What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Senior Celebration

Its that time of year where all seniors and faculty start counting the days in celebration of graduation. All December 2011, May 2012 and August 2012 seniors are eligible to walk in the May exercise held at the Chaifetz on the St. Louis University campus. To celebrate, seniors pick up their caps and gowns, have light refreshments, and are provided with information about the alumni association, continuing education, class rings, and Bachelor programs.

250 seniors participated in the celbration event. Class pictures were taken and attendance prizes awarded. Thanks to Herff Jones for providing a $25.00 gas card, a scrapbook portfolio, book and book bag. Other prizes include tickets donated by the Gateway Grizzlies, St. Louis Renaissance Faire tickets and alumni polo shirts and other alumni items.The day was all about seniors and good wishes for a bright future!

This year, veterans are being honored with red, white, and blue chords like the traditional chords for Magna, Summa and Cum Laude grade point averages. Thanks to other Ranken departments Career Services, Trio Services, BSAM, Lois Ingram's photography class and Herff Jones for joining in and making this day EXTRA special for the graduates!

Pictures of the event and class pictures will be posted on Flickr.

TRiO Programs Collaborate for National Day of Service

Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis University, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, Florissant Valley & Wildwood; Ranken Technical College and HiTech Charities are bringing their TRiO Programs together to celebrate and commemorate National TRiO Day.

On Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Harris Stowe State University, students from TRiO programs at each institution will come together and participate in workshops with such titles as Distinguished Gentlemen, Girls Rock, Reality Store, Little Rock 9, Personal Image, Dress for Success and Athletic Scholars to name a few. There will be resume writing competitions, mock interviews and more. Parents will be able to participate in workshops covering topics including; FERPA & Parents Rights, Teenage Empowerment, and Social Media. The day will also consist of giveaways, lunch, guest speakers and personal stories by successful TRiO alumni.

TRiO Programs, such as Upward Bound, Student Support Services and McNair Scholars are U.S. Department of Education funded grant programs designed to support and assist disadvantaged students at the host institution. TRiO Day, proclaimed a National Day of Service, exists expressly for these students to both learn and give back through workshops, community service, academic activities and more.

For additional information contact Miranda Myles Jackson at (314) 286-3394 or mmmyles-jackson@ranken.edu.

 

TRiO Hosts Stepping Stones to Success Event

 
On Wednesday September 28th TRiO SSS presented their Stepping Stones to Success event. The event took place on the Finney Lawn and students were host to an inflatable obstacle course, brain teasers and campus resource booths. The Stepping Stones to Success event serves as a catalyst for students to participate; learning how to overcome and press through challenges which may stand in their way during their academic and professional careers. To participate in the obstacle course, students were instructed to race one another through the course, however, 1 student would have a delayed start time. The student with the delayed start time was instructed to still attempt to win the race. Although possible, the students found they had to work harder and push themselves further to win the race even though they were at an obvious disadvantage. Afterward it was explained to them that the same principle applies in class. If they begin falling behind they have to work harder, improve their study habits, and push themselves in order to be successful. In addition, they practiced their critical thinking skills through completing brain teasers and perused different department booths to learn about other services offered to them on campus. TRiO SSS would like to thank the following persons and departments for volunteering their time to aid in making this event a success: Roy Gilespie, Ben Wohldmann, the SAC, the Library, Counseling office, Career Services, the Student Ambassador program, Housing, and SGA.

TRiO Holds 6th Annual Achievement Ceremony

 

 
On Thursday, April 21 TRiO/Student Support Services (SSS) hosted its 6th

Annual Achievement Ceremony. This event was open to all TRiO/SSS students and recognized graduates, high achievers and scholarship recipients.

Each year SSS brings in a guest speaker to motivate and encourage graduates and continuing students. This year’s speaker was Mr. DeMarco Culberson, a 2007 Electrical Automation Technology graduate who is currently an electrician for the City of St. Louis. Other guests who addressed the students were Crystal Herron, dean of academic affairs and John Wood, vice president for student success.

Annually, TRiO/SSS also recognizes one outstanding faculty member and student and name them Instructor and Student of the Year. The instructor of the year is nominated by students and TRiO/SSS staff. This is someone we feel has gone above and beyond to contribute to the success of TRiO/SSS students. This year’s recipient of the Instructor of the Year was Mr. Roy Gillespie from the Electrical Automation Technology Department. Roy received a certificate and a TRiO/SSS goodie bag. The following instructors received honorable mention certificates: Charles Corrigan, IT; Pat Duchinsky, IT; Mark Malcinski, EAT; Jeff Scott, INT and Steve Swenson, EAT. The Student of the Year is selected from the group of previous Student of the Month recipients. Students are selected based on being an active TRiO participant AND at least one of the following:

• High academic achievement

• Significant improvement in grades

• Impeccable character

• School, community or church involvement

• Community service

• Leadership

• School, academic, athletic or community accomplishment

• Outstanding behavior

• Perfect attendance

• Positive attitude towards others and/or learning

• Overcoming adversity

This year’s recipient is Victor Pope, a 2011 ESDT graduate. Victor also received a certificate and TRiO/SSS goodie bag which included items to help keep him warm during the mean Chicago winters as he was also recently hired to work at Sargent and Lundy, LLC in Chicago, IL. During his time at Ranken, Victor has worked as at tutor in the SAC, a Student Ambassador, served as a Peer Mentor for various TRiO/SSS workshops and completed TRiO’s Emerging Leader’s Institute.

 

 

 

 

 

TRiO Hosts Leading Ladies Forum

 

 

 Pictured L-R: Crystal Herron (Education), Janna Greenwood (IS), Kameisha Carter (ESDT 2011), Tamara Trotman (IT 2011), Janie Summers (Career Services), Miranda Myles-Jackson (TRiO) and Kelley Raftery (ART).

 
On Tuesday March 8, 2011 TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) hosted a Leading Ladies Forum in honor of Women’s History Month. The event gave all female students an opportunity to discuss their future career along with any obstacles or hurdles which may arise as a result of being a woman in the workplace.

The group touched on subjects such as motherhood, femininity in male dominated fields, appropriate corporate aggression and how to prepare for their career.

Thank you to the guest panelists who included:

» Crystal Herron, dean of academic affairs

» Janna Greenwood, junior database administrator

» Janie Summers, Career Services coordinator

» Kelley Raftery, Architecture instructor

Everyone in attendance also left with a handout detailing the formation of Women’s History Month and statistical data outlining the current state of women in the United States workforce.

TRiO & Residential Life hosts Dorm Night at Walker Hall

Each semester, TRiO and Residential Life join forces to expose students to a campus service and life. January 19, 2011, Miranda Myles-Jackson came to Walker Hall and gave information about TRIO's services. She also described a game she brought to share. The game involves residents making choices based on a yearly salary. Salaries ranged from $25,000 to $200,000. Residents had to select homes, transportation, spouses, investments, children, pets, vacations and entertainment. Residents quickly learned that things are not what they seem in life. The things we want costs money and it takes a budget to ensure things may or may not happen. So goes life...great lesson. THANKS, MIRANDA & TRIO!!!

 
 
 
 

 

"Financing Your Education" Workshop

"Financing Your Education" Workshop

TRiO Student Support Services and the Financial Aid office will be hosting 2 workshops on Wednesday, November 17 in G100 at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the benefits of a bachelor’s degree, step by step information on transferring to a bachelor’s program as well as how and when to apply for financial aid (including loans, scholarship and grants.) This workshop is open to all students. Students may contact the TRiO SSS office with questions.

TRiO SSS MEDIA CHALLENGE!!

TRiO SSS MEDIA CHALLENGE!
Tell us what TRiO can do for you in a 2 minute or less video or slideshow.

Then...come out and cast your vote for the submission!
Thursday 10/28 | G100 |11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

*Winning Team gets Goody Bags with FREE Flash Drive and MORE!
**Voting open to all Students and Staff.

• Submit entries by 5pm on Wed. 10/27 with Registration form
• Pick up Registration Form in F209 TRiO SSS office
• No more than 4 per team
• All media entries must include opening entry title and closing credit list with all team members names.
• Video must be either .wmv or .mpeg format
• Slideshow must be .ppt

TypePad Conversations » Answer this question!

TRiO Student Support Services Open House

 

 TRiO SSS OPEN HOUSE

Fri. Sept. 10 | 9:30a.m. – 2:00p.m. | G100 & 101

Come out and learn about TRiO SSS! 

We’ll have food, mini workshops, games and more!  Instructors bring your class.  Students bring a friend! 

• Time Management Workshop:  10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
• Presentation Skills Workshop: 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Personal Image Workshop: 12:00 noon-12:30 p.m.
• Study Skills Workshop: 1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Ask us how you can enter our raffle.

See you there!

Well Wishes

Congratulations Graduates!!

We hope everyone did well on their finals and has a great summer!

 - TRiO Student Support Services Staff