Strategic Initiatives Office welcomes new staff members

PTC's Strategic Initiatives Office is growing and recently welcomed four new staff members. Meet Kris Hanson, Education and Employment Advisor; Melissa Johnson, Education and Employment Advisor; Leslie Price, Education and Employment Administrative Specialist; and, Laura Shaleen, Education and Employment Advisor.

Kris Hanson joined the department in Dec. 2011 having come from PTC’s Employment and Training Center where she worked as a Supported Work Specialist, Social Security Advocate, Family Advocate, Workshop Coordinator and Presenter for the past six years. Kris has worked for more than 20 years in the human services field with high-risk families in a one-on-one setting assisting parents in overcoming barriers.

With a background in teaching, Melissa Johnson is no stranger to the education world. She taught Family and Consumer Science in the North Branch and Hinckley-Finlayson school districts. Also, Melissa owned and operated a quilt shop for six years, teaching adult sewing classes in the evening and most recently worked as a media center assistant in the Barnum school district. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science Education from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND and a master’s degree in Educational Learning Technologies from the University of St. Thomas.

Prior to joining the Office of Strategic Initiatives at Pine Technical College, Leslie Price worked as a Coordinator for a group home with adults with cognitive and behavioral disorders. Leslie also has worked as a job coach, training adults with disabilities to obtain and maintain meaningful employment with Options Inc. in Big Lake, MN. Leslie also has training in customer service, insurance sales, and some marketing. Leslie is on track to earn an associate's degree in Health Administration in June and plans to continue her studies and work toward earning a bachelor’s degree in Long-term Health Administration through the University of Phoenix.

Laura Shaleen graduated with a Bachelor degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Moorhead and worked as a mental health case manager for both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining PTC, Laura was at Minnesota School of Business as a high school admissions representative and most recently, Laura worked at Globe University as an Academic Coordinator.

Photo at top: The growing Strategic Initiatives Office. (Front row, L to R) Michelle Paige, Melissa Johnson, Marlene Mixa, Kris Hanson, Leslie Price. (Back row, L to R) Alison Holland, Kerry Fridstrom, Laura Shaleen, Jessica Ayub, Stefanie Schroeder, Terri Nelson.

Instructor Ann Boldt nominated Outstanding Educator

Instructor Ann Boldt has been named Pine Technical College’s Outstanding Educator based on nominations by students, faculty peers, and staff members. Boldt is one of 37 across the state to have earned the title – the others having earned the nomination from their respective MnsCU institutions. Boldt, with other MnSCU nominees, will be recognized April 18 in a statewide ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Paul.

“These faculty members demonstrate what it takes to create an extraordinary education for our students,” said Scott Thiss, MnSCU chair of the Board of Trustees. “They are among our finest faculty and staff who provide the best education available in Minnesota.”

This is the sixth year of the awards, and the April 18 event will reveal the state’s top winners who will take away gold, engraved medallions and the prestigious title Educator of the Year – MnSCU’s highest academic honor. Evaluation criteria include teaching strategies and materials; content expertise; service to students, the profession, institution and the system; and assessment of student learning and performance.

At PTC, Boldt teaches ENGL 100, Writing Foundations I; ENGL 220, Writing Foundations II; ENGL 1277, Technical Communications, READ 100, Reading Strategies I; and, READ 210, Reading Strategies II.

“I am so honored to be nominated," Boldt says. “To share the title of Outstanding Educator and to look forward to sharing the stage on April 18 with such remarkable people from all corners of the state is a little overwhelming. I feel so complimented that our students and my peers at PTC have selected me for this,” Boldt says.

Photo at top: PTC instructor and winner of the Outstanding Educator nomination, Ann Boldt.

CLIMB Theatre brings A Deeper Look to PTC, April 18

CLIMB Theatre is bringing A Deeper Look to PTC, Wed. April 18, 11 a.m. to 12 noon. CLIMB (Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body) Theatre is an award-winning theatre company located in Inver Grove Heights, and this on-campus production of A Deeper Look is made possible by the PTC Diversity Committee.

"This production is not to be missed! A Deeper Look takes a critical look at tough issues such as prejudice, stereotyping, and so much more," says Diversity Committee Co-Chair Penny Hudlow. "It will be eye-opening and yet delivered in a non-threatening way," Hudlow adds.

The production is performed by just eight actors and will be held in the auditorium, Room 20. CLIMB Theatre is the proud winner of the 2009 AATE Sara Spencer Artistic Achievement Award, honoring artistic theatre practice of long duration and wide recognition. For more information, visit A Deeper Look or call 320-629-5100.

Photo at top: Actors of the CLIMB Theatre company perform a scene from A Deeper Look.

Pine Technical College to host An Evening of Opportunity

Pine Technical College will host a special event, "An Evening of Opportunity," Mon. Apr. 16, 5 to 8 p.m. The event, free and open to the public, opens with an inspirational keynote address given by Roxanne DeLille, Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College’s 2008 Educator of the Year. An Evening of Opportunity also will feature breakout sessions such as, “Why Attend College?” “How to Complete the College Application,” “All about Financial Aid,” as well as dinner with a student panel, staff-led campus tours, door prizes, and more.

“Of course, PTC has so much to offer in the way of educational programs, but many are unaware of all the support services we offer that help make college possible – like on-campus child care, and financial aid, and expert career counseling to help students define the right path,” says PTC Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach. “This event invites everyone to come and experience just how flexible, convenient, and accessible college can be,” Mach adds.

Hosting the event was the brainchild of the campus Diversity Committee, a group comprised of 12 staff and faculty members representing a variety of departments, whose role is to foster and create a campus climate where each individual feels welcomed, supported, and respected. The Diversity Committee, co-chaired by Mach and Penny Hudlow, PTC’s Director of Human Resources, applied for and won a $3800 grant, awarded by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office to sponsor and host such an event.

“Not just the members of the Diversity Committee, but everyone on campus, is thrilled that we’re putting on An Evening of Opportunity,” Hudlow says. “It’s going to be fun, motivating, and educational all at once. It’s a chance to see and experience what college is about in a no-pressure environment,” Hudlow adds.

The Diversity Committee is expecting the event to draw close to 75 attendees. For more information about the event, call 800-521-PINE.

Two PTC automotive technology students win big at annual SkillsUSA conference

Two outstanding PTC automotive technology students, Shayne Bontjes and Jake Charpentier, stole the show at the SkillsUSA Minnesota Leadership and Skills Conference held Mar. 23 through Mar. 25 at the DoubleTree/Hilton in Minneapolis, Minn.

Bontjes received a third place award and is tentatively planning a May, 2013 graduation with an A.A.S. in automotive technology. Charpentier received an honorable mention/fourth place award and also is tentatively planning a May, 2013 graduation with an automotive technology diploma.

"Everyone in the auto shop is very proud of Shayne and Jake. They represented PTC very well at the annual conference, and they are both excellent student leaders in the auto program, as well as across campus," says Jeff Ruth, Automotive Technology Instructor and PTC SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor.

The SkillsUSA organization is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce; the organization is comprised of more than 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territories and focuses on serving students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Bontjes and Charpentier are members of the PTC chapter.

Photo at top: Automotive Technology students Shayne Bontjes (left) and Jake Charpentier (right) showcase awards won at the SkillsUSA Minnesota Leadership Conference.

PTC welcomes sixth-grade girls for annual Women in Technology event

Pine Technical College is in the midst of hosting its twelfth annual Women in Technology (WIT) two-day event. The event means PTC will host more than 260 sixth-grade girls from six area schools, on campus to learn about careers in hi-tech industries. The event, organized by PTC faculty and staff members, features hands-on demonstrations, a tour of the college and guest presentations such as "Making Silver Metal," "The Energy Industry," "Virtual Reality," "What’s in My Lipstick?" and more. The event started earlier today and ends tomorrow, Wed. Mar. 7.

"Research has shown girls at this age begin to formulate ideas regarding what careers they may see themselves pursuing in the future," says PTC Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach. "We’ve designed this event to help young girls see and imagine themselves in roles where they are contributing to advanced, hi-tech industries. Many girls at this impressionable age are forming thoughts about what they want to do when they grow up, and this kind of field trip makes a lasting, positive impression," Mach adds.


Photo above: An ambassador from the Science Museum of Minnesota delivers the closing keynote address entitled "Energy Connections."

Photo at top: Terri Nelson, Healthcare Alliance Program Coordinator, demonstrates the technology used within healthcare training by showcasing a SimMan.

Shooters' Association hosts successful 29th Annual Gun Show

The Pine Technical College Shooters' Association hosted the 29th Annual Gun Show over the weekend, and firearms enthusiasts and collectors from all corners of the Midwest turned out to trade, buy, sell, and browse guns, rifles, knives, and outdoor gear.

"We had about 2,700 people come through," says Doug Pieper, PTC Gunsmithing Technology instructor and Shooters' Association Advisor. "We really look forward to hosting this event each year; it's a chance for our gunsmithing students to showcase projects they've been working on in class to industry professionals as well as an opportunity to show off our gunsmithing program," Pieper adds.

Next year's event, the 30th Annual Gun Show, is scheduled for Feb. 23 and 24, 2013. For information regarding registering as a vendor, call 320-629-5168.

Photo at top: Gun Show attendees browse, buy, sell, and trade guns, rifles, and knives in PTC's Automotive Technology lab - outfitted to accommodate the annual event.