Montcalm Community College began in fall 1963 as an idea in the minds of a group of public-spirited citizens. The people of Montcalm County realized that factors such as distance to existing colleges, rising educational costs, increasing demands upon institutions of higher education and the growing specialization of the workforce were combining to form a mandate for local post-high school education.
MCC became a reality on March 2, 1965, when it was established by an overwhelmingly favorable vote. The first Board of Trustees was also elected and a one-mill annual tax levy was established.
Completion of a joint site survey resulted in the purchase of land on Sidney Road for the campus. MCC’s 220-acre-campus is near both the geographical and population centers of the district and is accessible from all directions by county and state highways.
Six presidents have served MCC including Dr. Donald Fink, 1965-1971; Dr. Clifford Bedore, 1971-1978; Dr. Herbert Stoutenburg, 1978-1984; Dr. Donald C. Burns, 1984-2009; Robert C. Ferrentino, J.D., 2009-2019; and Dr. Stacy Young, 2020-present.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission,(230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois, 60604-1411, 312-263-0456, info@hlcommission.org).
MCC has progressed steadily since its approval by area voters in 1965. Credit courses are available to students desiring selected classes or classes leading to a certificate or degree. Upgrading and retraining courses, a wide variety of noncredit and recreation courses, employment services, counseling, financial aid assistance, career planning services and tutoring are also available. A dedicated staff, student body and community have helped make the dream of 1963 a viable community college - a learning community dedicated to meeting the educational needs of the people it serves.
Mission
Transforming lives through quality education.
Vision
Community inspiration. Exceptional education. Personal empowerment.
Values
Montcalm Community College subscribes to the following institutional values:
- Student Success - We are committed to student success.
- Empowerment - We are committed to the empowerment of students, staff, businesses, and community.
- Relationships - We are committed to strong relationships with students, staff, businesses, and community.
- Visionary - We are committed to innovative educational experiences that brighten futures.
- Inclusion - We are committed to acceptance and fair treatment of all.
- Community - We are committed to diversity, sustainability, and accountability to our students, communities, and future generations.
- Excellence - We are committed to excellence in everything we do.
Preparing People for Successful Transfer
- Providing liberal arts, science and technical study programs at the freshman and sophomore levels that are transferable to other institutions of higher education.
Preparing People for Competence in The Workplace
- Providing occupational programs and courses based on current standards and workplace competencies for those seeking career preparation.
- Providing consultation and human resource development for area employers and employees.
The Educational Program
The educational program at Montcalm Community College is based on a philosophy having as its chief goals the following outcomes:
- For science and arts students, a two-year college education of high quality is provided offering a firm grasp of the basic areas of knowledge: communication skills, natural science, mathematics, social science, and humanities. In addition to this basic core of learning, a series of electives permits students to explore areas of special interest. It is expected that students who complete two years of academic study have an understanding of how knowledge is gained in the various academic disciplines, and possess the skills to become lifelong learners.
- For applied science students, a high degree of occupational competence at the skilled or semiprofessional level should be achieved. For students who seek an associate degree as well as occupational competence, successful completion of general education core courses is also required. Associate-degreed technicians frequently assist professional workers such as physicians, engineers or teachers, therefore graduates are expected to have competence in the realm of ideas and theories as a necessary complement to skill training, and possess the skills to become lifelong learners.
- For all students, an opportunity to explore both academic and occupational studies while still qualifying for an associate degree will be provided. Where educational goals are not aimed specifically at transfer to a four-year college or at a skill specialty, students may enjoy greater flexibility in planning their programs of study along lines of varied interest.
- For non-degree, non-certificate students, the opportunity to study for increased understanding, for greater job skill or for other personal reasons without reference to formal, prescribed educational pursuits is encouraged. In all cases, MCC students are expected to pursue a chosen course of study with enthusiasm and the best effort of which they are capable at all times. Students and their instructors should approach the learning process collaboratively and with an attitude of optimum achievement. A high quality of performance is required of all in this learning community.
Assessment Policy
Academic assessment using ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT is required for all students pursuing a program of study at MCC or who wish to enroll in a course with a score listed as a prerequisite. Assessment scores must be on file in Student Services. New students must complete and submit an Application for Admission prior to assessment. Students who, within the previous five years, have completed ACCUPLACER or COMPASS or attained the required ACT or SAT assessment scores (see placement score equivalencies chart) do not need to re-test unless by choice. Assessment fees may apply to those who choose to re-test.
Those who have earned an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, are age 60 or older, audit classes or obtain a waiver from the instructor may be exempted from assessment.
See the Placement Chart .
Learning Outcomes
Montcalm Community College is committed to providing an effective learning community that meets the needs of learners. One means of meeting that commitment is a continuous quality improvement process which involves measuring student learning and using the results to improve teaching and learning. Learning outcomes have been identified for each course and degree program offered by the college. To measure student learning, faculty use a variety of assessment methods within a course. Degree program and general education outcomes are assessed by a variety of methods including transfer studies, graduate follow-up studies, placement studies, licensure/ certification results, portfolios, capstone courses and graduation studies.
The Credit Hour
A credit hour gives value to an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement of those outcomes. A credit hour requires one hour of instruction (online or face-to-face), and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for the equivalent of fifteen weeks. Students should be advised that some courses will require more out-of-class work each week, and the hourly average per week may vary per student based on existing knowledge, skills, and abilities.
General Education
Members of the faculty have identified a set of core competencies that each Montcalm Community College associate degree graduate should possess. These competencies are considered integral to opportunities for lifelong learning, preparing for successful transfer, and preparing for competence in the workplace. The identified competencies are reflected in a recommended set of courses that make up the general education core requirements for each of the associate degrees offered at the college.
All associate-degree graduates are expected to demonstrate increased:
- competence in life skills;
- competence in written communications;
- competence in oral communications;
- competence in application of scientific methodologies;
- competence in basic computational methods and mathematical concepts and applications;
- competence in local, national and global citizenship;
- competence in cultural literacy.
The Guarantee
For Job Competency
Any graduate of an associate degree program in occupational studies, judged by his or her employer as lacking in technical job skills normally expected of a job-entry-level employee, will be provided further skill training of up to 16 semester credit hours by MCC without charge.
The employment must be full time and MCC Student Services must certify the job as being directly related to the graduate’s program of study.
The initial date of the graduate’s employment must be within one year of the date of graduation from MCC.
The employer must certify in writing that the employee is lacking the job-entry-level skills necessary for the job, as identified in writing at the time of initial employment, and must specify the area(s) of skill deficiency within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment.
Retraining Guarantee
Skill retraining will be limited to 16 credit hours and to enrollment in courses regularly offered by MCC.
The skill retraining must be completed in one academic year.
The employer, the graduate, and a college advisor, with the advice of appropriate teaching faculty, will develop an educational plan which specifies the courses constituting the 16 credit hours of further retraining.
The graduate must meet all prerequisites, corequisites and other enrollment requirements for retraining courses.
Failure, withdrawal, or audit of retraining courses is creditable to the 16-credit-hour limit.
The graduate or the employer will bear the cost of books, supplies, uniforms, transportation, insurance and other related items. The college will waive tuition and fees.
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