Handshake app connects MCC students with employers and jobs
September 15, 2021 - MCC’s Career Central portal has now partnered with a company called Handshake — a way for students seeking jobs and internships to connect with 550,000-plus employers across the country. More than 1,200 colleges and universities use Handshake.
$1.5 million Hall Family Foundation gift will support two capital projects at Metropolitan Community College
September 1, 2021 - The Metropolitan Community College Foundation is pleased to announce a $1.5 million grant from the Kansas City-based Hall Family Foundation. The gift will be earmarked for two MCC capital projects: the Advanced Technical Skills Institute (ATSI), opening in January, and the Engineering Technology building on the MCC-Penn Valley campus, which will be dedicated Oct. 1.
MCC-Penn Valley’s free ‘Jazz in the Valley’ Sept. 17 to feature Lisa Henry, Chalis O’Neal, Charles D. Williams
August 31, 2021 - Jazz in the Valley, a free music festival on the Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley campus, will be held 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17. Vocalist Lisa Henry, trumpet player Chalis O’Neal and pianist Charles D. Williams will be the featured performers.
Pathways program: Free help for students who aren’t quite ready to take MCC credit classes
August 12, 2021 - Potential MCC students who need to bolster their skills in reading, language or math before enrolling in credit classes now have an economical — as in free — way to accomplish that.
MCC-Blue River’s Wolfstock festival: ‘Dancing, singing and laughing together’
August 11, 2021 - MCC-Blue River’s first-ever Wolfstock music festival — featuring high temps and even higher energy — was deemed a success by organizers. About 100 guests and 50 MCC employees (many volunteers) attended the Aug. 6 event, which was also a battle of bands.
Metropolitan Community College names Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., president of MCC-Longview campus in Lee’s Summit
July 27, 2021 - Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., vice chancellor for student success and engagement at Metropolitan Community College, will also become president of the MCC-Longview campus in Lee’s Summit starting Aug. 1.
MCC-Blue River to host free, diverse Wolfstock music festival Friday, Aug. 6, on campus
July 19, 2021 - In celebration of the return to in-person classes for fall, students at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River will host a truly collegiate-style music festival 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6 on the campus quad. Wolfstock — named for the MCC Wolves —will feature five music acts that will compete for audience votes and the grand prize.
High school students can take advantage of new MCC programs just for them, plus financial assistance
July 14, 2021 - Metropolitan Community College's early-college programs for high school students are now under one umbrella — or, actually, a CAP. That stands for College Acceleration Program. Speaking of acceleration, the College is revving up to offer several new opportunities for high school juniors and seniors, including financial assistance thanks to a big grant.
A son needed his dad’s help at college. In the end, they graduated together
July 12, 2021 - Scott and Ethan Baldwin, a father and son from Blue Springs, were delighted to be among the more than 600 Metropolitan Community College graduates who crossed the stage to receive diplomas May 13 at Starlight. But the moment was made much sweeter because son Ethan, who is blind, had overcome mountains of obstacles to arrive at commencement.
‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ musical at MCC-Longview in July
July 6, 2021 - The Performers Studio at Metropolitan Community College-Longview presents the summer musical "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" starting July 8. The production is based on the iconic, long-running "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz.
MCC counselor, campus leader Dachia Busch inducted into KC Black Achievers Society
June 28, 2021 - The latest Metropolitan Community College employee to be inducted into the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City is Dachia Busch, MCC-Penn Valley counselor.
The people behind the wall (art) at MCC-Penn Valley
June 18, 2021 - First lady Jill Biden was the main attraction May 27 at MCC-Penn Valley, but a new Metropolitan Community College mural made its public debut that afternoon, too.
LGBTQ+ scholarship recipient hopes to open hearts and minds
June 14, 2021 - Vance Cleveland, a student at Metropolitan Community College-Longview, has been named the inaugural recipient of MCC's first LGBTQ+ scholarship. The A.J. Slater Memorial Scholarship recognizes an MCC student advocate of the LGBTQ community. It also pays tribute to the advocacy and spirit of Slater, a transgender man and the former Campus Life & Leadership coordinator at MCC-Blue River in Independence. He died in 2017.
Assistance League of Kansas City to support scholarship program at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley
June 9, 2021 - Assistance League of Kansas City President Barb Condra will present a $16,000 check to Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley President Tyjaun Lee in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 10 on the fifth floor of MCC-Penn Valley’s Campus Center. The scholarship will go toward books, tuition and fees, essential food for the food pantry or other educational expenses for underserved students.
Why was first lady Jill Biden at MCC? She’s on a vaccination mission
May 31, 2021 - "Really, the community colleges are just special places," first lady Jill Biden said May 27 during a visit to Metropolitan Community College, and we know she means it.
MCC Dean's List for Spring 2021
Metropolitan Community College has released the Dean's List for the Spring 2021 semester. The 2,602 students who received Dean’s List recognition earned a GPA of at least 3.5 while being enrolled in six or more credit hours.
MCC Board of Trustees approves service area memorandum of understanding with North Central Missouri College
May 20, 2021 – At its Thursday, May 20, meeting, the Metropolitan Community College (MCC) Board of Trustees voted to approve a memorandum of understanding between MCC and North Central Missouri College (NCMC) that will alter the service areas of both colleges. Under the approved agreement, NCMC will now be the primary service provider for school districts in Buchanan County, Missouri, including the St. Joseph School District.
Quotable quotes and other moments from MCC's 2021 commencement ceremony at Starlight Theatre
May 18, 2021 – If the wind is blowing just right, Starlight Theatre audiences have been known to hear night noises from the zoo next door. At Metropolitan Community College's 2021 commencement ceremony Thursday, May 13, no roaring tigers made their opinions known, but chirping Starlight birds and a train whistle reminded everyone that this really was commencement under the stars … eventually, anyway.
MCC commencement May 13 at Starlight Theatre; 2,100 students are candidates for graduation
May 3, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College’s 2021 commencement will take place outdoors at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, with plenty of room for graduates and guests to spread out.
'I am going to be a phenomenal nurse.' Here’s what set her on that path
April 26, 2021 – Back in 2015, Angela Bennett was in "what some would call a transitional phase in my life." She was directionless.
Unmotivated student found his calling in an MCC class. Now he'll speak at commencement May 13
April 13, 2021 – "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" may be a common theme for commencement speakers, but Chance Walker, 24, has lived it.
Voters in three Kansas City area school districts vote to join Metropolitan Community College district
April 7, 2021 – Voters in three area K-12 school districts approved joining the Metropolitan Community College district in elections Tuesday, April 6.
Easter Bunny, free stuff for kids Saturday, March 27, at MCC-Blue River drive-through event
March 12, 2021 – Everyone is invited to come by the Metropolitan Community College-Blue River campus on Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon, for the fun-filled All for the Children healthy families event. Admission is free. The MCC-Blue River campus is at 20301 E. 78 Highway, Independence.
MCC among nine colleges nationwide honored with supplier diversity award
March 10, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College has been honored with the 2021 Jesse L. Moore Supplier Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. MCC was one of nine colleges and universities nationwide to receive the inaugural honor.
MCC, Donnelly College launch new pathway to bachelor's degree
March 1, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College and Donnelly College signed an agreement Feb. 25 launching an Associate to Bachelor's Completion (ABC) program.
MCC conference March 10 will fund scholarships for women entering male-dominated fields
February 24, 2021 – In celebration of Women's History Month, the Metropolitan Community College Foundation and Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusion are hosting a women's personal and professional development conference Wednesday, March 10, from noon to 5 p.m. The event, "She Is: A Woman in Action," will be held virtually and raises funds for women entering male-dominated career programs at MCC.
New MCC tuition model, effective Fall 2021, will eliminate most course and program fees
February 23, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College's Board of Trustees has approved a new tuition model that will eliminate most course fees and reduce the cost of some workforce programs, including nursing and utility lineman.
Starlight Theatre will be venue for MCC commencement May 13
February 14, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College's 2021 commencement ceremony will be outdoors at Starlight Theatre, with plenty of room for participating grads and faculty to spread out.
MCC, Smithfield Foods announce maintenance mechanic apprenticeship program
February 9, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College is partnering with Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork processor, to launch a U.S. Department of Labor-registered maintenance mechanic apprenticeship program.
MCC’s 2021 MLK luncheon raises $110K for scholarships; speaker says our individual choices can ‘break down inequality’
January 20, 2021 – A little more than a week after a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, and a few days before the inauguration of President Joe Biden, Nikole Hannah-Jones reflected on where America stood.
MCC announces Dean’s List for Fall 2020 semester
January 11, 2021 – Metropolitan Community College has released the Dean's List for the Fall 2020 semester. The 2,865 students who received Dean's List recognition earned a GPA of at least 3.5 while being enrolled in six or more credit hours.
A message from MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty: Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol a dark chapter for our nation
Like so many of you, I was shocked and dismayed by the violent events that transpired in our nation’s capital on Wednesday, Jan 6. Never did I think we would witness our elected representatives, and those sworn to protect them, under assault as they carried out a process fundamental to the continuation of our great democracy.
Nikole Hannah-Jones of New York Times’ 1619 Project to speak at MCC’s virtual MLK event on Jan. 15
January 6, 2021 – Nikole Hannah-Jones, who spearheaded a New York Times examination of how slavery shaped our nation, will be the keynote speaker at the 2021 Metropolitan Community College Chancellor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon.
$5 million Sunderland Foundation gift to support three major construction projects at Metropolitan Community College
January 5, 2021 – The Board of Trustees of the Overland Park, Kansas-based Sunderland Foundation has approved a $5 million grant to the Metropolitan Community College (MCC) Foundation. The gift, the largest ever received by the MCC Foundation, will support the construction of three transformative educational buildings at MCC.