Spotlight on Student Success

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1 Spotlight on Student Success OCTOBER 2014 VOLUME 6, NUMBER 1 I look forward to coming to NTC because I learn something new every day, not only do I learn academics but things that help with personal growth. Bessie McGee Welcome to the fall edition of Spotlight on Student Success. This issue features articles from Bessie McGee, who is part of the First Year Experience as well as a new pre-health student, Michael Ballard (student) and Beth VanOrder (graduate), both of NTC s Medical Laboratory Technician program, and Justin Willis, the advisor of the First Year Experience. Bessie McGee Pre-Dental Hygiene, First Year Experience Student My name is Bessie and I am a Chicago native and lived on the East side of Chicago. My experience includes being in twelve different schools through elementary and high school grades in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin. My family came to Wisconsin for a change of pace and a chance for a better life. I struggled at Wausau West High School and was accepted at the Alternative High School (Alt. H.S.)HSED program at Northcentral Technical College. At the Alt. H.S., I excelled, and was chosen to be the speaker for my graduation. After graduation I enrolled at NTC because I had gained confidence in myself that I could succeed. I live in the dorms at the UW-Marathon County campus. Currently, my status is I am a pre-dental hygiene student, waiting to petition. Choosing the first year experience will give me the opportunity to interact with people that perhaps I would not have been able to meet on my own. One of my responsibilities is to attend events, including social events, where I will get a chance to interact with others. It is also my responsibility to meet with the FYE advisor, Justin Willis. Justin had come to visit the Alt. H.S. students, and so I knew who he was previously. My goal is to get an associate degree in Dental Hygiene, and be successfully employed in the field. I look forward to coming to NTC because I learn something new every day, not only do I learn academics but things that help with personal growth. My brother and I both attend NTC, and now my mother would like to come here also to start the certified nursing assistant program. I feel like my family has been given a chance to succeed, and I want to personally thank Kristin Van Der Geest, Margie Bock, and Suzanne Huss, from the Alt. H.S. for opening opportunities for me.

2 Mike Ballard Medical Laboratory Technician Student I think that a good support system is key in completing a program as intense as the MLT program Mike Ballard Hello, I am Mike Ballard, a 34 year old current Medical Laboratory Technician student, scheduled to graduate in the spring of Since I was 19 I have been interested in working in a Medical Laboratory. Before entering the Army I had the choice of working in the lab or becoming a Mental Health Specialist. I chose the latter and followed that path for the next 12 years before making the decision to change. After leaving the Army after my stint, I started working in the human services and community corrections work fields. At this time I completed my degree in Human Services at NTC and then used the transfer office at NTC to complete a transfer to University of Wisconsin - Stout and completed the B.S. in Management program in While the education was enriching and challenging, I decided to go in a different direction. So after all of these years, my love of firm science and running experiments won out, and I decided to enroll in the MLT program. Since enrolling in the MLT program, I have found myself much more involved in school then previously. When Laura Ahonen mentioned starting a MLT club, I was really motivated to help out and get the project up and running. I helped to get everyone involved in the process of writing the constitution, and when it was time to elect officers, I decided to run for Club President. I tend to enjoy leading small teams and getting to know the personalities around me. I don't worry about being a male in a program mostly made up of females. I was a minority working in human services and even in the medical company in the Army the unit was mostly female. My goal was to be a generalist in the lab, and I was mostly interested in the Microbiology section. After spending time in all of the classes in the program, I have found Hematology to be the most interesting sections of the lab. I hope to find a job in the local or Twin Cities region upon graduation. Preferably in a large lab that does a full range of tests. A good support system is key in completing a program as intense as the MLT program. Married with a young daughter at home, and thinking it would be impossible to work, attend college, and be even somewhat involved with the school activities, my support system was there, my wife. Finally, my advice to those who are entering NTC as a nontraditional student trust, thank, and reward your support system who are around you. It's hard completing school, while working and raising a family. Take care of them, fit them in your busy days and enjoy your time with them, focus on the end; a richer education that will allow for you to improve not only your life, but that of your family.

3 Beth VanOrder Medical Laboratory Technician Graduate This is the first time in my adult life that I m not living paycheck to paycheck. Beth VanOrder The journey that brought me to NTC was a long one. I found myself making minimum wage at the age of 31 with a husband and young daughter living paycheck to paycheck my entire life. At this point we were several months behind on our mortgage, utilities, and some days I actually paid more in daycare than I made. I left my job and made the decision to return to NTC in the Medical Laboratory Technician program. Knowing that the next several years would be difficult I knew that working a minimum wage job would never allow my family any financial stability. I enjoyed my time at NTC and excelled in my program. I met wonderful professors who had spent years working in the medical lab, and a great group of students who found themselves in a similar position as me. Completing my clinicals at Aspirus Merrill Clinic, Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center, and Aspirus Reference Lab, it was important to me that I was able to work in a variety of laboratory settings. At Aspirus Reference Lab, I meet several other students from four-year colleges who were also completing their clinicals. I was surprised to hear from employees within Aspirus that they have found the NTC students to be as competent, if not more competent, than the four year students. I graduated in May 2014, and was unsure if I would get a job because of the lay-offs occurring in the healthcare industry. After applying for several positions I had two job offers within weeks of graduating, and accepted a weekend position at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center with the option to pick up additional days during the week. This allowed me time during the week to take my daughter to preschool, chaperone her field trips, and saved me hundreds of dollars a month on day care costs. When I interviewed at Good Samaritan, I was glad to hear the lab manager say that she was specifically looking for an NTC graduate to fill this position because they had hired NTC graduates in the past and were impressed. What a great compliment to the NTC Medical Laboratory Technician program! Life is much different with my associate degree from NTC. I m able to save for my daughter s education, retirement, and move into a larger home. I also know that when I decide to continue my education and get my bachelor s degree, my credits will transfer.

4 Justin Willis Diversity Coordinator and First Year Experience Advisor You follow tradition every day why not create a new one? Justin Willis There is a new and exciting program initiative going on this year at NTC, The First Year Experience! Northcentral Technical College believes that the first year in college is critical to academic and social development, promoting student success through to college graduation and beyond. In an effort to create a successful first year, NTC is committed to a comprehensive First- Year Experience Program consisting of both academic support and co-curricular programs designed to integrate students into the college community as engaged learners and participants in campus life To be eligible for the FYE program, students must be enrolled in Health, IT or Trades programs, work directly with Disability services, or identify as a student of color. If interested, please contact Justin Willis at or your advisor. Student Success Services Advising Disabilities and Testing Diversity Non-traditional Occupations Placement Transfer Tutoring

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