Community education courses offer students versatility and development
Ariia Pike
Line dancing, skin care, mandala meditations, grant writing, finding the right guy, and floral design are only a handful of classes that MCC offers through its Community Education department.
In total, there are more than 200 non-credit classes offered through the department, there are no entry requirements and individuals can enroll in as many classes as they want.
Steven Miranda is the registration specialist and explained that the courses are out of self-interest and taken for fun.
“They’re open to the public, it doesn’t mean a degree is needed there’s no grading and most classes meet a couple times a month.”
All ages are welcome in any of the classes and they are taught by current teachers on campus or by others who have experience in specific areas and want to teach.
If attending class on campus does not suit one’s schedule there is an option called Ed2Go Online Learning.
This alternative provides hundreds of online courses that range from personal enrichment to graphic design, with each class lasting from six to eight weeks.
The department is also partnered with a program called New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning.
This program is geared towards retirees and involves more lectures and outings.
It is different from Community Education because the members pay an enrollment fee, which allows them to register for as many classes as they choose.
A variety of classes are offered through New Frontier including piano lessons, images of women in advertising, an Afghanistan discussion course, numerology, and computer training.
At the other end of the spectrum is MCC’s Youth College.
This is a summer program for children of all ages to explore a wide range of activities that challenge them either mentally or physically.
There are sports camps, video game design, babysitting techniques, science, and the most popular, Magic of Musical Theatre, which ends in a performance by the kids held at the Outback Theater.
Audrey Dolezal has worked in the Community Education department for 14 years and is proud of what it continues to offer the public.
“It’s an important department because we not only cover the general public but we have courses for children then we have courses for the elderly, (allowing) them to learn in retirement. Plus we have GED prep classes. We cover a wide spectrum of the population and their needs.”
Enrollment for classes can be done online or in-person, the Community Education department is in Building 37. Call (480) 461-7493 for information.
