Moraine Park’s Virtual Assistant program is working to help fill the increased need for remote workers. This technical diploma program is offered online and provides the tools and skills needed to excel in a work-from-home career. 

This program, formerly the Office Assistant program, was modified last year before COVID-19, to address the increased virtual needs all around. 

“There was an increased need for virtual careers well before COVID-19,” Amy Harmsen, an instructor at Moraine Park, said. “Now with the changes that resulted from the pandemic, I feel this program will help many individuals find employment options that work for their new reality.” 

The Virtual Assistant program is a one-year program and opens the doors of opportunity in many areas. 

“The Virtual Assistant program prepares you to work in just about any industry,” Harmsen said. “Fields such as healthcare, insurance, information technology, hospitality, retail, and more, need virtual support. This program is also a stepping stone for the Administrative Coordinator two year associate degree.” 

Students in this program learn a broad range of skills that will help address the needs of local businesses.

“This degree isn’t just for virtual careers. It helps to prepare business professionals all around,” she said. “Our students leave this program prepared to be problem solvers and flexible, and they have the tools needed to adapt to changing needs.” 

This year’s students have had to make some significant adjustments to their meeting and event planning class, which is usually centered around planning the in-person Portfolio Showcase event for the College. Instead, they are moving forward with the same event- except it will be delivered as a virtual event this year which provides a great opportunity for deeper learning.

“This class is getting real-world experience on how to be flexible and learn as they go,” Harmsen said. “I’m proud of their professional solutions. They will be entering the workforce at the end of this semester, and I am confident that they are prepared for what may lie ahead in their careers.” 

Moraine Park’s Virtual Assistant program is the only program of its kind offered in the state, and its virtual classroom setting offers an ideal learning environment for busy schedules. 

“If you’re interested in finding a career that offers the work from home flexibility or if you simply want to advance your skillset- this program is a great option,” Harmsen said. “This program can help prepare you for an assistant role. Employers can utilize this program to prepare employees and provide them with opportunities for growth and advancement internally.” 

For more information on Moraine Park’s Virtual Assistant program, visit morainepark.edu/virtual-assistant.

The demand is growing rapidly for business analysis skills and related jobs not only nationally but also locally in Wisconsin.  The U.S. Department of Labor shows that jobs related to business analysis (management analysts) are projected to increase 14% nationally from 2018-2028 compared to the average growth rate of all occupations of 5%.[1]   The growth in Wisconsin is 13% for the same timeframe[2].

To enhance our Business Analyst Associate degree program and better meet the needs of this growing field, Moraine Park Technical College partnered with the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA^®) in summer 2020.   The IIBA academic affiliation allows Moraine Park to align all of our business analyst courses to globally recognized standards and seek endorsement for our curriculum. 

As the business analysis profession and practice continues to evolve, so do the needs of academic institutions around the globe to get their graduates job-ready and enter the workforce ready to meet tomorrow’s business challenges. IIBA is committed to the growth of the business analysis profession by supporting education providers. Through IIBA’s Academic Program, it endorses business analysis courses and programs for academic institutions of all sizes. An IIBA endorsed course:

1. Asserts alignment to A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge^® (BABOK^® Guide), the internationally recognized body of knowledge for the practice of business analysis
2. Meets industry and internationally recognized standards and best practices in business analysis, ensuring learners develop the skills companies need most in 2021 and beyond
3. Allows students to apply the endorsed course hours towards the professional development requirements for the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™ (ECBA™), designed specifically for students with no work experience

Moraine Park is pleased to announce that the following business analyst core courses were recently endorsed by IIBA:

• Business Analyst Essentials
• Business Analyst Planning and Monitoring
• Elicitation Techniques
• Requirements Life Cycle Management
• Requirements Analysis and Design
• Business Analyst Strategy Analysis
• Business Analyst Solution Evaluation

“I’m very excited to obtain IIBA endorsement for core courses within our BA program.  This endorsement sets us apart from other business analysis training or programs, ensuring that students are learning the essential knowledge, standards, and techniques in business analysis”, states Jo Ann Giese-Kent, Business Analyst Instructor.    

Bobbi Fields, Associate Dean of Business and IT, adds, “The IIBA is considered the premier professional organization committed to business analysis. Recognition by the IIBA acknowledges the quality of our academic program. Students are better positioned for professional certification, networking opportunities, and resources to grow their careers.”

The online Moraine Park 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 develop your business analysis skills and be part of a fast growing career, check out the following program overview video https://youtu.be/GALQJsV47Qg​ and connect with admissions today at https://www.morainepark.edu/admissions/new-student/how-to-apply-for-admissions/.

About IIBA

International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) is the professional association dedicated to supporting business analysis professionals to deliver better business outcomes. IIBA connects almost 30,000 Members, over 100 Chapters, and more than 500 training, academic, and corporate partners around the world. As the global voice of the business analysis community, IIBA supports recognition of the profession, networking and community engagement, standards and resource development, and comprehensive certification programs. For more information visit iiba.org.

[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm

[2] EMSI/QCEW & American Community Survey

STEM in Early Childhood?

Yes, STEM is being taught to young children to set the foundation for learning Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This was the first semester that early childhood students learned how to incorporate STEM into classrooms for preschool children. The students from the Fond du Lac and West Bend Campuses took part in a STEM challenge to build a sturdy graham cracker house with frosting.

Here is what students are saying about the new STEM course.

“To be completely honest, I was kind of dreading STEM when I read the class description, but I really did learn a lot. This class not only helped me with my time management skills with the specific due dates for the Unit of Study project, but it also taught me things I will be bringing into my own personal classroom.  I learned what STEM is and how to incorporate it into my classroom. I also learned that in order for the activity to be considered stem it has to incorporate 2 of the subjects.”- Rebecca

“I really liked all of the hands on activities we did, as it gave me ideas of activities to add into my classroom for the kiddos.” – Allison

“I loved the STEM class. I enjoyed searching for activities that could be incorporated into the daily routine with children. I also learned that STEM doesn’t have to be difficult. Good teachers are already doing it without realizing it! I love the “Hands on- Minds on questions.” – Tammie

https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/early-childhood-education/

Moraine Park’s culinary program is sharing their recipe for Egg Bread- one of the favorites around campus! Typically, these breads would be available for purchase- however, COVID-19 safety restrictions don’t allow that this year. For now, we hope you enjoy some time in your kitchen, and around your dinner table, with this delicious bread recipe!

Egg bread is the traditional bread for festive braiding. It contains eggs, brown sugar, unsalted butter and milk. This bread has a light smooth texture and a rich, sweet taste. Kids love it as sandwich bread, and it is also excellent for breakfast or special dinners. (Egg bread makes wonderful French toast.)

EGG BREAD

Ingredients                              Measurement                 Weight

Flour                                           4 – ½  cups                       650 gm

Milk                                            1 – ¼ cups                       300 gm

Whole Eggs                               2                                       100gm         

Yeast ( dry instant)                  1  Pkt                               7 gm 

Salt                                            2 tsp                                13 gm

Brown  Sugar                            1/3  cup                           90 gm

Unsalted butter                         1/3  cup                           90 gm

TOTAL                                        2 LBS 8 OZ   

This bread makes 2 loaves of bread or can be used for braiding.

Directions

1. Melt butter in milk and cool to lukewarm. Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix with one hand until all flour is picked up. The dough should be sticky and soft at this stage. Cover and allow to sit 10-15 minutes.
2. Empty dough onto a floured work surface and stretch and fold until dough begins to feel elastic (usually about 5 minutes). Keep enough flour on work surface to prevent dough from sticking while stretching and folding.
3. Oil mixing bowl and place dough in it. Allow to rest covered for a total of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
4. At 30 minutes – gently stretch and fold.
5. At 1 hour – stretch and fold gently.
6. At 1 hour 30 minutes – stretch and fold gently.
7. Remove from bowl and let rest 15-20 minutes. Divide dough into 6-9 pieces of similar size.
8. Roll each piece out to about 10-12 inches with both ends tapered. Cover and allow to rest 5 minutes. Braid two pieces into Challah shape or use three pieces and braid into standard braid. Brush entire loaf with beaten egg.
9. Place onto greased or papered pan, cover and let rest 45-60 minutes. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes until deep golden brown in color.

The following link on will show some ways to use the above recipe. Enjoy!

morainepark.edu/academics/programs/culinary

Finding the time to go back to school can be difficult, especially when you have other life responsibilities.

If there’s a will, there’s a way, and Brad Hetzel, of Beaver Dam, kept his goals as his main focus during his schooling. Before enrolling at Moraine Park, Brad did some general factory work but was looking for a career he could be passionate about, and that offered a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

As a father of three young children, he knew his family needed him to provide a stable life. He decided to pursue a career in Electrical Power Distribution (EPD), which offers a secure job with exceptional earning potential.

“When I started college, I had a family to support, a house, and a full-time job. I had to stay focused, dedicated, and keep at the forefront of why I was there.”

Brad graduated in May 2019, with his family cheering him on at the commencement ceremony. He was offered a job at Alliant Energy two weeks before graduating and today serves as a line apprentice.

“I know someday I’ll get to work a power outage in my area, and when the lights go back on, my kids will say ‘my Dad did that’. I look forward to that opportunity.”

Moraine Park Technical College will be hosting its annual community event, Discover Moraine Park, to help attendees jump-start their education and career. High school students, displaced workers, and individuals looking for a career change are encouraged to attend.

Discover Moraine Park event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the West Bend campus. Space is limited, and those interested in attending must pre-register at morainepark.edu/discover. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore different programs of study offered at the College and tour the campus, labs, and classrooms. Program instructors and staff will be available to explain program details, admissions requirements, and more.

The event is also designed to familiarize attendees with resources outside the classroom, including diversity relations, student life, veteran resources, tutoring, and counseling. One-on-one assistance from Financial Aid specialists will be available to help attendees submit their FAFSA. 

Face coverings are required for participation in the Discover Moraine Park event. As a reminder, Moraine Park requires face coverings on all of its campuses.

A virtual option is available on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m. Registration is also required. 

For more information on Discover Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu/discover. 

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

Moraine Park Technical College will be hosting its annual community event, Discover Moraine Park, to help attendees jump-start their education and career. High school students, displaced workers, and individuals looking for a career change are encouraged to attend.

Discover Moraine Park event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Fond du Lac campus. Space is limited, and those interested in attending must pre-register at morainepark.edu/discover. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore different programs of study offered at the College and tour the campus, labs, and classrooms. Program instructors and staff will be available to explain program details, admissions requirements, and more.

The event is also designed to familiarize attendees with resources outside the classroom, including diversity relations, student life, veteran resources, tutoring, and counseling. One-on-one assistance from Financial Aid specialists will be available to help attendees submit their FAFSA. 

Face coverings are required for participation in the Discover Moraine Park event. As a reminder, Moraine Park requires face coverings on all of its campuses.

A virtual option is available on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m. Registration is also required. 

For more information on Discover Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu/discover.

Dajan Haley, of Fond du Lac, made a powerful and life-changing investment in himself when he enrolled at Moraine Park Technical College immediately after graduating from high school in 2018.

When Dajan came to the College, he didn’t have solid career plans. In fact, his goals were quite broad- he wanted to build upon his leadership and communication skills and find a career where he could use those skills to benefit others. The MPTC Career Center helped him to build upon those goals and map out his college journey to fulfill them.

Of course, this didn’t happen overnight. Dajan’s commitment to his education and future career allowed him to explore many program options at the College and eventually, he found that the Substance Abuse Counseling program was the best fit.

“Moraine Park allows me to continue to grow and build upon my goals,” Dajan said. “Their support of my pathway has ultimately led me where I am today, and I’m confident that I’ve found a program and career that I will love.”

His success at Moraine Park isn’t just confined to the classroom. Dajan’s extensive involvement in both student life and the Edge Program have opened many doors and allowed him to be a positive influence and friend to many at the College.

“I love being involved and helping people,” he said. “Being active at the College helped me find a home and extended family here at Moraine Park.”

Dajan is scheduled to graduate in May of 2022 and has goals to utilize his skills to benefit his local community.

morainepark.edu/ican