PTC partners with HigherOne to provide safer, more seamless financial aid disbursement process

PTC has partnered with HigherOne, Inc., a financial services company focused solely on higher education, to offer faster, safer, and more environmentally-friendly delivery of financial aid funds. In the spring, 2012 semester, PTC students voted in favor of the college pursuing the partnership, and now, staff members in PTC's Business Services department are on track for an August, 2012 launch date.

"We've been looking into the partnership since last summer, and after a lot of discussion with students and administrators, it makes good sense in the way of student service to utilize HigherOne," says Janis Wegner, Chief Financial Officer.

Within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, 16 institutions have contracted with and are utilizing the services provided by HigherOne. Additionally, the company serves more than 800 institutions and six million students across the nation.

Currently, PTC disburses financial aid refunds by way of mailing paper checks. Historically, the process has been effective and efficient; however, with enrollment ever-growing, the process is becoming more time-consuming and cumbersome, and the risk of errors increases with growth as well. By partnering with HigherOne, students will have the option of choosing how they receive their refunds: via direct deposit into an existing bank or credit union account; via a new HigherOne OneAccount; or, via the old-fashioned way -- by getting a paper check in the mail.

Artwork by Kiersten Scott on display in PTC's art exhibit

On display now through September, 2012, in what PTC has affectionately dubbed the “Pine Art Gallery,” are original works of art created by Kiersten Scott.

Scott has been creating works of art since 2007, having started early in high school with a painting class. With just one course, Scott was inspired to further explore her artistic side and since then has been creating artworks in many media.

"I enjoy many forms of art and creating art, and I'm proud to have a few of my pieces showcased at PTC,” Scott says. "I enjoy painting, and my own favorites are done in acrylic,” Scott adds.

Scott graduated from Cambridge-Isanti High School in 2010, and since then, she has continued painting in acrylic, as well as working with pottery and drawings. A graduate of Central Beauty School in Cambridge, Minn., she also is able to apply her artistic streak as a cosmetologist.

The Pine Art Gallery features works of original art created by established and/or emerging artists from the Pine Area, embracing the talent and creativity of Pine Technical College students and the larger Pine community. The exhibit changes seasonally, and many kinds of artworks are showcased, including paintings, photography, pottery, sculptures, sketches, wood carvings and more. If you are an artist from the Pine Area and wish to exhibit your works in the Pine Art Gallery, see the Pine Technical College Marketing Director in Student Affairs.

Scott also works as a freelance painter; to contact her regarding commissioned pieces, e-mail: kierstenlorrene@gmail.com.

Images at top: Examples of artwork by Kiersten Scott on display in the Pine Art Gallery, on campus at PTC.

Pine Technical College and Bethel University partner to bring B.S. in nursing to Pine City

Pine Technical College and Bethel University have partnered to bring a bachelor of science degree in nursing (B.S.N.) program to nursing students and healthcare professionals in the Pine Area. PTC has offered a rich lineup of nursing and healthcare programs including practical nursing, nursing assistant training, emergency medical services training, and much more; however, until now, a B.S.N. program was inaccessible for nursing students in the Pine Area.

“We know local hospitals and clinics are experiencing a shortage of qualified BSNs, and they struggle to recruit enough applicants with this degree level,” said Krista Hoekstra, Director of Nursing at PTC. “With this need on the rise, we couldn’t be more excited to offer our own graduates and area RNs [registered nurses] a convenient, local way to reach that goal,” Hoekstra adds.

The program and degree is offered by Bethel University, and classes take place at the Pine Technical College campus. Up to 30 students are accepted and move through the program together, taking one course at a time for 18 to 20 months. The program is designed as a cohort model, where students progress through the program primarily in the same group of 24 to 30 learners. Research shows cohorts serve as a source of support academically and professionally as students progress through their coursework and manage the demands of work, education, and family life all at once. While many applicants for the program are graduates of PTC’s nursing mobility program and have earned their RN credential, the program is open to RNs who may have earned their degrees or credentials from other institutions.

“Since the program is located at the PTC campus, it’s very convenient for our students. Now, all on our campus, students can move from nursing assistant, to trained medication aide, to LPN, to RN, and now to B.S.N. with the Bethel partnership,” Hoekstra says.

Recognizing the new partnership, Bethel University is providing PTC graduates in the first cohort of students -- starting this Fall term -- a scholarship totaling one-third of tuition (a value of more than $5,300). Traditional financial aid is also available for those who qualify.

Pine Technical College has recognized the need for more medically trained professionals in East Central Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and the college has responded by expanding its lineup of healthcare programs to include nursing assistant courses that meet training requirements for both Minnesota and Wisconsin, a medical laboratory technician program in partnership with Lake Superior College, and most recently, a medical assistant A.A.S. degree. Additionally, PTC offers phlebotomy and electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) credentials, which will help our region’s healthcare students and professionals to become sought-after, multi-skilled workers.

PTC Student Affairs welcomes Ching Ching Suaw

The PTC Student Affairs department welcomes Ching Ching Suaw, the college's new Student Success Coordinator. Suaw's role will include developing, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing student achievement and retention.

"I am thrilled to be a part of Student Affairs at PTC and to contribute to the college's efforts in helping students realize success,” says Suaw. "Working in this kind of capacity has been a passion and goal of mine since I began my own college career, and I am looking forward to collaborating with the entire college community to build new, sustainable systems to support student achievement," Suaw adds.

A native of Malaysia, Suaw completed her master’s degree in college counseling and student development at St. Cloud State University. As a graduate assistant at SCSU, Suaw taught a college transition course for first-year students, co-coordinated a peer mentor program and advised undecided students in course selection and registration. Suaw also spent a summer as a resident assistant working with the Upward Bound program at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College.

Photo above: Ching Ching Suaw.