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Moraine Park Technical College Blog - Imagine What's Next
General Education

Five ‘Secrets’ to College Success

Welcome/ Welcome back, MPTC students! 

One of my favorite things about being an educator is getting to work with people who strive to better themselves every single day. I’ve been privileged to do that for nearly two decades now, and in that time, I’ve noticed five traits shared by the most successful students. The best part is that they require no special skills or talent.

1. Successful students write things down.

They have a planner or calendar of some kind. Sometimes it’s paper; sometimes it’s the Canvas calendar or Google calendar or iCalendar. The format doesn’t matter so much as the act of capturing their schedule and to-do list in one place. 

Successful students also take notes. There is plenty of research to back up the benefits of taking notes. It keeps you focused; the mind-body connection improves memory retention; notes give us something to reference back to and study from when we forget what we read or heard. 

2. Successful students communicate.

They communicate with their instructors. I can’t possibly be the first person to tell you that if you have a question, other people definitely have the same question. I’m saying it again because it’s 100% true. Please ask questions! Seek clarification, seek more information, and check your own understanding. As a teacher, I explain and present things in ways that make perfect sense to me. I appreciate knowing how that information is perceived by students. It helps me to be better and helps you be more successful. I’m not alone in this. All of my faculty colleagues are here to support your success. Ask the questions!  

Communicate with your fellow students, too! Reach out. Get phone numbers or connect on Snapchat or whatever app you are all using today. Talk to each other before and after class and during break. Meet for coffee or lunch and chat about the class and life. Have a group text chain. There will be challenging times as you pursue your educational goals. If you are connected to other students who are experiencing the same things, you’ll realize those challenges aren’t unique to you, and that this is all just part of the process. 

Communicate with our counselors, your adviser, the financial aid office, student life, the student veterans specialist, our diversity relations office, etc… We love our students here at MPTC! If you need something, we almost certainly employ someone to meet that need. 

3. Successful students attend class.

For traditional classes this is more straightforward. If there’s a class meeting, make sure your body is in the classroom, and your mind is focused on learning. If you are an online student, acknowledge that you must devote time to going through the instructor-provided content. When you do, be focused. If there are lecture videos available, watch them and take notes as you do. If there are other videos, powerpoint presentations, or assigned readings, study them! And of course, take notes. 

BONUS: If you have to miss class, do your own work to find out what you missed before reaching out to your instructor. Check Canvas and connect with a classmate. Then send a message to your instructor explaining what steps you’ve taken and asking specific questions. 

Do not do this:

Hey, sorry I missed class. Did anything important happen? 

Do something like this instead:

Hi [fill in instructor name] I apologize for missing class. I [insert reason you could not attend class – you do not have to disclose personal information]. I’ve already checked Canvas and found [insert what you found about the class material and assigned work], and I messaged [insert classmates’ names] to see if they could share notes with me. I was wondering, [insert questions]. I appreciate any help you can offer.

4. Successful students focus.

Put. Your. Phone. Away. I’m a parent, and I keep my phone near me in case my kids need me. I get it. I usually won’t try to police your phone usage in my class, but you should respect any teacher who does have a more defined cell phone or technology use policy. Even more challenging, though, is to enforce this on yourself when you’re studying alone. 

Research tells us that it takes an average of 20+ minutes to achieve a focused state after a distraction. Every time you check your phone because Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, text, or whatever other app buzzes, you lose focus on the learning taking place in the classroom or in your room or at the library or at your kitchen table, and it will take at least 20 minutes to get back to that focused place where you can do real learning. If something distracts you in that 20 minutes, the clock resets. 

Do what you can to limit distractions when you’re learning. 

5. Successful students have goals.

Know why you are here. Some students know the career they plan to pursue. They have detailed timelines and can tell you what classes they will take each semester until they graduate. That’s wonderful. 

“I am going to improve my math skills,” “I’m going to turn in every assignment on time in this class,” and “I’m going to join a student club to make more connections” are equally excellent goals.There is always a reason to learn and grow into a better version of yourself. Find the reasons that drive you for those days when raw motivation is in short supply. 

As promised, no special talents needed! I send you all my very best wishes for a wildly successful semester! If I can help in any way, please reach out! 

January 23, 2023by Emily Hayes
Alumni, Clubs & Organizations, Community Engagement, Diversity, General Education, Veterans

Remember Those Missing in Action

POW MIA flag

POW/MIA Recognition Day September 18, 2020

National POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) Recognition Day is September 21 (annually the third Friday in September) and I thought this would be a great opportunity to provide some of the history on the flag you may have seen, featuring a silhouette of an individual before a guard tower and barbed wire in white on a black field with the words “You Are Not Forgotten”. 

In 1970, Mrs. Michael Hoff, the wife of a service member who was missing in action (MIA) and a member of the National League of POW/MIA Families, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman Rivkees, Vice President of Annin & Company which had made a banner for the newest member of the United Nations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as part of their policy to provide flags of all United Nations member states. Mrs. Hoff found Mr. Rivkees very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue and together with graphic artist Newton F. Heisley, a World War II Veteran, designed the flag choosing the image of a gaunt man in profile, with a guard tower and a strand of barbed wire in the background. Heisely, a pilot, said, “I used to fly within range of the Japanese and wondered how I would hold-up if I ever got captured. When I did the design, I thought how easy it would be to forget those guys.” The slogan “You are not forgotten” came from that reflection and the flag you see today still represents our missing service members.

Following approval by the League’s Board of Directors at a meeting held January 22-23, 1972, POW/MIA flags were manufactured for distribution.  Wanting the widest possible dissemination and use of this symbol to advocate for improved treatment for and answers on American POW/MIAs, no trademark or copyright was sought.  As a result, widespread use of the League’s POW/MIA flag is not restricted legally.

In 1979, Congress proclaimed the first National POW/MIA Recognition Day to acknowledge those families’ concerns and to never forget those who gave up their freedom protecting ours.

On March 9, 1989, an official League flag – flown over the White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day 1988 – was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress.  In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony, at which League Executive Director Ann Mills-Griffiths delivered remarks representing the POW/MIA families.

The League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda where it stands as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for U.S. personnel still missing and unaccounted-for. 

In 1990, Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355 designating the POW/MIA flag as, “the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still held prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.” As of June 20, 2018, and reported by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency we still have 82,334 missing and unaccounted for from WWII forward, the most being from WWII at 72,906. We may never know what happened to all of them but we can continue to remind our citizens that their freedom comes at a very dear price.

The importance of the POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America’s unreturned veterans.  Other than “Old Glory,” the League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, displayed since 1982 in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Passage by the 105th Congress of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act required that the League’s POW/MIA flag fly six days each year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day.  It must be displayed at the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, the headquarters of the Selective Service System, major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense, all Federal cemeteries and all offices of the U.S. Postal Service.  In addition to the specific dates stipulated, the Department of Veterans Affairs voluntarily displays our POW/MIA flag 24/7.  The National Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans, and World War II Memorials are now also required by law to display the POW/MIA flag daily. 

For some time, there had been debate over when the POW/MIA flag should be flown, whether daily or on the specific six days noted in federal law. While not addressing the question of posting the flag at the national/federal level, League members at the 32nd Annual Meeting in June 2001, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the following resolution: “Be it RESOLVED that the National League of POW/MIA Families strongly recommends that state and municipal entities fly the POW/MIA flag daily to demonstrate continuing commitment to the goal of the fullest possible accounting of all personnel not yet returned to American soil.”

If you would like to learn more about the protocols on how to properly display the POW/MIA Flag of The National League of Families please e-mail your requests to veterans@morainepark.edu.

Reference

National League of Families. (n.d.). ​Protocol for the POW/MIA Flag of The National League of Families. In National League of POW/MIA Families. Retrieved July 31, 2018, from http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/protocol-for-the-powmia-flag-of-the-national-league-of-families.html

The History of the Vietnam War POW/MIA Flag. (n.d.). In US Flag. Retrieved August 2, 2018, from http://www.usflag.org/pow.mia.html

September 21, 2020by Stephen Pepper
Community Engagement, Diversity, General Education, International Education, Service Learning

Looking for some sunshine?

Moraine Park Cultural Connections is an exciting, fun way to build real world career and life skills, gain self-confidence, and expand your awareness of diversity, global perspective and social responsibility.

Do you need 3 credits of social science to complete your degree requirements?  If so, your cultural connections experience may be financial aid eligible!  Each experience is linked to the MPTC online course Intro to Diversity. Check with your academic advisor today!

Costa Rica

View our upcoming Cultural Connections opportunities! All opportunities are linked to academic course credit, financial aid-eligible and intended to give each student participant a meaningful experience outside the classroom, as well as the chance to have an impact on our local, domestic and global community.

Cultural Connections postcard

Stop in at one of our upcoming information sessions! Each session is on all 3 campuses.

February 25

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in A203, K204 and L151

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. in A203, K201 and N116

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in E141, K209 and L151

February 26

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in E141, K313 and L151

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. in E141, K313 and L151

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in A203, K204 and N116

For more information, contact Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator, alemke2@morainepark.edu or 920-924-3329

Learn more about cultural connections travel on the Study Abroad Association’s website.

February 20, 2020by Anne Lemke
General Education

“I Returned to Finish my Degree…”

“My first thought when I had to take General Education courses was ‘Why do I have to do this?’ I delayed taking General Education courses for as long as I could.  Initially, I would attend the General Education course in the beginning and then end up dropping the course, thinking it was dumb or a waste of time. For a few years, I chose not to finish part of my degree. However, when I decided to return to finish my degree, I still had to complete the General Education courses I never wanted to take before. Enrolling in these courses was the most difficult part of the process since I knew I didn’t want to do them in the first place.  Fortunately, this time proved to be different.

Enjoying General Education courses
Luckily, I have enjoyed my General Education courses more than I anticipated, which helps to keep me motivated to finish the courses I am taking. Keeping everyone’s attention and engaged in the courses is not always easy, especially in the mornings, but one professor I have, Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss, is good at keeping you engaged and awake. It’s nice walking into a class in the morning and being greeted and being able to have a small conversation to get the day started and to keep everyone engaged and wanting to be there to learn and to participate.  In fact, all of my professors have been helpful and very understanding, especially if any issues would arise.

Advisors help choose courses
I also have had a really positive experience at Moraine Park with my advisor – Robin Kranz – who helped me choose courses that fit my work schedule, which is a big benefit of attending Moraine Park. The class offerings are either online or at multiple campus locations and at different times, which really help me so I can attend all of my classes on time with minimal stress about planning around my work schedule.

Choose Moraine Park
I also appreciate that MPTC is affordable.  I will not have to worry about paying off a mountain of debt.  I would encourage everyone who is considering a college degree to look at choosing Moraine Park.”

Written by:  Thomas Schamberger
Dual Degree Program student for IT-Network Specialist and IT-Technical Support Specialist

For more information on what Moraine Park has to offer, visit www.morainepark.edu 

January 3, 2020by Rebecca Leichtfuss
General Education

Out of My Comfort Zone and Into a Career

General ed student

“If it wasn’t for the General Education courses offered at MPTC, I wouldn’t have gotten out of my bubble or figured out the career path I wanted to take.”
Alyssa Towne, Human Resources Student

“Attending Moraine Park immediately after high school, I chose to only communicate with people that I could relate to at the time.  As I enter my last semester at MPTC, I now have confidence to communicate with not only my classmates and professors, but also key individuals in the workforce, too.  I owe everything to this college when it comes to my selected professional career and gaining confidence in myself.

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE
General Education courses at MPTC allowed me to step out of my comfort zone by working on projects with individuals in the various courses.  I learned the importance of collaborating with others, and I developed crucial personal and life skills that I need in the workplace. Classes that have been extremely beneficial include Oral and Interpersonal Communication with Bree Hodgen and English Composition with Rob Heyrman. These classes taught me to be comfortable with those around me and created assignments that made me think critically and collaborate with others. I eventually started to like working and communicating with people so much that I changed my major to Human Resources so I can work with others. If it wasn’t for the General Education courses offered at MPTC, I wouldn’t have gotten out of my bubble or figured out the career path I wanted to take.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
In addition, I was able to obtain an internship in my third semester at Moraine Park in the Human Resources Department at Agnesian HealthCare. My General Education courses along with my core classes provided me with the resources to communicate efficiently with others and apply these skills to real-life situations. I am now in my last semester at Moraine Park and am working as a full-time Recruitment Coordinator with Agnesian HealthCare.

THANK YOU FOR THIS EXPERIENCE
If I have one thing to say to my professors and classmates, it would be ‘thank you’.  I’m so glad I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and that I developed important life skills that I can take with me for the rest of my life. This college prepared me for the workforce based on the education I received.  I know I will be successful in many endeavors that I pursue!”

Written by:  Alyssa Towne
Human Resources Program student at MPTC

For more information on what Moraine Park has to offer, visit www.morainepark.edu 

December 10, 2019by Rebecca Leichtfuss
General Education

General Education Classes Changed Me

MPTC Blog Photo - Kaleb

My name is Kaleb Krueger.  I am a student in the Health and Wellness program at MPTC. I have been an active person my whole life by being involved in sports, such as track and cross country throughout middle school and high school, and I weight lift.

I am currently working as a cook at a family restaurant called, “The Little Red Inn”, in St. Lawrence. I have my personal trainer certification, and I plan to keep moving forward to further my knowledge about health and wellness.

When I enrolled at MPTC…

“When I enrolled at Moraine Park Technical College, I was there to simply get my degree and leave. I did not want to learn anything from General Education courses, and I didn’t think they would be beneficial. Courses like Psychology of Human Relations and English Composition didn’t interest me one bit. I did not realize at the time just how important these courses were for achieving my full education potential.”

The first day of class…

“After that first day of class, I began to open my eyes. After just one class with my instructor, Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss, I realized I had entered a new side of education. The atmosphere, the energy, and the focus were different and new to me. After learning so much in just one class, I decided to give these courses a shot and put in the effort.”

Not like high school…

“These courses changed me. General Education courses in college are so different from those in high school, and two classes were very beneficial to me. In my Psychology of Human Relations course, I learned how to understand all aspects of being human, how to read and understand emotions, how personality traits line up with personality theories, and more about the biology of love. From my English Composition course, I learned how to create writing, how to apply the 4 C’s of writing, and how to produce exceptional writing. This course was the most beneficial to me out of all the General Education courses I took. This course changed the way I write today, and the skills I learned will continue to benefit me in the future.”

It’s up to you…

“General Education courses are immensely important to students. When students think about these courses as requirements, they won’t see the benefits they provide. When students think of these courses as great learning opportunities, they will see how their lives can change. Have an open mind, put in the effort, and trust the process. If you follow these three steps as a student, you will quickly understand why General Education courses are so important. “

Written by:  Kaleb Krueger, Health & Wellness Program student at MPTC

For more information on what Moraine Park has to offer, visit www.morainepark.edu

November 14, 2019by Rebecca Leichtfuss
General Education

MPTC exceeds expectations

Ashlend Steger is enrolled in the Small Business Entrepreneurship program at Moraine Park Technical College and finds that Moraine Park Technical College has not only met, but exceeded her expectations for a college and helps her succeed.

I toured many different colleges and programs before finally choosing to attend Moraine Park Technical College. I was drawn to the friendly and helpful atmosphere displayed by the recruiters, professors, and advisors of Moraine Park Technical College. Moraine Park has met my needs as a student by being affordable compared to the tuition costs of a two or four year university. With the lower tuition costs, I am able to carry little to no student debt after I graduate. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that after I graduate I won’t be spending years of my career or life paying off huge amounts of student loans.

Another thing about this school that has met my needs as a student is having flexibility. The scheduling with classes and other activities allows for a student to still be able to work or have a family if they choose. While attending Moraine Park, I am still able to maintain my work status, yet can still achieve my academics and met the standards to be on the Dean’s List for many semesters.

Moraine Park truly cares about the student and their success. From day one of walking into class, the professors make every effort to ensure their students are welcomed and getting the best experience possible. I really like the many different resources Moraine Park offers to their students, too. Resources like the Student Success Center, Employment Services, Veteran Services, and Disability Services to name a few are available for the students to better benefit themselves while going through their college process.

Moraine Park Technical College has not only met, but exceeded my expectations for a college. A friendly and helpful atmosphere displayed by all who are involved with this school, has surely helped bring out the positivity and success in myself as a student at Moraine Park! 

Written by Ashlend Steger
Small Business Entrepreneurship student
Moraine Park Technical College 

November 5, 2019by Rebecca Leichtfuss
General Education

Early Childhood Education Program student shares passion for learning

” I met with an advisor at MPTC to determine how I could complete my Associate’s Degree. I may choose occupational therapy after earning my Associate’s Degree, and MPTC is helping me determine how I can advance to a 4-year college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree.”
Cristal Gilbertson, Early Childhood Education student at MPTC

I am Cristal Gilbertson and a returning adult student to Moraine Park Technical College for the Early Childhood Education Program.  I plan to graduate in May, 2020.  Having worked in the child care field for more than 25 years, I love working with children of all ages.  I really enjoy how this is an ever-changing field with new research about how children learn and grow. I also apply what I learn as I raise my three sons.

Love to learn

I love to learn.  When the state required child care professionals to have more training, I embraced the opportunity. I completed two different credentials offered by MPTC – the Infant and Toddler Credential Certificate and the Early Childhood Preschool Credential Certificate.  Each certificate totaled 12 credits and required a portfolio.  It was worth my hard work because I was able to advance myself in the field and keep myself employable.  MPTC proved to be easy to work with throughout the process, and I had great instructors who wanted to help students.

Enjoying courses

As I am working on my Associate’s Degree, I really benefit from the small classroom sizes and the variety of courses you can take online or in the classroom; however, I prefer classroom courses. I am currently trying a new course format of a Video Conference for the Thinking Critically and Creatively course, which is taught by Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss.  I am moving out of my comfort zone in this course, and I find it truly interesting. The TED Talks and real life applications in this course are awesome.

Continuing my education

After years of teaching and now that my sons are growing up, I am looking for a career change.  I still love working with children. I applied for Credit for Prior Learning at MPTC and met with an advisor at MPTC to determine how I could complete my Associate’s Degree with the credits I had already earned.  After I earn my Associate’s Degree, I may choose a career in occupational therapy, and MPTC is helping me determine how I can transfer to a 4-year college to earn my  Bachelor’s Degree for this career change.

Written by: Cristal Gilbertson

October 8, 2019by Rebecca Leichtfuss
General Education

Journey to Achieve a College Degree

“I started this college adventure at a more advanced stage in my life than I ever thought I might. I came back to Moraine Park Technical College in search of getting 60 college credits for a promotion at work. I received that promotion, so now that I am into the educational process once again, I am continuing on for myself and finally earning a college degree. As a nontraditional student in the Criminal Justice program, I am looking at the educational process through different eyes than a lot of students. While there are many students in the college setting that are nontraditional, a great deal of them are following a career change and not searching for a degree in the field that they are currently employed in. Moraine Park Technical college has made me feel at ease through this adventure. I have been welcomed into the college atmosphere by staff and students as well.

The Think Critically and Creatively class offered through the college and the instructor Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss is another area where I feel welcomed in class each week. While over the years working in corrections, and as an EMT/Firefighter I have had to think outside the box.  I never really took into consideration that thinking critically and creatively was a learned process. I always took it as common sense. Dr.  Leichtfuss and the way she has her class designed has taught me that I can still improve daily on the thinking process – that thinking critically and creatively is a growth process that we should strive to improve on throughout our lives regardless of our career status or education.

I am looking to wrap up my degree after the Fall semester of 2019. While it has been a journey, I am glad I undertook the personal challenge of pursuing my degree. Taking the Think Critically and Creatively class is turning out to be an asset. I wish I would have registered for the class a little earlier on in my college career. I am sure that it would have assisted me in juggling work and school with a little less stress and a more open mind. I am appreciative of what Dr. Leichtfuss has taught me, and I can see myself improving in my thinking skills from here on out.”

Written by:  Bruce Harned

August 28, 2019by Rebecca Leichtfuss
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