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Growing my career through Ferris State’s ITM program

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By Rami Naamo

I was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and I came to Michigan in 2012. Once here, I started looking for a job, and I ended up working for US Farathane as a machine operator.

In 2015, I decided to continue my education at Macomb Community College. While there, one of my professors introduced me to Ferris State University’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Technology and Management (ITM) program, offered at Macomb’s South Campus. Once I discovered everything the program had to offer, I decided to pursue an ITM degree.

I am currently enrolled in my last semester at Ferris State. I hope to graduate next May after finishing a couple of general study classes. I am happy that I was part of Ferris State and the ITM program. I am also very thankful for all the help and support I received from all the professors and the staff.

Thanks to the ITM program, I gained the knowledge that helped me to hold a production supervisor position at US Farathane.

Learn more about Ferris State University at the Macomb University Center.

Food for thought

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By Sierra Okoniewski, Macomb and soon-to-be OU alum

When I was a little girl, I’d always help my mom cook. She told me, “good food brings people together.” Since then, I’ve always dreamed of a career in the food and beverage industry.

After high school, I enrolled in Macomb’s Culinary Arts program. While there, I considered a career combining my love of gastronomy with another passion – writing.

Rewriting my future

I met with Oakland University (OU) Academic Counselor Lindsay Zeig at Macomb’s University Center.

She told me about OU’s Bachelor of Integrative Studies (BIS) degree. OU’s BIS program gave me a seamless path from Macomb to OU, allowing me to transfer all 88 Macomb credits. And, OU’s BIS program let me design an individualized plan of study, focusing on journalism and public relations courses to literally “build” my degree so I would develop my skills as a writer.

Finding ways to make my bachelor’s degree affordable was another factor that solidified my decision to attend OU. I received the presidential transfer scholarship, so I didn’t need student loans. Without this scholarship, I’d have taken fewer credits each semester. With it, I can finish faster and graduate sooner.

Through it all, Lindsay has supported and challenged me to stay “on track” to graduation. I know she’s dedicated to my success. I couldn’t imagine my OU journey without her.

What does my future hold?

As a food and beverage (F&B) writer, I want to highlight the work of those building a better Detroit, as well as chronicle the work and lives of F&B entrepreneurs locally, nationally and globally.

With my Macomb and OU degrees in hand, I’m confident I’ll accomplish more than I ever dreamed possible!

Follow my lead!

Be like me: Find your career at www.oakland.edu/macomb and request a transcript evaluation! Nearly 37 percent of OU’s undergraduate students transferred there.

And just like me, many of those students began their journeys at Macomb Community College.

Prepare now for your seamless Macomb-to-OU path. Learn more about OU at the University Center: www.macomb.edu/uc.

Walsh Now and FastTrack programs: a winning combination

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By Sydney Dych, Macomb and Walsh alum

Sixth grade is quite early to decide where you want to go to college, but my higher education future had been set after attending the Early College of Macomb (ECM) presentation at my high school’s college night. At that time, I had no idea what I would end up accomplishing only a few years later.

I started the ECM program when I was in 11th grade. Originally, I was attracted to the idea of getting an associate degree while I was still in high school, essentially accelerating my college career. I was never one for stagnation. I always had to be doing the maximum.

I completed the majority of my associate degree before I graduated high school, with over 40 credits under my belt by the time I walked for my high school diploma. Shortly after, when the last year of the ECM program rolled around, it was time to decide what to do next.

From ECM to Walsh Now: the next steps to accelerated success

This is when I met Angela Conard, a wonderful recruiter and admissions advisor from Walsh College (now Walsh). She showed me the different accelerated program options Walsh could provide, and how flexible their semesters and course options were. I knew this was my next step.

So, I applied for the BBA program and got accepted to Walsh while I was still finishing up my associate degree. I took advantage of the Walsh Now program to do that.

I was awarded the Community College Excellence award, which helped me achieve my goals of completing college with no debt. I had also been hired by Walsh to work in their admissions department.

It was just under a year later from my high school graduation that I walked again, this time for my Associate of Arts degree.

Macomb to Walsh: a perfect combination

The transition from Macomb to Walsh was almost seamless, a perfect combination. I completed my Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in December 2020, roughly a year after I finished my AA degree.

Using Walsh’s FastTrack program, I completed four graduate level courses in my undergraduate program. I was then able to complete my Master of Business Administration at Walsh in June 2021, only six months after graduating with my BBA, and all with no debt.

I still sometimes can’t believe I’ve made it this far in such a short amount of time! Macomb and Walsh will always hold a special place in my heart. They opened doors for me I never thought possible.

Macomb taught me there’s more to democracy than what (first) meets the eye

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By Samantha Dominas,
Campus Vote democracy fellow

Have you ever had a class that opened your eyes so completely that you found yourself with an unexpected calling? That was me in my political science class with Professor (Brooke) Allen at Macomb.

I was still in high school at the time, a student in the Early College of Macomb program, and had never heard of gerrymandering before. And, perhaps, you haven’t either? It’s this practice where the political party holding majority power in the state legislature redraws election districts to favor their candidates and candidacies. The opportunity for redistricting occurs every ten years after release of new U.S. Census numbers.

But gerrymandering is no longer as issue in Michigan.

The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, established by a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018, is overseeing the redrawing of election districts following Michigan’s 2020 loss of a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This is huge!  If you, like me, want to watch democracy in action, visit https://www.michigan.gov/micrc.

Meanwhile, I’ve accepted an assignment as a democracy fellow with the Campus Vote project. I’m responsible for talking with my fellow students about the democratic process and providing them with the information and encouragement they need to register to vote in time for the next election.

You see, the democratic process isn’t just about candidates. It’s also about eye-opening issues like gerrymandering that can only be addressed in the voting booth. How about you? Have you registered to vote yet?

Train free today for a great job tomorrow!

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By Patrick Rouse

Workforce and Continuing Education, Engineering and Advanced Technology, director

Industrial technology maintenance and robotics technicians possess the most in-demand skills in manufacturing today, and I am pleased to announce a free training program that will put you on a fast track to join them.

Called Operation Next, it is offered through LIFT, a public/private partnership between the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the Department of Defense and academia. Train at your own pace, with classes offered both virtually and in a hands-on environment. Previously a retraining program for exiting military personnel, its scope has been widened to retrain civilians employed by small to medium-sized manufacturers whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic.

Funds for the program are provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, supplemented by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Manufacturing Engineering Education Program.

The free training is also available to members of the Michigan National Guard and Reserve, providing them with an opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials for their next careers.

Macomb will serve as training provider for certificates in Industrial Technology Maintenance (ITM) and Robotics Technician. Additional training in welding and CNC machining is offered at the LIFT Learning Lab in Detroit.

How in-demand are ITM and robotics technicians? The manufacturing industry projects that nearly 40,000 combined job openings will be available annually over the next eight years. And, the credentials earned through Operation Next allows these technicians to work anywhere in the country.

I hope you take advantage of this excellent opportunity by filling out the registration form today. Please don’t delay, space is limited.

And if you have any questions, contact me at 586.498.4108 or rousep933@macomb.edu.

Reconnecting to a brighter future

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By Aimee Adamski, director, Admissions and Outreach

Many people need a fresh start at some point, but it’s not every day the opportunity comes along. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about the state’s Michigan Reconnect scholarship program! Launched in February as part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s ambitious “Sixty by 30” plan, Reconnect hopes to grow the number of adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60 percent by the start of the next decade.

How Reconnect sets out to do this is by providing financial assistance toward in-district tuition, as well as some additional mandatory costs at Macomb. This includes registration, student services and technology, and facilities fees. Important to note is that Reconnect is a last-dollar program, meaning that Pell Grant funds are first applied to tuition and mandatory expenses.

If this sounds like it might apply to you, here are a few things to note.

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 25 years old at the time of application
  • Have lived in Michigan for one or more years
  • Have earned a high school diploma or GED
  • Have not yet completed an associate or bachelor’s degree

Want more information? Register for one of our upcoming info sessions at www.macomb.edu/AdmissionsEvents, visit www.macomb.edu/reconnect or contact us at reconnect@macomb.edu. We look forward to helping you meet your goals!

Free program prepares you for a skilled-trade apprenticeship

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By Stacey Ahearn
MAP+ Program Coordinator

Apprenticeships have been a long-standing method for teaching a trade and creating a career path as a skilled worker. Apprentices earn while they learn through full-time employment and classroom instruction.

The skills acquired during an apprenticeship are in high demand and highly valued by employers. But qualified candidates for apprenticeships are scarce. That is why we developed a pre-apprenticeship training program unique to Macomb and free to those selected to participate.

It’s called the Michigan Apprenticeship Program Plus (MAP+) Industrial Readiness Program and it will prepare you to enter an apprenticeship or similar work-based training program.

The training consists of four classes in shop arithmetic, industrial safety, machine tool blueprint reading and trade-related preparation. Upon successful completion, you will receive an Industrial Readiness Certificate, showing employers that you have the skills necessary to successfully complete a skilled-trade apprenticeship.

A virtual information session about the program will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 30, from 7 to 8 pm. Register now to learn more about the MAP+ Industrial Readiness Program.

It’s truly a great opportunity that I don’t want you to miss!

Save classes and time with Multiple-Semester Registration

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By Carrie Jeffers, Registrar

I’m excited to tell you about Multiple-Semester Registration!  It will become available to you in March and is a great opportunity to secure all your classes for Spring/Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 semesters at one time. I hope you will take advantage of it!

This means you won’t have to rush to register each semester or worry about getting the classes you need. By registering in advance, you will have the confidence of knowing that your classes have been reserved for you, and you can focus on your education.

If you choose to use Multiple-Semester Registration, the same tuition payment deadlines apply for each individual semester as they have in the past, and tuition payment plans continue to be available as well. Think of it as a plan now, pay later approach to registration.

The Student FAQs can answer most of the questions you may have about Multiple-Semester Registration. If not, please email answer@macomb.edu and, depending on your question, a representative from Counseling and Academic Advising, Financial Aid, or Records and Registration will get back to you.

Multiple-Semester Registration has been designed to provide you with a useful and time-saving tool for securing your class schedule each academic year.

Please give it a try and let us know what you think!

Jump start your advanced manufacturing or skilled trades career!

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By Stacey Ahearn, MAP+ program coordinator

Did you know that there are great-paying careers in advanced manufacturing and in skilled trades? Careers that don’t require a traditional four-year degree or mounds of student debt?

Many recent high school graduates are surprised to learn this. And I’m excited to share with them that the demand for skilled workers continues to grow. And we can help people get started on this great opportunity with our Michigan Apprenticeship Program Plus (MAP+) Industrial Readiness Certificate program! Graduates with a skill-specific certificate through an apprenticeship or similar opportunity have found great success. The program put them on a path to gain employment with little to no student debt.

The MAP+ Industrial Readiness Certificate program provides students with the foundational skills in four classes totaling nine credit hours, coupled with student success seminars in one semester.

Successful students will earn the Industrial Readiness Certificate and have the opportunity to network with hiring employers.

Seats are available for the 2021 Winter and the 2021 Summer Semester(s). Tuition is supported by the MAP+ grant, so there is no cost for participating individuals.

Ready to get started? I’m ready to help! Contact me at ahearns@macomb.edu or 586.445.7432.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.
Macomb Community College and MAP+ is an equal opportunity employer/program provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY users please call 1.877.878.8464 or visit www.michigan.gov/mdcr.

Pursue your dream with Madonna University at the UC!

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By Katie Krafft, Macomb alumna and Madonna University student

At the age of 24, I realized that the cosmetology field was not going to provide me with the kind of career I wanted. Earning an associate degree from Macomb Community College’s Legal Assistant program in the spring of 2019 let me quit my three jobs I was working to pay for my degree and work full time as a litigation paralegal. However, I made yet another life decision and decided that I wanted to earn a bachelor’s degree. But how could I do this without moving away to a university?

The Macomb University Center (UC) made this possible. The process was simple, and within two months I was a student in Madonna’s Paralegal program. I was able to schedule most of my classes online and all in-person classes were held right at the UC. No need for me to move!

At the age of 29, I will be graduating from Madonna this spring. I am now applying to law school. I enjoyed being a paralegal, but I wanted to be the one arguing cases in court and that requires me to be an attorney.

It is never too late to make a career change and pursue your dream!

Learn more about Madonna University at the Macomb University Center