In order to highlight student work and innovation, Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC) will host Student Showcases for the first time in its history. These events, which are open to the public, will take place from 1-7PM on April 20 at the College’s Harrison Campus and on April 21 at its Mt. Pleasant campus. Exhibits will feature work completed in the previous academic year by MMCC students.

“Though it’s the first year for these showcases, we’re expecting excellent participation, both in terms of student exhibitors and guests” says Diane Miller, MMCC Faculty member. “There has been tremendous support for these events—not only in terms of students who are putting together projects, but in terms of staff and faculty participation and enthusiasm.”

Exhibits will include an array of projects, activities, and displays, including speeches and panel discussions, short films, posters, and demonstrations. Four students on each campus will receive awards for their work.

“We learn so much when we learn from each other,” says MMCC President Chris Hammond. “This event celebrates both our students’ accomplishments and our faculty members’ commitment to promoting student success. I look forward to seeing the students' work and meeting their families and friends.”

The showcase concept came out of discussions regarding T-Shaped Learning. MMCC faculty invest great time and energy in creating strategies that help students develop into T-Shaped Learners. That means that student don’t only learn one discipline and system deeply--their major, or the skills specific to their chosen profession--but they also develop broad, boundary-spanning knowledge that helps them communicate within and between systems, helps them understand each other, network, and work in teams.

“At the showcases, our faculty will be able to see our shared work from a number of perspectives as we celebrate what our students have created,” continues Miller. “MMCC has also offered to bus local high school students to the showcases, so for them, this will be excellent exposure to college students, faculty, and college-level work. Because MMCC enrolls nearly 1,000 high school students as dual enrollees, high schoolers will also participate as exhibitors.”

Funding for these events came, in part, from the MMCC Foundation. Light refreshments will be served to attendees. For more information, contact Diane Miller by email at dmiller6@midmich.edu.