Concurrent Sessions

RetireSmart

Location: Grand Plaza
Presenter(s): PEERS/PSRS

This presentation will be tailored to meet the needs of members at different stages of their careers, including early careers, mid-career and pre-retirement. The sessions will provide relevant information and resources to help members plan their financial future and prepare for retirement.

A Candid Conversation with WED

Location: Planetarium
Presenters: Chris Bergen, Executive Director of Instruction & Student Services, WED;
Tatia Shelton, Workforce Manager, WED;
Jeanne Schmidt, Workforce Coordinator, WED

The role Workforce and Economic Development can play in getting a student started on their academic path within MCC is a topic that should be explained and discussed with faculty and staff. We hope to become the bookends to community education, but we need the feedback and support of the rest of MCC to better serve the needs of the community.

Teaching Students to Think Responsibly with AI

Location: Innovation Center
Presenter: Jim Doyle, Business Instructor, MCC-Longview

The purpose of higher education in the age of AI is not merely to teach students how to use intelligent systems, but to cultivate the disciplined inquiry, epistemic literacy, and responsible judgment required to learn, decide, and act wisely in environments increasingly shaped by AI.

Discover the Insights Wolf Den

Location: KC Chamber Board Room
Presenter: Jenn Arth, Data Analytics Manager

This session will introduce the Wolf Den, the collection of reports and dashboards available to all MCC employees through Reporting & Analytics (formerly Insights). Participants will learn how to access and navigate the Wolf Den and receive an overview of the reports and dashboards found in this collection. By exploring these resources, employees can become more familiar with the data and tools available to support their work.

Operational Excellence at MCC - Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Location: Arthur Stilwell 
Presenter: Blaine Stevens, Faculty, WED

The presentation enhances the faculty, staff, and student experience by showing how everyday disciplines, structured problem‑solving, and student‑centered leadership can reduce frustration, streamline processes, and improve service delivery. Participants will see how small improvements create visible impact: “faster service, clearer processes, reduced frustration, and a more supportive learning environment.” Ultimately, the session reinforces that opportunity truly starts with us, and that every employee plays a role in shaping a culture where improvement is continuous, collaborative, and felt by students across their MCC journey.

RetireSmart

Location: Grand Plaza
Presenter(s): PEERS/PSRS

This presentation will be tailored to meet the needs of members at different stages of their careers, including early careers, mid-career and pre-retirement. The sessions will provide relevant information and resources to help members plan their financial future and prepare for retirement.

ADA and WCAG Compliance: An Introduction

Location: Innovation Center
Presenter(s): Erin Niederberger, Librarian, MCC-Maple Woods

An overview of what the upcoming web rule requires, how it is most likely to impact MCC employees, and some ways to improve access to web content beyond built-in accessibility checkers. This should help employees prepare for the upcoming deadline (now in April 2027). 

How to Incorporate "AWEsomeness" in Your Day

Location: Arthur Stilwell
Presenter: Suzanne Gochis, President, MCC-Blue River

Tired of running on the hamster wheel of endless to-do lists and doomscrolling? Stop waiting for a grand mountain peak or a rare eclipse to blow your mind! In this high-energy, feel-good workshop inspired by Dr. Dacher Keltner’s bestselling book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life, you will discover how to score "micro-doses" of awe right in the middle of your chaotic Tuesday. Learn the wondrous science behind why everyday nature, unexpected human kindness, and killer playlists can instantly crush stress, quiet your inner critic, and reboot your brain. You’ll walk away with fun, practical "awe-mapping" tools to easily inject pockets of pure wonder, joy, and chill into your busiest days—no passport required!

Opportunity Starts with Us: Food, Housing and Wellbeing as Foundations for Learning

Location: Planetarium
Presenter: Leslie Tracy, Counseling, MCC-Penn Valley

This session will discuss the difficulties some of our students overcome to get engaged in our spaces. We will discuss some student development opportunities and difficulties that arise, and cover some student development theories. Attendees will complete a "Student Journey Mapping" activity.

Beyond the Scholarship: Building the KC Guarantee

Location: KC Chamber Board Room
Presenters: N'ninah Freelon, KC Guarantee Scholar Coordinator
Mindy Pettegrew, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, MCC-Longview

This session will introduce the KC Guarantee Scholarship Program, share early lessons from its implementation, and highlight how collaboration across MCC and philanthropic/community support work together to create opportunities for students. Participants can also learn how their individual roles contribute to creating a coordinated and supportive experience for KC Guarantee scholars.

ADA and WCAG Compliance: An Introduction

Location: Innovation Center
Presenter(s): Erin Niederberger, Librarian, MCC-Maple Woods

An overview of what the upcoming web rule requires, how it is most likely to impact MCC employees, and some ways to improve access to web content beyond built-in accessibility checkers. This should help employees prepare for the upcoming deadline (now in April 2027). 

Discover the Insights Wolf Den

Location: Innovation Center
Presenter: Jenn Arth, Data Analytics Manager

This session will introduce the Wolf Den, the collection of reports and dashboards available to all MCC employees through Reporting & Analytics (formerly Insights). Participants will learn how to access and navigate the Wolf Den and receive an overview of the reports and dashboards found in this collection. By exploring these resources, employees can become more familiar with the data and tools available to support their work.

From Z to Alpha: How Current and Incoming Generations Will Affect MCC

Location: Grand Plaza
Presenters: Victoria Rice, Student Engagement Manager, MCC-Blue River;
Sav Campbell, Campus Life & Leadership Coordinator, MCC-Blue River

Curious about the current generation of traditionally-aged college students?  Want to know what's coming next? This session will review demographics and characteristics for Generation Z (current traditionally-aged students) as well as how to engage those students. We will primarily focus on discussing characteristics of Generation Alpha and the techniques to engage and recruit them as they will be at MCC very, very soon.

Campus, Community, Connection: Shaping the Student Experience Together

Location: Planetarium
Presenter: Dr. Mary Clark, Vice President of Impact and Opportunity

This workshop highlights the key components of the student journey, emphasizing how every professional plays an integral role in shaping the MCC experience. Together, we will explore our unique interconnectedness and see how each and every role at MCC is vital to creating an environment where our entire campus community can thrive.

From Goals to Growth: Making the Most of NeoEd Perform & Learn

Location: KC Chamber Board Room
Presenter: Angie Carr, Training Development Manager

In this session, we’ll explore how to make the most of NeoEd Perform and NeoEd Learn, including goal setting, the DUO Professional Development KPI, the IAP process, and the many learning opportunities available through NeoEd Learn. Come learn how these tools connect to support your professional growth and success at MCC.