Week of April 7, 2014 SOAR to Success: Take Advantage of Orientation Community college students normally invest two years in earning an associate degree. A few, key hours of support right at the beginning can make all the difference in the outcome, leading to two college years well spent and years of success in the career that follows. With its new Student Orientation, Advising, and Registra- tion (SOAR) program, Mohawk Valley Community College has created a structured, efficient approach helping new students get started. By bringing new students together for an interac- tive workshop plus individualized advising, SOAR is the latest way that MVCC supports its students throughout the college experience from admissions to graduation and on into career development. “We are committed to supporting student success through- out college, including right at the beginning. SOAR is based on evidence that students who have a focused orientation are much more likely to succeed later in college,” says Jennifer DeWeerth, associate dean for enrollment and advisement. “We pack the program with things that will be immediately useful to all students, such as how to choose a major, select classes, Students who participate in SOAR leave with a better under- register, and get the most out of their interactions with advisors standing of their academic, transfer, and career goals; build a and other support staff.” sense of community with other MVCC students, faculty, and SOAR is for all new students and transfer students who have staff; register for their first semester and get their MVCC photo not previously attended MVCC. Virtually all new students are ID; become familiar with e-mail and other MVCC technology; required to participate in one of the workshops before starting and learn the ropes of MVCC’s numerous support services and classes. Eligibility information is online at www.mvcc.edu/soar. opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Each SOAR orientation takes about three hours, including a group work- What they’re saying about SOAR shop and an individual advising appointment. Students work on iPads with the support of advisors and other support staff. By These are some of the comments made by participants and observers at MVCC’s Student Orientation, Advising, and the time they leave SOAR, students have registered for their Registration programs. first semester’s schedule of classes. • “I thought the workshop was spectacular, loved the inter- “After SOAR starts their college experience in the right active nature, especially the ipads, and thought it covered direction, students have a better chance of making all the right the essentials in just the right amount of time.” – MVCC moves throughout their time at MVCC,” says DeWeerth. “Plus, faculty member it creates a real sense of confidence throughout their college • “It’s great that they get prepared in how to schedule them- entry experience, and it builds in a network of people going selves with a goal in mind for their semester.” – MVCC through the same experience who can watch out for one an- advisor other all the way through college.” • “Students with the SOAR experience seem more aware of To become eligible for SOAR, new students must be ac- various college services and systems.” – MVCC advisor cepted to MVCC, take their placement test, and submit their • “I was nervous that I wouldn’t know how to do things com- health forms as outlined during the admissions process. Once ing back to school as an older student but the staff made those steps are complete students should call (315) 731-5710 it feel easy. I felt more confident after the SOAR meet- in Utica or (315) 334-7709 in Rome to schedule their SOAR ings.” – new MVCC student appointment. Communitas 1 Job Fair Extraordinaire flourishes in second year On Wednesday, April 2, MVCC and the Office of Career Services partnered with WUTR Eyewitness News to deliver another successful Job Fair Extraordinaire. The event was cre- ated in September of 2013 as a way to connect students and community members with top local and regional employers. This past semester, the Job Fair Extraordinaire served as part of the Office of Career Services’ inaugural Career Series. The Career Series is a concurrent set of career themed pro- grams that aim to assist students in their career development and exploration. The Job Fair Extraordinaire attracted nearly 50 employers and close to 400 students and community members to campus. Not only does the event create a medium for employers and job seekers to interact, but it also serves as a way to educate MVCC’s students on the types of industries, organizations, and jobs that are afforded to them right here in the Mohawk Valley. MVCC students seemed to be very pleased with the event. “I had no idea that there were so many companies looking to hire engineers here in the Mohawk Valley and around New York State until I came down to the event today,” said Kyle Mezza, a second year engineering science major. Another students proudly boasted, “My two-year degree fits in directly with what these employers are looking for.” Notable employers in attendance included General Electric, Indium, CONMED, and UCP. MVCC and the Office of Career Services continues its com- mitment to attract the top area employers to campus and is open to any suggestions to make next year’s event even better! More information about the event can be found on CNYhom- page.com. Carpentry students help historical society The carpentry class at Elizabeth St. accepted a request to create three saddle mounts, for antique saddles and two stor- age cabinets, one for antique guns and the other for antique swords, all items from Oneida County’s history. All items are from the Revolutionary War and Civil War time period. The requests were made on behalf of Brian Howard, Executive Director of the Oneida County Historical Society. The finished products were well received on behalf of the historical society and the carpentry students were very proud of their finished products. On hand for receiving these items were Jeana Ganskop, Di- rector of Collections & Outreach; Chris Eberley, MVCC adjunct instructor for carpentry; and Brian Judycki, Associate Professor Herkimer BOCES honors MVCC and Trades Coordinator. for partnership in aviation Dr. Searles leads discussion on Chopin The Herkimer BOCES Community Partnership program George J. Searles, Ph.D., led a discussion recently selected MVCC’s Airframe & Powerplant Technology of the author Kate Chopin at Acacia Village, program as this year’s “Outstanding Community Partner.” the Masonic Home’s retirement community, Airframe & Powerplant program was chosen for its contribu- on April 11. Dr. Searles is a Professor in the tion of quality, innovative services to students, schools and the Center for Arts and Humanities. community. The College has been instrumental in supporting BOCES with the creation of a new aviation program for its students. Roberta Matthews, Director of Special Programs at Herkimer BOCES, presented the award to Walt Constantini, Director of Searles Airframe and Powerplant Technology Program. 2 Communitas Athlete of the Week The MVCC softball team has been on a roll this season that includes knocking off na- tionally ranked teams. The most recent victory for the Hawks was a 2-1 victory over top NJCAA ranked Herkimer College. Leading the Hawks from the mound was freshman Julianna Rose. Her per- formance lifted the Hawks Professional Association helps raise over Herkimer College Rose awareness and money for Utica Zoo and earned her the honor of MVCC Athlete of the Week. Rose went 10 innings while allowing 10 hits and walking just one batter. She has an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 2.66 to lead the Hawks’ pitching rotation. Rose is a freshman Individual Studies major and a graduate of Notre Dame High School. The Professional Association hosted a raffle to raise money for the Utica Zoo for the neces- sary items on the Zoo’s wish list. “Grace,” the beautiful barred owl, along with a blue-tongued skink, possum and whip scor- pion came to campus in the Zoomobile with Kathleen, our zoo expert, to promote zoo animal education and upcoming events. Students and staff were astonished by the animals’ beauty and were able to learn about behaviors and habitats. Thank you to all who supported this event and congratula- tions to the winners. For more information on upcoming zoo events or to donate visit: www.uticazoo.org Students explore life after Mohawk Valley There were more than 65 four-year colleges and universities on the Utica Campus this week as MVCC hosted its annual Spring Transfer Fair. Students were able to explore where they would like to con- tinue their education after completing their goals at MVCC. While many second-year students have already begun applying to four- year institutions, this event was an excellent opportunity for all students to discover what opportunities are out there for them. The College’s Office of Transfer Services will be holding a similar Transfer Fair on the Rome Campus on April 23. Communitas 3 ‘Story Week’ highlights College-wide values The week of April 14-18 will be a key milepost in the develop- ment of a new College-wide values statement, as “Story Week” will provide opportunities to contribute stories that highlight the values MVCC employees bring to work as we accomplish the College’s mission. The Values Statement Workgroup has already collected numerous stories about how the college functions when we are at our best. Here are a few examples of stories submitted by employees across MVCC: Core Value: Excellence When the winter of 2013-14 turned nasty, MVCC’s Facilities and Operations team stepped up their game and did a terrific job keeping roadways and walkways passable, safe, and us- able for students and employees! The excellence they brought to their snow removal work made MVCC’s campuses a better learning and teaching environment for everyone.