Sunday, August 11, 2013

HCC Leadership Training Provides Skills for a Lifetime

I had the opportunity to work with 32 new and returning HCC students last week as a part of HCC's annual leadership camp. Students serving as tutors, foundation scholars, HCC ambassadors and resident assistants for the 2013-14 academic year participated in the event. These students were an absolute joy to be around. They are energetic, hungry to learn, and are hopeful for what they can offer the world. I'm glad they chose to be Scotties!

HCC is fortunate to have the Klinefelter Farm and Barn-a perfect place to host trainings and work in a live classroom. The Klinefelter Farm is about 10 miles west of the Highland campus. We utilized the barn as our classroom and the Scottie Low Ropes Challenge Course as our team training ground.

At this year's event, all students were trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid. We are all familiar with medical first aid training. This training is very much like that-except students learned to recognize signs of various mental illnesses and how they can help lead others to resources on campus that will be helpful. The training was led by David Elsbury, CEO at KANZA Mental Health Center in Hiawatha, KS.

The rest of the training included team building training on the low ropes course. The purpose of this training is to assist students in working together to help others find success in meeting various challenges on the elements. In application to working as leaders on our campus, these students help other students break down obstacles on campus that might be in the way of finding academic success.

Tyler Nordman, Director of Student Life at HCC, facilitated work on the Scottie Challenge Course. Students participated in some 15 plus events over the course of the training where their communication, listening, leading, following, and problem solving skills were challenged and enhanced. If you'd like to see some of the training, take a look at the HCC Leadership Photo Album. Tyler was assisted by several other HCC facilitators on the course including Kristin Woodruff, HCC Campus Counselor; Andrea Keller, HCC Director of SSS and Advising; Brad Dixon, HCC Director of Housing; and Jamie Albers, HCC Graphic Designer.

I've always referred to the Highland Community College campus as a diamond in the rough. There are so many opportunities here for both staff and students. I am extremely fortunate to work with staff who, year after year, go above and beyond their contracted job duties to do more for students and for Highland. I appreciate the facilitators listed above and the other sponsors of leadership training to include Dr. Craig Mosher, Vanetta Geiger, Therese Crary, Michael Stonebarger, Audrey Caudle, and Kim Bechtold for supporting these students and the training throughout the year.

And, of course, the reason we are here: OUR STUDENTS! They were awesome participants at camp and will certainly be an asset to enhancing HCC's campus culture as our new semester begins later this week! Here's a list of participants: Kayla Bales, Kaylie Berkley, Nikki Boos, Jake Burnett, Erin Clary, Keshana Cook, Madison Demel, Aisha Dively, Thaina Dos Santos, Michelle Foster, Brittany Gerety, Matthew Hastings, Nic Horner, Justin Hoskins, Jamal LaFond, Carl Leahy, Wade Maddox, Marlyse L'Ecuyer, Dakoda McDaniel, Marli Mears, Brandon Nichols, Dianna Pratt, Annie Ross, Jordan Smith, Katelynn Smith, Ben Stinson, Jake Swalley, Tyler Tryon, Briley Ware, Krista Wilgers, Cheyenne Williams, and Miranda Wilson.

Cheryl Rasmussen
VP for Student Services

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Scottie Shorts-Especially for Parents

Sometimes parents feel like they are the last to know anything about what their children are up to! We hope to combat that feeling with this Scottie Shorts blogpost for HCC Parents! Don't hesitate to email or call with questions that aren't answered here. We're pleased that your student has enrolled at Highland and want to do our best to earn your trust!



Registration Days & Housing Check-In for Students attending on the Highland, KS Campus
New Student Registration Day
Wednesday, August 14, 2013-all new Highland campus students report to Walters Wellness Center between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and  4:00 p.m. to make final payment. After the account is paid in full, students will be directed to housing check-in and the bookstore, as all accounts need to be paid prior to checking in to housing or receiving books. Parking passes and student ID’s are also available at the Wellness Center.

Returning Student Registration Day
Thursday, August 15, 2013- all returning Highland campus students report to Walters Wellness Center between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and  4:00 p.m. to make final payment. After the account is paid in full, students will be directed to housing check-in and the bookstore, as your all accounts need to be paid prior to checking in to housing or receiving books. Parking passes and student ID’s are also available at the Wellness Center.

All payments for the fall semester are due on registration day. Students are encouraged to pay online BEFORE registration day. Billing statements are going out this week. You may make payments during business hours at the Highland campus or at any of the HCC Centers or by remitting to Highland Community College, ATTN: Rhonda Modlin, 606 West Main, Highland, KS 66035 or online through your MyHCC account (https://myhcc.highlandcc.edu/selfservice) by selecting the finances tab followed by the “make a payment” button. Students should also note that all financial aid information may also be accessed under the finances tab.

 A $30 late fee will be charged if your payment is not received by these dates. 

HCC On Campus Housing Check-In & Orientation
New students will check in to campus housing on Wednesday, August 14 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Returning students will check in to campus housing on Thursday, August 15 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.  Students are to report to the housing office in Walters Wellness Center to receive room keys after final payment has been made. Housing orientation is required for all students living in campus housing and will be held in Culbertson Auditorium, Thursday, August 15 beginning at 9:00 pm. For more information, please log onto our website at www.highlandcc.edu.

Orientation and First Day of Classes
There are two orientation days for new students attending classes on the Highland campus and living on campus and attending classes at the Technical Center. These will be held on Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16 from 8:30-2:30.

Highland Campus & Technical Center students will start classes on Monday, August 19, 2013. 



For Students Attending at Atchison, Holton, Wamego, & Perry
Registration Days
All payments for the fall semester are due on registration day. Students will be able to enroll and make payment at the following sites on the days listed.

Regional Center Registration Days
Atchison/Technical Center         Tuesday, August 13, 2013              8:00 am-7:00 pm
Holton Center                             Thursday, August 22, 2013           10:00 am-7:00 pm
Wamego Center                          Wednesday, August 21, 2013        10:00 am-7:00 pm
Perry Center                               Friday, August 16, 2013               10:00 am-7:00 pm

All students are encouraged to pay online BEFORE registration day. You may make payments during business hours at any of the HCC Centers or by remitting to Highland Community College, ATTN: Rhonda Modlin, 606 West Main, Highland, KS 66035 or online through your MyHCC account (https://myhcc.highlandcc.edu/selfservice) by selecting the finances tab followed by the “make a payment” button. Students should also note that all financial aid information may also be accessed under the finances tab.

All regional center students who have not made payment before the registration date listed above should report to their regional center to make payment for the semester on registration day. Students who have paid online ahead of registration day do not have to attend registration day. Students who have enrolled for classes, but have not made payment by the end of the day on registration day will be dropped from all classes. We strongly suggest that you check your myHCC online account to see that all financial aid that you are expecting has been applied. If it has not, please contact the financial aid office by email or phone at the contact listed above.

First Day of Classes
Regional Center and Online students will begin classes on Monday, August 26, 2013.

For HCC Online Students
The enclosed statement indicates the amount due to HCC for the Fall 2013 semester. Payments may be remitted to Highland Community College, ATTN: Rhonda Modlin, 606 West Main, Highland, KS 66035 or be made online through your MyHCC account (https://myhcc.highlandcc.edu/selfservice) by selecting the finances tab followed by the “make a payment” button. Students should also note that all financial aid information may also be accessed under the finances tab.

Students taking online classes are reminded that payment for August online courses is due by August 14, 2013. Students not meeting the payment deadline will be dropped from their online classes. Online students are also responsible for purchasing their own textbooks and other course materials. Payments may be made in your MyHCC account and textbook requirements viewed and purchased at http://online.highlandcc.edu. Textbooks are not sold or picked up at any HCC sites; they must be ordered online. Contact Robbyn Ireland, hcconline@highlandcc.edu or (785) 442-6129 for online information. All online student information may be found on the website by clicking HCC Online in the farthest right brown box of the front page.

First Day of Classes
Regional Center and Online students will begin classes on Monday, August 26, 2013. 

Contacts
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Here is a contact list that may assist you in reaching the right person the first time!

Thanks for keeping up with us at HCC. Keep watching for future updates!

Cheryl Rasmussen
Vice President for Student Services