Over 600 Grades 3-5 students and teachers from FDL and NFDL elementary schools, Riverside, STEM, and Friendship, and 50 plus community members enjoyed an amazing story from One Plastic Bag Author Miranda Paul!
Miranda Paul has been a teacher in Gambia as well as the owner of a Fair Trade store in Green Bay. Her presentation focused on two of her books, “One Plastic Bag” and “I am Farmer.” One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambiatells the inspiring story of five women who creatively dealt with their village’s plastic trash problem. Despite limited resources and ridicule, Isatou and her friends persevered for more than a decade, eventually realizing economic empowerment through their recycled plastic purse project.
I am Farmer, written in collaboration with Baptiste Paul, is the true story of how environmentalist Farmer Tantoh is transforming the landscape in his home country of Cameroon. When Tantoh Nforba was a child, his fellow students mocked him for his interest in gardening. Today he’s an environmental hero, and bringing clean water and bountiful gardens to the central African nation of Cameroon.
A big thank you to Just Fare Market for their Fair Trade education leadership and education grants from CSA and FDL Area Foundation in bringing Miranda Paul to visit for Fair Trade Month! Each 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom also received a copy of One Plastic Bag and were able to get their books autographed by Miranda!
The Moraine Park Foundation will be able to award 15 students with one-time scholarships thanks to the success of The Ledge Games 2019, which raised $7,500.
This family-friendly competition held in Eden challenges participants in a series of lumberjack activities such as caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop, and axe throw. One hundred percent of event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park. The event is co-founded by Josh Michels, of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich, of Eden.
“It is an honor to have the support from this popular community event,” Dana Bourland, director of college advancement at Moraine Park said. “Their contributions directly benefit our local manufacturing economy, and our students have a greater opportunity for success thanks to their generosity.”
Students enrolling in engineering, manufacturing, or technology for the 2020-21 school year will be eligible to apply for this scholarship in February 2020. To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, students must have a Moraine Park Technical College cumulative or high school GPA of 2.75 or higher and enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester. For more information, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.
It’s no secret manufacturing facilities look much different today than they did ten years ago. The industry is producing more and at a faster rate. To meet production demands, companies now use advanced technology and require employees with a higher skill level.
Steve Henderleiter, a welding instructor at Moraine Park, is working to meet industry needs by educating students to utilize their strengths in the field.
“The industry has changed drastically over the years,” Steve said. “When I first started my career, the technology wasn’t nearly as advanced, and the diversity on the job was minimal. Females, my students in particular, offer a different and beneficial skill set to the welding profession. Mix that with the ever-evolving technology, and we have a fully collaborative and more effective welding lab.”
Today, women represent nearly one-third of the welding workforce, and this year, Steve has three female welders in his class. Mackenzie Markus, of West Bend; Kayli Mildbrandt, of West Bend; and Emma Parins, of Port Washington.
The three women are a dynamic trio, utilizing each other for support and camaraderie in the welding lab.
“There are more males in the class, but that doesn’t intimidate me,” Mackenzie said. “We are all very strong personalities, and we support each other. ”
All three women took advantage of tech-ed opportunities before coming to Moraine Park, preparing them to lead the way in their tech school classrooms.
“I was introduced to manufacturing in middle school,” Emma, a 2019 Grafton High School grad, said. “I was able to build upon those interests in high school. I enjoyed it, especially welding. I knew I would follow this career path.”
Emma suffers from an enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) that affects her hearing. She is deaf in her left ear and will soon be completely deaf. However, she finds comfort in knowing she will still have the ability to excel in her career.
“I don’t need my hearing to be a good welder,” Emma said. “It will be a transition, but I know American Sign Language and English Sign Language, and I trust that I will be able to communicate and grow in the field.”
In the classroom, the women enjoy having the mixed-gender dynamic and it often turns into a competitive challenge.
“This isn’t just a man’s job,” Mackenzie said. “I’m a good welder, and being in this program brings out my competitive nature. I want to do better than the men, and in most cases, I do.”
Due to the need for skilled workers, many of Steve’s welding students will have job opportunities available to them before graduation.
“The joy of this field is my pay is dependent on my skill, not my gender,” Mackenzie said. “The better I am, the more potential I have. So, there is a chance I could make more than a man in my field, which is almost unheard of elsewhere.”
The average entry-level salary for a welder in Wisconsin is *$39,100. Mackenzie, Kayli and Emma say they have never felt out of place at Moraine Park.
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Kayli said. “Steve is the best instructor. I look forward to his classes.”
Their welding classes are held at Moraine Park’s regional center in Jackson.
“Steve treats us as an equal,” Emma said. “In this program, we have the same opportunity as anyone to excel in our skills.”
Mackenzie will graduate in May 2020 and has goals to obtain a degree in criminal justice, with overall hopes to be in the FBI. Emma and Kayli are scheduled to graduate in 2021. Emma plans to remain in the field, and Kayli has aspirations to follow in her grandfather’s footprints and enlist in the Navy. Her overall goal is to serve as an underwater welder.
Welding is just one area of manufacturing. The College also offers programs for CNC/Tool and Die, Electromechanical Technology, Fabrication Technologies and Industrial Mechanical Technician.
“My advice to any young women looking at the manufacturing field is to just go for it,” Kayli said. “Don’t let anyone deter you from your dreams and don’t limit yourself. There are so many opportunities to grow.”
The Beaver Dam Welding Club donated their time and club resources for the Christmas in a Shoe Box event coming up on November 13th for our troops overseas.
Reading and hearing about new career opportunities is helpful. But what if you actually could try them out as well? Moraine Park Technical College is offering a unique opportunity to do just that with its “Test Drive” workshops for welding and computerized numerical control (CNC).
Our CNC machining and welding Test Drive event is being offered at Moraine Park Fond du Lac campuses on December 17, 2019.
This Test Drive event includes hands-on, two-hour workshops for both welding and CNC. Both the welding and CNC Test Drive workshop will give attendees insight into these respective careers; chances to meet potential employers; and provide valuable, hands-on opportunities to try out these career areas.
Participants who attend Test Drive will also be able to learn about Moraine Park’s short-term training boot camp opportunities. These boot camps offer a unique training opportunity to potential candidates by providing entry-level skills as well as job experience from these 13- to 15-week sessions. CNC Machining and Welding Boot Camps begin in March 2020.
“Test drive is a great opportunity to get a hands-on experience in these high-demand careers, as well as talking to employers and learning about free training opportunities,” said JoAnn Hall, Dean of Economic and Workforce Development. “Past participants have really appreciated these short, intensive opportunities to get a real-world glimpse into these careers”
Space is limited for the Test Drive workshops, and pre-registration is required.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a portion of manufacturing in which you control precision automated machine tools using a programmable computer. Due to this level of automation, machines can be operated with supervision of an accredited operator, increasing productivity and minimizing the possibility for human errors on a project.
Intrigued yet? Did we mention that Moraine Park as an opportunity for you to attend our CNC boot camp for free? Yes, free. This unique 15-week training opportunity provides individuals with entry-level skills and job experience.
If you’re looking for a new career, CNC might be for you and here’s why.
Manufacturing in Wisconsin is currently on the upswing. Combine this with how badly companies need CNC workers, and you should be able to confidently enter a college or trade school, knowing a job will be waiting for you when you get out. In fact, manufacturing currently offers more potential in this regard than just about any other field.
Are you saying, okay that’s great but what types of jobs can I get? According to our CNC instructor, Josh Geschke, there are numerous opportunities available.
“This is what I love most about the trade. There is a lot of overlap of skills between jobs so you can take your career in a number of different directions. With CNC skills and knowledge you may become any of the following:
CNC operator, set-up technician, conventional machinist, CNC machinist, programmer, die maker, mold maker, toolmaker, and supervisory positions
With additional schooling and experience you can enter the following careers that are related and support CNC.
Mechanical designer, engineering positions (mechanical engineer, manufacturing engineer, engineering technician), machine tool service technician; quality control technician/inspector; industrial salesperson.”
Do you want to learn more? Visit morainepark.edu/bootcamp or call Nikki at (920) 924-3334, she’ll tell you everything you need to know about this free, 15-week training opportunity.
Don’t wait! Registrations are currently being accepted for our next boot camp Test Drive on December 17, 2019.
Moraine Park Technical College has earned the eleventh spot on the “Military Times Best: Colleges 2020” rankings. This honor recognizes career and technical colleges for their commitment to educating and providing opportunities to America’s veterans.
Moraine Park has made this list for the last five years and serves as the only technical college in Wisconsin to earn a place on this list. The Military Times surveys colleges and universities on an annual basis requesting documentation on services, special rules, accommodations, financial incentives, and student services that are offered to veterans and their families. There were nearly 500 survey entries for the Military Times Best College’s ranking, and less than half earned a spot on this list.
“The College is committed to making sure every veteran who steps onto our campuses are provided everything they need to be successful,” Steve Pepper, student veteran specialist said. “I truly believe having someone our veteran students can turn to who can speak their language or understand some of their frustrations is important to their college experience and overall success.”
Moraine Park offers many programs that qualify under Veteran Administration (VA) benefits, with flexible scheduling options. The College is continuously working to maintain a culture that supports the challenges that veterans may encounter.
“This recognition validates the proactive work that Moraine Park has been doing,” Lt. Col. Scott Lieburn, U.S. Air Force, and dean of students at Moraine Park said. “As a veteran myself, I am proud of Moraine Park for making it a priority to educate and provide opportunities to our local veterans, service members, and their families.”
The “Military Times Best” ranking is published in the Military Times magazine and is available to subscribers, as well as online at MilitaryTimes.com and other affiliated websites. For more information about Moraine Park’s Veterans Services, visit morainepark.edu/veterans.
Moraine Park Technical College’s nursing program earned an eight-year accreditation status, the maximum time frame that can be granted.
The Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) completed an on-site visit in February of 2019, and the College was notified of their award on October 15, 2019.
To earn this accreditation, Moraine Park had to meet the standards set by the ACEN and demonstrate compliance by having policies that support the College and mission, students, faculty, curriculum, resources, and outcomes.
“We are extremely proud that Moraine Park’s nursing program has achieved the highest level of accreditation possible,” Kelly Shafaie, associate dean of nursing at Moraine Park, said. “Earning this accreditation means our students are receiving an exceptional education in nursing. We are grateful for our communities and their continued support that promotes the success of our program.”
In 2018, Moraine Park’s nursing program pass rates were an impressive 99 percent, and currently, the program ranks in the top 10 for nursing programs in Wisconsin. For more information on Moraine Park’s nursing program, visit morainepark.edu/nursing
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