Kirtland CNA Courses Offered in Tawas, Roscommon and Gaylord

Kirtland will offer its popular Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course in Tawas in the Fall 2013 semester.  The six-credit-hour certification course, currently available at the Roscommon and Gaylord locations, is expanding to provide increased access to high-demand skills training in the growing healthcare field to the residents of Tawas and surrounding communities.

Through an agreement with the Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency (IRESA), Kirtland’s six-credit-hour CNA course will provide hands-on classroom instruction and clinical training to prepare students to take the state Certified Nursing Assistant certification examination upon successful course completion.  During the fall semester, classroom instruction will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 – 7:30 p.m. at the IRESA, located at 27 N. Rempert Road, Tawas City, Mich.  Clinical training at nursing home sites will be held on November 9, 16, 23 and December 7.

Registration for the space-limited program at all three locations (Roscommon, Tawas and Gaylord) is open now and the Fall 2013 semester begins August 26.  More information is available at http://www.kirtland.edu/academic-programs/certified-nursing-assistant-course, or by contacting anne.essmaker@kirtland.edu or 989-275-5000, ext. 416.

Annually, more than 3,000 students attend a variety of occupational, skilled trades, two-year and transfer degree programs at Kirtland’s locations near Roscommon, Kirtland-Gaylord, Kirtland-West Branch and in Tawas.  Kirtland also offers a wide range of online courses and degrees, all of which can be completed from home.

To learn more about the programs, advising, testing, financial aid and other services available to students, contact 989-275-5000, extension 284, or visit online at www.kirtland.edu.

A new website is on the horizon for Kirtland

According to Ries & Trout’s The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding, the Law of Publicity states:  the birth of the brand is achieved with publicity.  This Week @ Kirtland, we’re prepping for an exciting advance in the look and feel of OUR college.  An updated, relevant, compelling image reflecting the distinctive training and programs available at Kirtland.

At Kirtland, we’re in the business of changing lives and this starts with our highly trained, knowledgeable faculty and staff committed to unlocking potential and preparing students for their future.

In addition to a fresh, highly responsive and interactive new website, Kirtland is also rolling out a new image reflecting the innovative, future-focused programming available to students both on campus and online.

Check in on Friday, June 7th for the grand unveiling.

It’s exciting. It’s distinctive. It’s a new Kirtland.

To learn more about the programs, advising, testing, financial aid and other services available to students, contact 989-275-5000, extension 258, or visit us online.  And, as always, you are invited to drop in and check us out at www.kirtland.edu, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kirtlandcc, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kirtlandcc.

Your future.  It’s closer than you think.

Because mechatronics combines electronic, mechanical, computer and control skills, there are lots of available, good-paying jobs in schools, hospitals, manufacturing and production facilities throughout northern Michigan.  Even though it isn’t ours, this YouTube video provides a fantastic overview of the growing, important field of Mechatronics.

You’ll be able to land an entry-level job wherever there is automation. Those kinds of jobs include robot installation and maintenance, automation equipment installation, troubleshooting and maintenance and PLC programming.  You’ll know how to install, maintain and repair the mechanical, controls, fluid power systems, electrical and electronic equipment found in a bunch of different of fields. Plus, your mechatronics training will equip you to make sure HVAC, mechanical, electrical and computer-driven systems run.

There’s a buzz around the field of mechatronics. Tom Brokaw did a piece on it. Mike Rowe of the TV’s Dirty Jobs even testified in front of the US Senate about it! Mechatronics is one of the 10 emerging technologies slated to transform the world. The US Department of Labor lists mechatronics as an emerging “green jobs” growth area. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for mechatronics is bright all the way through 2020.

We’ll train you to read, analyze, program and correct all critical operating systems in any building. YES! — someone can get a job in mechatronics in northern Michigan! In fact, you can expect an annual salary around $50,000. We designed our mechatronics program to put you on a path that leads to a high-paying job in a growing industry and you’re going to be ready to fill an in-demand job opening in a steadily growing field.

Regardless of the state of the economy, people always need vehicles that run — and run well.

More than ever, skilled auto repair professionals are in demand and not just because people want their vehicle to run, but because of the way vehicles are made.

The industry has evolved along with the rest of the tech world. Computers and changes in emissions standards have transformed mechanics into skilled auto technicians. This is not your grandfather’s shop.

Our Automotive Technologies programs are nationally certified by ASE/NATEF and are among the best in Michigan. We also have one of the few programs in the state of Michigan that includes a focus on diesel engines.

Whether you choose a certificate or associate degree program, you’ll be highly skilled and ready to fix and maintain today’s sophisticated vehicles.

You will be:

• in high demand,
• able to expect steady work no matter where you choose to live,
• qualified to work for dealers, independent repair shops, service stations, or for yourself.

You will be qualified to find employment as a:

• shop supervisor,
• service or parts manager,
• customer or corporate service representative,
• warranty administrator,
• …even a teacher.

Skilled auto techs make nearly $40,000 per year and according to the United States Department of Labor and the job outlook is very good. This “gotta have it” field is expected to grow by 17 percent between now and 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm. The automotive repair field is not going away, and we’ll make sure you are ready to participate in the evolution of the automotive industry.

Choose a certificate of completion or an associates degree in our Automotive Technology program and you’ll be more valuable as employee or more successful as a business owner.

Whether you’re going after a certificate or associates degree to secure better employment, or gearing up to transfer to a four-year college, our general ed courses in West Branch help you to save a ton of money!  You might be surprised at how much money you’ll save by cutting down on the distance you drive and not having on-campus living expenses. Check out some of the benefits of attending a community college to rack up some savings:

1. Tuition and Fees Are Low:  WOW!  Did you know attending community college is ONE-THIRD the cost of a four-year school?  Cha-ching!
2. Improve Your Transcripts:  Grades really do matter.  Smaller class sizes and personal attention from instructors are great tools for ramping up your letter grades…and set you up for scholarships down the road!
3. Closer Locations Mean Less Travel and Lower Living Costs:  Gas.  Car repair.  Getting to your job.  Picking up the kids?  Close is good!
4. Test the Waters:  Not sure what you want to do?  Certificate program?  Two-year degree?  Four-year transfer degree?  Regardless of where you’re going, a lot of pre-requisite courses are the same regardless of the school you attend.  Knock off the required stuff while honing in on your career of choice!

The West Branch extension site is located at 2479 South M-76 between the I-75 Business Loop and M-55.  Our goal is to provide higher education designed to meet the changing needs of business and industry while preparing you for a career — and personal success. You are not an oddball or cheapskate. Going to college near home is one of the smartest thinks you can do.

CNA jobs include nursing aides, nursing attendants, home health and personal aides. But, this is no fly-by-night (although you may work at night) career. Healthcare jobs are expected to grow faster than any other industry — roughly 22% (meaning 3.2 million new jobs) by 2018. Baby boomers are growing older; Generation X-ers are having kids, and together they are creating more demand for healthcare workers than ever.

As a CNA, you’ll be giving care in a secure, rewarding job with great pay: CNAs typically bring home more than $24,000 a year.  You’ll provide basic care for patients. Your day will be filled with fairly physical work. You’ll help move, reposition, or lift residents or patients.  You’ll be a critical part of your patient’s care team.

And getting the training you need is quick!  We offer a six-credit-hour CNA course each semester at the Roscommon central campus, the M-TEC in Gaylord, and — starting this summer — in Tawas.  Our CNA course includes clinicals at area nursing homes. You’ll complete your course in about 10 weeks and the hands-on classroom instruction and clinical training and you’ll be set to take the state CNA certification exam. You’ll be ready — and really employable!

More information about our CNA program is available at http://www.kirtland.edu/academic-programs/certified-nursing-assistant-course, by contacting anne.essmaker@kirtland.edu, or give us a call at 989-275-5000, ext. 416.

For national stats, check out what the Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say about this high-demand field at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm. Fast training today prepares you for great job opportunities tomorrow!

To qualify for the president’s list, candidates must be full-time students who earn a grade-point average between 3.8 and 4.0. Dean’s list candidates must have a grade-point average of 3.4 to 3.799.

Annually, more than 3,000 students attend a variety of health science, occupational, skilled trades, two-year and transfer degree programs at Kirtland’s locations near Roscommon, Kirtland-Gaylord, Kirtland-West Branch and in Tawas.  Kirtland also offers a wide range of online courses and degrees, all of which can be completed from home.

To learn more about the programs, advising, testing, financial aid and other services available to students, contact 989-275-5000, extension 284. For more information on Kirtland Community College, contact Sarah Madonna, Director of Public Information, at 989-275-5000 ext. 242, or visit our website at www.kirtland.edu.

You’ll participate in intensive, disciplined, military-style training as a cadet. Once you are accepted into the academy, you’ll be following a strict code of conduct so gear up to kick your self-discipline into high gear. Kirtland’s Regional Police Academy will give you the physical and mental training you’ll need to be a professional law enforcement officer.

Our 21-credit academy completes the curriculum necessary for Kirtland’s Criminal Justice Pre-Service associate degree and is the last step you’ll take toward becoming a police officer.  To enter the Academy, a candidate (that’s you) must meet Standards established by MCOLES. The educational basics you need to meet are:

• Completed at least an associate degree through an accredited college or university; OR
• Completed degree prerequisites through Kirtland Community College’s Criminal Justice Pre-Service degree program; OR
• Be employed and sponsored by a police department; OR
• Qualify for an educational waiver from MCOLES after completing a military police academy and serving at least a year as a military police officer.

You’ll have to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or better, with a grade of C or better in all of your emergency services courses.

The Regional Police Academy is located in the Administration Center (ADM), lower level. Stop in for a visit or call us at (989) 275-5000, ext. 348. Don’t wait. Spots in our Bottom of Form

Regional Police Academy fill up fast. The 17-week challenge is your first step toward a career of service — if you are successful in meeting the challenge.

Ideally, the best time to apply for financial aid is a few months before you plan to enroll for school — but don’t put off applying for college if you’ve been dragging your feet or just plain didn’t know what to do to apply for financial aid.

The financial aid process takes some time, but don’t panic. It just needs to be done before you register for college classes.

Whether you’re a first time or returning college student, you’ll need to complete a new FAFSA every academic year. The 2013-2014 FAFSA must be done by June 30, 2013 to get financial aid for Fall 2013/Winter 2014/Summer 2014.

The new StudentAid.gov is the US Department of Education’s federal student aid information website. They have lots of great links you could check out: Types of Aid and Sources of Money for College or Who Gets Aid.

You can stay up to date on the Federal Student Aid Facebook page or @FAFSA on Twitter.

If you’d rather watch than read, take a look at the Federal Student Aid YouTube channel to see videos on student financial aid.

Figuring out how to pay for college does not have to be a big deal. At Kirtland, we’ve seen it all. We’ll help you through the hoops. You can get help paying for college tuition, fees, and textbooks, but you’ll never know unless you apply.

If you’ve waited to register at the last minute, your payment may be due before your financial aid has been approved and ready to use. You can even make a down payment and set up a payment plan so you can register for classes at Kirtland today!

It’s great if you can be a bit ahead of the game and complete your FAFSA (at FAFSA.gov) early in the year, but NOW is always the time to get started.

You owe it to yourself (and your wallet) to discover as many options as possible.  Let Kirtland give you a hand, or check out FAFSA.gov today!

Cadet Osika Receives KRPA Director’s Award

Before receiving individual awards and diplomas, cadets and guests listened to speakers Tom Grace, KRPA Director, State of Michigan Assistant Attorney General David C. Cannon, and Class 36 cadet Austin Martin.  “This is your opportunity to make a momentous contribution to our society,” said commencement speaker Cannon.  “As the first responder on the scene, reassure our citizens that help has arrived and they are safe.  Show respect and encourage others to respect our legal system.”  In his address, Cadet Martin thanked the family members and friends who supported the cadets of Class 36, saying, “Thank you for your time, patience and commitment.  Through your love and support, we were able to fulfill our dreams.”

Families Celebrate KRPA’s 36th Graduation

Following the speaker addresses, members of Class 36 were recognized for a variety of accomplishments and awards.  The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Outstanding Performance Award was given to Austin Martin and Ryan Osika received the KRPA Director’s Award.  For physical fitness, Randall Howe received top honor for the first in class award and Terrence Sterzer was recognized as most improved.  Alan Davis received first in class and Rodney Foster was recognized as most improved for defensive tactics.  Cadet Branden Kirby received the Top Shooter award for marksmanship, Michael Cochrane was recognized as Most Improved Shooter and Rodney Foster was honored for Patrol Tactics.

Members of the Winter 2013 KRPA Class are:  Michael Cochrane (Cadillac), Alan Davis (Mt. Pleasant), Rodney Foster (Gladwin), Bradley Haske (Posen), Randall Howe (Gwinn), Branden Kirby (West Branch), Kevin Kissinger (Boyne City), Austin Martin (Sault Ste. Marie), Ryan Osika (Petoskey), Terrence Sterzer (Cedar), Cameron Vasher (Prudenville) and Matthew Wilson (Mio).

Annually, more than 3,000 students attend a variety of health science, occupational, skilled trades, two-year and transfer degree programs at Kirtland’s locations near Roscommon, Kirtland-Gaylord, Kirtland-West Branch and in Tawas.  Kirtland also offers a wide range of online courses and degrees, all of which can be completed from home.

The KRPA can be contacted at 989-275-5000, ext. 348, or by visiting our website at www.kirtland.edu.