Staff and faculty invited to pick up free books
It is March Book Madness at MCC. Staff and faculty are invited to come pick out as many new, hardcover books as they wish. MCC's Service-Learning department will be distributing thousands of new hardcover books at various MCC locations. Here are the details:
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Monday, March 19
SOC, Connector Building
Tuesday, March 20
FOC, Building 10
Wednesday, March 21
EVC, Commons
Fostering cooperation, communication and continuous improvement
The Participatory Work Environment invites interested employees to attend the March 2012 meeting on Wednesday, March 21 at 2:30 p.m. at the Fort Omaha Campus, Building 22, Room 201D.
PWE was created to enhance communication and employee participation at MCC. The intent is to promote a work environment in which MCC employees approach information sharing and problem-solving through Collegewide teamwork.
Heart of Metro Nominations
Nominations for the Heart of Metro are now being accepted through Monday, March 26. The online form provides a user-friendly template to submit your nomination. Recipients will be recognized in an informal presentation if selected. Take the time today to nominate a deserving colleague for their exemplary efforts. Complete the nomination form >>
Career closet workshop and fashion show
MCC's Career Services and Service-Learning departments invite you to the Career Closet Workshop and Fashion Show on Wednesday, March 28 at the Fort Omaha Campus, Building 10, Room 136 B-D.
Workshop, 9-11 a.m., Brand new you: Wardrobe for the world of work
People say what you wear on the outside is a reflection of who you are on the inside. Dress like a winner and the world will treat you like one! Improve your personal and professional image with tips from a professional image consultant.
Presenter: Mary Anne Vaccaro, design stylist and image consultant for Mary Anne Vaccaro Designs
Contact Indra Faison at isfaison@mccneb.edu or 402-738-4564 to register for the workshop.
Fashion Show, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
What you wear and how you look plays a critical role in positive first impressions. How can you build a professional wardrobe while living on a shoestring budget? Learn how to look your professional best without breaking the bank.
Moderators: Mary Anne Vaccaro and Bobby Loud, director of military and veteran support services
- Fashions provided by the Service-Learning Career Closet
- Enjoy discounts at Einstein's Café
Contact Queen Tucker at ertucker@mccneb.edu with fashion show questions.
Auto Collision Technology Open House
Staff, faculty and students are welcome to attend the Auto Collision Technology Open House on Saturday, March 31 at the Applied Technology Center, 10407 State St.
Events
8:30-10:30 a.m.
Student repair competition
10 a.m.-noon
Open house and auto show
11:30 a.m.
Student award presentation
About the day
- Learn about MCC's Auto Collision Technology program
- Tour the shop and paint booth
- Meet current and former MCC students
- Watch the student auto repair competition
- Check out cars on exhibit
- Win door prizes
Students encouraged to apply for the Blue Sky Fund
Spread the word! MCC students from any program of study actively enrolled in at least one credit course during the Spring 2012 quarter or prior MCC Entrepreneur program students having previously completed at least three of the six courses in the ENTR prefix (ENTR 1050, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2070 or 2090) are invited to apply for the Blue Sky Fund. The $100-$500 mini-grant enables MCC students to present their entrepreneurial or innovative endeavors being worked on during their course of study to enable them to pre-test, research, start, sustain or grow their ideas.
Interested and eligible candidates must submit a completed Blue Sky Fund application by Friday, March 31, 2012, at midnight. The application and additional details are available at http://www.mccneb.edu/entr/blueskyfund.asp. Email Heather Nelson, MCC entrepreneurship instructor, with questions.
This mini-grant was awarded by MCC's Foundation as part of the Inspiring Innovation mini grants program. Faculty and staff apply for mini-grants that will assist with launching projects with mission-driven, student-focused outcomes.
Film Streams and MCC are teaming up for one awesome event
Military personnel returning from deployment are confronted with numerous challenges in re-entering society. Effective partnerships with civilian and academic organizations must play a vital role in addressing these urgent and ongoing needs.
You are invited to Film Streams, 1340 Mike Fahey St., on Wednesday, April 4 from 7-9:30 p.m. to view the 2012 Oscar-nominated movie Hell and Back Again and then participate in a panel discussion. The panel discussion moderator is Bonnie Bessler, Nebraska transition assistance advisor. Panelists include Matt Stevens, Student Veterans of America Chapter president, Metropolitan Community College; Paul Greenwell, At Ease program therapist, Lutheran Family Services; and Donna Higgins, OIF/OEF case manager, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ticket prices are $4.50 for members of Film Streams; $7 for students, military and educators; and $9 for general admission. This event is presented in collaboration with MCC's Career Services and Military and Veteran Support Services. Tickets need to be purchased or reserved prior to April 4 at Film Streams or online.
2012 Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Memberships
Throughout March, memberships to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo are available for the same price as last year's membership. Membership includes free admission to the Zoo and the IMAX theater, Members' Days events, ZooPrints newsletter, bi-monthly e-news and reciprocal privileges with more than 100 zoos nationwide. Membership also provides discounted admission to the Wildlife Safari Park and discounts on Zoo classes.
Membership levels and prices are as follow. The price after April 1, 2012, is noted in parentheses.
Individual
$50 ($56)
Admits the listed owner only
Dual
$75 ($84)
Admits both listed owners or one listed owner and one guest
Household
$89 ($99)
Admits both listed owners at one address or one listed owner and one guest and up to six children (ages 0-20) at owner's address
Grandparent
$89 ($99)
Admits both listed owners at one address or one listed owner and one guest and up to six grandchildren of the owner (ages 0-20)
In addition to these options, a military pass is also available. At least one owner must be active duty. The military pass requires ID to purchase, and it is only available at the Zoo or at the Offutt AFB Community Center.
Finally, add-ons for a babysitter/nanny and for a Wildlife Safari Park season pass are available for any membership for an additional $20.
If you are interested in a membership or have questions, contact Pat Smith at psmith@mccneb.edu or 402-738-4681.
Training and Development
The following training opportunities are listed on the Training and Development workshop page. View complete course information >> Employees may enroll at no charge. Supervisor approval and registration instructions can also be found on the workshop page.
- Use Your Body Better: From Ergonomics to Exercise
- Your Customers, Your Success
- Resolving Conflicts
- diversity + inclusion = innovation
- Using SharePoint 2010
- SharePoint-Working with Document Libraries
- SharePoint-Working with Lists
Getting to know you networking activity: tour the South Omaha Campus
Visit the South Omaha Campus on Friday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Learn about the career programs and gain knowledge about MCC. This networking activity also provides an opportunity to connect with fellow employees and participate in teambuilding.
The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Connector Hub Commons (first floor) with a brief welcome and review of the day's activities. View a map of the South Omaha Campus >> The campus tour includes the following areas: welding, construction, robotics, automotive, nursing, dental assisting, respiratory therapy and much more. A box lunch will be served as we hear more about the career programs offered at the South Omaha Campus.
Don't miss out on this fun and informative tour. Register via WebAdvisor or by calling Registration at ext 8518 (402-457-5231). The course information is 12/AP TRDV 078N 01 (synonym 192573). If you need transportation from another campus to the South Campus contact your campus dean's office for use of the campus van. Be sure to get supervisor approval before registering.
Your tour leaders for the day will be Arlene Jordan, Stacey Ocander, Carl Fielder, Steve Lovett, Tammy Fisher, Connie Vaneske and Marilyn Cotten.
This activity is sponsored by the Participatory Work Environment team, fostering cooperation, communication and continuous improvement.
Military and Veteran Support Services seeks to identify military faculty and staff
Military and Veteran Support Services is attempting to identify military faculty and staff at MCC. Identifying military faculty and staff will allow MVSS to express MCC's appreciation of military service, as well as give military students the ability to connect with military faculty and staff that have shared the experience of military culture. If you are a military service member, veteran, spouse or dependent, fill out the form at http://www.mccneb.edu/mvss/staffsignup.asp.
If you have questions or concerns, contact MVSS at 402-738-4774 or mvss@mccneb.edu.
Faculty invited to nominate student leaders for MCC's Student Leadership Conference
MCC's Student Leadership Conference is an invitation only event scheduled for August 2012. Students recommended by faculty will be mailed a personalized invitation. Faculty can nominate student leaders by emailing student names and ID numbers to Jennie Tullos, service-learning assistant coordinator, by Friday, June 1. The goal is to have 200+ of MCC's finest student in attendance that represent a diverse cross-section of MCC and possess fundamental leadership qualities. More details about the conference will be provided online at a later date.
Great Plains Theatre Conference play discussion group
The Great Plains Theatre Conference is pleased to announce the creation of a discussion group called The Dialogue.
The public is invited to join The Dialogue every other Monday night from 7-9 p.m. Local playwriting scholars will discuss plays written by the 2012 GPTC honored and featured playwrights Rebecca Gilman, Constance Congdon, Naomi Iizuka and Kira Obolensky.
The discussions will be held in FOC Building 13.
Schedule
- March 19, Naomi Iizuka, at the vanishing point
- April 2, Constance Congdon, Tales of the Lost Formicans
- April 16, Rebecca Gilman, The Crowd You're in With
- April 30, Mac Wellman, Muazzez
You can purchase copies of these plays online or you can contact the GPTC office at 402-457-2618 for a loaned copy.
The first four plays listed above-Raskol, at the vanishing point, Tales of the Lost Formicans and The Crowd You're in With-will be performed at the GPTC PlayFest, a series of evening productions held in nontraditional spaces.
Visit www.mccneb.edu/gptc/playFest2012.asp for more information. The 7th annual Great Plains Theatre Conference is scheduled for May 26-June 2, 2012, at MCC's Fort Omaha Campus. Conference registration will begin later in March. Visit www.mccneb.edu/gptc for updates. The conference is supported by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment and the Nebraska Humanities Council.
Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition offers free tax preparation
Tax season is here. This year, there are new opportunities for all right in our neighborhood! The Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition is offering free quality tax preparation by certified volunteers. MCC's Fort Omaha Campus will serve as one of four sites in the Metro area. View the schedule of all sites and hours of service.
Last year, the Omaha EITC Coalition helped more than 6,000 families boost their income by letting them know about state and federal tax credits. Many people qualified to receive thousands of dollars in these credits. The EITC looks for every tax credit, offers free bank accounts and other financial services and delivers friendly service.
For more information, contact 2-1-1 for locations and times, email omahaeitc@cox.net or visit www.facebook.com/OmahaEITC.
Congratulations to horticulture instructor Addie Kinghorn
Addie Kinghorn has been named as a recipient of the American Horticultural Society's 2012 Great American Gardeners Awards, specifically the teaching award. This national award is given to an individual whose ability to share his or her horticultural knowledge with others has contributed to a better public understanding of the plant world and its important influence on society. The following information was listed about Kinghorn in the March/April 2012 edition of the The American Gardener.
A horticulture instructor for more than 25 years at the Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, Addie Kinghorn has taught and mentored countless students. Her ability to not only impart her own deep knowledge of her subject, but to also ignite a lifelong passion for horticulture in her students has earned her numerous awards and honors from regional and national organizations. Kinghorn also has developed coursework for and lectured at several other midwestern educational institutions and organizations. She is the editor of Nature's Companion, a quarterly horticultural publication that is distributed at horticultural businesses, and has served as a Midwest contributor for Fine Gardening.
Have you noticed the art on display in Building 10 at the Fort Omaha Campus?
Paul Evans, a retired MCC biology instructor, continues to give back to the College by donating his art for display in various buildings on MCC's Fort Omaha Campus. Currently, 31 of his images are on display in the front, south hallway of Building 10. They range from artistically manipulated photos of everyday objects like staples of pop can tabs to breathtaking nature panoramics. Stop by and check out the photos anytime before Monday, April 2.
MCC's Community Outreach team is pounding the pavement
John Frost, Stephanie Joneson and Jennifer Winje-Diamant, MCC's community outreach specialists, recruit new students and connect with area high school counselors at weekly high school visits, career fairs, conferences and community events.
Here is where they are headed in the next two weeks:
Monday, March 19
Tekamah High School
Stephanie Joneson
Tuesday, March 20
Greater Fremont Career Day
John Frost
Oakland-Craig High School
Stephanie Joneson
Wednesday, March 21
Westside High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Dawson County Career/College Fair
John Frost
Bishop Neumann High School
Stephanie Joneson
North Bend Central High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Thursday, March 22
C&A Industries Health Fair
John Frost
Gross Catholic High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Elkhorn High School
Stephanie Joneson
Elkhorn South High School
Stephanie Joneson
Friday, March 23
Women on a Mission for Change Conference
Stephanie Joneson
World of Wheels
John Frost
Youth Partnership Program
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Saturday, March 24
World of Wheels
Stephanie Joneson
Sunday, March 25
World of Wheels
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Monday, March 26
Skutt Catholic High School
Stephanie Joneson
Horizon High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Tuesday, March 27
Millard South High School
Stephanie Joneson
South High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Wednesday, March 28
Bryan High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Third Annual Columbus High Schools Jobs and Career Fair
John Frost
Blackburn High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Yutan High School
Stephanie Joneson
Thursday, March 29
Millard West High School
Stephanie Joneson
Burke High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Mercy High School
Jennifer Winje-Diamant
Friday, March 30
Morton Magnet School Tour (Institute for the Culinary Arts)
John Frost
Saturday, March 31
MCC Auto Collision Technology Open House
John Frost
If you would like to promote your program of study at one of these upcoming events, contact the outreach specialist assigned to that event. Also, do not forget, if you are meeting with or giving a tour to a prospective student or have a community visit scheduled, contact one of the outreach specialists for guidance.
Green tip
Tune up your air conditioner and you could save 220 pounds of carbon and $14 per year.-The Green Book
MCC is making news
What's the latest and greatest? Check out the latest news releases issued by Public Affairs to find out.
Contact the Inside Story
To contact the Inside Story or suggest a story idea, email istory@mccneb.edu. Don't forget that the deadline to submit a story to the following Monday's Inside Story is Thursday at noon.
