UrbanED

COLLEGE LIFE CULTURE CAREER

Its never too early to start college

By Nancy Derringer tion and collective memory as high school, which is not exactly why David Dugger is tinkering with it, but its one reason.

Perhaps no stage of American public education is as freighted with tradi-

Our big failing as a public school system is not believing that high school kids are capable of higher-level academic work. In other countries, students are doing much higher-level work in high school, said Dugger, director of the Early College Alliance at Eastern Michigan University, an effort to rethink the last years of public education in Michigan, at least for some students. Early college students typically attend high school for five years rather than four, although some finish sooner. At the end of that time, they hold a high school diploma and either an associates degree, advanced technical certification in a job field, or 60 credits of transferrable college credit for a four-year school. All this is achieved as public education, meaning students pay nothing extra and the schools costs are covered by the states per-pupil foundation allowance.

Dual enrollment makes more sense. It accelerates the process and dual-purposes the money.
That includes the college credit hours, which is one reason most early college programs are affiliated with community colleges, which are generally less expensive than four-year schools. EMU is pricing its credit hours at a continued on page 12

College Visit
page 5

Planning a

Quick Study
UofM Dearborn student Christopher Watkins provides an inside look at his college experience

Tech Talk
Discover why Khan Academy sparks passion from fans, skeptics

Expert tips on how to make your college tour successful

page 7

page 8
UrbanED October 2012 1

my TV fades To black, eVen when iTs on.

I can add more color to my programming by just changing the station, and not adjusting the saturation. I can get more urban networks like TV One and Black Cinema On Demand. And my involvement in the Comcast Digital Connectors program has helped me polish my digital skills and create videos that tell my side of the story. Ive always dreamed big; now I dream even bigger.
From the Comcast Digital Connectors program to NBCUniversals innovative Writers on the Verge program, which helps prepare emerging talent for prime-time, Comcast and NBCUniversal are helping turn dreams into reality.

Ernie Ross Jr. Philadelphia, Comcast Digital Connector

To learn more about Comcasts commitment to the community, visit www.comcast.com/Corporate/About/InTheCommunity/IntheCommunity.html

2 UrbanED October 2012

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2012 Comcast. All rights reserved. DIV12-1-AA-203

Pathway to college admission begins with a specialized plan

By Scott Talley

On a state and national level, politicians on

both sides of the aisle are in agreement that higher education is an economic imperative in the 21st century. However, making a determination to pursue higher education is only the beginning of the journey for students and parents. Just as having a plan is essential to a person launching a business or employment search, it also is vital for college applicants to map out and execute a tailored plan during the college application process. Following are some of the best practices offered by experts on the subject:

Identify application requirements for schools on your target list: Students are expected to
follow the instructions and application requirements to the letter. To ensure the application is submitted correctly, students and parents should develop an effective method for tracking the test requirements, essay topics, application submission deadlines, and other important instructions for each school on the students target list. A helpful resource is

www.commonapp.org, which provides a free undergraduate application used by more than 400 colleges and universities.

Be prepared to tell your story:

Applications often require a personal essay or other biographical information. Also, some students will need to participate in an interview--either in person or over the phone--to help a school make a final determination on an applicant or scholarship recipient. Developing a rsum and key messages helps ensure a student is prepared to communicate his or her qualifications and personal attributes.

Be focused and results oriented in your search:

The number of educational opportunities available to students in todays world is eye popping. However, most students and parents only have a limited amount of time to research schools. The sooner a family settles on a short list of potential schools, the more meaningful the search will be for everyone involved.

Talk with teachers, employers and respected members of your community about letters of recommendation: In addition to
being able to write letters of recommendation, teachers and school counselors can provide much needed advice to ensure a familys college search is going in the right direction. Employers and other respected members of the community also are good sources for recommendations and can pass along their own experiences that may apply to the college search.

Visit schools and college campuses:

Most people would never think of purchasing a home or automobile without inspecting the property or visiting the showroom. Nonetheless, while education is a far more precious investment than an automobile or even a home, many hard-working students delay visiting their school until after the admission decision has been made. A school or campus visit provides opportunities to see the actual location, speak to students, view classrooms and housing, meet faculty and staff members and even sample the cafeterias cuisine.

Conduct a thorough investigation of financial aid options: The bottom line is that
a quality education rarely comes free. In Michigan, a one-stop shop for information about state universities and financial aid programs can be found by clicking on the Student Resources link of the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association Web site at www.msfaa.org/ resources/links.php.

The bottom line is that a quality education rarely comes free.

UrbanED
Publisher Concept Originator: Jackie Berg

Get In! If you would like to contribute to UrbanED contact Jackie Berg at: jackie.berg@michronicle.com
Lead Design: Designers: Gail Green Raymond Allen, James Barnhill Editor: Andrew Losen

Hiram Jackson

UrbanED October 2012 3

Doing this ahead of time will save you from scrambling to find these necessities when classes start

Planning a College Visit

Before making a final decision, visit the campuses of your top five to seven choices. Although many colleges offer virtual tours through their websites, these tours cant substitute for first-hand experience. Prepare in advance a list of places on campus youd like to see and questions you need to ask to ensure a thorough evaluation of each college. Here are some additional tips: SIT IN ON A CLASS If you know what you want to major in, request to sit in on a class in that subject area to get a sense of class sizes, curriculum and future classmates. This also will connect you with a professor you might encounter in your college career. INQUIRE ABOUT CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS THAT INTEREST YOU: WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED? ARE THEY ACTIVE? CAN YOU CONTACT SOMEONE FROM THE ORGANIZATION? LOOK AT THE CAMPUS THROUGH THE EYES OF A STUDENT Familiarize yourself with the locations of essential buildings, such as the library, food services, the bookstore, computer labs and the registration office. Doing this ahead of time will save you from scrambling to find these necessities when classes start. Hang out in the student center - what do people do for fun? What off-campus activities are offered? Does the feel of the campus fit your personality? Will you enjoy your time here? INSPECT THE DORMS Can you see yourself living there? What amenities (computer labs, game rooms, cafeteria) are offered in the building? How many roommates will share the space? How close are the dorms to libraries, dining halls and central campus? Ask a lot of questions about the living arrangements to make sure they suit your needs. INVESTIGATE PARKING If you are commuting or keeping your car on campus, find out where you are permitted to park and ask current students for tips on where the best parking is. Dont forget to apply for a parking permit! CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY What resources are available to you for future assignments and projects? Will these resources fit the research needs of your major? TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS Ask them what they wish theyd known before attending, but hadnt thought to ask. Do they like the campus? What do they like or dislike about it? What do they recommend you bring that they didnt?

4 UrbanED October 2012

Discover

A place youll love to learn.

N at u ra lly. N o rt h e rn.

www.nmu.edu

In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, on the edge of the worlds greatest lake, NMU is a place that feels like another world. A very cool world. One where youll feel free to be you, yet want to challenge yourself in our award-winning leadership and community service programs. Where you wont just stand on the sidelines of learning, but can get involved in brain tumor research, creating apps for Intel, developing new drugs to treat schizophrenia, or competing for funds to start your dream business. Whether its art and design or zoology, or one of our 178 other degree programs, youre sure to find the right fit for your intellectual passionswith professors who inspire you even further. With the second most affordable tuition in Michigan, including a notebook computer, can this place be real? Come and find out (nmu.edu/visit).

UrbanED October 2012 5

Go Local
By Scott Talley
Special To The Michigan chronicle

local community colleges fuel southeastern Michigans comeback

uring an illustrious career, Detroit-based artist allie Mcghee has traveled the country and the world presenting his captivating abstract works.

however, on a Thursday evening in September, Mcghee could not think of a more interesting place to be than the downtown campus of Wayne county community college District (WcccD) where his art was being shared with an appreciative group of students and everyday citizens. Most of the people in attendance were being exposed to Mcghees form of expression for the first time. i was a little surprised by the level of enthusiasm, said Mcghee, who first came to the attention of Detroits art community as a student at cass Tech more than 50 years ago. on more than one occasion i heard a young person say i was right while engaged with a fellow student. We just had a beautiful exchange of information. For the students, they walked into a community college and wound up at an art exhibit that was open to everyone. it was just a wonderful thing. it is fitting that Mcghees exhibit at WcccD is titled Urbane construction because community colleges are being called upon to play a major role in the reconstruction and resurgence of areas across the country, including metropolitan Detroit. community colleges represent a central part of renewal for our city, said Mcghee, 71, a proud Detroiter who has spent a lifetime promoting the virtues of art, education and the humanities to people from all walks of life. We are not situated as a community where everyone is going to leave high school and go to harvard. realistically most of us just dont have the resources to travel to those lofty institutions, but we all can desire to have a better place to work, live and be educated, and our community colleges can help provide those opportunities. i do with this information today? With dual-enrollment partnerships with area high schools; degree and certificate programs addressing workforce development, job retraining initiatives, specialized programs for seniors and even activities for preschoolers, the 21st century community college has the potential to touch the lives of every segment of our citizenry. our young people and our entire community need to know about this, said Vivian Murphy, a retired Detroit preschool teacher who is currently taking three classes at WcccDs northwest campus at 8200 West outer Drive in Detroit. Murphy retired at the conclusion of the 2011-2012 school year after teaching 20 years for Detroit public Schools. prior to becoming a teacher, she worked 27 years for the city of Detroits employment and Training department, where she too often encountered young applicants lacking basic reading skills.

community colleges are being called upon to play a major role in the reconstruction and resurgence of areas across the country, including metropolitan Detroit.
Allie McGhee, Detroit-based Artist

Through our community colleges a person can acquire skills that are immediately applicable to what you are dealing with today, and thats what people are seeking right now. its all about what can

continued on page 14

6 UrbanED October 2012

Quick Study
UofM Dearborn student prepares for success
Christopher Watkins learned pretty quickly that college is about more than just textbooks and exams. From the first time Watkins stepped foot on University of MichiganDearborns campus, he realized college was more like a growth platform. And hes certainly had his share of opportunities to grow at UM-Dearborn. It all starts with Watkins campus involvement. Hes a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Black Student Union, Blueprints Leadership Program, Greek Leadership Council and Student Philanthropy Council. Getting involved will increase your potential for success, he said. Being able to collaborate with so many different clubs and organizations on campus with such diverse membership, Ive been able to improve my leadership skills. Granted we all have different stories, backgrounds and beliefs, were all here under the unified reason of getting an education and going into careers that we enjoy. For Watkins, that means finance. But at UM-Dearborn, Watkins doesnt merely rely on textbooks and lectures to learn about business. The university promotes experiential learning, so students like Watkins can better prepare themselves for the real world. The depth of academic programs also enticed Watkins to enroll at UMDearborn, even though he received acceptance letters from several other public universities. It didnt hurt that UM-Dearborn is nestled within southeast Michigan, which includes Watkins hometown of Canton. And at UM-Dearborn, students care about their community. Students often carry out the universitys Metropolitan Vision through volunteer work. For Watkins, Detroit has become a second home because of his extensive community involvement. Along with his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members, Watkins has performed community service at Brenda Scott Elementary School and cleaned up beaches along Belle Isle, both located in Detroit. It was a good chance for me to get to know the city more because, being from Canton, I didnt necessarily venture out in Detroit very often, he said. But since joining the fraternity, Im there nearly every day. Watkins now uses his finance skills to help his fellow classmates. He understands the financial struggles associated with higher education, so he developed workshops to aid college students who struggle with debt. Its good to help people find their own answers as to why they dont have money, rather than to just say, OK, stop buying this or stop buying that, he said. For his efforts, Watkins recently was named a campus Difference Maker.

12 LivingWELL August 2011

UrbanED October 2012 7

 a glimpse of the future of education

Khan Academy sparks passion from

By Ted Roelofs co-founder Bill Gates, who calls California-based Khan Academy a glimpse of the future of education. Founded in 2006 by Bengali-American Sal Khan and profiled on Sixty Minutes, the academys free online video tutorials on everything from math to finance to cosmology reach some 5 million global viewers a month. Google awarded the academy $2 million to expand its reach. We were looking for approaches that were new in education, Schmidt explained. Shantanu Sinha, president of Khan Academy, spoke at the West Michigan Policy Forums 2012 conference on Wednesday, September 12. We caught up with Shantanu Sinha, president of Khan Academy, last month to get his thoughts on where education reform is headed. Q. Can you put your finger on why Khan Academy succeeds where other Internet education ventures do not? A: I think the biggest thing to me is our focus on students and student needs. A lot of existing ventures are focused on selling to the education system. We take a little bit more of a philosophically aligned-with-thestudent perspective. What does the student need? How can technology help? A lot of it is the craftsmanship of what we build, how we bring a sense of humor into our videos, the type of questions that we create. You have to make your execution really resonate with users. Q. Is this about a generational shift in how we learn? That those who grow

Google CEO Eric Schmidt is a big fan. So is Microsoft

up on video games, Twitter and Youtube demand new teaching approaches?

A: I think everybody actually learns better when they are learning information thats personalized to their needs, instead of being taught what 30 kids around you need. If you are taught what you need, it is more likely that you will learn. Everyone learns better whether they are at home or traveling or in a classroom when i on their own pace. I think the fundamental principles we are pushing are universal. Q. If you could change one practice in a typical classroom what would it be?

A: The big thing would be the one-size-fits-all lecture model where you have the teacher delivering the same topic to everyone regard less of whether we recognize that everyone has a different need. I would replace that with a much more interactive, collaborative classroom, where everyone can reach their individual potential.

Q. Critics assert that your lessons can be shallow and leav the heavy lifting of learning to traditional teaching? Wh do you say to that?

A: Obviously I would disagree that the lessons we are using are shallow. There are two parts to the issue there. When you actually provide users with the information that they want and you provide accessibility to high quality materials that are personable and relatable to the user, you definitely see a huge impact. We get thousand of emails every day, comments on our Youtube channel, comments underneath our videos, saying how people truly understand, not jus on a superficial level, but on a conceptual level, the subject matter. The second part the implication that we are somehow replacing th importance of the teacher and the importance of that relationship is completely false.

Q. Can the teaching methods of Khan Academy and its reli ance on technology reach the most disadvantaged student in this country?

A: I think it definitely can reach them if they get the technology, and I see it in a lot of the pilots we are running, in areas with disadvantaged students like Oakland and East Palo Alto (Calif.). Students

8 UrbanED October 2012

SEE. LEARN. President Shantanu Sinha and the rest of the Khan Academy
staff have earned fans, and critics, for their approach to learning that has relied heavily on the creation of video learning segments. Sinha says the ability of students to view and learn at their own pace is a key element to their approach. (Bridge illustration/A.J. Jones)

m fans, skeptics
who are behind grade levels tend to have Swiss cheese gaps in their knowledge. They are in algebra class and they dont understand fractions. We actually see some of the biggest gains with the students who are the most disadvantaged. The fundamental problem to that is they have to have the technology. There are creative ways you can do that wi-fi hot spots, opening the labs after school. The reason I am optimistic about the future is that the cost of technology is going down. There are going to be really good tablets available for under $100 in the future. Solving that problem, ensuing that everybody adapts to technology, is something that we are capable of solving. Editors Note: Ted Roelofs is a regular contributor to Bridge, an editorial partner of the Michigan Chronicle. Roelofs worked for the Grand Rapids Press for 30 years, where he covered everything from politics to social services to military affairs. He has earned numerous awards, including for work in Albania during the 1999 Kosovo refugee crisis.

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UrbanED October 2012 9

Detroit-area sculptor Melissa Machnee, a third generation welder and seamstress, brings her creativity as welding instructor to Wayne County Community College District this Fall.

Sparking Interest
WCCCD Adds New Spark To Its Faculty Pool!
By David C. Butty Ones first impression of Melissa Machnee would reveal a characteristic that most artists are known for freedom and creative expression. She is an artist, and is thriving in a profession once dominated by men welding. Her latest artwork is part of the Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) Faculty Art Exhibition that has been on display in the Brown and Juanita C. Ford art galleries at three of the Districts campus locations Downtown, Downriver and Western through August of this year. She is bringing her experience and talents to Wayne County Community District this Fall through an innovative metal sculpture class she is teaching at the Eastern Campus. Machnees passion is welding, which, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, is a profession that is expected to continue to add new jobs through 2016. Even in welding. Machnee also developed a private sculpture park within the Irish Hills of Michigan and someday hopes to open the park to other sculptors work. We are fortunate to have Melissa Machnee as one of our newest faculty members i welding, said Dr. Stephanie Bulger, WCCCDs Vice Chancellor of Educational Affairs an Distance Learning. She brings a unique combination of artistic and welding experience that has already benefitted our students in the welding program. The Artistic Welding certificate creates new opportunities in our Welding Program for students interested in blending artistry with welding skills for entrepreneurial pursuits and traditional welding positions. The courses offered this fall semester are full and students are excited about the opportunity to learn new skills in welding, Bulger added. Machnee says she welcomes both beginners and advanced sculptors into the program. I go through all of the safety and operation [of the tools] and we all practice together, she said. Ive taught advanced artists and people who have never welded or created art before. It invites a lot of different perspectives in the room. Creating this class was very exciting for me. I hope to pull creativity out of people that they never would have imagined they could do before, said Machnee. todays bleak economy, welders are always in high demand because they are involved in practically every aspect of manufacturing. Machnee primarily works with metal and fabrics, and her sculptures suggest similarities between welding and sewing. As a third generation welder and seamstress, I am fascinated with the welding and fashion industries. I see many similarities in the way that these products are 2 produced and used. I use the raw masculine qualities of the metal industry and nurture it with the soft feminine qualities of the fashion industry, according to a statement on her website. Combining these materials together make me question different roles that we play in society. After receiving her MFA in Scupture from Eastern Michigan University in 2008, Manchee went on to develop and teach a metal sculpture program at Schoolcraft Colleges welding department and is a certified welder in MIG and TIG

10 UrbanED October 2012

LivingWELL August 2011 11

ACCESS, RSP programs ACCESS, RSP programs spell classroom success for spell classroom success for area youth area youth
By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle
Tomorrows leaders need survival tools today. Thats the message of the staff and volunteers at ACCESS, a Dearborn-based nonprofit organization, which offers programs supporting students from preschool through graduation. We want to empower youth to develop, explore, and utilize their skills to become happy, healthy, wellrounded critical thinkers who will make a positive impact in their communities and beyond, said Hassan Jaber, executive director of ACCESS. Jabers organization recently received a big boost to its effort to empower youth in the form of a $300,000 grant from AT&T to support ACCESS high school dropout prevention programming. Specifically, the grant will allow the ACCESS Pathway to Success program to expand to include more students and a dedicated graduation specialist at Melvindale High School and Frontier International Academy. AT&Ts funding will bolster its Pathway to Success program, which targets an at-risk population with multiple barriers to academic success, including segregation, limited English language skills, poverty, and a family history of low literacy and educational attainment levels. The project, one of several educational initiatives provided by ACCESS, serves a minimum of 120 students in 9th grade and those who are not on track to advance to tenth grade. Like ACCESS, the Coleman A. Young Foundation is committed to empowering local youth through proven initiatives and programs including RSP, a dropout prevention project, which targets sixth through ninth-grade students. The free program seeks to produce leaders in the classroom and life by addressing a host of critical topics including team work, career and college exploration, financial responsibility, health and nutrition. The levels and sources of RSP funding have varied through the years, but program manager Barry Hubbard said the support of the community, through volunteers and parent and student participation, has enabled the program to fulfill its mission during good and challenging times. What separates us is that we are a youth program run by youth. From the beginning of the program to the end, the students run the program; they facilitate the days activities. I know my title says manager, but on Saturday mornings I dont say a thing because our youth run the show. According to the states Center for Educational Performance and Information, the Michigan Class of 2011, the first to come under mandatory, tougher statewide graduation requirements, had an on-time graduation rate of 74.33 percent and a dropout rate of 11.3 percent. For Detroit Public Schools, the graduation rate dropped 3 percentage points to 59.74 percent, while the districts dropout rate also increased nearly a percentage point to 20 percent. Hubbard understands the statistics better than most. He also knows the challenges of having to compete against other worthy organizations for dollars to support needed, proven programs that will help more students achieve in the classroom. If we can provide services that help, thats all that matters, said Hubbard, whose program has touched more than 2,000 lives since 1999. To learn more about RSP, CAYF and ACCESS programs visit www.cayf. org and www.accesscommunity.org respectively.

MAKING THE GRADES

Success stories and graduation ceremonies have become the norm for participants in the REAL Skills Program (RSP), an initiative of the Coleman A. Young Foundation. RSP has touched more than 2,000 lives since 1999.

Students attending Melvindale High School and Frontier International Academy in Dearborn will receive additional help thanks to a recent $300,000 grant from AT&T, which will support the ACCESS Pathway to Success program.

UrbanED October 2012 11

Never Too Early continued from cover discounted rate for the Early College Alliance, which encompasses the six districts in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District that send students to the program. munity colleges. It will rely in part on virtual, i.e. online, learning. Whats unique about what we have is that we also have an early high school program. We have kids starting in sixth grade doing high school-level courses, he said. Final enrollment is still being counted, but he believes the district will have at least 50 students enrolled. Skilling said a typical Oxford early-college student might be one with the academic acumen for higher-level classes, but who still yearns for parts of the traditional high-school experience. They might take college-level engineering classes, but still play in the high-school band or orchestra. Dugger assures his students that despite attending classes on the EMU campus, theyre still enrolled at their home high schools, and are hence eligible for all after-school extracurricular activities like sports and the arts. The result is a powerful combination. Dugger speaks of the power of the site, i.e., how the experience of attending high school on a college campus inspires students to mature and be more serious about their schoolwork. But the ability to still partake of the cultural institutions of high school proms, football, clubs keeps them rooted in that world, as well. You ask what sort of student this is for, Dugger said. The only answer I have is: its for students who are looking for something different. Editors Note: Nancy Nall Derringer is a writer for Bridge Magazine, an editorial partner of the Michigan Chronicle Newspaper. Derringer, a co-founder of GrossePointeToday.com, was also a teacher in Metro Detroit for seven years.

Let the fast runners run.

The early college movement began about a decade ago, with help from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as a way to shepherd at-risk students through high school and post-secondary education in a close, supportive environment, and many programs are aimed at those learners. Some version of this hybrid exists in 30 states and the District of Columbia, under a variety of state policy guidelines. As they spread, more are attracting top highschool students who want the extra challenge of more advanced classes, structured in such a way that they finish with substantial, debt-free college credit hours. Let the fast runners run, is how William Miller puts it. The executive director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators is a big booster of early college, in large part because it fits so many types of students who arent being well-served by existing programs. The traditional way for kids to do accelerated or advanced placement programs is, they take a class, take a test, and (depending on how they perform on it) get credit, said Miller, who calls the last year of high school wasted time for many students. Dual enrollment makes more sense. It accelerates the process and dual-purposes the money. Gov. Rick Snyder touted early college enrollment in his special message on education in 2011. State Superintendent Mike Flanagan has also argued for early college efforts as part of a rewrite of the states school aid funding system.

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan

And Flanagans predecessor as state superintendent, Tom Watkins, is even more blunt in his call for change: I have called senior year, for those students ready to move forward, state-subsidized dating. We should stop tying anchors to kids, holding them back simply to protect the K-12 educational status quo. We need educators to embrace change and be educational transformers and pioneers. Students in Washtenaws Early College Alliance have taken their credit hours to schools like Stanford and MIT, but most, about 70 percent, stay at EMU, Dugger said. That makes the tuition discount a good investment for the university, which is always looking to improve its graduation rate and reduce the amount of remediation they must provide for entering students, he said. Oxford Community Schools, in Oakland Country, is experimenting with early college as well, and is kicking off its first year this fall. Superintendent William Skilling said the districts program is affiliated with Lawrence Tech, Kettering University, Rochester College and Macomb and Oakland com-

12 UrbanED October 2012

WANTED:

DREAMERS, VISIONARIES, AND FREE SPIRITS.

Lawrence Technological University isnt for just anyone. We want the restless thinkers, innovators, and artists who will create the designs, businesses, and technological breakthroughs of tomorrow. If you believe that everything is possible, and that possible is everything, we want you at LTU. Visit ltu.edu/applyfree to have your application fee waived!

Lawrence Technological University

POSSIBLE IS EVERYTHING.

Possible is everything
Lawrence Technological University is a private, personally focused university providing students a high-quality education that pays off. A 2012 Bloomberg Businessweek survey ranks the earning power of a Lawrence Tech bachelors degree highest in the metro area and in the top 20 percent of all U.S. universities, meaning Lawrence Tech grads tend to earn more during their careers than their peers. Most Lawrence Tech students are employed within a month of graduating.

The University
Located in Southfield, LTU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs many available online in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management. Students can earn degrees and fast-track certificates in such emerging fields as robotics, alternative energy, defense, and the life sciences. Michigans first wireless campus, Lawrence Tech provides undergraduates with high-end personal laptops, customized with all the software they need a unique benefit valued up to $15,000.
Lawrence Technological University 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058 800.225.5588admissions@ltu.eduwww.ltu.edu

Zena Blake has found her groove. Transitioning to Kalamazoo College from high school was a challenge for this self-described reserved person. But she met her challenges head on and hasnt looked back.The College helped Zena in part by connecting her to people in the community. Shes worked as a high school math aide and as a counselor at a summer algebra camp for public school students held on Ks campus. Now a junior math major with an interest in criminal psychology, Zena plans to complete a senior project on the effects, importance, and value of math enrichment programs. The people here really make it special, Zena said about K. Ive made good friends.

The Facilities
LTUs full-service 102-acre campus offers a variety of academic, recreational, housing, and food service options. Advanced facilities for students include the acclaimed Center for Innovative Materials Research; architectural and design studios; a structural testing center; and labs for alternative energy, robotics, biomedical research, graphics; and much more.

Student Life
More than 60 student clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, honor societies, and student chapters of professional groups sponsor activities throughout the year. LTUs dynamic athletic program features National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) sports. Learn more about Lawrence Techs Blue Devils, including mens and womens basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and cross country, as well as mens bowling, womens volleyball and mens ACHA ice hockey, at BlueDevilAthletics.com. There are also a wide variety of intramural leagues and club sports. Enhancing the Universitys experiential theory and practice approach to learning, students benefit from individual attention, a high-tech learning environment, and faculty with industry savvy. Hands-on experience in projects, competitions, internships, co-ops, applied research, and more can provide students with the skills they need to grow and succeed. To explore your possibilities, contact 800.225.5588, admissions@ltu.edu, or visit www.ltu.edu. Apply free now at www. ltu.edu/applyfree.

More in a Lifetime. Four. More in

www.kzoo.edu

LivingWELL August 2011 13

UrbanED October 2012 13

Go Local continued from page 6

A desire to make a difference brought Murphy to Detroit classrooms and this same desire has now made her a strong advocate for local community colleges. At WCCCD, Murphy is studying grant writing, food service management and menu planning and nutrition. However, a busy class schedule does not prevent her from giving impromptu pep talks to younger students she encounters. The community college is a good place for young people who are serious, but you must be serious and prepared to receive an education, said Murphy, who also has taken courses at Henry Ford Community College. I met a young lady just out of high school in the hallway who was shouting and crying out because she could not write a paper for a class, said Murphy, who gave the student some words of encouragement and now calls her at home to check on her progress and overall well being. Another student I met was frustrated to the point where he was ready to quit school, and after I asked him to pull up his pants, I told him, Son, this school has what you need, so go on and do what youre asked so you can get everything possible out of this experience. Murphy, who grew accustomed to being a mother figure for students and young parents during her teaching days, understands why a teenager may not being able to fully grasp how a community college can better a life in the same manner as an adult who is seeking job retraining or personal enrichment. Instead of blaming a young person for missing out on an opportunity, Murphy would like to see community colleges do more to connect with urban populations during earlier stages of the educational process. The community colleges could send someone out to Local School Council meetings or school performances at our elementary schools, said Murphy, who cites area schools near WCCCDs Northwest campus. They could just set up a table and let parents know what is available for them and their children. For example, food service positions pay very well, but we have not exposed our young people to all of this, and the community college can. A teacher I have right now is always saying invest in yourself and invest in your future, and thats a message that needs to be heard by young people in our community. Malaika Pryor, a fourth-grade teacher at Brenda Scott Academy is in the early stages of her teaching career, but can relate to Murphy. I think partnerships with community colleges for elementary schools is a great idea, said Pryor, who displays memorabilia from

All of our partners want to see Michigan do better economically, but Im also of the belief that if you touch the life of one person there is great potential for change and community colleges have the power to do this.
Joan Noricks,
President Canton Community Foundation, a MCAN partner

14 UrbanED October 2012

local colleges on her bulletin board to inspire students and parents. I have a Michigan pennant, a MSU pennant and a Marygrove license plate because I think its important to focus on the schools and resources we have right here. Why cant community colleges and the role they play in the educational process also be explained to our children and their parents in early stages? I have the highest expectation for my students, but the most important thing is to promote education, not just big name schools. One organization that is working to make sure that community colleges are fully utilized is the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). The organizations mission is to increase college readiness, participation and completion in Michigan, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color. MCAN has a goal of increasing

the percentage of Michigan residents with high-quality degrees or credentials to 60 percent by 2025 and elevating community college enrollment in southeastern Michigan will be key to the effort. To reach its goal, MCAN is engaged in numerous initiatives across the state, including Michigan College Application Week, which takes place Oct. 29 through Nov. 2. Information on this project can be found on MCANs Web site at www.michigancollegeaccess.org. Also at the Web site can be found a listing of partner organizations that serve Detroit and the surrounding region. These organizations have relationships with the educational institutions in their respective service areas and are a good starting point for parents and prospective students seeking information about local community colleges and specific programs offered, including dual-enrollment partnerships. We want to eventually make it

Community Foundation, a MCAN partner. Im a first generation college graduate, as well as a graduate of Schoolcraft College, so I definitely am a believer in community colleges. Its an affordable option to receive a well-rounded education, even if you have a technical focus. While driven by the goal of increasing Michigans college enrollment and degree recipients, Noricks said promoting education goes much deeper than raw data and reciting statistics. All of our partners want to see Michigan do better economically, but Im also of the belief that if you touch the life of one person there is great potential for change and community colleges have the power to do this, stated Noricks.

munity colleges is fully tapped, the potential for transforming individual lives and the community is unlimited. The community college is a funnel that we desperately need, said McGhee, whose art is being shown through Nov. 17 at the Brown and Juanita C. Ford Gallery next to the library. Regardless of your stage in life, the community college is there. Its just up to us not to be timid about life and exploring perceptions from a different point of view. Its never too late to reunite with some of the high ideas we held as youth. Michigan has 28 community colleges serving citizens of the state. Information on all Michigan community collegesincluding locations, programs and services, and tuition and feescan be retrieved online through the Michigan Community College Network. To learn more, please visit www.michigancc.net.

Malaika Pryor
easy and convenient, particularly for parents, to learn what our community colleges have to offer, said Joan Noricks, president of the Canton

It is that potential that makes McGhee proud to have his art displayed at WCCCDs downtown campus (1001 W. Fort Street), and he says once the power of com-

Through our community colleges a person can acquire skills that are immediately applicable to what you are dealing with today, and thats what people are seeking right now.
Allie McGhee, Detroit-based Artist
.

UrbanED October 2012 15

Wayne County Community College District MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Spring 2013 Academic Registration Is Just Around The Corner
Priority Registration (online only)
November 12, 2012 November 12, 2012 November 15, 2012 November 19, 2012 Early Academic Advising Begins Priority Registration 1 begins (42 + credit hours) Priority Registration 2 begins (30 + credit hours) Priority Registration 3 begins (12 + credit hours)

Walk-in Registration Hours

November 26- December 14, 2012 Monday and Thursday 8:30 am 7:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 am 4:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am 3:00 pm

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Please call the Student Solutions Hotline for more information: 313-496-2515

Note: Online registration is available 24/7 or during hours of operation at all campus locations!

Campus Signature Programs

DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
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EASTERN CAMPUS
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21000 Northline Taylor, MI 48180 734-946-3500

1001 W. Fort Detroit, MI 48226 313-496-2758

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8200 W. Outer Dr. Detroit, MI 48219 313-943-4000

9555 Haggerty Belleville, MI 48111 734-699-7008

19305 Vernier Rd. Harper Woods, MI 48225 313-962-7150

WCCCD, the largest urban community college in Michigan is a multi-campus district with five campus locations, University Center and the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (MIPSE), serving 32 cities and townships, spanning more than 500 square miles. WCCCD is committed to the continued development of new programs, hosting community-based training sessions, improving student facilities and services.

For more information, please call 313-496-2600 or visit our website at www.wcccd.edu
16 UrbanED October 2012