Focus On:
Ensuring Student Success

The occupational world has evolved into an unfortunate “Catch 22” – more and more professions require higher education, but not everyone is capable of handling college without some form of career and educational assistance.

“Research shows that as many as 50 percent of two-year college students come without the necessary academic preparation to be successful at college-level work,” revealed Daniel Ensalaco, Moraine Park’s vice president of academics and economic development. “That’s why Moraine Park designed specific programs targeting the under-prepared learner.”

By securing a $1.9 million Title III Grant and the implementation of such resources as the College’s Career Centers and Student Success Centers, Moraine Park aims to ensure every student achieves success. Thousands of students each year rely on Moraine Park’s many resources – all in place to help them succeed in college and beyond.

Moraine Park Secures Its Largest Grant Ever

In 2006, Moraine Park gained a $1.9 million Title III Grant, the largest grant in the College’s history, to help improve retention rates through new programs designed to ensure students successfully achieve educational goals. The grant funds three main areas: expansion of Moraine Park’s student support system, development of new academic programs geared to promoting student success and improved student record keeping systems.

“The grant allows Moraine Park to take a more comprehensive approach to improving student success as measured by the identification and achievement of student aspirations; course and program completion; and degree, diploma and/or certificate completion,” said Ensalaco.

It is now possible for Moraine Park to improve student data access, implement a more efficient and supportive student advising and mentoring program, and provide courses that prepare students for college-level coursework, according to Ensalaco.

“As educators learn more about the field of retention and what helps students succeed, they are discovering that it is not just one initiative that will make the difference for students, but rather a multiplicity of support services available at the times students need them, and in forms which are easy to access,” said Cynthia Calvin, project director of the Title III grant. “The grant supports the expansion of this ‘multiplicity’ and accessibility of success initiatives at Moraine Park.”

Two thriving examples of these “success initiatives” are Moraine Park’s Student Success Centers and Career Centers.

Student Success Centers Help Students Achieve Goals

Moraine Park has 10 Student Success Center sites. Each is devoted to achieving student success by offering multiple learning opportunities.

As said by current Moraine Park student Eric Diels of Fond du Lac, Wis., a regular visitor to the Student Success Center, “The centers and instructors help you figure things out on your own, but they give you specific tools to assist along the way.”

Some of those “specific tools” include computers, textbooks and other resources, and academic coursework taught by a team of experienced instructors who use a variety of approaches to meet individuals’ differing abilities. These instructors help students review and improve their reading, writing, math and study skills. They work with each student to develop a personal education plan that identifies current skills and future goals, and student progress is documented through pre- and post-assessments.

“Students utilize the centers to improve skills for all sorts of purposes,” said Sandra Huenink, dean of adult basic and developmental education. “They may want to increase their skills for current or future employment, prepare for college entrance exams and college-level coursework, or they may be working toward achieving a GED or High School Equivalency Diploma.”

The Basic Education/Developmental Education department also offers special programs to help students in every situation achieve success. Students whose native language is not English may enroll in courses at their individual skill level or enroll in classes to attain citizenship. Students who are parents may enroll in the West Bend-based Parent and Child Education (PACE) program, where enrollees receive academic instruction and learn more about parenting while their children enjoy early learning opportunities in an adjacent child care area.

“I love that my child can be right next door at preschool while I’m studying,” said Jamie Quinlan, of West Bend, Wis., a Moraine Park student and PACE participant.

“During the 2006-07 school year, the Basic Education/Developmental Education staff served more than 3,000 students,” said Huenink. “We encourage anyone who has questions about the many services we offer to call or stop in.”

Career Centers Go a Step Beyond

“Ensuring student success does not end with making sure students excel in the classroom; it’s also about preparing them for success beyond college,” said Rhonda Bird-Roehrig, careers instructor at Moraine Park’s Fond du Lac campus.

Moraine Park’s Career Centers provide students with tools for career planning and for conducting a job search. “We believe that a person’s chance for career success will be greater if they make a well- informed career decision,” maintained Bird-Roehrig.

The Career Centers provide career counseling, print, video and computer/Internet resources, and a variety of tools to assess interests, abilities, job values and personality preferences related to careers.

“We have over 20 different types of inventories, tests and surveys to make sure our students find the perfect occupational fit,” said Bird-Roehrig. “After targeting a specific career field, we help them explore viable opportunities by using our library of more than 1,000 occupations represented on videotapes and computers.”

The Career Centers also provide various Career Exploration and Career Decision classes. Serving 1,700 students per year, the classes help with selecting a program, resume development, interviewing skills and career assessment.

“There are many students who are uncertain or misinformed about the current job market,” said Bird-Roehrig. “We help them discover where to find the facts to answer their questions using reliable state and national resources.”

Ensuring Student Success

Message from the President

Hello. I’m Dr. Gayle Hytrek, President of Moraine Park Technical College. Thank you for your interest in Moraine Park Technical College by reviewing our 2006-2007 Annual Report. The theme of this year’s report focuses on our changing communities and the impact of Moraine Park in meeting our communities’ needs.
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              - Gayle Hytrek, Ed. D.
                Moraine Park President