The Possibilities & Challenges of Community Colleges
Community colleges are at the front stage of postsecondary education, offering education services to many communities and marginalized groups. Panelists shared their experiences and perspectives about their roles and work at two community colleges. They also shared some of the contemporary issues facing these institutions, the possibilities community colleges offer to society, and panelists also reflected on the current challenges facing community colleges in the United States. Recorded on April 20, 2023.
Panelists: Heather Church (Assistant Registrar, Medical Office Department Chair, & Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Bay Mills Community College) and Ryan P. Johnson (Adjunct History Professor, St. Clair County Community College).
Health Professionals and Adult Learning
Health professionals make a difference in the everyday lives of their patients and communities. Higher, Adult, & Lifelong Education (HALE) students and alums play critical roles in developing and cultivating the next generation of health care professionals. This panel of HALE students shared their professional journeys in healthcare and shared how they leveraged their knowledge and skills of lifelong learning in their careers and beyond. Recorded on March 23, 2023.
Panelists: Emiko Blalock, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University), Mindy Schlaud, C.D.A., R.D.A. (Adjunct Faculty & Clinical Coordinator, Dental Assisting Program, Mott Community College) and Denyse Viger, BAS, Paramedic I/C (Director of Education, Paramedic, & EMS Instructor, Superior Ambulance of Michigan, Life Support Training Institute).
Engaging Wellness as Higher Education Practitioners
This panel of current HALE MA students and alums shared their experiences engaging the possibilities and challenges of wellness as higher education practitioners by providing the space to share lessons learned as educators in/outside postsecondary institutions. Recorded on November 16, 2022.
Panelists: Laura King, M.A. (Human Resources Administrator, MSU Police, Michigan State University) and Dreux Baker, M.A. (Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Residence Education and Housing Services, Michigan State University).
Adult Learning and Community Outreach
This panel of current HALE MA students and alums shared their experiences of doing community outreach in their personal or professional lives. Panelists shared the impact of how their HALE MA degree cultivated their personal and professional development at the community outreach level. Recorded on November 1, 2022.
Panelists: Micaela Flores, M.A. (Admissions & Recruitment Counselor, Office of Admissions, Student Life, & Inclusivity, Michigan State University) and Martin Avila Jr., M.A. (Director, Student Conduct Office, Calvin University).
Workplace Learning
This panel of HALE MA current students share their professional experiences and discuss the role of learning in the workplace and professional development. Panelists also shared the impact the HALE program had on their professional development and career trajectories inside/outside the postsecondary sector. Recorded on April 28, 2022.
Panelists: ChaVonne Bonventre (Membership Director of the Midwest Region, Nielsen), Dr. Emily Kate Bowen, DDS (Dental Assistant Program Director, Mountain Empire Community College) and Shannon Fitzsimons Moen (Associate Director, The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities, University of Michigan)