Why is CLC important?

To promote awareness about the value of a college education – especially that offered by Central Lakes College in Brainerd and Staples – students have produced a two-minute YouTube video asking “Why is Central Lakes College important to you?”
The video message offers fast-paced, short statements concluding with the CLC mission statement: We build futures.
About 20 students weigh in with videotaped comments on the value of their educational experience at the community and technical college, recently named one of the 120 best in the nation by the Aspen Institute. CLC’s enrollment has gone from 3,953 to 6,062 in five years.
The responses include
• CLC’s tuition and fees are a fraction of the cost compared to many other quality institutions
• CLC and the state have higher educational standards than some other schools and states
• If qualified, high school students can jump-start their college education through enrollment options
• Lots of support from campus services such as the Veterans Resource Center
• Close to home
“It is the collective effort by faculty, administration, and staff that gives us the tools to help us on our way,” stated Steve Sabin and Toy Ross-McRae, respective presidents of the Brainerd and Staples student senates.
Student senators at CLC have joined college student advocates from across the state urging state lawmakers and Gov. Dayton to reach an agreement on higher education funding that considers students first.
The video was sent to the offices of several legislators who will vote on higher education funding. Their replies showed appreciation for and awareness of education as part of the economic recovery.
Some, such as Rep. John Ward and Sen. Paul Gazelka, pointed out they are parents of successful CLC graduates for whom the experience was essential en route to employment.
Supportive lawmakers note that higher earnings of CLC students and associated increases in state income expand the tax base in Minnesota by about $16.5 million each year.
The video can be viewed at http://youtu.be/4xyvM7DI3Iw?hd=1

CLC among nation's best 120

Aspen Institute news release
Washington, DC. – In its first step to identify the nation’s best community colleges and award $1 million in prize money, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today ranked Central Lakes College as one of the nation’s 120 best community colleges, challenging it to compete for the Prize funds (to be announced in December 2011) by insisting on high standards for learning, college completion without delay, and serving as a training ground for jobs that pay competitive wages. The full list of eligible institutions can be found at www.AspenCCPrize.org.
Citing the urgent need to focus on the value and potential of community colleges, Aspen Institute College Excellence Program Executive Director Josh Wyner said, “We must set the bar much higher than we have in the past. To achieve excellent student outcomes, we need to highlight our country’s success stories and learn from them so that we can keep reaching higher. Recognizing community colleges like Central Lakes College sends a message to others that aspire to excellence, while encouraging Central Lakes College to apply for the nation’s top community college prize. As a country, now more than ever, we need all community colleges to graduate more students with the knowledge and degrees they need to be successful in the workforce.”
Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, attended the Aspen Institute’s announcement event on April 25th. The Aspen Prize was announced at the White House Community College Summit hosted by President Obama and Dr. Biden in October. At that time, the President noted how critical community colleges are to the millions of youth and adult learners – who enroll in America’s nearly 1,200 community colleges every year.
Dr. Biden, a lifelong educator who continues to teach English at Northern Virginia Community College, noted that “The country is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of community colleges in educating our way to a stronger America. I am inspired by all of today’s community college students—the workers who have returned to school to improve their job prospects, the mothers who juggle jobs and childcare while preparing for new careers, and those who work diligently while at community college, preparing to transfer to a four-year institution.” Central Lakes College and 119 other community colleges will be winnowed to eight-to-ten finalists in September based on how much students learn, how many complete their programs on time, and how well students do in the job market after graduating.
Central Lakes College is now eligible to submit an application containing detailed data on these criteria. Central Lakes College must demonstrate that it delivers exceptional student results, uses data to drive decisions, and uses that information to continually improve over time.
Speaking for the jury that will select winners and finalists, former Governor of Michigan John Engler – president of the Business Roundtable and former president of the National Association of Manufacturers – emphasized the tremendous importance of community colleges in preparing the high-tech workforce American companies need.
Aspen will conduct site visits to each of the ten finalists in the fall. And, based on the evidence, the Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner and two to three runners-up, to be announced in December.

The Aspen Prize is funded by the Joyce Foundation, the Lumina Foundation for Education, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

The Aspen College Excellence Program aims to identify and replicate campus-wide practices that significantly improve college student outcomes. Through the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, projects targeting a new generation of college leaders, and other initiatives, the College Excellence Program works to improve colleges’ understanding and capacity to teach and graduate students, especially the growing population of low-income and minority students on American campuses. For more information, visit www.AspenCCPrize.org.

The Aspen Institute’s mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

He's going to Disney World

By Steve Waller, CLC Public Information Specialist

Central Lakes College student Jeffrey Wuollet isn’t just going to Walt Disney World after graduating this spring. He’s going to work there.
And he’s going to college.
The Staples resident and Associate in Arts degree earner was awarded an expense-paid internship for the fall semester in which he originally planned to attend Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, to pursue theater arts.
Now he’ll be earning credits as a Disney College and International Program cast member in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which is accredited by the American Council on Education.
“My plans changed when I received the letter of acceptance on April 29,” said the 19-year-old aspiring actor. His application had been considered since last March, when he followed a relative’s suggestion.
“My mom’s cousin worked there for 20 years and mentioned that internships are available and sometimes lead to more permanent career opportunities there,” Jeffrey said.
From the time his family visited all four theme parks of the world’s largest resort when he was 15, Jeffrey had such a pursuit in mind.
“I wanted to get a year of college closer to home first,” he said. After taking college classes as a high school senior and then as a second-year CLC student on the Brainerd campus, he’s ready to go.
At Disney, Jeffrey’s role will be to work in quick-service food and beverage, where responsibilities may include selling at outdoor carts and/or indoor restaurants, taking and filling orders, preparing and assembling food items in a kitchen, cash handling, bussing tables, and working independently or as part of a large team.
Jeffrey’s theatrical interest began in sixth grade as Ichabod Crane in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” For the Madhatters of Wadena, he has performed lead roles. His first was at age 13 in the musical “Brigadoon.” A few years later he was recruited to play the leading role of a detective for the community’s murder-mystery dinner theatre troupe, which performed in several Wadena venues as well as a Perham resort.
Jeffrey’s experience in theatre at CLC includes acting in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “The Doctor In Spite of Himself,” and “When Life Hands You Lemons.”
He also plays euphonium in the CLC Community Band and has enjoyed intramural activities such as broomball sponsored by CLC Student Life.
In Florida during what is called the “Fall Advantage Quarter,” Jeffrey expects to add studies in business management and entrepreneurship. The five-month internship includes classes as well as networking opportunities. He said it is entirely possible that he could stay on at Disney following the internship.
As an intern he will earn a wage slightly above the minimum and pay only for textbooks. His award includes food, housing, and transportation throughout the massive resort complex.
Jeffrey and fellow Disney interns will live in an apartment that is part of a housing complex that attracts students from here and abroad. “I could have roommates from Japan or North Dakota, and I will enjoy meeting people from around the world,” he said.
His food service assignment includes a variety of venues and is sure to offer an array of tasks associated with feeding the masses. He has a background in food preparation.
“I enjoy cooking,” he said. For up to 25 hours per week, Jeffrey is with the kitchen detail at Woodland Good Samaritan Center in Brainerd. He has also worked in food prep at the Elders’ Home in New York Mills, a 54-bed skilled nursing facility.
As an intended theater major, Jeffrey said he hopes to broaden his knowledge base to open many doors in many directions. He also has acquired above-average computer skills as a 17-hour-per-week student worker in the college tech support area. His supervisor, Liz Tinsley, has watched the progress in his assignment at the computer commons.
“Jeff has shown great work ethic skills while working in the computer commons/help desk,” she said. “This will carry Jeff into a bright future. This is a wonderful opportunity and we all wish him the best of luck.”

Educator of Year from CLC

Betsy Picciano is one of 4 in Minnesota
Betsy Picciano of Central Lakes College is one of four college instructors in Minnesota to receive the highest academic honor, the Educator of the Year Award, from the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Other Educator of the Year honorees are David I. Page of Inver Hills Community College, Pamela Anne Tranby of Riverland Community College, and Catherine Egenberger of Rochester Community and Technical College.
The four honorees were selected from among 33 Board of Trustees Outstanding Educators in the Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching award program. They are Paula Croonquist of Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Lori Halverson-Wente and Pam Whitfield, both of Rochester Community and Technical College and Mark Hickman of Dakota County Technical College.
“These faculty members demonstrate clear and consistent excellence in serving students and their communities,” said Scott Thiss, chair of the Board of Trustees. “When Minnesotans are enrolling in our colleges and universities in greatly increasing numbers, it’s gratifying to
know that faculty like these are preparing them for the future.”
Chancellor James H. McCormick said: “I am proud that we highlight the excellence of our faculty with these awards. The honorees exemplify what we value most in this system - high-quality teaching, learning and service.”
CLC’s Nancy Smith, a health instructor, was among those nominated.
“The nomination and selection process is very rigorous and participants face tough competition from their colleagues throughout the MnSCU system,” said Larry Lundblad, president of Central Lakes College, who attended the award event in St. Paul April 20.
President Lundblad had nominated Betsy and Nancy. “We are proud of our nominees and congratulate Betsy on her exceptional honor,” he said.
Picciano is an instructor of reading and college and career studies at CLC. Reviewers said her enthusiasm for educating students jumps off the pages of her portfolio. “She’s the type of instructor who can push her students in ways they didn’t know they could be pushed,” the Selection Committee announcement said.
“Her classroom techniques and ideas for serving the institution are ones that any teacher would want to borrow.”
Picciano’s use of the “Interview Stream” technology was cited as helping students
prepare carefully and realistically for getting a job. “She helps students understand their own strengths. Her use of a ‘contract’ teaches students the meaning of commitment and responsibility.”
Smith is retiring after 31 years.
The college’s enrollment is large enough to permit two nominees.
This is the fifth year that the board has presented its Excellence in
Teaching Awards. Each of the four honorees receives $5,000 and a
handcrafted medallion. A short video about the program featuring the
four award winners is available at botaward.mnscu.edu.

CLC alumna earns state award

Jennifer Perez ('07) is Trio Achiever
Jennifer Perez, a 2007 graduate of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, has been named a 2011 Minnesota Trio Achiever.
Perez, the first CLC graduate to attain the honor, received the award at the annual Trio conference in Chaska.
Trio is a national student support program that helps low-income and first-generation Americans complete college.
Sue Austin, assistant director of Trio Student Support Services at CLC, nominated Perez as an extraordinary participant who has obtained a college degree and is working within a field of choice.
Perez earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the College of St. Scholastica in 2009. She is a case manager for Lutheran Social Services, working with families to prevent homelessness.
“When Jennifer decided to begin college she was terrified,” said Austin, “but college was important to her and she believed education was the only way to make a better life for her and her daughter.”
Perez attributes her academic success to additional support she received through Trio Student Support Services at CLC. As a first-generation college student and single parent, she had to work hard to succeed.
She said that Trio advisers kept her focused on a positive life direction to complete her goal of college degrees.
Perez persisted while facing the challenges of poverty, stereotyping, relationship and peer group changes, transportation and childcare barriers and learning how to live differently.
“Jennifer’s ability to continue her education and overcome these challenges is what epitomizes a Trio Achiever,” said Austin, noting that the honoree is driven by a passion for assisting others to rise from poverty.
While a student at CLC, Perez participated on a panel for the Legislative Committee to End Poverty by 2020. She has worked for Advocates Against Domestic Abuse in Aitkin and has helped women see college as an opportunity through sharing her story.

2011 Awards Day

By Steve Waller, CLC Public Information Specialist
Central Lakes College 2011 Awards Day winners have been announced. Ceremonies were held recently at campuses in Brainerd and Staples.
Brainerd campus
Student Employee of the Year - Adam Schlangen, Watkins; CLC Department of the Year - Natural Resources; Club of the Year - Natural Resources; Club Advisor of the Year - Lori-Beth Larsen, International Club; Student Senate Executive Officer of the Year – Schlangen; Student Senator of the Year - Catie Sabin, Brainerd; Administrator of the Year - Rick Kangas, interim dean of enrollment and student services; Faculty of the Year - Kent Montgomery, natural resources; Staff of the Year - Myron Stevens, maintenance; Male Freshman of the Year - Cody Platta, Brainerd; Female Freshman of the Year - Melanie Mankowski, Brainerd; Male Sophomore of the Year - Santiago Continenza, Brainerd; Female Sophomore of the Year - Abra Fisk, Fort Ripley; Student of the Year - Steve Sabin.
Writing Awards – Co-sponsored by the CLC Foundation and Student Senate, the English Department presented awards in poetry, fiction, and essay writing judged by non-affiliated writers. Honorees were Poetry: 1. Kirsten Gudgeon, Staples; 2. Eric Bowman, St. Louis Park; 3. Neela Jarrott, Brainerd; Fiction: 1. Jason Rochelle, Deerwood; 2. Maggie Desmond O’Brien Tiede, Brainerd; 3. Jean Hopkins, Brainerd; Essay: 1. Cassidy Conklin, East Gull Lake; 2. Julie Jo Larson, Brainerd; 3. Rochelle.
Business Awards – Mary Monn, Little Falls, received the Paul Findorff Memorial Scholarship, and Mary Richards, Deerwood, received the Reese/Webb Family Memorial Scholarship.
Trio-Student Support Services – Marcus McDonald (pictured), South Daytona, Fla., received the Trio-Student Support Services Student of the Year award.
Natural Resources Awards – Matt Toenies, Randall; Brian Havrey, Aitkin; Wadena Lund, Brainerd; Laura Jean May, Little Falls.
Staples Campus
Student Employee of the Year - Jeremy Janousek, Staples; CLC Department of the Year – Diesel Technology; Club of the Year – Robotics; Club Advisor of the Year - Nate Peterson, robotics/automated systems; Student Senate Executive Officer of the Year - Tyler Acheson, Minneapolis; Student Senator of the Year - Rob Brown, Brainerd; Faculty of the Year - Mike Kuklok, heavy equipment operation and maintenance; Staff of the Year - Calvin Gudgeon, maintenance; Male Freshman of the Year - Dylan Arceneau, Belgrade; Female Freshman of the Year - Sharaea Bartlett, Sebeka; Male Sophomore of the Year - Brown; Female Sophomore of the Year - Alishia Zoch, Remer; Student of the Year - Mark Dahmes, Hawick; Heavy Equipment Student of the Year - Brown.
Academic Achievement Awards (4.0 GPA)
Aitkin – Sara Lindman, Elias Peterson.
Backus – Todd Malecha.
Baxter – Alexie Larson.
Bertha – Elizabeth Williams.
Brainerd – Melissa Anderson, Stephanie Burley, Rebecca Ellzey, Joseph Frink, Juli Hann, Scott Hubert, Sherri Huchel, Julie Larson, Bradley Mullen, Aidan Muller, Djamaluddin Paratmadi, Layne Risnes, Jill Schlegel, Margaret Tiede.
Breezy Point – Taylor White.
Chandler – Andrew Dirks.
Coon Rapids – Matthew Berscheid.
Cushing – Stephanie Trutwin.
Eagle Bend – Michelle Borchert, Vanessa Lenzen.
East Gull Lake – Cassidy Conklin.
Fifty Lakes – Elenea Igonina.
Fort Ripley – Golden Fisk, Kelsey Lindberg.
Freeport – Alissa Blommel, Beth Blommel.
Hackensack – Elizabeth Dodd.
Hawick – Mark Dahmes.
Ironton – Lainey Drevlow.
Little Falls – Ralph Finch.
Mankato – Jonathan Muller.
Melrose – Christine Cole.
Merrifield – Maria Anderson.
Motley – Ida Lombard.
Nisswa – Katey Hegstrom, Cari Lucas, Brad Waidelich, Philip Yeh, Jacob Weizenegger.
Ottertail – William Neumeister.
Pequot Lakes – Claire Erholtz, Jane Grangroth, Catie Burkhead, Natasha Gallett.
Pillager – Karen Barg.
Randall – Matthew Toenies.
Riverton – Jacob Frahm.
Sauk Centre – Maren Greenwaldt.
St. Cloud – Chelsey Hansen.
St. Louis Park – Eric Bowman.
Wadena – Shelly Arel.
Walker – Tammy Hanson, Keaton Pederson.

Diversity commitment

College, Mille Lacs Band celebrate collaboration

By Steve Waller, Public Information Specialist, Central Lakes College
Central Lakes College and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe celebrated their higher-education collaboration as the spring term began on the Brainerd campus of the community and technical college.
In partnership with the Mille Lacs Tribal College, more college classes and support services are earmarked for members of the Mille Lacs Band. That’s important, said Marge Anderson, chief executive officer of the Mille Lacs Band, at the start of a day-long event Jan. 6.
“Across the state of Minnesota, the graduation rate for American Indian high school students is 41 percent,” she said. “Finally, we have partners at the table who not only take notice to the crisis in education in Indian Country- we have you in the circle with us.”
Anderson said the day was “about changing the face of education in Central Minnesota” for tribal students especially. “It is about partnership and collaboration.”
She cited examples of a long history of cooperation between the college and the band – redeveloping the tribal college, casino management programs, developing the college’s Humphrey Center for American Indian Studies, tribal economic summits, TRiO/Upward Bound programs in schools, customized training for departments in tribal government, and hosting a summer camp for future American Indian business leaders.
Anderson said she supports initiatives such as an American Indian nursing program, spring pow-wow or dance exhibition, an early-May American Indian education summit near Brainerd, and building a stronger Indian studies program.
“I hope that as you further develop this program, you keep language revitalization, history, cultural and community development at its core,” she urged. “It is imperative that our students are affirmed in learning how to live in both worlds and gaining skills in each to develop self-sufficiency and continue to help our people.”
She said Central Lakes College is providing the foundation from which band members can build self-confidence and break the cycle of poverty.
“Together we can build self- sufficiency and pass the value of cultural and Western education onto the next generations,” she concluded.
Other speakers included Dr. Larry Lundblad, CLC president; Dennis Olson, commissioner of education for the Mille Lacs Band; David Isham, access and opportunities specialist with the Office of the Chancellor (Minnesota State College and Universities); Charles Black Lance, CLC director of TRiO/Student Support Services; Mary Sam, CLC director of diversity; and a keynote address by Jennifer Godinez, associate director of Minnesota Minority Education Partnership.
The workshop day for faculty and staff at CLC began with the Nay Ah Shing drum group with honor songs introduced by Jack Kingbird, Ojibwe language and culture instructor.
Presentation topics included “Working with and Engaging American Indian Learners,” “CLC Diversity Update,” and “Building Pathways of Success for Students of Color and Low-Income Youth.”