of service! Congratulations to our Fall, 2021 award winners!
Presidents Award
For Fall, 2021, three students earned the President’s Award for over 200 hours of service each in their time at MPTC! The three students are Corey Koch – Administrative Professional, Heather Quickle – Nursing, and Julianna Stuht – Paramedic. MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald celebrated with and congratulated each student, stating: “I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments of Julianna, Corey and Heather. Each has their own unique story and came to Moraine Park Technical College to explore and create new career opportunities. In addition to their work and college obligations, their volunteer efforts exemplify the college values of continuous improvement, collaboration, and impactful learning. I can’t wait to see what their futures hold for them!”
President’s Award winner Corey Koch said: “I spent my volunteer internship hours working on the new database/donor tracking system for the FDL Area Women’s Fund. I was excited to learn and plan how a good database could help bolster the Women’s Fund mission and goals. I helped with each Women’s Fund fundraising event, and put all previous and new donors into the database. I also worked on creating a guidebook for the software. I hope this book can be utilized by the next incoming person who will handle software management. I learned more about working independently and on a team. My Women’s Fund experiences were eye-opening and great practice for my future career.”
President’s Award winner Julianna Stuht said: “Volunteering as an AEMT/firefighter for my community gives me the opportunity to meet the citizens that reside in my service area, as well as further my skills as a healthcare provider. I am so excited to continue learning through this volunteer opportunity.”
From left to right: Student Community Impact Coordinator Anne Lemke, Julianna Stuht, President Bonnie Baerwald, Corey KochFrom left to right: President Bonnie Baerwald, Heather Quickle, Student Community Impact Coordinator Anne Lemke.
Gold Award
Completing 100-199 hours of service-learning or volunteering.
Stuht, Julianna – Paramedic
Silver Award
Completing 50-99 hours of service-learning or volunteering.
Riemersma, Allison – Nursing
Beeks, Tonia – Medical Assistant
Manke, Zoe – Medical Assistant
Stuht, Julianna – Paramedic
Bronze Award
Completing 25-49 hours of service-learning or volunteering.
Beeks, Tonia – Medical Assistant
Moore, Brianna – Medical Assistant
Diaz, Gisselle – Medical Assistant
Manke, Zoe – Medical Assistant
Gerth, Ashley – Medical Assistant
Fassbender, Noelle – Nursing
Koenitzer, Kaitlyn – Medical Assistant
Riemersma, Allison – Nursing
Rogers, Dorothy – Paralegal
Schmitt, Jordyn – Nursing
Stuht, Julianna – Paramedic
Vang-Xiong, Mina – IT Network Specialist
Mueller, Cindy – Leadership Development
Congratulations Medical Assistant student community impact award winners! From left to right are Tonia Beeks, Zoe Manke, Gisselle Diaz, Brianna Moore and Ashley Gerth.Congratulations Jordyn Schmitt on your Student Community Impact Award!Congratulations Dorothy Rogers on your Student Community Impact Award!Congratulations Mina Vang-Xiong (left) on your Student Community Impact Award!Congratulations Kaitlyn Koenitzer on your Student Community Impact Award!
WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!
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