Being passed over for new job opportunities, but feeling too old to go back to school. Such was the conflicted crossroads in life for Becky Powel, 48, of Cedarburg, who had already spent a quarter century in the workforce but increasingly felt stuck in place.

If there was any light at the end of this darkening tunnel, Becky admits she had a hard time seeing it through clouds of frustration.
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The following is a personal reflection of the Innovations 2016 conference by Bruce Forciea, anatomy and physiology instructor at Moraine Park Technical College:

It’s a Monday evening in Chicago and I am enjoying the wonderful lobby of the Sheraton Grand hotel after another day of the Innovations 2016 conference. The Innovations conference is a national event that showcases best practices for teaching and new ideas for community colleges. I always find conferences and public speaking a refreshing change from teaching my Anatomy and Physiology courses here at MPTC. My presentation yesterday on Audio/Video production went well and afterward I was able to take a deep breath, relax and, focus on learning. I attended a smorgasbord of presentations over the past two days covering a variety of topics. Here are some of the highlights.
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What do a sausage company entrepreneur, crooning singer, professional wrestler, legendary basketball coach and the “Mayhem Guy” from Allstate Insurance commercials have in common?

They’re all people who’ve made our Ultimate Deans List.
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If you’re struggling to achieve your dreams, hopefully Hannah Koepp’s story can resonate with you and offer hope.  She’s been there. Three jobs. A mother with cancer. Worries spreading in a swirling storm of uncertainty.

But her dreams endured. The Moraine Park Foundation believed in those dreams, and offered help to bring them closer to reality. Check out Hannah’s story in this emotional video.  In so many ways, she is truly “Driven to do.”

To learn more about the Moraine park Foundation or to support its scholarships, please click here. 

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) recently awarded Moraine Park Technical College with a three-year Well Workplace gold rating designation, ranking Moraine Park among America’s healthiest companies.

“Moraine Park envisions a faculty and staff population that is proactive in preventative self-care and achieves high levels of energy, creativity and health – transforming our work and family environments so that everyone can achieve longevity, personal fulfillment, and a balanced lifestyle,” said Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president.

Moraine Park Technical College has achieved Well Workplace designation from the Wellness Council of America. Shown here with Moraine Park’s wellness recognition award are Bonnie Baerwald, President; Krista Mallas, Human Resources Assistant; Kim Braatz, Careers Instructor; Lori Schrage, Benefits Coordinator; Kathy Broske, VP-Human Resources; and Greg Kilgas, Compensation & Benefits Manager.

Moraine Park Technical College has achieved Well Workplace designation from the Wellness Council of America. Shown here with Moraine Park’s wellness recognition award  are Bonnie Baerwald, President; Krista Mallas, Human Resources Assistant; Kim Braatz, Careers Instructor; Lori Schrage, Benefits Coordinator; Kathy Broske, VP-Human Resources; and Greg Kilgas, Compensation & Benefits Manager.

Earning this national Well Workplace designation is a rigorous process. There is an initial review from WELCOA to examine a workplace’s wellness efforts along seven benchmarks. From CEO support to evaluation of outcomes, organizations have to demonstrate they have successfully met the requirements to achieve Well Workplace designation.

Moraine Park’s recent wellness initiatives, primarily organized by Moraine Park’s Health and Wellness Team, have included health risk assessments; education on weight control, cholesterol and healthy eating; flu shots; an Employee Assistance Program; fitness challenges and many other resources and activities.

But according to Lori Schrage, Moraine Park’s benefits coordinator, it’s the buy-in from everyone at the College that has led to the Well Workplace designation and will lead to even more progress in the future.

“Through the efforts of the Health and Wellness Team, all of our participating employees and the support of our management team, Moraine Park was able to achieve the Well Workplace designation, and Moraine Park Technical College will continue to strengthen and enhance our wellness program in the future to improve the health and well-being of our employees,” Schrage said.

For more information on the Well Workplace designation, visit welcoa.org.