Muskegon Community College (MCC) History and Academics

History

Muskego Community College was originally named Muskegon Junior College when the institution opened in 1926. The third floor of Muskegon High School was the original site of the college. Muskegon was one of only four two-year universities and colleges in Michigan at the time. As enrollment grew, the college moved downtown to Hackley School to support the growth. The college remained at this location for the next 17 years. Students attended Muskegon Junior College as a transfer college with the intention of completing a combined four years at two or more institution.

As the program continued to expand, the name changed to Muskegon Community College in June 1951. The educational curriculum of the college changed to adjust to the wider variety of student interests. Enrollment surpassed 2,000 students in the 1960s, and the college prepared for the next stage of development. The Board of Education formed a team that made the recommendation to create a countywide community college and separate from the public school system. The decision was approved in April 1963, and by September, the 11-acres on which the campus currently sits was purchased.

The first addition to the campus, Frauenthal Foundation Fine Arts Center, was completed in 1968, and the center was named after A. Harold Frauenthal, the industrialist who made the center’s opening possible. As the college continued to grow, the Stevenson Center for Higher Education opened on campus in January 1995. In January 2006, the college opened the Hendrik Meijer Library Information Technology Center, offering the latest in technology. In 2010, the Outdoor Learning Center opened, offering alternative energy demonstration technologies for students.

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Information Summary

Ranks 58th in Michigan and 2607th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	55.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$7,190
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	62% / 34%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,078

Academics

The college consists of 13 departments: Department of Social Sciences, Department of Nursing, Department of Math/Physical Science, Department of Life Sciences, Department of Industrial Manufacturing Technologies, Department of Health/Physical Education/Recreation, Department of Foreign Language, Department of Graphic Design, Department of English/Communications, Department of Education, Department of Creative & Performing Arts, Department of Business, College Success Center, and Department of Allied Health.

A few of the degrees and certificates that the college offers include Criminal Justice, Accounting, Paraprofessional Certificate, Special Education Certificate, Automotive Technology, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Spanish, German, Nursing, Math, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Video Design Certificate, and Machine Technology Certificate. 100 percent online classes and hybrid classes are available for students interested in distance education options.

The institution offers associate degrees and certificates. Students can choose from approximately 48 certificate programs and 41 associate degree programs. The Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association accredits Muskegon Community College.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

The admissions process for the Muskegon Community College is simple and easy for students. Students must submit an application for admittance. The application may be submitted online and there is no application fee. Students must also submit proof of graduation by either submitting a completed G.E.D test or a high school transcript with evidence of graduation. Additionally, students may be required to complete a Compass Placement Test for admittance into the college.

Transfer students must complete an application as well. An official transcript must be submitted for evaluation to Muskegon Community College. Transfer students must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in all college courses. If students wish to receive a degree from this college, at least 15 but no less than 30 hours must come from Muskegon Community college.

Apprentice students must complete the admissions process as well. The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training sets the number of apprentices that students can take and regulations control this number. Muskegon community College has no control over the number of apprentices in a trade that students can pursue. Questions regarding the apprentice programs should be directed to the Internship Coordinator at Muskegon Community College.

Students can enter the college at three points in the year: winter semester (January), summer semester (May-August), and fall semester (August/September). Students should submit the admission application well before the prospective attending semester. Certain classes do not begin with the regular start date of a particular semester so students must check with the admissions department at Muskegon Community College.

Financial Aid

The financial aid process begins once students complete the FAFSA application. Students receive aid according to the unique financial need. Students can qualify for state programs, college programs, scholarships, veterans programs, local community programs, and other state and federal programs.

Students can qualify for $555 to $5,550 in grants through the Pell Grant Program. Students enrolled less than full time (12 credits or more) may receive a prorated award for the year. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6-8.5 hours) to receive Pell Grants. The Academic Competitiveness Grant offers up to $750 for first year undergraduates and up to $1300 for second year undergraduate students. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify.

College Work-Study Programs offer a chance for students to earn money to pay for school by working up to 20 hours each week. Full-time students have preference over other students.

State scholarships include Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program and Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP). The Michigan Competitive Scholarship offers up to ten semesters of financial assistance, and students receive up to $1300 per academic semester.

College programs include MCC Board of Trustees Scholarships, Board of Trustees Scholarship for Home-Schooled Students, Sam Tuition Waiver, Performance-Based Scholarships in Academic and Performance Area, and Athletic Grant-In-Aid. The scholarships offer a $500 gift to students who meet the requirements. Other scholarships available through Muskegon Community College include High School Senior Performance Bases Scholarships and Muskegon community Foundation Scholarships.

Financial assistance is also available for veterans. Reservists, veterans, and veteran dependents/survivors qualify for financial aid through veterans programs. The Veterans Affair Office at Muskegon Community College or a regional Veterans Administration Office can assist students with obtaining these benefits.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6326th for the average student loan amount.
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Students

Muskegon Community College does not offer on-campus housing for students. The college does offer housing resource listing services through the Student Life Office. This service is available free of change to the college’s students. The listings provide the most current listings of available housing options for lease or share in the Muskegon area. Students can also use the listing to list available properties for lease or sharing. A few of the current participating apartment complexes include Amazon Apartments, Barclay Village, Carriage House of Muskegon, Hackley Village Apartments, Glen Oaks Apartments, Chesapeake Landing, Woodland Ridge Apartment Homes, The Meadows, and Quail Meadow Apartments.

Muskegon Community College encourages all students to participate in campus clubs and organizations. The variety of options help students gain leadership experience and encourage social interaction with others. Students may choose from Art and Graphic Design Club, Christina Fellowship Club, Computer and Technology Club, Gardening Club, Philosophy Club, MCC Campus Republicans, International Club, Writing Club, Vegetarian Club, and Veteran Student Organization as entertaining ways to enjoy the college experience.

The Special Events Committee also sponsors programs that include films, theatre productions, public speaking forums for elections, concerts, and lectures. Students can find these events on Muskegon Community College Community Calendar located on the website under student events. Stall Street Journal is a monthly publication that contains all of the upcoming campus events. Students can use this tool to find the latest events on campus.

Tutoring services are also available for students who need these services. Online, peer, walk-in, tutor-led small group, and self-paced tutoring services are available through the Tutoring Center on the campus of Muskegon Community College. The services are available to students at no cost.

Intramural sports offer another chance for students to interact with others and compete in sporting events. Students have the opportunity to compete against each other and student from other schools. These opportunities are available through the Muskegon Community College Intramural-Recreational Sports Program. A few of the events that students may participate in include Co-Ed Golf Scramble, Men’s and Women’s Tennis Tournament Singles, Co-Ed Table Tennis, Jayhawk Fun Run or Walk, Men’s and Women’s Bowling Tournaments, Men’s and Women’s Bingo and Board Games, 4 on 4 Volleyball, and 3 on 3 Basketball Tournaments.

The campus also has a Career Center for interested students. Many students do not have a full understanding about what their degree has to offer as far as careers are concerned. The Career Center on Muskegon Community College’s campus can help students discover the available career choices. A variety of services is available to help students make quality career choices. The center uses several different assessment instruments to determine values, job characteristics, skills, ability levels, and interests. Resources include a battery of assessments and various online tools that students may utilize. Students may use the computers in the Career Center to begin exploring careers. These services are available to students at no charge.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Muskegon Community College has 14 sports teams that include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s, bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, golf, men’s and women’s soccer, wrestling, volleyball, tennis, and softball. The team mascot is the Jayhawks, and the school colors are royal blue and gold. The teams are part of the NJCAA Region XII and the NCCAA Western Conference. The teams have won many national championships over the years. Many of the successful athletes leave Muskegon Community College after graduation and bring success to many four-year institutions across the country.

Bibliography

Cohen, Arthur M, Florence B. Brawer, and John R. Lombardi. The American Community College : Hoboken : Jossey-Bass, 2008. Print.
Muskegon Community College. 28 April 2011. Web. 28 April 2011.
Yakes, Daniel. J. The Many Lives of Muskegon.Muskegon: Muskegon Community College, 1984. Print.

Muskegon Community College