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.

Written by Linda Huckaby

We are very excited to partner with Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Washington County United Ways on this upcoming literacy event!

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!”

Sign up to volunteer here!

For more information on community engagement at MPTC.

Moraine Park Technical College has selected eCampus.com, an online bookstore model, as the new campus bookstore provider.

The College initiated a request for proposal (RFP) process as the current five-year contract approached its expiration. A team of individuals from across the College evaluated the responses.

“This role of this team was to select and implement a bookstore model that both best aligns with the needs and strategic direction of the college and provides support and affordable options for our students,” Carrie Kasubaski, vice president of finance and administration at Moraine Park, said. “In total, we had four responses to our RFP. We appreciate all of the submissions and their interest in doing business with Moraine Park.”

The partnership with eCampus.com will focus initially on online access and presence, coupled with key system integrations to provide students with an intuitive purchasing experience. With single sign-on, users can enjoy instant access to a customized list of professor-selected materials, with the ability to choose from a wide selection of course material format options including new, used, eBook, rental, and Marketplace at significant savings. Further complementing the solution for students is the convenience of on-campus package pickup as well as onsite buybacks.

“We not only reviewed student needs but involved students in the process as well,” Kasubaski said. “It became evident that having the option to purchase or rent books and obtain materials online is highly important.”

As a result of this change, Moraine Park’s partnership with Follet will end, and the three campus bookstore locations will close effective Nov. 9.

“We appreciate Follet and the level of commitment they offered to our students and employees for more than five years,” Kasubaski said. “Moving forward, a transition and implementation plan is underway to ensure a smooth transition for the remainder of the fall semester and into the spring semester.”

The College will continue to explore options for smaller and more accessible on-campus bookstore services such as spirit stores and onsite textbook pick-ups and returns.

“We applaud Moraine Park Technical College for their commitment to improve student outcomes by removing barriers to affordability and accessibility with an innovative online bookstore solution,” Matt Montgomery, eCampus.com President and CEO, said. “We look forward to aligning with Moraine Park’s strategic direction that continues to build a path for student success.”

Students will utilize eCampus.com for their fall book buybacks and spring textbook and course material purchases. Additional details regarding the transition to eCampus.com will be sent directly to students and staff.

“We are excited to partner with eCampus.com and move into the new age of online bookstores,” Kasubaski said. “We know that this change will help our continued goal to ensure classroom success for our students.”

More on eCampus.com:

eCampus.com is a premier online retailer of textbooks and digital course materials. Consistently exceeding industry standards, eCampus.com’s mission is to provide the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way for K-12 and higher education students to buy, rent, or sell textbooks and digital content. The company launched on July 2, 1999, the birthday of original investor Dave Thomas of Wendy’s. From the beginning, their driving force has been meeting the needs of the customers they serve. Remaining an innovative leader in the course materials industry, eCampus.com serves over 300 academic institutions through an innovative course material solutions suite, including full-service Online Bookstores and the eCampus.com ALL Access program. eCampus.com’s mission enables institutions to increase course material affordability, serving millions of students to date. Through products that simplify the adoption, management and procurement of course materials, eCampus.com propels student success by delivering the right course materials, at the right time, at the right price. Learn more at https://www.ecampus.com/. 

Park Terrace, Moraine Park’s student-led restaurant, is currently open for dining. To book your table or view the menu, visit https://moraine-park-technical-college—park-terrace-restaurant.square.site/park-terrace-restaurant. The public is welcome.

Park Terrace gives Moraine Park Culinary students real-life experience in running a restaurant. Students learn the ins and outs from menu design and table setting to being chef and host/hostess.

Book your table before it fills up!

Get off the bench and attend Internship Draft Day at Lambeau Field- North Balcony on Thursday, November 4 from 3-6:15 p.m.

Internship Draft Day is more than just a job fair. It’s a chance for students to meet with over 50 companies with over 200 paid internships, co-ops, part-time and full-time positions. Students have the opportunity to network and pre-set 15-minute interviews with companies of their choosing. Attendees will also have the chance to earn free prizes and a college scholarship.

Since 2015, Internship Draft Day has been organized by the Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA) and the NEW Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA). Together, these entities recognized a unique way to work collaboratively on a unified cause: to expand manufacturing career pathways and build a talent pipeline through internships.

Hundreds of college students from Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan participate in the annual Internship Draft Day at Lambeau Field in Green Bay every year. Students showcase talent, curiosity, hustle, and career interest, vying for scholarships, paid internships, and network connections.

Interested students should register at internshipdraftday.com by the registration deadline of October 31.

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.

More information– Lawyers for Learners

In celebration of Manufacturing Month-here’s an exciting opportunity to help start your career in manufacturing.

Moraine Park is helping combat the skilled worker shortage by providing skill development through the Manufacturing Skills Academy.

This program, also known as manufacturing boot camps, offers the opportunity to explore a unique career pathway. The manufacturing boot camp is a 3-month training program in either CNC Machining or welding. During the program, you are part of a paid internship with a local employer. This means you’ll be paid while you learn! At the end of the program, you’ll have a college certificate and, in most cases, the opportunity to turn your internship into a full-time career.

Your first step toward your new career begins at our information sessions this November– offered both in-person and online. Here, you’ll learn about each career, meet the instructors and get the next step enrollment information.

One more great feature, Moraine Park’s boot camp programs are tuition-free. The tuition and materials costs are covered completely by grants and community support.

No previous manufacturing experience is necessary and there are no income limitations.

So, what are you waiting for? Space in the program is limited- sign up for your information session today to get started!

Information sessions are on Nov. 9 at the Fond du Lac campus and Nov. 17 online. Registration is required and information can be found here.

More information on Moraine Park’s boot camps can be found here.

Did you know Moraine Park is a Fair Trade College?  Actually we are the very first Fair Trade technical college in the U.S.  Way to go MPTC!  We are now celebrating 6 years as a Fair Trade College!

October is Fair Trade Month! Celebrate Fair Trade Month on all 3 MPTC campuses with Fair Trade Pop Up Shops.

• Monday, October 25 West Bend Campus Cafeteria 10:30 am-1:30 pm Featuring In the Meantime Gifts
• Tuesday, October 26 Beaver Dam Campus Cafeteria 10:30 am – 1:30 pm Featuring In the Meantime Gifts
• Thursday, October 28 Fond du Lac Campus Cafeteria 10:30 am – 1:30 pm Featuring Just Fare Market and Mayan Hands Friendship Bracelets

Fair trade supports farmers and artisans in developing countries who are socially and economically marginalized. These producers lack economic opportunity and often face steep hurdles in finding markets and customers for their goods. Fair Trade is about making a tremendous impact on artisan and farmer communities while offering great products to the public all around the world. Fair Trade certification promises quality products, fair pay for producers, environmentally sustainable practices, safe and empowering working conditions, no child labor, no human trafficking and more.

Fairly traded clothing, coffee, food, furniture, home decor, housewares, jewelry, tea, toys, personal accessories, and many other products are available from Fair Trade Organizations. At all three MPTC campuses, our bookstores carry Divine Chocolate and Good Paper greeting cards. Our cafeterias offer Farmer Brothers Fair Trade Coffee and Honest Tea!

We hope to see you at the Fair Trade Pop Up, learning more about improving lives together! 

Nursing School can be challenging and overwhelming, but also rewarding and fulfilling. The pressures associated with class load, clinicals, exams, and job availability can make it easy to lose sight of the art of caring while learning the science of nursing.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was created to recognize and celebrate nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families. The DAISY Foundation hopes that this program will inspire and motivate students to provide the best clinical skills possible and to impact patients and families with human spirit and kindness. 

Nominations for this award can come from any patient, staff nurse, fellow nursing students, faculty, or member of the community that the student has had a positive impact on.

The nomination period is now through December 1, 2021. The review committee will meet in mid-December and reveal the recipient at Moraine Park’s Pinning Ceremonies. The review committee has specific criteria for the selection committee that can be found on their website. The committee will include the following:

Kelly Shafaie (Representative from Dean’s office) 

Barb Brown (Alumni and retired faculty) 

Kelli De Ruyter (Partner facility, Cedar Community Advisory Member) 

Anne Lemke (Leadership at MPTC) 

Student life representatives will take turns on panel (Lisa Manuell, Sandy Botham for this academic year) 

Nominate here.

Any questions about the DAISY Award can be directed to the Student Nurses Association (SNA) advisors on each campus:

Beaver Dam- Grace Rommelfanger

Fond du Lac- Melissa Rodriguez  and Michelle Mengert 

West Bend- Karrie Bruegman-May