Business analysis is becoming a fundamental skill in many technology and business careers, according to the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).  As a result, the demand is growing quickly for business analysts and related positions.  The U.S. Department of Labor shows that jobs related to business analysis are projected to increase 14% nationally from 2018-2028 compared to the average growth rate of all occupations of 5%.[1]  According to a LinkedIn study, business analysis skills ranked #6 in the top in-demand hard skills companies are seeking in 2020.[2]  In Wisconsin, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) also mentions that a management analyst type position is a hot job based on projected openings and wages to the year 2024.[3]

With all this growth, the number of jobs may outnumber qualified candidates.  To help close this gap, Moraine Park recently partnered with the International Institute of Business Analysis or IIBA to enrich the Business Analyst associate degree program.  Bobbi Fields, Associate Dean of Business and IT states, “As a member of the NEW IT Alliance and advisory committee leader for Business and IT career paths, I have the opportunity to connect with many industry professionals. Frequently, conversations emerge surrounding an industry demand for individuals with the skillset one would acquire through completion of the Business Analyst program.”

The Moraine Park Business Analyst program launched fall 2017 and has had steady growth in enrollments each year.  The new IIBA affiliation allows Moraine Park to align all of the business analyst core courses to the globally recognized standard, the BABOK Guide and be endorsed by IIBA.  IIBA also offers colleges’ access to other valuable curriculum materials, books and case studies for business analysis. By aligning the curriculum with IIBA standards, MPTC graduates will also be prepared to take the next step and obtain the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) credential.  Fields added, “Industry-recognized preparation provides graduates with a competitive advantage, while certification demonstrates competency and a commitment to the profession.”

Jo Ann Giese-Kent, Business Analyst Instructor, noted that “Employees who do business analysis primarily help identify business needs and solve problems to produce better business outcomes.  They help organizations add value to customers, suppliers, or end users of a process or system.  They are often known as the liaison or agent to enable change to occur.” 

The online MPTC business analyst program prepares students to decipher organization structure, policies, and operations. Graduates will be prepared to define problems, scope, and learn to gather business and stakeholder requirements or needs.  They will explore the use of a variety of best practice techniques, analytics, and relevant technologies to validate, analyze, and synthesize information to gain insights and connect the dots.  The Moraine Park Business Analyst training also includes strategy analysis and solution evaluation to assess performance and value.

If you’re ready to enhance your skills and be part of a fast growing career, apply now at morainepark.edu. 

In July, Moraine Park’s libraries will be staffed for appointments with students and staff to return and pick up materials or other tasks, such as purchasing a GED voucher or taking a typing test. Appointments are to take care of quick library business only, and at this time, the facilities remain closed to the public. Please see the limitations here.

Beaver Dam

Staffing will be limited due to construction.

Library staff will be available from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on the following days:

• Wednesday, July 1
• Monday, July 6
• Wednesday, July 15
• Monday, July 20
• Wednesday, July 29
  

West Bend and Fond du Lac

Starting July 6, both libraries will be staffed from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu/library.

Moraine Park Technical College’s fall 2020 semester will begin, as scheduled, on Aug. 24, and end Dec. 18. As of now, the College is moving forward with a typical semester schedule. 

Fall classes will be offered in a variety of formats—face-to-face, blended (a mix of face-to-face and online), and online. Most program classes will continue to be offered in-person, while many general education classes will have both in-person and online options. The delivery format for all classes will be finalized by July 6. 

While a return to campus is a step toward regaining some normalcy, there will be some noticeable changes.  

• Face-to-face classes will have social distancing measures implemented. Classes typically offered online will remain on that platform.  
• Mask-wearing is strongly encouraged, but not required.  
• Cleaning protocols, as recommended by the CDC, have been enhanced.  
• Visitors on campus will be limited.   
• Virtual meetings and learning opportunities will be offered when possible.  
• Bookstore face-to-face operations will be open, with some restrictions.  
• Limited food service/catering and vending will resume Aug. 24, with restrictions.  
• Student activities and gatherings will be restricted to smaller groups. 

“The health and safety of the students and employees remain at the forefront and continues to drive the College’s decision making,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “Many accommodations have been put into place to help navigate a safe return for everyone. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back to campus this fall.”

The College is working its way through a phased-in reopening plan, which includes five phases. Currently, the College remains closed to the general public. Moraine Park will begin welcoming back limited staff throughout the summer to prepare for the fall 2020 semester. Details of the reopening plan can be found at morainepark.edu/coronavirus.  

For more information on Moraine Park, or to register for fall 2020, visit morainepark.edu.

Moraine Park Technical College staff gathered on June 15 in small socially distant groups to assemble commencement boxes for the College’s 2020 graduates.

Earlier this year, Moraine Park announced the cancellation of their annual commencement ceremony and detailed the celebration from a distance, which included keepsake packages.

The packages include a cap and tassel, a commemorative commencement program, a diploma holder, Moraine Park memorabilia, and the opportunity to participate in MPTC’s virtual celebration.

Students can expect to receive their diplomas in the mail later this summer after all grades have been submitted, and the Registrar’s Office has done final degree audits/checks.

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

This year, over 800 Moraine Park Technical College students completed their college education and earned their Associate of Applied Science degree or Technical diploma. This semester introduced new challenges and opportunities for both students and staff as they adapted many changes, including a virtual learning environment and the cancelation of the 2020 commencement ceremony.

Recently, the College made accommodations for small, socially distant classes to temporarily resume and complete face-to-face labs and coursework. The hard work and patience by staff and students resulted in the ability for all spring semester classes, including contract training, to be completed.

“Our students’ ability to persevere and continue to work toward their college degree during such uncertain times is something that they should all be very proud of,” Baerwald said. “We are grateful for their tenacity and patience, and we are proud that they have stayed committed to their educational goals and the College. I have no doubts that our communities will be greatly influenced by their skills.”

Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, shared a personal message with the graduates in May that acknowledged their accomplishments, congratulated them on their graduation, and detailed how the College plans to help them celebrate from a distance. Additionally, she invited them to participate in the 2021 commencement ceremony.

For more information, visit morainepark.edu.

Moraine Park Technical College has developed a plan for a safe reopening of its facilities. In a communication to employees and students earlier this month, the College released its plan to reopen the College with a slow and phased-in approach. The plan, in its entirety, is dependent on directives from state and national authorities and the overall safety of the local community.

“Developing a fluid and phased reopening plan is necessary to ensuring overall safety,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park President, said. “This plan is a great foundation for a secure business reopening, and we are all looking forward to reuniting on our campuses again soon.”

The plan, which includes five phases, is expected to span the entire summer and into mid-fall. Phase one and two are being currently being implemented and focus on providing access to students and faculty needing to complete spring semester face-to-face courses. Thanks to the extensive planning by faculty and staff, all classes, including program and contract training, have made accommodations to complete the spring semester. The campus facilities will remain closed. However, Student Services will be open and accessible by appointment, and the schedule will be available on morainepark.edu. The bookstore reopened by appointment only starting on June 1. To make an appointment with the bookstore, visit morainepark.edu/bookstore.

Phase three is targeted for July and will allow for no more than 50 percent of Moraine Park employees to be on campus. The College will remain closed to the general public, and only individuals with college-related business will be allowed on any of the campuses. Services such as dining and library, and offerings on campuses will remain limited to mitigate gathering; social distancing accommodations will be made wherever possible; personal protective equipment will still be available and is strongly encouraged. Student Services and the Bookstore will remain accessible by appointment.

Phase four, which is targeted for August, will expand in-person operations. The College is hoping to resume to an operational state the week of Aug. 17. However, a variety of accommodations are being considered for both students and employees. Fall classes and programming will resume in the delivery format that makes the most sense. This information will be communicated closer to the start of the fall semester. Safety will remain a top priority, sanitation efforts will remain increased, social distancing should continue, and campus events and activities will be allowed but must adhere to local and state guidelines. Bookstore face-to-face operations will resume with restrictions.

Phase five, the planned final phase targeted for October, will reopen all of Moraine Park’s campuses to the public for events, rentals, community programming, on-site walking, and use of our services such as the library.

For additional details (and possible updates) to the phased-in plan, please visit moranepark.edu/coronavirus.

Moraine Park’s Diversity Relations team recognizes the importance of community, especially during this time of national crisis.  For this reason they will host a Safe Talk Series online in early June. The purpose of these interactive calls is to give students or employees an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, or just listen to learn from what others are experiencing in a safe inclusive space. 

Interested in joining? Email krodriguez3@morainepark.edu

morainepark.edu/diversity

Each year, Moraine Park Technical College recognizes the hard work and academic achievement of students throughout the year, and despite the shortened time on campus, this year had no shortage of exceptional accomplishments.

Congratulations to all of the 2019-20 Student Award winners!

Student Senate leadership recognition included:

Student Government leadership for District Student Government (DSG) and Wisconsin Student Government (WSG) are:

morainepark.edu

It’s never too late to pursue your passion. Gretchen Rauls, of Fond du Lac, decided in 2018, nearly 22 years after graduating from high school, that it was time she fulfills her career aspirations.

“After high school, I earned a technical diploma at Moraine Park,” she said. “I then started working, got married, and began a family.”

Gretchen found employment that helped to sustain her family, but knew she wanted to have a career she could be passionate about.

“In 2016, I participated in a wellness initiative at my work called Remodel Your Lifestyle,” she said. “It was through that experience I discovered the value of health and that I want to share it with others.”

She enrolled in the Health and Wellness program at Moraine Park in fall 2018. Her decision to enroll in school wasn’t an easy one. It required commitment from her entire family to ensure her success.

“I still had to maintain full-time employment, do my homework and be present for my family,” Gretchen said. “Finding the time and prioritizing can be hard, but I am lucky to have support around me.”

Gretchen’s hard work, dedication, and support from her husband and two teenage daughters were all key factors in her continued success at the College. To date, she is a 4.0 student on the Dean’s List, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and has never had a late assignment.

Gretchen will graduate in May 2020 with her entire family cheering her on.
“Since day one, I’ve never had any doubts about coming to Moraine Park,” she said. “Going back to school can be hard, but the support from instructors and staff at the College helps to make it manageable.”

Her goal is to own a health and wellness business on her grandmother’s farm in Berlin.

“I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned and finding a passion for the work that I do every day.”

morainepark.edu/ican