Jackie Fuller, of Theresa, graduated from Moraine Park’s Cosmetology program in 2002. She worked as a hairstylist at Cedar Community Assisted Living in West Bend for 11 years until a new passion led her back through Moraine Park’s doors.

At Cedar Community, Fuller fell in love with transforming people’s hair and putting smiles on the residents’ faces, especially in hard times. Eventually, watching residents fall ill and experiencing loss in her own family took a toll, and she realized she was destined to do more.

“By the time I was 27, I had lost both of my parents,” Fuller said. “Watching them get sick without knowing how to help was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Being so young and not having my parents was, and still is, a challenge. I felt driven to learn how to help people in their time of need.”

Fuller enrolled in Moraine Park’s Nursing program in 2020 and will graduate in December. Since starting the program, she has become the vice president of the Student Nursing Association and a member of the Beaver Dam Campus Student Senate.

Outside of school, Fuller enjoys spending time with her family. She has a fiancé and two teenage sons. The boys both fully support their mom going back to school and love to help her study with flashcards and quizzes.

“My kids are getting older,” she said. “I want to be able to show them they can be anything they want to be and that it’s never too late.”

Fuller was recently hired at Froedtert in West Bend where she works as a critical care technician. After she graduates, she will stay at Froedtert as a nurse and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She still tends to her first passion by keeping her cosmetology license up to date.

“From my first appointment at Moraine Park, I was encouraged to make steps forward in my career,” Fuller said. “It took me a while to push through those doors, but I am so glad I did. Moraine Park has been there every step of the way, allowing me to explore both of my passions.”

Thank you, Frontline Workers.

It’s no secret frontline workers fuel the economy. Each year, more than 1,000 Moraine Park alumni enter the workforce and make an impact on local industries and current worker shortages. We are incredibly proud of the many alumni in our communities and the passionate work they do to keep us moving forward.

For more stories like Jackie’s, check out our Spring 2022 NEXT Magazine.

Moraine Park Technical College’s Early Childhood Education and Cosmetology programs collaborated earlier this month, Dec. 7, to learn about hair care techniques for children with ethnic hair.

The Cosmetology students used mannequins with textured hair to teach Early Childhood Education students how to detangle, braid, twist and style the hair with elastics.

“A lot of times when we care for children it involves grooming their hair throughout the day,” Anne Paradies, Early Childhood Education instructor, said. “It’s important that students are prepared to care for all hair types.”

The collaboration was spurred by Early Childhood Education student, Monica Dreifuerst, who works at a childcare center.

“We take the children swimming often, and that requires some hair maintenance afterwards,” Dreifuerst said. “I love doing the kids hair, but I realized quicky I didn’t know the best way to care for textured hair. I never want any of the children to feel left out, so I really wanted to learn.”

This training is the first collaboration between Moraine Park’s Cosmetology and Early Childhood Education programs.

“We hope to continue collaborating on this training with future classes,” Paradies said. “The Cosmetology students are the best resource, and it is a great learning experience for everyone involved.”

Moraine Park’s Early Childhood Education program is a 2-year associate degree program. In class, students learn to care for and educate children while playing a key role in their development. Graduates from the program are prepared to work with children from birth to 8-year age range and are well-prepared for a variety of Early Childhood Education roles. For more information visit morainepark.edu/academics/programs/early-childhood-education/.

On Wednesday, August 25, six MPTC Cosmetology students and their Instructor Eileen Bouchard, travelled to the Washington County West Bend Boys and Girls Club Back to School Event. MPTC Students gave 22 kids a back to school haircut, helping them all feel extra beautiful and confident for heading off to elementary or middle school this fall.

“What a great hands-on service learning experience for our students,” said MPTC Instructor Eileen Bouchard. “This event helped our students connect with parents and kids of many ethnicities, ages and haircut styles; plus learn about the mission of the Boys and Girls Club and the back-to-school needs of over 200 families in our community.”

Max Roy, Director of Operations for Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, said, “It was great to meet you all in person today. I am so glad we got connected on your student Cosmetology volunteers as another community partner Back to School resource for our kids! Thank you so much for all the haircuts today and we look forward to continuing working with MPTC.”

For more information on service learning at MPTC.

This summer, teens from the Fond du Lac, Tri-County, and Jackson Boys and Girls Clubs will be learning about various careers through the MPTC Dream Big community service project.

The Dream Big project started in 2017 with  area BGC teens visiting MPTC or MPTC students visiting the Clubs each semester to help teens learn more about the over 100 careers available through MPTC. This past year, due to COVID, no visiting was possible. The MPTC Student Community Impact Team, in partnership with faculty leaders, came up with a plan to offer summer career exploration of welding, blueprint reading, cosmetology, and culinary through interactive videos with fun hands on activities.

Dream Big is a great community partnership opportunity to showcase MPTC careers and for area teens to get excited about career choices! Tri-County Boys and Girls Club Director of Operations Mindy Collado said, “We are so excited for these Dream Big opportunities! Thanks for stopping in today and delivering all the goodies. The teens already had a lot of fun and I am sure we will get good use out of the careers materials all throughout this summer! Thank you MPTC!”

Ahhh, the fun of SUMMER! Picnics, camping, baseball, swimming, vacations and of course, endless hours in the sun!! There’s nothing better than summer!

But wait! All those hours of soaking in the sun and cooling off in the pool can wreak havoc on your hair! (Hey guys, this goes for you too!) So what can you do to help prevent damage to your locks? Can you fix what’s already been done?

Moraine Park’s Cosmetology Instructor Eileen Bouchard gives us some helpful hints to prevent damaging your hair any further this summer.

• Use a styling product with an SPF factor.
• Condition your hair after each shampoo.
• Wear a hat when you’re in the sun
• Maintain a regular haircut or trim. (This might be a great time to make an appointment at our Moraine Park Salon! Click here for more info! )

Do you feel your hair is beyond repair? Reader’s Digest says you can re-hydrate your hair and scalp with a nutrient rich treatment mask. The protective oils, butters, and extracts will replenish dry, frizzy and damaged hair. You should also stop heat styling your sun-damaged hair for a bit. Heat styling can cause damage all on its own, why not give your hair a break? (Pun intended!) Here’s one last simple helpful hint! Cotton pillowcases are absorbent, causing moisture to be drawn out of your hair as you sleep, so switch to a silk pillowcase.

I hope these tips help get you through what we have left of summer looking fabulous! After all, August is like the Sunday of Summer, it comes too fast and never stays long enough!

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” -Oscar Wilde

This past weekend in West Bend, Moraine Park participated in Fiesta Latina hosted by Casa Guadalupe Education Center.  Fiesta Latina is an event to experience the Hispanic culture through music, food, and activities.  I was able to represent Diversity Relations at Fiesta Latina and enjoyed conversing with many community members, as well as other vendors offering information about community services.  I also had the opportunity to meet and talk with US Senator Tammy Baldwin.

There were many fun kids’ activities such as face painting, games, balloon animals, piñatas, and our own Cosmetology students doing mini manicures.  Many other great activities as well such Latin Zumba, salsa line dancing, and jalapeño eating contest.  Maximus even made an appearance! Special shout out to the Cosmetology students, they did a wonderful job!

I along with everyone else were able to taste authentic Hispanic food, which by the way was delicious!  From tacos and tamales to horchata and jarritos, everything that I was able to taste was phenomenal.  Casa Tequila and the Norbert cooked the delicious food. 

We were also able to listen to mariachi music, see a live performance from Ballet Folklórico Sones Mexicanos, as well as listen to live music from Grupo Masivo Show band and Gigantes de la Música band.

Experiencing these cultural events is essential to bridging our communities and preparing for a diverse and globally connected world.

Tell us about yourself:

I am from Plymouth, WI and graduated from there.  I love animals which I have a kitten that lives with me and 2 dogs and 1 cat at my mom’s.

What made you decide to go into the Cosmetology field?

I have always had an interest for cosmetology so I decided to go to school and pursue it.

Why MPTC?

I was looking for the nearest school.

What do you love most about the program?

I love being able to do something I enjoy.

What are your plans after graduation?

I want to find a job as soon as I graduate.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu.

Tell us about yourself:

• I am from Chicago and have lived in Fond du Lac for four years.
• I have a 17 yr old son and 14 yr old daughter.
• I enjoy walks, watching my son play basketball, bowling, movies and going out to eat.

What made you decide to go into the Cosmetology field?

I have done hair since I was a little girl and always did family and friends hair.

Why did you choose MPTC?

I received my HSED from MPTC and decided to further my schooling.

What do you love most about the program?

I love to learn things that I thought I knew and also to be even better as a stylist.

What are your plans after graduation?  

To work at a shop and also run my own business!

For more information on Moraine Park programs, like cosmetology, visit morainepark.edu/programs. 

Tell us about yourself:

I live in Fox Lake, WI.  I enjoy playing sports and hanging out with my family.  I love being outside and being active.

What made you decide to go into the Cosmetology field?

I decided to go into the Cosmetology program because I have an interest in doing hair and helping people.  I would love to be able to help cancer patients some day.

Why did you choose MPTC?

I chose MPTC because I believed that it had the best cosmetology program and it is close to home.

What do you love most about the program?

I enjoy being around people who have the same passion of hair and makeup as I do.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan on working in a salon after I am done with my schooling.

For more information about Moraine Park programs, like cosmetology, visit morainepark.edu.