Moraine Park hosted a Criminal Justice Exploration event for local high schoolers today, Oct. 6, at the Fond du Lac campus. Students from Fond du Lac, Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Oakfield, North Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, Manitowoc Lutheran, Germantown, and Slinger were in attendance.

“Criminal Justice is a broad service field with a vast number of career pathways for students to explore,” Latisha Spence-Brookens, Moraine Park associate dean of human services, said. “The purpose of the event is to bring awareness to the career opportunities that students can pursue right here within the Moraine Park District with the hope we will be the educational option of choice. In addition, partnering with local agencies sets the stage for the recruitment of local talent, while putting a face to professionals that have committed to seeing the industry progress through relationship building, education, and community involvement.”

The College partnered with criminal justice agencies and departments throughout Moraine Park’s district to provide various hands-on demonstrations for students including a WRAP restraint technique, taser deployment and removal, drone surveillance technology, a K9 apprehension, and more.

“The success of today’s event is a tribute to the strong partnership that exists between Moraine Park Technical College and the many agencies who participated today,” Barb Jascor, Moraine Park dean of health and human services, said.

Jason Walters, Criminal Justice and U.S. History teacher at Fond du Lac High School, attended the event with his students.

“I think this is a beneficial event for everyone involved,” Walters said. “There is a workforce shortage in all areas, including criminal justice. Many of my students have gone on to pursue careers in this field, and an event like this breaks down barriers and allows students a chance to see first-hand all the different opportunities and points of entry into the field.”

Stephanie Martinez, a junior at Fond du Lac High School, tried on riot gear and spoke with Officer Leisure from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections about the tactical unit team.

“I came today because I wanted to learn more about the career field and to see what was out there,” Martinez said. “I had no idea there were so many options, and it was really interesting to try on all of the equipment and see the demonstrations up close. Learning about the tactical unit and how they work in hostage situations opened my eyes to all the different opportunities in criminal justice.”

Participating agencies included the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Fond du Lac Police Department, North Fond du Lac Police Department, Oakfield Police Department, Ripon Police Department, Waupun Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Department of Corrections–Taycheedah and Dodge County corrections institutions, and Washington County Probation and Parole.

Learn more about Moraine Park’s Criminal Justice program at morainepark.edu/academics/programs/criminal-justice/.

View more photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAa1GX.

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.”  

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.”

Moraine Park Technical College’s Criminal Justice and Paramedic students collaborated with the Dodge County SWAT Team last month to offer a live emergency simulation.

The simulation was in response to the major remodel at the Beaver Dam campus last summer. The new layout required the Dodge County SWAT team to do a walkthrough and reassess the building- as a way to be prepared in the event of an emergency on campus. 

Moraine Park’s Criminal Justice and Paramedic instructors worked with the SWAT team to host and lead a simulation event featuring three different scenarios- as a learning opportunity for the students. 

“I am grateful for our partnership with the Dodge County SWAT team and the time they spent with our students.” Lisa Pollard, Moraine Park’s Beaver Dam campus dean, said. 

Throughout the simulations, students assisted the SWAT Team in the live emergency scenarios and were able to ask questions regarding their responses to different emergencies. 

“This simulation offered a valuable, real-world experience to our students,” Pollard said. “The SWAT team utilized our Moraine Park classroom spaces, including our built-in apartment and ambulance- used for hands-on classroom training. How they work in that environment, with their equipment, providing an emergency response is how Moraine Park prepares the students for their future careers.”

The SWAT Team, students, and faculty received valuable knowledge from the simulations that will help prepare them for emergency situations in the future, and the partnership between Moraine Park and Dodge County will help ensure a safer campus and community.

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu. 

There is no greater sacrifice than that of our Veterans: past, present, and future. Guillermo Avilesperez of San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, a fourth-generation veteran, made that sacrifice when he enrolled in the Marine Corps after high school.

“I graduated high school in 2012 and enrolled in the Marine Corps a year later,” he said. “I served in the infantry unit for four years and traveled around the world.”

Guillermo was deployed twice. He spent his first tour in Spain, where he did infantry training with the local embassy. During his second tour, he was stationed in Japan and Korea.

As his contract came to an end, he decided to seek out his next steps, and his girlfriend suggested he come to Moraine Park. He connected with the College while he was on base and planned his college journey before even seeing the campus.

“Moraine Park is a perfect fit for me,” Guillermo said. “The class sizes are small, the instructors are knowledgeable and teach you the skills you need for the career, and the learning is hands-on.”

His military contract ended in May 2018, and he began the Criminal Justice program that fall.

“I’m looking for a career similar to my military life,” he said. “I enjoyed my work in the Marine Corps, but I look forward to having the option to clock-out and go home at the end of the day.”

He is scheduled to graduate in May 2020 and has goals to someday serve full time on the Milwaukee Police Department SWAT team.

“My transition to civilian life is still ongoing,” Guillermo said. “Every veteran’s needs are different, but for me, it worked well to come here directly from my active duty. It has been stressful at times, but the support and resources at Moraine Park have helped me through.”

morainepark.edu/ican

“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

There’s a scene in nearly every Disney movie that documents the joy of dreams coming true. Cinderella when she is reunited with her glass slipper, Hercules when he finally goes the distance to prove his place with the other Greek Gods, Arielle when she has both her voice and feet, and the unforgettable moment when Pinocchio finally becomes a real boy.

For Moraine Park student, Zach Stansbury of Fond du Lac, his Disney dream moment occurred late this summer when he was accepted into Disney’s College Internship Program .

Zach graduated from Fond du Lac high school in 2011 and immediately went into the workforce. After a few years, he decided to pursue a career in law enforcement, and in 2017, he enrolled in the criminal justice program at Moraine Park.

“I have had lots of support here at Moraine Park,” Zach said. “The College has shown me that they are willing to do whatever it takes to make my learning experience a successful one.”

Zach is a part of the College’s Edge program, a Student Support Services program that provides academic advising, study groups, cultural services, and many other resources for qualifying students. He also noted that the Student Success Center, in particular, has helped him significantly with his test taking and school work.

So where does Disney come into play?

“I’ve always had an interest in working at Disney,” Zach said. “The two most in-demand careers at Disney are security and custodial, and some internships turn into full hires. If I could be a part of the security team at Disney, that would be my ultimate dream job.”

There’s no denying that Zach belongs at Disney, his energetic personality, contagious smile, and fun sense of humor are all staples to the brand that Walt created. He is also a lifelong fan of all things Disney.

So, when the 2018 application window came open last January, he submitted his application and began the painful process of waiting. Well over 50,000 applications are submitted and only 18,000 are accepted into the program.

“I never thought it was a realistic option for me until my friend Anna went through the internship and encouraged me to apply,” Zach said.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later he found out his initial application was denied.

“It was disappointing,” Zach said. “I used it as a learning opportunity.”

He decided to study the application process some more and found how to improve his odds for the next time. One addition that Zach decided to include with his application was a video. He proceeded with a ‘go big or go home’ approach and chose Disney World in Florida as his filming location. His brother, Nicholas Stansbury, is a film director and traveled with him to help to create his video which he titled ‘Application Day‘.

When Zach reapplied on August 20, 2018, he included his video. This time, it only took three weeks to receive his acceptance letter. Of course, during that time frame, he encountered personality tests, questionnaires, a phone interview, and even more waiting.

Zach’s journey with Walt Disney World in Florida will begin on January 28, 2019, and we look forward to following his adventures. He is scheduled to return to Moraine Park next fall to continue his criminal justice degree. He will graduate May of 2020.

“We are so proud of Zach,” Kristine Buchanan, EDGE program adviser at Moraine Park said. “His ability to go to great lengths to achieve his dreams is admirable. I know he will do great things with this opportunity.”

We wish Zach the best of luck as he pursues his dreams at the happiest place on earth!

Watch Zach’s application video here.

As a fun side note, Zach also went to a casting call for Disney entertainers that was offered only to Disney College Program members. The Wisconsin auditions were held in Madison, and there were approximately 100 participants. It should come as no surprise that Zach was in the top four, and I have no doubts that he will be entertaining crowds at Disney someday.

Stay tuned for more updates on Zach’s journey. Until then, you can learn about Moraine Park programs and services like criminal justice or EDGE at morainepark.edu.

Joseph St. Antoine is a prime example of what perseverance, drive and determination can lead to, even if you grow up in a difficult environment. Here’s the ups-and-downs of Joseph’s journey, in his own words:   Continue reading

Are you a single parent seemingly juggling the world, but still hoping to get a degree? You can do it. And Meghan Tarantino, a 2017 graduate of Moraine Park, is proof! Here’s Meghan’s story, in her own words: Continue reading