MONROE, Mich. -- Monroe County Community College has received state approval to offer a new Emergency Medical Technician certificate program at its Whitman Center location in Temperance, one of a several new developments at the facility, which, after a number of years of limited use, will be bustling with activity this academic year.
MCCC officials stated that in recent years, changing student course-delivery preferences, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted classes and services typically offered at the Whitman Center.
Community conversation sessions between college officials and area residents in the spring sparked numerous ideas on how to invigorate the facility that are now being implemented, and more are yet to come.
Dr. Grace Yackee, vice president of instruction, announced in an email to employees yesterday that MCCC received approval on Sept. 3 from the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to offer the new EMT certificate program at the center, which is located in a picturesque, wooded setting at 7777 Lewis Ave. just north of the Michigan-Ohio state line.
The two-semester certificate program will prepare students to provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services system. Effective communication, critical thinking, safety, and ethical and legal practices will be emphasized in MCCC's program, according to the program guide in the college's academic catalog.
Dean of Health Sciences Helen Stripling said there are still some seats available in the program, which will accept 20 students per year, but interested students should act quickly. The first class, Emergency Medical Technician I, begins Sept. 15.
Below is the schedule of classes and the practical exam that must be completed to earn the certificate this academic year:
- EMS I: Sept. 15-Oct 11, Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 a.m. (mandatory); Friday, 9 a.m.-noon (optional)
- EMS II: Oct. 14-Dec 9, Monday-Thursday, 7:30- 9 a.m. (mandatory); Friday, 730 a.m.-noon (optional)
- EMS III: Jan. 13-Feb 28, Monday-Thursday, 7:30- 9 a.m. (mandatory); Friday, 7:30-noon (optional)
- EMS IV: Mar. 10- May 1, Monday-Thursday, 7:30- 9 a.m. (mandatory); Friday,7:30 a.m.-noon (optional)
- Final Practical Exam: May 2 (mandatory)
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Other developments at the Whitman Center include the announcement of regular Monday-Friday hours for counseling and advising purposes, the hiring of an on-site coordinator, and the offering of 14 enrichment courses and career/workforce training sessions at the center this Fall Semester.
Monday-Friday Hours for Advising and Student Services
The new hours for Fall Semester are Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. - Noon.
For credit programming, part time counselors are available at the Whitman Center for advising purposes during scheduled hours and as needed, and all other student services offered on Main Campus are accessible remotely. Accommodations for those with disabilities are made at Whitman Center through MCCC's Disability Services Office, as needed.
Rebecca Fournier, new Whitman Center coordinator for Monroe County Community College, poses in front of the entrance to the facility.
New Coordinator Position
For the first time in more than a decade, the Whitman Center has a full-time coordinator of activities at the location.
Rebecca Fournier, the new Whitman Center coordinator, is a resident at Temperance and most recently served for two years as the administrative assistant to the director of lifelong learning at MCCC. She has extensive experience working in customer service through positions she has held with Pavlov’s Brewing Company in Temperance, the YMCA of Greater Toledo and Corpus Christi University Parish in Toledo. She also worked for several years in elementary education as a classroom aide, playground aide and latchkey supervisor.
She holds two degrees from MCCC -- an associate of science degree and an associate of applied science degree in administrative professional.
"As a Bedford-area resident, Rebecca has a strong commitment to see the Whitman Center be successful," Yackee said, adding that Fournier voluntarily took part in the community listening sessions for Whitman Center in the spring. "She is eager to help use her connections in the area and [Northwest Ohio] to help stimulate interest in the center."
In her role, Fournier will manage the administrative functions at the Whitman Center, assist students with credit and non-credit registration and general inquiries concerning admissions and enrollment, process tuition payments, schedule counselor appointments and provide assistance to students and faculty, Yackee said.
Lifelong Learning and Workforce Training Options Being Offered at Whitman
MCCC is providing southern Monroe County with a robust lineup of personal enrichment classes and career and workforce training opportunities this Fall Semester at the Whitman Center, such as art, dog training, photography, yoga, leadership, communication, electrical safety and more.
Below is the full list of offerings (for dates, times and costs, and to register, please go to www.monroeccc.edu/LL):
Personal Enrichment, Dog Training and Fitness
- AKC Canine Good Citizen
- Leadership Gold
- Lunchtime Yoga
- Mindful Morning Art
- Photoshop for Photographers
- Photography 1 for Digital and Film Cameras
- Puppy Training Good Manner Class
Career and Workforce Training
- Hazwoper Annual 8-hour Refresher
- Becoming a Person of Influence -- How to Personally Impact the Lives of Others
- Confined Space Awareness
- Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
- Lock-Out-Tag-Out
- NFPA 70E Electrical Safety (4 hours)
- Lithium Batteries (4 hours)
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich lives in our community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences. MCCC is located at 1555 South Raisinville Rd., Monroe, Mich., 48161. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave. in Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at monroeccc.edu.