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1: Beginning Your College Career

  • Page ID
    273834

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    BEGINNING YOUR COLLEGE CAREER

    Community College SPOTLIGHT
    Moraine Valley Community College: History

    Community colleges are a relatively new approach to higher education in America. With open admissions policies, they offer courses toward the completion of associates degrees for students looking to transfer to four-year colle ges/universities or degrees and certificates for students looking to enter one of many trades occupations. The community college movement owes its roots to both the junior college initiative of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century, and the culture of increased access to higher education for veterans in the aftermath of the second World War.[1] (Laura Dawson Ulrich, “A Brief Community College Origin Story,” in Community College Insights, December 14, 2023, [www.richmondfed.org/region_communities/regional_data_analysis/surveys/community_college/community_college_insights/2023/cc_20231214]; accessed November 14, 2024.)

    Founded in 1967, Moraine Valley Community College’s main campus is in Palos Hills, Illinois. The college’s name was inspired by the local geography which characterizes the 300-acre main campus, “where the Valparaiso and Tinley moraines meet to form a valley.”[2] (Moraine Valley Community College, 50 Years Moraine Valley Community College 1967-2017. Walsworth University Press, 2016; 3-6.) Situated in a robust community college district, Moraine Valley encompasses diverse communities across the southwest suburbs of Chicago. In addition to its Palos Hills campus, Moraine Valley also has satellite campuses at the Southwest Education Center in Tinley Park and Education Center at Blue Island.

    CHAPTER GOALS

    As a result of engaging in this chapter, you will:

    • Review learning outcomes for this course
    • Become familiar with Moraine Valley’s history
    • Learn concepts to be a successful college student
    • Utilize Moraine Valley technology
    • Understand the importance of extracurricular activities and how you can get involved

    WHY AM I TAKING THIS COURSE?

    You are taking this course to increase your knowledge as a first-year college student and to prepare yourself to be successful in pursuing your goals.

    Students who successfully complete COL-101 earn more credit hours, have higher first semester and cumulative GPAs, and experience higher retention rates than students who do not take COL-101 or were unsuccessful in COL-101 (MVCC, 2023). The positive effects of students successfully completing COL-101 persist beyond the first semester. We want you to be a successful student and taking COL-101 can help you achieve that!

    In this course, you will learn how to:

    1. Develop priorities and goals for college success and identify strategies to achieve them.
    2. Identify, describe and access campus resources, including library tools.
    3. Demonstrate use of Moraine Valley technology, including student email, MVConnect, and Canvas.
    4. Develop an academic plan and explore career planning.
    5. Learn about transfer-oriented and/or career program options.
    6. Learn to balance lifestyle choices including school, work and family responsibilities.
    7. Describe concepts of diversity and recognize diverse perspectives on campus and in your community.

    • 1.1: Technology at MVCC
      This page highlights Moraine Valley Community College's focus on technology as a key factor in student success, detailing essential resources like MVConnect, student email, Microsoft 365, Canvas, and the Student Planner. Students are advised to engage with these tools and seek Help Desk support when needed. It also emphasizes the importance of account security and personal responsibility in protecting login credentials.
    • 1.2: Getting Involved
      This page describes the benefits of involvement at Moraine Valley Community College, highlighting opportunities for engagement in clubs, skill development, and networking, facilitated by the Student Life Office. Additionally, it outlines the Honors Program, which offers a deeper learning experience with smaller classes, teamwork, and specialized support for students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Overall, both aspects contribute to personal and academic growth, enhancing the college experience.
    • 1.3: Chapter Summary
      This page outlines student involvement opportunities at Moraine Valley, highlighting the "Buzz" newsletter and MVConnect's Events Calendar for updates. It encourages students to balance extracurriculars with academic responsibilities, suggesting starting with one or two clubs. If commitments affect grades, reassessment is advised. Additionally, the page promotes exploring campus clubs and resources, including the Student Life Office and the Honors Program, to enrich the student experience.


    This page titled 1: Beginning Your College Career is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .

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