After 20 years of offering classes at Grand Haven High School, Muskegon Community College is opening a new center to expand services for Ottawa County residents.
“This new facility is the next logical step to meeting growing needs in this area,” explained Dale K. Nesbary, Ph.D., President of Muskegon Community College. “Of all the places we considered over the past two years, the location within the Grand Haven Community Center complex is best suited to meeting student and community needs. We’re now able to provide more daytime classes and a variety of student services.”
In addition to classes at the new facility, MCC will continue offering classes at the Grand Haven High School, Spring Lake Middle School, and other locations as needed.
“The important thing is that we make higher education accessible,” said Nesbary. “Providing services in the neighborhoods where they are needed is the first step to helping all students and communities meet their educational goals.”
The Post-Secondary Action Team, a committee of the Chamber that includes representatives from local school districts, Grand Valley State University, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Tri-Cities College Access Network, and other community members, invited Muskegon Community College to work with them to determine the best course of action to make higher education more accessible in north Ottawa County.
“The support and advocacy of the Post-Secondary Action Team plays a key role in MCC successfully meeting the local higher education needs,” said Teresa Sturrus, MCC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We look forward to working with our education partners to further increase access to higher education.”
Dr. John Selmon, Vice President for Student Services, explains that MCC has “dramatically increased” its outreach in the past year to better respond to local needs. “Our enrollment representatives had office hours at The Coffee Grounds each month, plus we’re in the community in other ways, making sure folks know what services are available,” noted Selmon, adding that the efforts led to tripling the enrollment in classes held in Ottawa County over the past year.
Anyone interested in learning more about classes available in Ottawa County, or MCC in general, is encouraged to attend MCC’s Fall Enrollment Fair in the lower level of the Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven, from 4 to 7pm on Thursday, July 26. In addition to completing applications, getting registration information, and financial aid details, prospective students can meet with faculty and learn more about the over 80 areas of study offered at the college.
The Muskegon Community College Board of Trustees approved a lease with the City of Grand Haven at its Wednesday, July 18 board meeting. The lease for the lower level of the facility, at 422 Fulton, will begin in January 2013. In the meantime, the college is leasing space in upper level of the Grand Haven Community Center, located at 421 Columbus, and is now offering enrollment and other services from noon to 6:30pm Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 8am to 2pm. Fall classes begin Monday, August 27, 2012. For more information, visit www.muskegoncc.edu/ottawa or call MCC toll-free at (866) 711-4622.