Moraine Park Technical College is one of five Wisconsin Technical College System colleges to receive a five-year, $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue its Student Support Services (SSS) program.

The SSS program, also known as EDGE at Moraine Park, seeks to help students who are low-income, first-generation to college and/or have a learning disability, with a purpose to help students meet their goals and graduate from college. The EDGE program offers many services to help students stay on track, including academic advising, financial aid, and scholarship resources, cultural events, skills development, and tutoring. All services are provided to eligible students at no cost. This is the third consecutive grant received for Moraine Park’s EDGE program. 

Since the program began in 2010, it has served over 430 students. Currently, the program serves 140 active students at the College and has proven to be a gateway to success for eligible students.

“First-generation to college, low income, and disabled students face unique challenges to completing college degrees, and SSS TRIO programs like EDGE help students overcome those obstacles to be successful,” Kristina Buchanan, director of EDGE at Moraine Park, said. “I am honored to be able to help our students each year – their stories of courageous persistence and success in the face of incredible odds is inspiring.”

In the 2018-19 academic year, EDGE students achieved a 94% persistence rate, 91% good academic standing rate, 54% degree completion rate, and 20% of students transferred on to higher education opportunities after earning their degree.

“When I first joined EDGE, I had no idea how amazing this program would be,” Jessica Reinke, Moraine Park student, said. “College is hard, but EDGE has made my college experience more attainable, achievable, and less worrisome. I’m going to school for nursing and have many classes to study for. I wish everyone could have and know the value of this program that MPTC offers. It is truly amazing.”

For more information on the Edge program, visit morainepark.edu/trio.

LaToya Singleton, of Kewauskum, has a love for children that has no limits. As an early childhood education student at Moraine Park, it is apparent that this career path is her passion.

Originally from Wisconsin, LaToya moved to New Orleans where she successfully operated her own childcare facility for seven years. She moved back to Wisconsin in 2015 to be closer to her family.

Her plan was to bring her childcare business here but found that Wisconsin licensing requires a degree in the field. LaToya is now working towards earning her early childhood education degree at Moraine Park.

LaToya’s love for children is the driving force behind her persistence to obtain her degree.

“My husband and I lost three babies to miscarriage,” LaToya said. “I still wonder why, but now I devote my attention to loving the children that I care for every day. I believe that it takes a village to raise a child and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of their lives.”

It seems that LaToya gives all of herself to everyone in her life. She regularly has a houseful of family and friends, has helped to raise her godson, and serves as a mother figure to many. She also volunteers at a childcare facility in Milwaukee. I guess you could say she’s everything to everyone.

“There is a need for good childcare,” she said. “I’m happy to provide some help.”

 LaToya admitted that when she first came to Moraine Park, she was frustrated to have to obtain a degree. She had worked successfully in childcare for many years and didn’t welcome the idea of having to go to school to continue her career. However, she now makes it known that she is adapting well to college life and is enjoying her journey.

“Moraine Park is now my sanctuary,” LaToya said. “I’m making friends and getting used to being around adults on a daily basis.”

She is a member of Moraine Park’s Promise and Edge programs. The Promise program is an opportunity for tuition-free schooling thanks to generous donors. The Edge program is a Student Support Services program that provides academic advising, study groups, cultural services, and many other resources for qualifying students. LaToya hopes that through her work, she can help bring awareness of diversity in the area.

“Moving back to Wisconsin was hard,” LaToya said. “I have experienced some direct racial hate. My hope is that I can show others that it is the brain and heart that really matters.”

Moraine Park works to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment. Support programs like Edge and groups like the Diversity Club, help to provide students with positive college experiences. Despite the obstacles she has had in her life, LaToya remains a positive ray of light.

“I have gotten everything I have ever prayed for,” she said. “I didn’t get them altogether or even on my terms, but I still got them. I asked for children to love, a house, an education, morals, and stability. In some way, I have all of those things. I am blessed.”

The quick conclusion I came to is that we all could use a LaToya in our lives.

She is expected to graduate in May of 2020 with her associate’s degree in early childhood education. She has goals to graduate summa cum laude and as a member of the Phi Theta Kapa Honor Society.

Congratulations to LaToya for her accomplishments so far! We look forward to following her journey!

For more information, visit morainepark.edu.

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.

Janine Williams is a rare gem. Like many of us, her journey has had many twists and bumps in the road, but her defining feature is her shining personality and positive nature.  As a student in Moraine Park’s substance abuse counseling program, her a goal is to share her story to help others, and she told me with confidence that God brought her to Moraine Park.

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Members of Moraine Park’s EDGE Progam toured MSOE in Milwaukee on Monday, Dec. 4, learning how their current programs might transfer into a bachelor’s degree there.  Experiencing the different feel of a city campus, and having the chance to see the engineering labs available at MSOE was exciting for those in attendance!
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By providing opportunities for students to see where their future education can take them, and exposing them to new cultural activities, the EDGE (Student Support Services-TRIO) hopes to broaden students’ futures both during, and after, their time at Moraine Park.
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Thursday, May 4^th, was all about celebrating Moraine Park’s EDGE students, and all that they’ve accomplished (and are still accomplishing) during their time at Moraine Park.
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