August 2024 Central Connection
August 5, 2024
Initiative continues at CCC
For the fourth consecutive year, Central Community College has been invited to take part in the All Within My Hands’ (AWMH) Metallica Scholars Initiative, a nonprofit philanthropic organization created by members and management of Metallica.
Launched in 2019 by AWMH in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the initiative has invested over $10.5 million in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level.
“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me. A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills,” said James “Papa Het” Hetfield, Metallica lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. “Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills.”
CCC is one of 42 returning Metallica Initiative institutions, which have been joined by 18 newly selected schools. The initiative now has a presence in all 50 United States and the territory of Guam.
“Central Community College is honored to be the only Nebraska college with a Metallica Scholars program, now supporting students enrolled in criminal justice at our program locations in Columbus, Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney as well as online throughout our area and state,” said CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall.
By the end of year six, AWMH estimates that the initiative will have helped more than 8,000 students with a wide range of backgrounds and ages to gain skills to assist in finding meaningful jobs and careers.
“Metallica, through their foundation, is changing how people view and engage with the trades in this country, and it is working,” stated Peter Delgrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands.
CCC will continue to receive funding to enhance career and technical education programs.
“The sustained investment in workforce education by the All Within My Hands Foundation has benefited thousands of community college students,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC president and CEO. “This work helps to advance skills education and the nation’s workforce pipeline.”
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It’s all about safetyChaquoya Givens of David City and Lauren Moes of Elm Creek were among the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students offering free home assessments on July 23. The assessments, which have been held for eight years, are designed to help individuals 65 years and older learn simple ways to reduce falls. They also receive a detailed evaluation checklist for their home. OTA Program Director Callie Watson said that “it is a great hands-on learning experience and helpful for those growing older to better age in place.” |
Volunteers donate time to adult education
Fifty-five individuals served as volunteers for the Central Community College Adult Education (AE) program during the 2023-24 academic year.
The AE program includes assistance with basic reading, writing, math and spelling skills; drills and special instruction through the English as a Second Language program; and preparation for the General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency exam.
Volunteers served as tutors, advisory board members and classroom aides, performed office clerical duties, helped with fundraising and recruiting projects, and performed a variety of other duties.
During 2023-24, the volunteers gave 2,848.25 hours of their time to the AE program, serving 1,687 people. During the same time frame, 28 people earned their high school diploma.
Volunteers and the total number of hours volunteered in each community are as follows:
COLUMBUS: Sylvia Coffey, Jose Francisco, Dean Fuchser, Kathy Fuchser, Carol Goering, Denzel Hodges, Larry Kauffman, Marcia Medina, Olivier Musungay, Bill Podraza, Thomas Salyard and Mollie Urkoski. They contributed a total of 502 hours, served 348 students and had six GED completions.
GRAND ISLAND: Juana Patino and Maria Perchez. They contributed a total of 461.5 hours, served 1,160 students and had 12 GED completions.
HASTINGS: Ilene Alvidrez, Angela Amaya, Makenna Asher, Heather Bolte, Karen Buchanan, Ryan Christenson, Des Curtis, Brendan Dally, Nyaguor Duang, Don Eberle, Eric Edwards, Chelsey Espinosa, Emma Foland, Bertha Garcia, Leo Getzfred, Michaela Harris, Larry Harvey, Patricia Hinrikus, Jackson Hobbs, Matthew James, Kasey Jensen, Javier Jimenez, Ruthanna Johnson, Gareth Luke, Peggy Mace, Cristhofer Monje, Elizabeth Musgrave, Josefina Perez, Dakota Pritchard, Nancy Reyes Sanchez, Taylor Rickley, Angelic Schlute, Kathy Schultz, Mikayla Seebohm, Jaz Smith, Bernadine Syverson, Lily Teeple, Anthony Terwey, Karen Valdes, Melissa Veliz Rodriguez and Angela Wang. They contributed a total of 1,884.75 hours, served 179 students and had 10 GED completions.
He completes fellowship
Yunteng He, chemistry instructor at Central Community College-Kearney, has received a certificate of recognition from the Stanford Education Partnership for Internationalizing Curriculum (EPIC).
The certificate recognizes his completion of his 2023-24 EPIC fellowship and honors his leadership and expertise in integrating and promoting international education in community colleges.
His presentation is included in the video, “2024 EPIC Symposium Part 3: Faculty Fellows Panel on Curriculum Development,” on the Stanford Global Studies (SGS) YouTube Channel.
Students place at SkillsUSA
Six Central Community College students placed in the top 10 this summer at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.
Trevor Brown of Oxford, who received an associate of applied science degree in heavy equipment operator technician from CC in May, won a silver medal in the college heavy equipment operation competition.
Taking home a bronze medal in the college additive manufacturing competition was the team of Riley Mason of Doniphan and Landon Nelson of Seward, students in the CCC-Hastings drafting and design technology program.
The team of Hunter Fowler of Hastings, Anna Katen of Grand Island and Frankie Maulucci of Hastings finished in ninth place in the college crime scene investigation competition. All three students are majoring in criminal justice at CCC.
Athletes earn recognition
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has recognized a record 42 Central Community College student-athletes for academic achievement during 2023-24. The 42 CCC honorees surpasses the previous record of 37 in 2020-21.
Student-athletes who earned a 4.0 GPA were named NJCAA All-Academic First team, while those who posted a GPA of 3.80-3.99 were named NJCAA All-Academic Second Team. The NJCAA All-Academic Third Team is comprised of student-athletes who finished with a GPA of 3.60-3.79.
The Raiders had five teams that earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors for posting a combined 3.0 GPA or better. Volleyball posted a 3.63 GPA while women’s soccer sported a 3.52 GPA. Softball posted a 3.47 GPA and women’s basketball posted a 3.31 GPA. Men’s soccer rounded out the list with a 3.25 GPA.
“I am incredibly proud of our student-athletes who have earned NJCAA academic awards,” said Mary Young, CCC athletics director. “Their dedication and hard work, both on the field and in the classroom, exemplify the true spirit of being a Raider.”
Honored team members were:
- Golf: Carter Murphy of Beatrice, 2nd team, and Jude Elgert of Yutan, 3rd team.
- Men’s basketball: Turner Halvorsen and Ashton LaPointe, both of Columbus, 2nd team.
- Men’s Soccer: Steven Esquivel of Omaha, Arlo Stone of Bath, England, Camilo Herrera of Bogota, Colombia, Amin Rahmoune of Boxtel, Netherlands, Jesse Wubs of Groningen, Netherlands, Moritz Mauerhofer of Hartberg, Austria, and Tobias Sereinig of Rosenbach, Austria, 1st team; Ernesto Vargas of Lexington, Paco Barajas of Omaha, Tomas Estrada of Bogota, Colombia, and Niklas Thiel of Enger, Germany, 2nd team; and Miguel Raymundo of Lexington, Joseba Zabala of Leikeitio, Spain, and Jaime Zani of Valladolid, Spain, 3rd team.
- Softball: Addison Heule of Columbus, Myah Essman and Gracie Herman, both of Fremont, Sasha Perrin of Howells and Haley Johnson of Prague, 1st team; McKinna Moats of Lexington, 2nd team; and Tabitha Cooney of Wahoo, 3rd team.
- Volleyball: Olivia Swanson of Auburn, Josie Bentz and Katee Korte, both of Columbus, Lauryn Scott of Hastings, Ali Miller of Ord and Chelsea Fisher of Pleasanton, 1st team; Ajae McKimmey of Gordon, 2nd team; and Libbie Ball of Palmyra, 3rd team.
- Women’s Basketball: MaKenna Pelster of Bartlett and Emily Hebenstreit of Mead, 1st team, and Ajae McKimmey of Gordon, 2nd team.
- Women’s Soccer: Lily Krajewski of Eagle, Eagan Clark of Gillette, Wyo., Lilli Reiser of Enger, Germany, and Mathilde Holm-Kristensen of Middlefart, Denmark, 1st team, and Thalia Tenny of Fremont, Jade Thompson of Grand Island and Jada Cohn of Logan, Iowa, 3rd team.
In tribute
Mary Lou Holmberg, 93, died July 4.
Services were held July 9 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Omaha with internment in Calvary Cemetery.
She was born on Oct. 29, 1930, to Isadore Schwery and Helen (Gubbels) Schwery.
She completed her nurse training at Mercy Hospital and later earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Creighton University in Omaha and a master’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
In 1969, she became the first faculty member at Platte College (later Central Community College-Columbus). She developed its practical nursing program and served as director of nursing until 1988 when she transferred to the Grand Island Campus to develop the associate degree in nursing program. She was associate dean of nursing from 1988 until 1995 when she became the campus’ curriculum development coordinator.
After retiring from CCC, she became treasurer and human resources director of GreyStone Inc., which she owned with her husband, James J. Holmberg II.
Survivors include four children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother and sister. Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, and a brother and sister.
John A. Gentleman Mortuaries and Crematory Pacific St. Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Employee news
Administrative Office
New employees include Jason Remm, web content specialist, and Emma Schneider, graphic design specialist.
Columbus Campus
Samantha Hill has joined the staff as residence life and student engagement director.
Resigning from their positions are Tiffany Hunt, Nebraska Math Readiness coordinator; Navneet Kaur Katara, math and physics instructor; and Sonya Wemhoff, health programming director.
Scott Schwalenberg has been promoted from part-time to full-time English instructor.
Grand Island Campus
New full-time employees include Sammy Fernandes, speech instructor, and Theresa Martinez, nursing instructor.
Mariah Garcia, admissions technician, and Jose Marquez, custodian, have resigned.
Barbara McGraw has retired as a nursing instructor.
Hastings Campus
New employees include Ernest Blanchard Jr., business administration instructor; Melody Cox, community and workforce education (CWE) administrative assistant; Angela Kolbet, career and technical sciences (CTS) administrative assistant; David Mount, assistant facilities management director; and David Waldron, custodian.
Resigning from CCC are Chris Cox, electrical/HVAC technician, Michelle Lubken, disability services director, and Keymi Parra, human resources generalist.
Marie Desmarais has retired as a dental assisting instructor.
Shifting positions are Anna Payne-Polson, from CWE administrative assistant to adult education coordinator in Grand Island; Reba Skalka, from CTS administrative assistant to CWE administrative assistant; Shelly Steinkruger, from dental assisting instructor to program director; and Carly Walker, from automotive transportation lab assistant to administrative analyst at the CCC Foundation.
Kearney Center
Blaire Dreessen has joined the staff as a nursing instructor.