Two PTC staff members selected to participate in prestigious Luoma Leadership Academy Program

Photos above: Paula Hoffman, left; Shawn Reynolds, right

Two Pine Technical College staff members, Paula Hoffman and Shawn Reynolds, were selected to participate in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities prestigious Luoma Leadership Academy Program. Hoffman, Curriculum Development Coordinator, and Reynolds, Director of Financial Aid, were selected from a pool of applicants across the MnSCU system to be a part of the 2011-2012 cohort, which is limited to 54 enrollees.

"I feel so lucky to be a part of this program," Hoffman says. "I’m so proud to be a part of the MnSCU system already, and I plan to stay with PTC for many years. This training and development will enhance my ability to contribute even more," Hoffman adds.

“I'm very excited about this opportunity," Reynolds says. "The program will give me a better understanding of the MnSCU system and allow us to better meet the needs of our students," Reynolds adds.

Named for Trustee Emeritus Jim Luoma, who was a great proponent of providing leadership development opportunities for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees, the Luoma Leadership Academy is an 18-month leadership development program designed to nurture leadership talent within the MnSCU system. Eligible participants may include department and faculty deans, human resource directors, business managers, chief financial officers, as well as faculty and staff who aspire to future leadership positions.

The Luoma Leadership Academy is supported and sponsored by the MnSCU system in cooperation with The Academy for Leadership and Development in Mesa, Arizona.

Artwork by Joy Zasadny on display in Pine Art Gallery

Images above: Artworks by Dr. Joy Zasadny as seen through the exhibit glass.

You may know Joy Zasadny, D.C., from BIOL 1250 - General Biology I, BIOL 1260 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I, or BIOL 1270 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II. Dr. Zasadny is known for her teaching role at PTC in the sciences, but not many know about her artistic streak.

Zasadny was raised in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and has been creating art for many years. Zasadny says she considers it her passion as well as her form of healing relaxation.

"I have all kinds of hobbies and interests including hiking, fishing, drawing, painting and pottery, but I draw most of my inspiration, as well as my materials, from my love for the outdoors," Zasadny says.

In 2007, Zasadny graduated from Northwestern Health Science University as a Doctor of Chiropractic and now works at a private practice in St. Croix Falls, Wis. in addition to teaching at PTC. Zasadny completed her undergraduate work in Dubuque, Iowa; Melbourne, Fla.; and she finished her B.S. in exercise science at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tenn.

Following her graduation from Milligan College, she completed a six month thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, hiking from Georgia to Maine. Rock climbing, hiking, skiing, fishing and canoeing are among her interests, though surfing on Lake Superior is her newest sporting challenge.

"I'm motivated and awed by the wonders God has created, and this can be seen in my art form," Zasadny says. "It was my interest in fly fishing that led me to take a fly-tying class, and just one day while choosing materials for tying, I considered the variety of the feathers and thought they should be displayed for their very own beauty," Zasadny adds.

Since then, Zasadny has been creating what is affectionately called "Art on the Fly." You can see Zasadny's artwork on display now through Sept., 2011. The exhibit 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, staff, faculty and the larger Pine community. The exhibit changes seasonally, and many kinds of artworks are showcased, including paintings, photographs, 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.

Branding: A strategy to use on yourself

For all the time we spend in class learning our programs, building our reputations for accomplishment, and being au courant on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter — the attention many of us direct toward how we present our physical selves in the classroom and workplace may be less than impressive. And simply put, those who make the effort climb the ladder faster and farther.

"People aren’t hired in the first 30 seconds of an interview, but many of them eliminate themselves based on something they say or the way they appear," says Tim McLafferty, president of Minneapolis-based Focus Executive Search.

According to a 2008 CareerBuilder.com study, 41 percent of employers say employees who dress more professionally are more likely to be promoted. Other polls report as many as 93 percent of managers factor in how a person dresses when considering their advancement potential.

Julie Haltom remembers finding what seemed on paper to be the perfect vice president candidate for a previous employer. That is, until she brought him in for an interview. Now a team member at Wayzata-based recruitment firm Andcor Companies, Haltom has 15 years' experience in human resources leadership.

"He was meeting with the senior leadership team of an extremely successful company and he wore corduroys, a button-down shirt, and a sport coat," Haltom recalls. "Nothing matched, the clothing looked a little bit worn. He was shabby."

The leadership team took the candidate’s casual appearance as a sign of disrespect, and he didn’t go any further in the interview process. It's a concern for anyone in the business world to make sure to present yourself as strongly as you're selling your ideas; style is an essential part of the preparation process. Looking good helps you exude confidence, which in turn gives your audience confidence in you, whether your audience is your boss, your clients, or your colleagues.

Adapted from:
Wiley, M. & Eliason, K. (March, 2011). How's your brand? Style matters more than you may know. Twin Cities Business, 32-33.

PTC debuts new "Campus Visit Experience"

Pine Technical College's Student Affairs office is implementing a new way to introduce prospective students and applicants to the college. The new program, affectionately called the "Campus Visit Experience," includes an informative presentation delivered by a PTC Admissions staff member and a walking tour of the campus. The presentation provides an overview of PTC, the application process, the financial aid process, plus an explanation of college programs and degrees. The walking tour highlights the college’s Learning Resource and Technology Center, the student lounge, PTC’s hi-tech labs, and more.

“Attending the Campus Visit Experience is the best way for anyone considering PTC to learn about our programs, how to go about applying, and to gain an overview of how financial aid works,” says Dani Chandonnet, PTC’s Director of Marketing and Admissions. “We started offering the Campus Visit Experience as an organized event since nearly everyone inquiring about PTC has the same set of questions. This is an approach where all the information an applicant would like is given in a no-pressure, fun format with a tour,” Chandonnet adds.

The Campus Visit Experience is offered twice a week – a morning option and an afternoon option – Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 2 p.m. The presentation portion lasts one hour, and the tour lasts about 20 minutes. There is no need to R.S.V.P. – attendees are encouraged to simply show up.

“While some applicants simply apply online and never set foot on the campus until they come to Orientation, we’re responding more and more to applicants who want to try us on before applying,” Chandonnet says. “The Campus Visit Experience makes that easy, and we proactively answer pretty much all their questions during the experience. Even if they end up not choosing to apply to PTC, everyone leaves the Campus Visit with valuable information about college, in general.”

To attend a Campus Visit at PTC, guests are encouraged to plan ahead and allow enough time for parking and to locate the Campus Visit classroom before the session begins. For more information about the Campus Visit Experience, click here or call 320-629-5100.