Register later!

One of our favorite tag lines around here is "Register Now!" But for new students it's important to bear in mind that there are a few very important things that need to happen before registering. In fact, the actual act of registering is your last step to becoming a full-fledged MCC student. Here's what should happen first:

• Apply for financial aid at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and wait for your award letter.
• If you've gone to another college, have your official transcripts sent to MCC's Registrar's Office.
• Fill out the online admissions application on our Web site and come in to complete your paperwork and receive your new MCC student ID number. Give the application two business days to be processed.
• With MCC ID in hand, take the Compass placement assessment.
• See an academic advisor to map out your course plan and sign up for new student orientation.
• When you get your financial aid award letter, see a financial aid advisor and complete your other paperwork.
• Attend new student orientation and while you're there -- TA! DA! -- register for your classes.

It seems like a lot, so if you get lost in the process, give me a call at 928-505-3393, or drop by Answer Tuesday, any Tuesday this summer, from 4-6 p.m. in the 200 building lobby.

Bye 'til next year

It only seems like yesterday our campus was occupied by more than 160 youthful souls for College for Kids. It's been fun getting to know the kids and being greeted with a big smile when I called them by name. It's also been fun seeing them learn and progress -- in the case of Primary Music literally from one note to many. The big kids used their time here to investigate a crime scene, learn American Sign Language, design fashions and perfect their self-defense skills, among many other things. Today parents, grandparents and siblings were invited to join in, including dancing around the May pole in Primary Dance, seen here.

Answer No. 1

Today--from 4-6 p.m. in the 200 building lobby--is our first "Answer Tuesday," an informal sort of open house where people who are thinking about coming to MCC can drop in and get the answers to some of their questions. We'll also be giving participants the chance to use Sigi-3, a career self-assessment tool that's fun to use and gives people insights into what they should do when they grow up. We'll keep up with Answer Tuesdays until the start of Fall semester, Aug. 23. If it's a success, we may continue them indefinitely. I don't know how many people to expect tonight. I might be pretty lonely until I can get the word out. But for anyone who's had a nagging feeling about attending MCC and didn't know where to start, this is the ideal opportunity to find out.

All I really need to know I learned in College for Kids

For two weeks a year our usually staid institution of higher learning is invaded by the rambunctious spirit of youth with the arrival of College for Kids. This is my first College for Kids, and after just a couple hours a day helping out with the 5-8-year-olds, I'm exhausted. I'd forgotten how much energy kids this age can generate, and how much energy grown-ups must expend to keep up with them. One thing I've noticed is, when you're that age it's not hard to have fun. Learning to curtsy is fun, lying on the floor kicking your feet in the air is fun and -- as seen at right -- riding a stick horse is really, really fun. You can read all about College for Kids on our news site.

Pretty enough to eat (in)

Now that the renovation of our campus dining area is complete, you can call us Mohave Community College or you can call us Mohave Community Bistro. The mismatched tables and chairs shoe-horned into a space that never made much since have been replaced by color-coordinated tile floors and counters, bistro tables and stools, all of which pleasingly complement the beautiful desert mural on the dining area wall. Those notorious old couches at the far end of the lounge area have been suitably disposed of and replaced by some snazzy leather love seats. I've already heard oohs and ahhs from staff and I expect to hear a lot more from students when they return in greater numbers this fall.

You gotta visualize

This morning I gave a tour of the campus to a young man, his mom and his grandparents. Because of all the renovation and construction going on, I found myself having to say, "You've just got to visualize it," a lot. The tour brought home just how transformed this campus will be come August 23 when the fall semester starts. The bulk of the improvements will directly benefit students and their campus quality of life. Many of us agree it's about time. The goal is to make the campus -- and all the MCC campuses -- not just a place to take classes but a place to spend time, study, connect with other students, share ideas and feel a part of things. I'll bring you the news of our renovations, complete with pictures, as they come together. In fact, I hope to have my first installment tomorrow.

Vote for Joe

You may have read about MCC student Joe Lengson on Mohave Wire or on my colleague Diane Olson's blog, but in case you still haven't gotten the message:
GO TO www.mtv.com/asm/dewmocracy/mtvu/ AND VOTE FOR JOE NOW!!!
Joe is one of three national finalists for the "Ultimate Dewmocracy Deans List" with a chance to host his own music show on MTV. While this didn't mean a lot to me when I first read about it, after watching Joe's audition video, I'm convinced he needs to win this thing. No offense to his worthy opponents, but Joe--an MCC Distance Education student and Bullhead City resident--is definitely the coolest of the three contestants. Plus, he's an English major! You can't get any better than that. So get going and vote for Joe. The deadline is June 11.