Moraine Park’s Online Accounting program was ranked #11 in best online accounting programs in the nation by University HQ, a leading independent education organization providing students with resources to prepare them for their career and educational journeys. 

“Moraine Park’s ranking reflects our faculty, staff and management’s dedication to helping students master the skills necessary to reach their education and employment goals,” Joan Falter, Moraine Park Accounting Instructor, said. “The accounting team works with our advisory team to ensure that our program meets current needs. Online students have shared surprise in their ability to interact one-on-one with the accounting faculty.” 

The ranking is based on unbiased government reports that analyze admission, retention, graduate rates, diplomas awarded, programs offered, graduate salaries, loan default rates and the percentage of students receiving financial aid. 

“This ranking in addition to the fact that we don’t charge higher out-of-state tuition will continue to build our out-of-state student body,” Falter said. 

Moraine Park’s Online Accounting program was an early adopter of online learning and has been quick to increase synchronous online options. 

“Consistency among modalities and instructors ensures a cohesive learning experience throughout the program,” Julie Dilling, Moraine Park Accounting Instructor, said. “This minimizes students’ cognitive load because they know what to expect as far as cadence and requirements in each of the program courses.” 

Moraine Park provides many resources for students to aid in their successful learning outcomes such as academic advising, counseling, disability services, student life, employment services, tutoring and more, which are all available to online students. 

“In the future, we expect to build on past success,” Falter said. “We will continue implementing new modalities such as synchronous online classes in order to provide online learners with a remote ‘face-to-face’ option.” 

Moraine Park’s Online Accounting program was also ranked #4 in the nation by The Best Schools, an educational and professional resource for students. 

Keisha Krezman, of Fond du Lac, is a survivor of many things; the struggle of possible infertility, the diagnosis and treatment of stage 3 ovarian cancer, and her miracle pregnancy with twins are just a few. Through it all, she remained an example of strength and tenacity, and always kept her educational goals in sight. Before the birth of her twins, Keisha worked in management and found success in that role. She decided to step away from work and focus on raising her children, but she had a clear goal to one day earn an accounting degree.

When her twins turned four, she decided that it was time for her to act upon that goal. Keisha enrolled in the Accounting program at Moraine Park Technical College and immediately knew she was where she was supposed to be. She leaned heavily on her advisors, tutoring services, and her accounting instructors to ensure success in the program.

Her determination helped to pave a solid career path, and it should come as no surprise that she was hired in the accounting field before her graduation in May. Keisha’s long term goal is to one day be managing an accounting department at a local company.

“Enrolling in college as an adult is scary, but it was totally worth it. Moraine Park helped to support me throughout my education and has given me the tools to find success.”

morainepark.edu/ican

MPTC is pleased to announce we have 2 national scholarship winners!

Jennifer Hakala, Accounting and Kristin Unser, Nursing, are two of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named across the USA, as 2020 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Leaders Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 700 applications were received.

A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.

“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

To find out more about PTK at MPTC contact Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator at alemke2@morainepark.edu or Amy Harmsen, Business Instructor at aharmsen@morainepark.edu

Join our Beta Mu Kappa facebook page today!

Jeanine Neitzel, a December 2018 graduate at Moraine Park, enrolled in the Introduction to Mass Communication course to fulfill her accounting degree requirements. While she wasn’t sure of the exact relevance of the course, the importance became very apparent after she completed the class.

The Introduction to Mass Communication course at Moraine Park explores communication in media and media literacy by providing insight into the important issues that confront students as consumers and purveyors of mass media within the workforce and in society. The mass media revolution, including media technologies, the evolution of media content and platforms, including new media, the impact of media communications on business and society as a whole, media bias, and media law and ethics provided the focus for this course.

“Last semester I wore many hats as a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, a full-time employee, a part-time student, a volunteer, and a waitress, just to name a few. This course explored many of the ways media infiltrates and ultimately impacts our daily lives. I found that learning about the origin of radio and the corruption that ensued to be fascinating. Because I fulfill many roles, (therefore I must relate what I see and hear to the moment I am in), I felt that not only was the course intriguing, it made me step back, and become more critical of what I was being ‘spoon fed’ by the radio, TV, and internet.

This course helped me to critically identify and sift through the media hype. I applaud those sources that stayed to the facts, without politically driven or personal innuendos, and not filling themselves with oxymoron’s, likewise appearing keenly stupid.

The Urban Dictionary defines a truthsayer as ‘a person who speaks the truth, especially when the truth is contrary to conventional wisdom and goes against the norm. In the 14th century, a soothsayer was a person who spoke the truth.’ I am hopeful in that definition lies our media’s future. To stay relevant, the media must be relevant.

To upcoming students, I highly recommend Dr. Rebecca Leichtfuss’ course so they also may obtain a good understanding and realize that the once clear basins of truth are now the muddied waters of persuasion.”

Written by: Jeanine Neitzel, December 2018 graduate at MPTC

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) predicts 75% of currently active CPAs will retire within the next 15 years. Think about the opportunities created when 3 out of 4 people retire.

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According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), only half of business start-ups survive more than 5 years (https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_Sept_2012.pdf).  Success is never guaranteed, but risk can be reduced by applying some basic accounting and financial tips.

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This past semester (fall 2017) a group of talented students from the Business Practice Firm class were given the task of creating a business and selling a product in order to profit from the work. The class collaborated on many small business ideas, ultimately deciding on a candle company. With the holiday season in full swing, they decided candles not only make great gifts, but they become increasingly popular as the cooler winter months approach.

Like an “actual” business, students had many different roles: Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting and Production. Departments met each week to share their progress and brainstorm any potential issues and prepare for the week ahead.

The candles were homemade with soy wax in a variety of fragrances and colors. The scents included caramel apple, cranberry, pumpkin spice, and vanilla; and, were produced in the Moraine Park Technical College kitchen by the Production Team.

All of the proceeds – $688.20 – were donated to those affected by the 2017 Hurricane Disasters; specifically, All Hands Volunteers.

Click here to learn more about the class!

Many schools claim to provide real-life experiences, but it is unusual when a class project leads to a job.

Moraine Park’s Associate of Science in Accounting degree provides a career preparation project within Accounting 3.  Students create a professional résumé and cover letter and practice interviewing skills based on an actual job posting.

Initially, student Allysa Larsen picked a general accounting position. Eventually, she decided to a select a position that better matched her goals.   Continue reading

Analytics, the process of examining large data sets to uncover patterns, is everywhere. And from Nursing to the NFL, “big data” is everywhere. But long before this term was coined, accountants were using data to discover trends.

Indeed, accountants are the catalyst for this rapidly growing trend, and they are at the center of its use. Continue reading