Summer 2007 - Wayne County Community College

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Special faculty Notes FeatureIn the Spotlight:WCCCD Bids Farwell to Drs.Hattie L. Johnson-Norris and Janet May DettloffDr. Hattie L. Johnson-NorrisOf all my accomplishments onlya few of which I am most proudare included here. The numberone goal when I first arrived at thecollege was to have the campus withthe highest enrollment. After nineyears at the Northwest Campus,we finally achieved that goal andmaintained it for the final twoyears of my 11 year tenure at theNorthwest Campus. Incidentally,staff and faculty of the NorthwestCampus informed me that I was thelongest sitting campus president/dean/provost of any campus at thecollege.The college established the first“One Stop Shop” RegistrationCenter at The Northwest Campus.Initially, many students madepositive comments to me regarding the Center.One additional accomplishment during my tenurewas creating a positive relationship with the surroundingcommunity. Individuals for the community oftendescribed the camps as having a warm family-likeatmosphere. To me, that was a major achievement andquite different from what I wastold when I initially arrived atthe campus.Serving as campus presidentat WCCCD was what Idescribed as my “Ministry”which I thoroughly enjoyed.Indeed I am thankful forhaving the opportunity to servethe college in this capacity.Thanks to Dr. Curtis Ivery,chancellor, members of hisCabinet, the faculty, and staffof the Northwest Campus forassisting me in achieving theseaccomplishments.Dr. Johnson-Norris has beena member of Cambridge’sWho’s Who of America’s HonorSociety for approximately eight years and was recentlyelected as one of its outstanding Professional Executivesof the Year 2007 and is included in the Honors Edition ofthe Who’s Who Registry.Tips for Working with StudentsI would describe myself as a “Servant Leader.”The number one responsibility/priority of a CampusPresident/Dean in my perception is to take care of theneeds of the students in a timely manner focusingon excellent customer service. One writer defines“good customer service” as making the individualexperience positive feelings from within.When students approached me with a concern,I asked them to put their concern or request inwriting. In that way, the students writing skillswere enhanced. Additionally, if they were angeredby the request, putting their concern in writingassisted in deescalating that anger. It also provideddocumentation and a tracking mechanism in termsof follow up and resolution of the students concern.When I was out of the office and received telephonemessages form students or perspective students,I would always attempt to return their call within24 hours. Additionally, I always attempted to keepstudents informed utilizing teachable moments whereappropriate. I always attempted to offer emotionalsupport to my students and staff and implementedwhere possible the phrase coined by my husband “Itis always encouraging to be encouraging.”Dr. Janet May DettloffDr. Janet May Dettloff started with WCCCD in 1972as a part-time biology instructor and became full-time in1974. She has served in an administrative role since 1992.“I came to the College to help students. I believed thateducation was the only way to help improve someone’slife,” said Dr. Dettloff. “I still feel that way.”When asked what has motivatedher to stay with WCCCD, Dr. Dettloffreplied, “The students are very specialto me.”The first in her family to attaina college education,and as a divorced,single motherof two sons, sheworked her waythrough college andhas always felt shecan empathize withthe challenges facedby adult students.“The adult students weredetermined to better theirlives.” She admired the couragedisplayed by her students.Dr. Dettloff has had numerousspecial moments whichhave all revolved around students.One that stands out iswhen one her students, sufferingfrom terminal cancer,brought her children to class to let them know about the importanceof education.Dr. Dettloff has been a part of the Commencement Committeesince 1982. “It is the best committee I have been on. It is themost rewarding and fun because by serving you are doingeverything for the students. The culmination of graduation isrewarding to the committeeas well as the students.”“You seldom get the chance atthe end of your career to have aculmination of your experiences.”Dr. Dettloff plans tospend more quality timewith her family afterretirement.What will you miss the most?“The people. The working together, theplanning, and sharing the joy of theplanning.”“One of the most rewarding moments iscalling the recognition students. They getso excited.”Advice to students“I got my Ph.D. as a single parent. Youcan do it. You have to sacrifice but in theend you have a feeling of satisfaction andthat you can do anything.”Advice to colleagues“As a fan of Piaget and Gagne, my adviceis fellow colleagues is to never assume thestudents know anything. For students tolearn, you have to understand their needs.It is important to start with the simplestconcept and proceed from there.”Study Tips for Students“Use index cards whenever you have sometime to wait (shopping, doctor’s officevisits). Constant small bits of study timeare better than hours.” District Dimensions Summer 2007
district notesVet TechnologyOpen HouseThe WCCCD Veterinary Technology Program holds two openhouses per year, one in April and one in November. The April 2007open house broke all records. Over 80 prospective students andfamily members attended. Participants were given an overviewof the profession and the WCCCD program. After the formalpresentation, an informal question and answer forum took place.The group then split into twosections and toured the facility.Following the tour, the ProgramDirector, Karen Hrapkiewcz,doctor of veterinary medicine(DVM) and the ProgramCoordinator, Marianne Tear,licensed veterinary technician(LVT), were available to answerquestions and provide advisingon an individual basis.IditarodFor the third year in a row, theWCCCD Veterinary TechnologyProgram was invited to participatein the pre-race program for the Iditarod sled dogs in Alaska.Every dog that runs the “last great race” must have an ECG andcomplete blood work done to prevent injury or death on the trail.Each musher can qualify up to 24 dogs; this year there were over 75mushers! The program coordinator, Marianne Tear and one luckysecond year student provided support the last week of February.WCCCD is the only Veterinary Technology Program that participatesin this internationally known event.Carol Fischer holding dog for evaluationVeterinary Technology students in sessionMarianne Tear and LionDogs in harness at the Iditarod startN e w s m a k e r s Anthony Arminiak hasbeen appointed to the Board ofDirectors for the Taylor ConservatoryFoundation. The mission of thefoundation is to enrich the lives ofour community members by creatingbeautiful public spaces, promotingthe arts and sciences, and preserving our naturalresources. WCCCD will be an educational partnerfor the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Garden byoffering various continuing education courses. Dimensions wants to congratulate Martha J. Grier,for receiving the 2007-2008 MinorityAchiever of the Year Award from theYoung Men’s Christian Association(YMCA). This award is presented toleaders who have made a difference intheir community. Mrs. Grier certainlyqualifies since for more than 20 years,she has been WCCCD’s biggest cheerleader organizing,creating, arranging, designing, and planning manyof the events at the College that honor and celebratestudents. Dr. Stephanie Bulger has beenelected to the Board of the NationalUniversity TelecommunicationsNetwork (NUTN), an internationaldistance learning organization of adiverse mix of public and private twoyear,four-year, graduate institutions,and other organizations. The mission of the NUTN isto facilitate and promote networking, mentoring, andcollaboration among higher education institutions andeducational technology professionals. Dr. Karen Hrapkiewicz and Marianne Tearco-authored an article in the Institute for LaboratoryAnimal Research Journal. The article titled “FundamentalTraining for Individuals Involved in Care and Use ofLaboratory Animals”was published in March2007. Dr. Stephanie Bulgerand Dr. George Swan,III have been selected toserve as peer reviewersfor the Program to Evaluate andAdvance Quality (PEAQ) of TheHigher Learning Commission ofthe North Central Association ofColleges and Schools. Congratulations to art instructorJocelyn Rainey and her students from Loyola HighSchool on being selected for the June 6-12, 2007 coverstory of the Metrotimes. The story centered on aneducational trip taken by Ms. Rainey and her studentsto Paris, France which gave them the opportunity toexperience French art and culture. WeTonia Reynolds competed and presented anexhibit (along with six other presenters) for the AnnualPeople’s Choice Award at the 2007 Michigan Oral HealthConference in Lansing. Ms. Reynolds’ exhibit wonand was comprised of information describing a newpartnership between WCCCD and the Wayne CountyDepartment of Public Health. This collaboration willprovide dental hygiene students with experience in acommunity-based pediatric dental clinic and publichealth experience with high-risk populations.Summer 2007 District Dimensions
Page 3 and 4: updatesTechnologyvs. CriticalThinki
Page 5: Career FocusPositive feedback from
Page 9 and 10: highlightsMark Lang - Provost of th
Page 11 and 12: updatesHealthSciencesIn May, WCCCD
Page 13 and 14: Special FeatureReverend Adolph Wasc
Page 15 and 16: Special featureHonors ConvocationEa

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