Moraine Park Technical College hosted a Community Forum on the West Bend campus today, Sept. 26, regarding the College’s referendum in the November election.
The Moraine Park Technical College District Board passed a resolution in June stating an intent to borrow $55 million to enhance campus learning spaces to meet future student and regional workforce needs through four projects across Moraine Park campuses and communities. In August, the Board approved the final ballot language, allowing the College to move forward with a referendum in the November election. Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million.
Moraine Park’s Community Forums are an opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn more about the referendum. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald presented about the referendum, and the forum ended with a Q&A.
The College will host its third forum on the Beaver Dam campus on Oct. 3 from 9-10 a.m.
This fall, Moraine Park is offering a new Information Technology (IT) associate of applied science degree program specializing in applications support. The IT Applications Support Specialist program is one of the many IT programs offered at Moraine Park.
“The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in information technology occupations will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2021-31 due to growth and replacement needs,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “This is not just a national trend, but also a trend that we observe in our state and across the Moraine Park district.”
Students in the program will obtain education and training on multiple business applications including Microsoft and Office 365 Administrator; and will be prepared to provide end-user training and support. The college partners with Microsoft to provide students free access to preparation materials and testing for the credentials.
“Regardless of industry, employers are looking for people with strong skills in different office applications,” Deb Clarke, Moraine Park associate dean of business and IT, said. “Students in this program will learn a variety of entry-level technology skills and prepare for Microsoft credentials that district employers are looking for in employees.”
Graduates of the program can leverage entry-level support positions within a variety of industries to master their software support skills and explore opportunities to further focus their IT interests. Some occupations include computer specialist, computer technician, desktop support technician, help desk analyst, technical support specialist and more.
“What makes this program truly unique is that we offer many of the courses through our dual credit program,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “The Office Software Specialist embedded certificate is designed to provide a pathway for entrance into the IT Application Support Specialist program and gives high school students an opportunity to get a jump-start on college and their future IT careers at no cost.”
Are you looking to release your inner lumberjack and benefit Moraine Park students? Then The Ledge Games is just the event for you.
On Saturday, September 24, you’ll see plenty of beards and flannel at this family-friendly competition held at Red Cabin at Green Acres in Eden. One hundred percent of event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park.
Wannabe lumberjacks compete in caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop and axe throwing. Competition divisions include men, women and a 55+ age group. Spectators are also welcome to come and cheer on their friends and family members.
The event, co-founded in 2014 by Josh Michels of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich of Eden, has generated over $43,000 in scholarships for 74 aspiring students. Last year’s competition raised $10,000 for student scholarships and will support 20 students.
Moraine Park Technical College hosted a Community Forum on Sept. 15 regarding the College’s referendum in the November election. The forum took place both virtually and on the College’s Fond du Lac campus.
The Moraine Park Technical College District Board passed a resolution in June stating an intent to borrow $55 million to enhance campus learning spaces to meet future student and regional workforce needs through four projects across Moraine Park campuses and communities. In August, the Board approved the final ballot language, allowing the College to move forward with a referendum in the November election. Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million.
Moraine Park’s Community Forums are an opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn more about the referendum. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald presented about the referendum, and the forum ended with a Q&A.
“Education is the key to economic growth in any community,” President Baerwald said. “Workforce growth is what will change our community. As a tech college, we are the change agents–a referendum is a way to make change and growth happen at a time when technology and automation is influencing industry so rapidly.”
The College will soon host Community Forums on the Beaver Dam and West Bend campuses. See the dates below.
West Bend – September 26, 11:45 – 12:45 p.m.; 2151 N. Main St.
Beaver Dam – October 3, 9 – 10 a.m.; 700 Gould St.
Moraine Park introduced a new Financial and Insurance Services Specialist associate degree program this fall 2022 semester. The program is a unique opportunity at Moraine Park that focuses on both finance and insurance.
“This program is a great starting point for students who want to explore careers in the fields of insurance or finance. The program is designed to help learners continue their education beyond their Associate degree,” Deb Clarke, Moraine Park associate dean of business and IT, said.
The program prepares students to obtain industry-recognized credentials required within the financial and insurance industries, including the Series 6, Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS), and insurance. Students will also gain an understanding of regulatory standards related to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), lending practices, client relationship management, marketing and brand management with cutting-edge technology, and insurance lines.
“We wanted to provide our graduates a broad knowledge base to efficiently and collaboratively work across specialized teams,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “Locally, there are numerous jobs available across our entire district, with anticipated growth of at least 9 percent over the next 10 years, but this is only a snapshot of opportunities available. Our graduates may also wish to pursue the many remote and virtual options available to graduates of the program.”
Graduates of this program will be prepared to help clients navigate the complex and evolving worlds of finance and insurance. They may find employment as a certified financial planner, customer service representative, financial advisor, insurance sales agent, loan processor, personal banker, and more.
Moraine Park Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay signed an articulation agreement allowing students pursuing Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) liberal arts degrees to seamlessly transfer from Moraine Park and continue their education at UW-Green Bay with confirmed junior status.
The agreement was signed by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald and UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus.
“We are thrilled at UW-Green Bay to be working with our colleagues at Moraine Park Technical College to make education more accessible for the people in our region,” UW-Green Bay Chancellor Alexander said. “Our goal is to provide an education that works best for the students we serve, and this agreement will help us support more students in achieving their educational goals.”
Moraine Park began offering AA and AS liberal arts degrees this fall semester.
The agreement between Moraine Park and UW Green-Bay is Moraine Park’s third AA and AS degree partnership. Earlier this year, the College signed articulation agreements with Lakeland University and UW-Oshkosh. College leaders will continue to add partnerships with other local universities, giving district students more options and control when it comes to their education and making the future transfer process easier and more streamlined.
“By starting an education at Moraine Park, students can get their general studies completed for at a lesser cost, enjoy smaller class sizes, benefit from extensive student support, and have guaranteed transfer credits to one of our partner schools,” Dr. Fred Rice, associate vice president of academics at Moraine Park, said. “The College currently offers a wide variety of Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degrees, Technical Diplomas, and career pathway certificate opportunities. Adding the liberal arts degree programs will provide a more robust slate of offerings to the Moraine Park student community. Although these programs do have a wide and growing number of pre-major options, they are also excellent opportunities for those students who are unclear as to an occupational path yet still want to earn an associate degree that is transferable to a 4-year university.”
Safety and security is everyone’s responsibility. If you see suspicious activity at MPTC or in your community, report it to a person of authority using the “5W’s”:
WHO did you see?
WHAT did you see?
WHEN you saw it
WHERE it occurred
WHY it’s suspicious
Whether you are at school, on your way to work, walking in your neighborhood, or out and about in your community, remember: We all play a role in keeping our communities safe. Remember to stay vigilant and say something when you see signs of suspicious activity. It’s easy to overlook these routine moments, but as you’re going about your day, if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, say something. Help protect your school, family, neighbors and community.
The “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign works year-round to empower and educate the public on suspicious activity and how to report it. The campaign has designated September 25 as “If You See Something, Say Something®” Awareness Day, also known as #SeeSayDay.
“If You See Something, Say Something®” is more than a slogan. It’s how we protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. You play a key role by recognizing and reporting suspicious activity. This September, we encourage you to build awareness at MPTC and in your community about what suspicious activity is and how to report it.
Pictured above: Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald (right) presents the 2022 Community Partnership Award to Rebecca Rapp (left) of Ascendium Lawyers for Learners.
Moraine Park Technical College has presented Ascendium Education Group and Legal Action of Wisconsin with its 2022 Community Partnership Award for their work on Lawyers for Learners. This award recognizes a community partner organization who has gone above and beyond in the role of working with Moraine Park students in student community impact opportunities.
Lawyers for Learners helps students and community members overcome legal obstacles, empowering them to move forward with their lives and achieve educational and career goals. Legal Action of WI and other legal-aid partners provide free legal services to students and low-income community members who would otherwise be unable to secure legal help. Since 2020, MPTC has partnered with Lawyers for Learners to offer free legal clinics for our students and community members, service learning opportunities for paralegal and criminal justice students, and student internships.
MPTC Dean of Technology & Trades Bobbi Fields expressed gratitude for this 2022 community partnership:
“While there were many, many wonderful student reflections and contributions from community partners this past school year, Legal Action and Ascendium did an amazing job providing opportunities for students across multiple programs to engage in a positive service-learning experience. More so, these students worked with the community partner to provide a very impactful legal service to our extended MPTC community! They truly were, and continue to be, excellent partners. I am happy that we are acknowledging them and hope that our collaborations continue to grow.”
Rebecca Rapp, General Counsel for Ascendium noted, “This is such an incredible honor! Thank you! The Lawyers for Learners and Moraine Park partnership have been so gratifying. Moraine Park’s tremendous team is fabulous to work with and such an important reason for Lawyers for Learners’ success at Moraine Park. This award really means a lot.”
Megan Sprecher, Attorney at Law for Legal Action of WI said, Wow, what an honor! Thank you so much. We truly appreciate your partnership and welcoming us into the MPTC fold!” Megan also shared, “Recently, through our Legal Action/Lawyers for Learners work, an MPTC student obtained expungements for their two felony convictions, making it easier for them to find work in their field of study upon graduation. Another Moraine Park student’s driver’s license was reinstated, allowing them to drive to and from work and school lawfully and stop racking up expensive tickets.”
Back Left to Right: MPTC Associate Dean Deb Clarke, Jasmine Loera – Ascendium Paralegal, MPTC Associate Dean Latisha Spence-Brookens, MPTC President Bonnie Baerwald, MPTC Community Impact Coordinator Anne Lemke, MPTC Dean Bobbi Fields, MPTC Equity and Engagement Specialist Jackie Morgan, Katie Chu – Ascendium Legal Project Specialist. Front Left to Right: Rebecca Rapp – Ascendium General Counsel, Claire Silverstein – Legal Action Paralegal, Megan Sprecher Legal Action Attorney
Some student words of reflection include:
“Before logging any service learning hours for this project, I recall being very nervous and doubtful. I did not know what to expect, and I felt that I was not capable of working side by side with a real attorney, and I remember that intimidated me a little bit! Then, I volunteered for the first time. I volunteered for the Urban Expungement Clinic, and worked with many of my peers, which put me at ease. Some of these clients were convicted of a crime they did not deserve in my opinion, and they were now facing some life barriers because of it. Overall, after my first clinic, I felt 100% more at ease and confident, and I really learned a lot more than just law. I learned the importance of empathy when working with these clients, and the importance of being a good listener to the troubles they have faced, because those barricades will help the case.”
“I found this clinic to be very interesting and eye-opening. I enjoyed it so much. I worked with Jim’s team. He had so much insight and knowledge on different laws and how certain options could be more beneficial to the clients. It was amazing to see someone with so much passion for what they do. I didn’t realize all the different ways certain situations could put different resources at play for individuals. It was refreshing to see how people can come together and use their skill set to help another person. I think the experience was very enlightening and gave me a good glimpse at what I could possibly be doing in a future career. I am excited to go forth in the community and put my knowledge to use helping people.”
“I feel like the work I did actually does help the client I did the records request for. Rather than spending hours doing in class work which has a very limited impact on the real world. Of course, they’re preparing us for the real world but the work I do for class has no impact on anyone. Volunteering my time in the legal clinics actually does help someone. It fills me with a certain pride knowing that I’m applying the skills I’ve learned in class to real-life scenarios. For me, it’s hard to gauge whether I’ve actually taken something away from classes or if I just memorized information to pass the class. But I feel like through this simple exercise I’ve actually learned a lot from my classes and applied that knowledge. I’m excited to continue to volunteer at the clinics.”
“I also really appreciated the attorney’s advice about looking for jobs after graduation. It was also really inspirational to see someone successful in the legal field who still took the time to volunteer their free time to help others.”
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