MPTC is a recipient of a $2,500 grant from the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund to help support our Fond du Lac County female students experiencing financial emergencies. MPTC was one of 15 area local nonprofits to receive grant funding.
“I am grateful for the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund’s generosity to award MPTC funding to help our Fond du Lac area female students who experience financial hardships. These dollars make an impact and help keep these students enrolled in school during times of need,” said Jackie Morgan, student community, equity and engagement specialist.
A recent Women’s Fund grant recipient wrote:
“I am so honored to be a recipient of your generous donation. I am in my last semester of the nursing program and will be graduating in December, 2021. I am planning on specializing as a lactation nurse. When I received the unexpected bill, I wasn’t sure how I could pay for it without sacrificing study time to work extra shifts. Thank you for lifting this financial burden off and enabling me to keep focused on my studies. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to give back to the student emergency fund and help someone just like you had helped me.”
Thanks to Moraine Park Technical College Academic Honor Society, PTK students and the abundant generosity of all the people involved with MPTC who donated, 88 area kids will have warm mittens and gloves this frosty winter season! That is over 40% more donations than last year and really demonstrates what warm hearts can do together. Even some hats were collected this year!
“We have so many kids from the community, and as it gets colder it is just wonderful to have these mittens on hand, or to be able to put out a table with them on it,” Johnsonville Elementary Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, Aimee Christenson, said. “That way, kids can just take a pair if they need them without having to ask or feel embarrassed by their need. Our increased ability to provide mittens to all age groups of kids, thanks to the MPTC Honor Society and all of your donors is just so important, and we are so grateful for your help to keep little hands warm!”
Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits are invited to join our local and/or national honor society. Check out our web page for more information on our leadership and community service opportunities.
Moraine Park Technical College’s Diversity Relations Office is raising funds for the Solutions Center of Fond du Lac by decorating a holiday tree for the Festival of Trees at the Galloway House and Village in Fond du Lac. The event is December 11th and 12th, and all who attend the event can vote for their favorite decorated tree!
The Diversity Relations tree, Merry McSnowflake, is one of over 30 trees decorated for the event. The event showcases local nonprofits that decorated a unique tree for display around the historic village. These decorated trees are listed for silent auction bidding, and funds raised support the nonprofit.
“Moraine Park’s students and employees are active in the community and dedicated to volunteerism. I am proud to work for a organization that is so involved and to work on a team that rises to the occasion when there is a need or want in the community,” said Leslie Laster, associate director of Diversity Relations.
In celebration of Every Child a Reader – Children’s Book Week, 40+ student and staff volunteers at each MPTC campus sorted, stickered, bookmarked, packed and delivered 1,700+ books for rural elementary and middle school children in our district; including Campbellsport, Oakfield, Dodgeland, Hustisford, Jackson, Kewaskum, West Bend and Hartford. Each child received their very own new book focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Campbellsport Elementary School
FDL Area United Way Director Amber Kilawee said, “The Fond du Lac Area United Way is honored to have the opportunity to work with Moraine Park Technical College students and staff on this wonderful service learning project! Culturally relevant books help to engage all of our readers because they build on the lived experiences of students. We also know that it’s critical for students to have the opportunity to read books focused on DEI because they provide an advantage in terms of academic performance outcomes. According to a 2020 Oakland University study, when students read books with more culturally relevant experiences, they are 16% more likely to make personal connections between the book and their own lives. This is especially important for our outreach into the rural school districts. Thank you MPTC for partnering with United Way!”
Dodgeland Elementary School
“Moraine Park students and employees are committed to helping fulfill community needs, sharing their time and talent, connecting and volunteering to help and improve the communities where we live, work and go to school,” MPTC Communications Manager Kristina Haensgen said. “This United we Read with MPTC project is the perfect way for our community engagement sponsorship dollars to have a great impact for over 1,700 kids across our district!”
Boys and Girls Club of Washington County at Kewaskum Elementary School
“When I contacted my friends at our United Ways this summer to talk about possibilities for a fall community volunteer project, I never imagined what a wonderful idea they would have; and how wide our impact could be!” Student Community Impact Coordinator Anne Lemke said. “Thank you so much for all the collaboration and teamwork to make this great project successful! Also an extra shoutout to 4imprint for their generous donation of bright green MPTC logo gift bags for each book to be delivered in!”
Last month, instructors and students from the MPTC Criminal Justice Program hosted 5-12 graders and staff from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fond du Lac for a fun, interactive Dream Big event.
The Dream Big project started in 2017 with Boys and Girls Clubs of Fond du Lac and Tri-County Area teens learning more about the over 100 careers available through MPTC. This is a great community partnership opportunity for Moraine Park students to showcase their careers and make a true community impact and for area teens to get excited about career choices!
Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club Teen Services Director Dillon Wiese said, “We love Dream Big opportunities for our teens! At Boys and Girls Clubs we work hard to prepare teens with life skills to get ready for the world of work. At this Dream Big Criminal Justice event, our students experienced handcuffing, jail cell searches, and what professional skills it takes to work in a criminal justice career. They also learned about the wide variety of careers within the Criminal Justice field. Our partnership with MPTC is a great way for teens to explore their interests, learn about careers, get ready for college and know they really can achieve their dreams! Thank you MPTC!”
More than 50 leaders gained practical advice they can use to help build on the success of their businesses and organizations during Moraine Park Technical College’s inaugural Live2Lead event. Leaders from area businesses, as well as non-profit and educational organizations, heard from world-renowned leadership speakers during the live simulcast Oct. 8, 2021.
The event was offered in partnership with The John Maxwell Company, which helps individuals and companies reach their full potential through leadership coaching.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was thrilled with the depth of the information shared by leaders that spoke that day,” said Shari Buerger, human resources manager at Marchant Schmidt, Inc. “Each speaker shared their leadership journey with passion and excitement. It was impossible not to get excited about the opportunity to bring back these experiences and try to live them in my workplace. I will definitely attend again in the future!”
Each speaker brought their leadership journey to life through shared personal stories and lessons learned:
John Maxwell shared two of the laws discussed in his book and online course, “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. The Law of the Inner Circle says those closest to you help determine your level of success—they can be a great asset or a great liability. The Law of Legacy helps leaders understand that they will be valued by the legacy they leave in people rather than in the organization.
“Know What You’re FOR” author and entrepreneur Jeff Henderson asked participants two questions: What are you known for? What do you want to be known for? To succeed as an organization, Henderson said, you have to switch from self-promotion to showing care and being an advocate for your customer, for your team, for your community and for you.
IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima used her rags-to-riches story to help those whose success may be stymied by self-doubt. To succeed, it takes belief in yourself, grit and listening to your gut, rather than listening to those who tell you no, she said.
Certified personal and executive coach Valorie Burton walked attendees through questions that would help them define their vision and values so that they could lead authentically. Burton said opportunities, challenges and relationships—today and in the future—will guide leaders toward their vision.
Author and host of the top-rated “Max Out Your Life” podcast Ed Mylett encouraged everyone to be an evangelist for their cause and their company. People don’t have to believe what you’re saying, he told the audience, but they have to believe that you believe what you’re saying.
After the simulcast, existing and senior leaders had the opportunity to share ideas and discuss how they could use what they learned within their businesses. Some of the discussions centered around cultivating employee and customer advocates, enhancing company cultures, defining what success looks like and opportunities for future growth.
MPTC’s Economic and Workforce Development division was able to bring the Atlanta-based live simulcast to Fond du Lac through generous sponsorships from Marchant Schmidt, Inc., Presenting Sponsor; J.F. Ahern Co., Book Sponsor; Kondex, Wabash National and Fortfi Bank, Lunch Sponsors; Apache Stainless Equipment and Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Value Sponsors.
If you missed the live event on October 8th, you can now watch every minute of the 2021 Live2Lead Leadership event virtually! This virtual rebroadcast option gives you 3-days of on-demand access starting the moment you activate your pass. To learn more about the event and how to register for the virtual rebroadcast, visit morainepark.edu/live2lead.
Last year, the Phi Theta Kappa (Beta Mu Kappa chapter) students were able to ensure warm hands for 55 area children during the cold Wisconsin winter via our Mitten Tree Drive. We’re doing it again on all three campuses and need YOUR help to decorate our trees and spread some love! Let’s do even better this year! The donated mittens we collect will be delivered to the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, Boys & Girls Club of Washington County and the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri County Area at the end of the drive. Donations are being accepted November 1 – 22.
Mitten trees will be located outside the libraries on each of our campuses. Whether you donate one pair or many, each will touch a heart!
In addition to Phi Theta Kappa, Moraine Park has a NEW Academic Honor Society. Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits towards an associate degree are invited to join the honor society. Check out our web page for more information on PTK and AHS.
In celebration of Every Child a Reader – Children’s Book Week, student volunteers at each MPTC campus library will sticker, bookmark, and pack 1,500 books for rural elementary and middle school children in our district. Each child will receive their very own new book focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“Moraine Park students and employees are committed to helping fulfill community needs, sharing their time and talent, connecting and volunteering to help and improve the communities where we live, work and go to school,” MPTC Communications Manager Kristina Haensgen said. “This United we Read with MPTC project is the perfect way for our community engagement sponsorship dollars to have a great impact for 1,500 kids across our district!”
“When I contacted my friends at our United Ways this summer to talk about possibilities for a fall student volunteer project, I never imagined what a wonderful idea they would have; and how wide our impact could be!” Student Community Impact Coordinator Anne Lemke said. “Thank you so much for all the collaboration and teamwork to make this great project successful! Also a shoutout to 4imprint for their generous donation of bright green MPTC logo gift bags for each book!”
Legal Action of WI is coming to Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac Campus! Tuesday, October 26 from 3-6 pm, legal experts will be on-site to help our students. Sign up here for a time to get free, confidential legal help! Walk-ins will also be accepted.
MPTC is partnering with Legal Action of Wisconsin and the statewide Lawyers for Learners project to help our students overcome legal obstacles, and empower them to move forward to achieve educational and career goals!
Whether a student is already involved in a court case or has a question about a situation that could involve a legal problem, Lawyers for Learners can help! Legal experts will meet with students either virtually or in person to explain legal processes, answer questions and provide advice on topics such as driver’s license issues, traffic issues, criminal issues, bankruptcy, immigration, housing, family matters, and more.
“What an awesome community partnership opportunity for MPTC!” Jackie Morgan, MPTC Student Community Equity and Engagement Specialist said. “Many times, legal issues can cause a student to put their education and career on hold. Affording legal help is definitely a challenge for our students. Partnering with Legal Action of WI and the Lawyers for Learners Project connects our students with the legal resources they need.”
MPTC Paralegal and Criminal Justice students are volunteers for our onsite legal event, with ongoing service-learning and paid internships available thru Legal Action of WI.
“What a great experiential learning opportunity for our students choosing careers in the legal or criminal justice fields,” Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator said. “Hands-on, real-world experience, plus a way to impact your community is the best way to learn!”
To reach Legal Action of WI, contact Claire at cms@legalaction.org or 920-393-9352.
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