Here is why I think voting is important:

It may not seem like it, but government and policy impacts how we live our lives each and every day. I strongly believe that voting is the cornerstone of a positive society and a strong democracy. If we choose not to vote, we’re putting our lives in the hands of people we may or may not support and the policies that they create. These exact people write policies that will affect every facet of our lives like healthcare, social security, climate change, housing, poverty, student debt, and many more.

So in order to create and uphold a strong democracy, we need to choose the right people to solve problems such as these. And students such as ourselves are the most important in the election process. Our Wisconsin Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes recently said that if every student in Wisconsin voted this November, we would make up the second largest city in our state! That makes a HUGE impact on our election process.

It has even been proven that the lowest turnout rates in past elections have been younger voters and students. According to the Campus Vote Project, “Young adults (ages 18-29) made up about 21% of the voting eligible population in 2014, but voter turnout for this demographic has reached record lows in recent years.” Community college and tech college students matter even more because we share a close relation to the communities in which we go to school, live and work. 7.1 million students go to tech or community colleges across the U.S. With such a large student representation, we can make our voices be heard this election and help politicians create policies that help us all directly – like federal financial aid, student debt forgiveness, more funding for our school programs, and more jobs within our communities.

So get out there on November 3rd and let your voice be heard! Let’s preserve our democracy for generations to come.

WI Online Registration Deadline: October 14, 2020

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Learn more at:       myvote.wi.gov

Cortland Henning, MPTC 2020-21 Newman Civic Fellow

Cortland Henning of Fond du Lac has been selected to be a part of the 2020-21 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows cohort.

Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has announced the 262 students from across the U.S. who will make up this year’s cohort. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth for students who have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and an investment in solving public problems. The fellowship provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, access to exclusive scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.

Henning, a first-year generation college student, took advantage of Moraine Park’s Promise program to achieve his career goals. He graduated from Fond du Lac High School in spring, 2019 and enrolled in the College’s culinary program this past fall.

“I always wanted to go to college but never knew if it was a possibility for me,” Cortland said. “My family isn’t able to help contribute to my tuition, and I knew that my part-time job wasn’t enough to live on and pay for school.”

Henning is also actively involved at the College. He is an active part of the Student Senate, where he serves as the community manager, and he volunteers at many of the student life events. Also, as part of the Promise program, Cortland is required to volunteer in the community for a minimum of eight hours. To date, he has volunteered over 80 hours of his time at the Fond du Lac High School, where he helps coach the color guard team. Cortland has won a Bronze and Silver Student Community Impact Award for the 2019-20 academic year!

Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald said, ” From the first time we met, it was clear to me that Cortland is a goal-driven, passionate, and engaged young man.  He is ambitious and an outstanding ambassador for MPTC and higher education.  Cortland is always willing to lend a hand no matter the task or the commitment.  He has excellent time management skills which allows him to balance work and school while maintaining high academic honors.  With over 80 hours of community service already accrued this school year, Cortland is the model of citizenship that the rest of us hope to emulate in our own lives.  I am proud to be his mentor and look forward to the community and college impact he will demonstrate during his academic journey.”

In total, there were 12 students selected from Wisconsin to participate in the 2020-21 Newman Civic Fellows cohort, and Henning represents one of four technical college students in the group.

“I truly believe education inspires us to be better, and it increases overall societal values,” he said. “Moraine Park has opened so many doors for me, and I look forward to continuing to grow with this new opportunity.”

For more information on the Newman Civic Fellowship, visit compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship.

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

Moraine Park student, Renee Vnuk-Uhrman of Campbellsport, has been selected to be a part of the 2019-20 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows cohort.

Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has announced the 262 students who will make up this year’s cohort. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional, and civic growth for students who have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and an investment in solving public problems. The fellowship provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, access to exclusive scholarships, and post-graduate opportunities.

Vnuk-Uhrman, a first-year medical laboratory technician student, took advantage of dual credit opportunities in high school and became a certified phlebotomist after graduating. She is also part of the College’s Promise program, volunteers at her local community hospital and Campbellsport High School, and maintains top academic scores.

“Renee is a strong role model of the Moraine Park core abilities,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president said. “Her dedication to family, school, and community speaks to her strong work ethic, solid integrity, and desire to make a difference. She is very deserving of this recognition, and we look forward to watching her grow in her field.”

In total, there were nine students selected from Wisconsin to participate in the Newman Civic Fellows cohort, and Vnuk-Uhrman represents one of two technical college students in the group. She was recognized at the Wisconsin Campus Compact Conference on Thursday, March 21.

For more information on the Newman Civic Fellowship, visit compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship.

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

In November, Campus Compact brought together over 150 students from across the United States, including our own MPTC Newman Civic Fellow Queenie Weesen!  The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes and supports the next generation of public problem solvers.  MPTC is SO proud to have our student earning this national recognition and participating in this important work!  Read Queenie’s award story here.

Campus Compact advances the public purpose of over 1,000 colleges and universities across the U.S., deepening their ability to improve community life and educate students for civic and social responsibility.  At the national conference, students gathered at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate.  Students participated in small group world cafe activities, changemaker conversations, Senate immersion modules, and Organizing for Positive Change workshops.  Queenie returned excited and empowered to continue all her good work her at MPTC and in her home community.

“It was very inspiring to meet so many students motivated to change the world!”

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

Click here to vies more conference photos.