By: Norman Corrion
The Oct. 3 board meeting was filled with round after round of applause when the welding staff and recent graduates took the podium.
The welding department presented regarding their success in retention, enrollment, and academic completion. They reported a 15.5 percent year-over-year increase in enrollment and a record number of graduates. Jim Proctor discussed a new three-month certificate that can be completed in one semester (16 credits) which may lead to a high paying job.
Jim Proctor shared a new tiered program sheet, which details the three-month certificate and six-month certificate offerings at Delta. The program sheet lays out a map for students to stay on track showing how one offering contributes to the next and how they are related to the welding degree. It also lists the cost, what classes and how long it takes.
Keith Proctor presented that in addition to the annual high school SkillsUSA competition they host, they formed a new SkillsUSA college level chapter for Delta’s exemplary students to display their talents. The chapter competed in three welding categories at the state conference in Washtenaw Community College against other college students and first or second year union apprentices. After the industry professional judging, Gage Miller and Russell Fisher received Gold, Katelyn McArdle and Liam Francis received Silver, and Casey Boensch received bronze.
Brent Pashak covered the STS (Student Technical Solutions) competition, which included 198 students and has been going on for over 30 years. It provides a chance for all high schoolers to compete at Delta and is similar to the SkillsUSA regional. Pashak shared how this helps build confidence around going to college for welding, lets students see new equipment and network with instructors.
“Another thing that this competition really helps the students with, is this helps prepare them for taking a weld tests, cause now they’re going to get out of their normal high school lab or college lab, use different equipment, with different people in a different place which is exactly what there gonna go do when they go take a test for a new job” said Pashak.
Delta Graduates Katelyn McArdle, Liam Francis and Gage Miller joined the staff for Q&A after the presentation. They all attributed the success in the competition to practice with at least eight-hour days. They fielded more questions around the competition and general success at Delta.
“Delta was very welcoming,” Katelyn said, “I think that it would be great for more women to come into welding I would love to teach one day just so I can inspire girls to come into it.”
The Trustee Board voted to approve several reports, including The Strategic Value Report, certifying Delta College has exceeded legislative requirements to comply with Public Act number 103 of 2023, section 230 (3). The Board also approved The Five-Year Capital Outlay Master Plan as required by the State Budget Office and approved a compensation recommendation for employees on assignment at Great Lakes Bay Michigan Work.
The president’s report highlighted several past events including the Sept. 18. announcement by MEDC’s Talent Action Team, the Sept. 24. NAACP Saginaw Branch freedom fund banquet, and the Sept. 28 to Sept. 29 MCCS Fall Board Meeting.
The president’s report highlighted the following future events:
- Oct. 6 Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint Launch at the White House
- Oct. 9 to Oct. 12 (ACCT) Leadership Congress
- Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 League for Innovation in the Community College Board Meeting
- Oct. 24 NJCAA Region XII Division III Volleyball Championship
- Oct. 25 to Oct. 27 Advancing the Mission of Higher Education in a Polarized Environment Conference
- Oct. 28 State of the Race Summit
- Nov. 2 A Chocolate Affair event
Many Trustee comments included appreciation for the welding staff and graduates and the expansion of the reconnect program. Trustee Clark encouraged others who hadn’t been able to make a volleyball or soccer game to do so before the season ended. Trustee Barb encouraged attendance to the President’s Speakers Series on Tuesday, October 10.
A vote occurred to approve a date and time change for the November Board of Trustee Meeting, it is now Nov. 6. at 5:30 pm.
