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.
Eight 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; Dr. Stacy Young, 2020-2023; and Dr. Bradley J. Barrick, 2024-current.
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
Creating Opportunity Through Education
Vision
An Educated, Employed, and Thriving Comminity
Values
Montcalm Community College subscribes to the following institutional values:
- You Belong Here - MCC is a place of belonging, where everyone has a seat at the table. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, we will welcome, believe in, and support you.
- We are a Gateway of Opportunity - MCC is a place of opportunity, where we are actively seeking to eliminate barriers in order to provide our learners with an accessible, affordable, and empowering education.
- We Value and Grow Our People - At MCC, we advocate for a healthy, meaningful, and safe work environment, where we cherish our employees by nurturing a culture of respect, collaboration, professional development, and fun.
- Community is Our Middle Name - At Montcalm COMMUNITY College, we are proud that community is our middle name. We believe that our community and college simply go together. We need one another and make each other better.
- We Work on the Institution, Not Just in It - At MCC, we are committed to being responsible stewards of our resources, leading to economic viability, environmental sustainability, and continuous improvement.
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 placement is required for students who graduated more than 10 years ago from high school, had a 2.5 or lower high school GPA, or who cannot provide proof of high school completion/GPA and are pursuing a program of study at MCC. MCC offers Guided Self-Placement where students complete a placement in reading, writing, and math on their own. Students exempt from the placements are those who have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher within the last 10 years, previously completed the ACCUPLACER assessment within the last five years, have earned an associate or higher degree, are age 60 or older, audit classes, or obtain a waiver from the instructor.
Students may access the placements here:
Reading & Writing
Math
After the placements are complete, students are encouraged to meet with a counselor or advisor for assistance in making an informed decision on course placement. Appointments with a counselor or advisor may be scheduled by calling the Student Success Center at 989-328-1264 or texting the Student Success Center at 989-625-4886.
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 global and cultural awareness.
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