Are you successful in one or more of your classes at Moraine Park? Are you able to communicate effectively with students from diverse backgrounds? Are you willing to help fellow students achieve their educational goals? If so, please consider becoming a peer tutor and helping other students succeed.  Here are some great reasons to consider becoming a peer tutor.

1. Tutoring offers Flexible Scheduling: 

The average tutors spends about 2-3 hours a week tutoring.  You work around your schedule.  It may involve setting a weekly time or it can be on an as needed basis.  The tutoring sessions take place either on campus or virtually. 

2. Tutoring gives you great job experience: 

Tutoring in your program area will give you experience related to the job that you eventually want to do.  It is an opportunity to build your resume and shows that you are willing to mentor others. 

3. Tutoring can supplement your income: 

Moraine Park peer tutors are paid $13 hour.

4. Tutoring is a rewarding experience: 

Tutoring can give you the satisfaction of making a difference in someone else’s life.  For a few hours each week you can help another student earn a passing grade and advance in their program area.  Tutoring will build your self-confidence, listening skills, interpersonal and oral communication skills, empathy and patience.

5. Maintain subject knowledge: 

Helping others can keep the information fresh in your head and even deepen your understanding of a subject area.  In order to teach the subject to someone else, you need to break it down into smaller, easier to understand chunks which give you a greater master of material.

If you are finishing strong in one or more of your courses, please consider becoming a valued peer tutor.  Students interested in learning more about tutoring at Moraine Park can contact Mary at mdaley1@morainepark.edu or 920-924-6488. Additional information can be found here https://www.morainepark.edu/experience-mptc/student-resources/tutoring/.

Moraine Park Technical College’s Diversity Relations Office raised funds for ASTOP Sexual Abuse Center by decorating a holiday tree for the Festival of Trees at THELMA Sadoff Center for the Arts. The event was December 9th and 10th, and all who attended could vote for their favorite decorated tree!

The event showcased local nonprofits that decorated a unique tree for display around the THELMA facility. The decorated trees were listed for silent auction bidding and funds raised supported the nonprofit.

The Diversity Relations tree, Candy Cane Lane, was one of over 35 trees decorated for the event! In support of MPTC’s mission of growing minds, businesses, and communities through innovative learning experiences, attendees were to encouraged to view our tree and envision students from all ages and walks of life choosing their path/lane to learn a trade, earn a degree, obtain a certificate, participate in training or simply gain knowledge. White signified an opportunity for a new beginning, a blank page of a notebook that waits to be written upon. Red signified the chance to take action to pursue a professional or personal passion with energy and confidence.

“Moraine Park’s students and employees are active in the community and dedicated to volunteerism. I am proud to work for a organization that is so involved and to work on a team that rises to the occasion when there is a need or want in the community,” said Leslie Laster, director of diversity, accessibility and support services.

An ELL Collaboration between Moraine Park and Fond du Lac School District

Written by Amy Jacobson, ELL Instructor on Moraine Park’s FDL Campus

This spring, Amy Jacobson, a Moraine Park ELL Instructor, enjoyed a beautiful cultural celebration at her student’s daughter’s quinceañera. While there, she connected with the daughter’s K-12 English Language Learner (ELL) teacher. As the two instructors watched their students celebrate together, they recognized an opportunity for collaboration.

In June, staff from Moraine Park Technical College and the Fond du Lac School District began meeting regularly to identify needs that could be met by working together. The goal was set to build collaborative partnerships between Moraine Park and the Fond du Lac School District ELL programs to provide education and support to our growing population of English language learners in the community.

One of the needs initially defined by the Fond du Lac School District was to increase parent involvement at the K-12 level. ELL families in the district were surveyed, and an ELL class for parents of K-12 students was developed. The content of the class would include the English vocabulary needed to better understand the school experience and increase participation in school events—such as open houses, parent conferences, etc.   

Based on the survey results, the class is being offered at Chegwin Elementary School in Fond du Lac on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 – 3:00 pm. The class is open to all MPTC ELL students, though the content is most useful for K-12 parents. The class will run from September through December. 

The next steps for the collaborative group include defining additional goals, including the expansion of this program into additional schools and school districts within the Moraine Park Technical College District. 

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/academics/ged-and-adult-education/english-language-learners/.

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.”

Learn more about the program at morainepark.edu/academics/programs/information-technology-applications-support-specialist/.

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.

Learn more about the referendum at morainepark.edu/future.

The Moraine Park Technical College District Board voted to approve the final ballot language Wednesday, allowing the College to move forward with a $55 million referendum in the November election. 

The referendum would allow Moraine Park to borrow funds to update and expand Moraine Park facilities to meet the needs of business and industry in the region through four major projects between 2022 and 2025. 

• Advanced Manufacturing and Trades – Fond du Lac County – Enhancement 
• Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics Lab – Washington County – Expansion 
• Fire Training Facility – Location TBD – New Construction 
• Health and Human Services Facility – Fond du Lac County – Enhancement 

“Education is the key to economic growth in any community,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “Workforce growth is what will change our community, and as a technical college, we are the change agents. This referendum is vital to making change and growth happen at a time when technology and automation are influencing industry so rapidly.”  

Moraine Park intends to update and expand facilities to: 

• Respond to the growing workforce shortages.  
• Accommodate evolving industry expectations.  

• Address evolving technology, including in the areas of automation and robotics.  
• Provide greater access to all district communities.  
• Align with community expectations and workforce training requirements.  
• Prepare students and workforces of the future.  

The funding request by MPTC is spread out across the four major district counties, making the financial impact per taxpayer minimal; the adjustments are not permanent, making the impact a temporary adjustment for taxpayers. Under the proposed $55 million facilities enhancement plan, annual property taxes would increase by .21 cents per $1,000 of property value or $21 per $100,000 of property value ($1.75 per month) for no more than 20 years.  

“We need to invest in this kind of growth either way,” Jim Eden, Moraine Park vice president of teaching and learning, said. “If a referendum passes, we will accelerate Moraine Park’s ability to grow by about 15 years. If it does not, it will take the College 15 years to catch up.”  

Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million. The referendum must earn a majority vote across all four major district counties, which include Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Washington. 

For more information on this project, visit morainepark.edu/future. 

Moraine Park Technical College and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh signed an articulation agreement today 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 Oshkosh with confirmed junior status.

The agreement was signed by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald and UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andy Leavitt today, Aug. 12 at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus.

“This agreement represents only the latest of many collaborations between UW Oshkosh and MPTC,” UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andy Leavitt said. “It is another example of our long-term and ongoing partnership with the Wisconsin Technical College System, the Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA) and MPTC. In effect, it strengthens our relationship with MPTC and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhancing opportunities and access to higher education for citizens of northeast Wisconsin and, specifically, those in Fond du Lac.”

Moraine Park will offer AA and AS liberal arts degrees beginning this fall.

“The agreement demystifies transfer and creates a smoother transition from the technical college to the university by guaranteeing that not only certain courses transfer but also that they count toward the university’s general education requirements,” Leavitt said. “This helps students complete their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner. And it, ultimately, helps us in our critical efforts to raise the level of educational attainment in the region.”

The agreement between Moraine Park and UW Oshkosh is Moraine Park’s second AA and AS degree partnership. Earlier this year, the College signed an articulation agreement with Lakeland University. 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 a fraction of the cost, with smaller class sizes, extensive student support, and 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 Moraine Park students and will also help guide those who are unclear as to their occupational path to achieve an associate degree that is transferable to a 4-year university.”

Individuals interested in exploring this opportunity at Moraine Park are encouraged to start conversations early by connecting with admissions@morainepark.edu.

View more photos of the event at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA2KP3.

Moraine Park Cosmetology students hosted their Express Yourself Fashion Show to showcase their final projects. Each student styled a model from head to toe including hair, makeup, and an outfit inspired by a theme of their choosing.

“We started discussing the theme of the fashion show last term in March,” Moraine Park Cosmetology Instructor, Eileen Bouchard, said. “With 15 different personalities, it is not always easy coming to an agreement. They all had different ideas about what they wanted to do. So, after some collaboration, this group picked the theme Express Yourself. This way they could all just express themselves however they wanted, instead of choosing one single category.”

The themes chosen ranged from time periods and events, to mythological creatures and abstract concepts, allowing each student to fully express themselves in their final projects.

“I was inspired by the gender-atypical themes we’ve been seeing in fashion and on celebrities, as well as a lot of the androgynous styles of the 80s,” Moraine Park Cosmetology student, Eva Knappenberger, said. “So, I wanted to play with a lot of the different textures, patterns, colors, and styles that are typically associated with traditional gender norms to create a runway-worthy look that is fun, bold, and a blend of masculinity and femininity.”

Congrats to all of Moraine Park’s Cosmetology students on stunning fashion show!

Moth Eck – Renaissance Elf

Emmy Gall – 80’s Denim

Danielle Hackbart – Grandma on her wedding day, 1960s

Cora Huizenga – Purple Garden Fairy

Eva Knappenberger – Runway Rockstars

Alissa Kruger

Kylie Kultgen – Back to the Future

Emily Ludwigson – Summer Vibes

Kaitlynn Miller – Country Girl

Tabitha O’Toole – Gold and Glitter

Mary Pirc – Greek Goddess Aphrodite

Abigail Prim – Red Carpet

Lina Rincon – 2000s

Brittany Wenzlaff – Brittany Spears, Hit me Baby One More Time

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

May 21 was a momentous day for the nearly 350 graduates who participated in Moraine Park Technical College’s commencement ceremony, held at the Fond du Lac High School Field House. In all, the College had nearly 800 graduate candidates eligible to receive their associate of applied science degrees and technical diplomas. 

Jim Spannbauer, retired President and CEO of Mid-States Aluminum, served as the keynote speaker. 

Ryan Riley, Moraine Park’s Student of the Year, was featured as the student speaker at the event. Riley graduated from Moraine Park’s Electrical Power Distribution program. He encouraged his peers to focus on running their own race and using healthy competition to fuel their motivation. 

Mike Schwab, elected official member of the Moraine Park District Board, welcomed the Class of 2022 and their guests to the ceremony. 

Dr. James Eden, vice president of Academic Affairs, presided over the presentation of candidates with the conferring of degrees and diplomas done by Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald. Brenda Raad, dean of General Studies, Barb Jascor, dean of Health and Human Services, and Bobbi Fields, dean of Applied Technology and Trades, announced the graduate candidates. 

Corey Bennett, a 2014 and 2020 Moraine Park graduate, served as the 2022 alumni commencement speaker. 

President Baerwald congratulated the graduates and extended her personal gratitude to the commencement speakers, Moraine Park District Board, Moraine Park faculty and the President’s Cabinet. 

Congratulations to all of our 2022 graduates!

View more 2022 commencement photos here.