Real Students of Macomb

Somehow in between working on her second associate degree, a part-time job at C.J. Barrymore’s, multiple responsibilities with Macomb’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter and being a vocal champion for community colleges, Brooke Jankowsky has found time to study piano.

“My sisters are musically inclined, but I am not,” says Jankowsky, the eldest of three. “I wanted to pick up a skill that would help me connect with them.”

The Chippewa Valley High School graduate began attending Macomb in fall 2020, unexpectedly receiving 30 credits for the Advanced Placement classes she’d taken in high school.

“I essentially completed a year’s worth of classes before I ever stepped foot inside a college classroom,” says Jankowsky, who earned her associate of arts degree from Macomb in 2021 at the age of 18. “Now I’m pursing a second degree in Business Administration.”

Stanford-bound

With a master’s degree in Business Administration from Stanford University as her goal, Jankowsky intends to transfer to Oakland University first to earn her bachelor’s.  But she’s holding off until she has taken every class she can at Macomb, and it’s not only because of the lower tuition rate.

“I’ve had an incredible experience here,” says Jankowsky. “I have had the chance to learn from some incredible faculty and I’ve made so many connections that I might have missed out on if I hadn’t attended Macomb.”

Many of those connections were made through PTK, which Jankowsky joined in February 2021. The international honor society for community college students requires a minimum grade point average of 3.5 from its members and annual service projects from its chapters. In 2021, Macomb’s chapter took on the “false negative stigma” of community colleges with a multi-tiered promotional campaign that included testimonials from alumni.

Community college champion     

“My mom is a Macomb alum and my grandparents (Jim and Donna Healy) were employed at the college,” relates Jankowsky. “All of them knew the value of community colleges and understood that Macomb truly works to enrich the lives of the residents around it.”

For her work with PTK, Jankowsky received the Orlowski Award at the organization’s annual conference held this spring in Denver. It recognizes exemplary service to the organization and is named after a PTK national officer who died of leukemia.  Only one award is given each year, voted on anonymously by those running for international office.

“This is an extremely special award,” offers Jankowsky, “Mr. Orlowski truly exemplified the four pillars of Phi Theta Kappa: scholarship, service, leadership and fellowship.”

And according to her peers, so, too, does Jankowsky, who was also elected a regional vice president at the conference in Denver and now represents 350 chapters in 13 states.

“Attending Macomb ended up being one of the best decisions of my life,” she says. “This was absolutely the best move I could have made for my education, and I’m proud to attend a community college.”

Out of the woods

Sometimes in life, the most important decision you can make is either not to do something or, rather, to pivot and go in an entirely new direction. Alyssa Wood, 25 and from Shelby Township, is the perfect example.

Having previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Central Michigan University, Wood transferred to Grand Valley State University in pursuit of a degree that would land her a speech-language pathologist role. After her first week of classes, she was faced with a challenging realization: The passion she had once felt for her chosen profession had waned.

Taking an occupational sabbatical

Wood decided her next logical step was to take a year off from school and return home while she came up with a game plan. Thankfully, she’s always had a strong familial bond. In addition to being close with her older brother, Wood says that her parents “have always supported me in all of my endeavors.”

With interests leaning toward health, fitness and well-being, Wood enjoys weightlifting and competitive gymnastics, the latter of which she participated in for 14 years. She’s also a self-proclaimed “HUGE animal lover” who hopes “to be able to adopt tons of rescue dogs and provide them with the loving home that they deserve.” It should come as no surprise, then, that Wood transitioned to a vegan diet, noting that it was “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself and my health!”

Living life to the fullest

After an introspective break from college, Wood realized her calling was to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). Her health-focused mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of others, treating them with compassion and helping them to reach their full potential.

“I want to help people engage and participate in the things they want and need to do,” explains Wood, “to allow them to live life to the fullest.”

Wood began poring over Michigan colleges to find a match for her newfound career choice. She soon came to see that Macomb provided the best fit. Not only would the short commute allow her to save money by being close to home, she was impressed by the college’s OTA certification pass rate (100% in 2018).

“Macomb is loaded with resources for student success and is the perfect place to learn, grow and prepare for your future career” adds Wood. “You will receive an amazing education here at a very affordable and reasonable price!”

Now reaching the end of her Macomb journey, Wood is looking forward to her graduation in May, completing her certification exam and beginning her healing career.

“I’m extremely proud of myself for pursuing a new dream and doing what it takes to make that new dream come true.”

To borrow from Irene Cara, Academy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Justine Vescio intends to dance right through her life. A fitness instructor, dance teacher and weight trainer, the Macomb student is pursuing two (more) degrees at Macomb in Exercise Science, and Health and Wellness Promotion (WHES collectively) while teaching at a fitness center and two dance studios.

“I received my health and life coaching certifications and I am working toward my personal training certification,” relates Vescio of two of the opportunities the complementary WHES programs have presented her. “After completing my associate degree in General Studies last May, I decided that also having (the other two) degrees on my resume would give me some credibility for when I want to launch my career.”

Making the leap to fitness

A 2020 homeschooled high school graduate, as well as a world (Columbia and Europe) traveler, Vescio has studied dance regularly since middle school. Her preference is jazz and hip hop but it was years of ballet training that led to her performance at the Detroit Opera House in a Ballet Met production of The Nutcracker.

“I love how dance is a combination of strength and art. I love being able to get lost in the music and move my body to express a story,” relates Vescio. “I have thought about being a professional dancer but dance careers are super short, and if you so much as twist your ankle the wrong way, your career could be over.”

Instead, Vescio discovered a wider path toward job fulfillment.

“I chose Exercise Science because I will be able to share my love for health and fitness with others,” says Vescio. “My goals are to start my own practice helping people achieve optimal fitness.”

Online and on pointe

In Macomb’s Exercise Science program, Vescio is learning about lifestyle and disease, cardio fitness, strength training, nutrition, stress management, exercise physiology and more. The Health and Wellness Promotion program shares much of the same coursework, as well as additional courses in public health education and the prevention and treatment of a variety of psychological and physical conditions through exercise and diet.

“I really enjoyed going to school at Macomb and I was disappointed when we were not able to go to class on campus,” shares Vescio. “But once I was used to online classes, I loved it. I am enjoying what I am learning and excited about the future.”

During the pandemic, Vescio started lifting weights to keep in shape. She instantly “fell in love” with weight training and from that her interest in the fitness industry began to take shape.

“My plan for the future is to have a successful personal training business, and health and life coaching programs, says Vescio, “and I plan to teach dance the rest of my life.”

Amy Jackson has been playing basketball since she was four. But even after setting a record for earning varsity letters (17) at Flat Rock Community High School and being named Female Athlete of the Year 2018-19 by Monroe Evening News, she didn’t think she was good enough of an athlete to make a college team.

A Macomb basketball coach, however, thought otherwise after watching her play with The Factory, an Amateur Athletic Union travelling basketball team.

“Before I knew it Coach (Jay) Ritchie officially told me they wanted me on (Macomb’s) team,” says Jackson. “Macomb’s women’s basketball team was undefeated that year and on its way to the nationals. Not only did a college team want me, but a college team that was successful.”

An incredible feeling

Jackson is playing her second season as forward and is team captain. As of mid-December, the lady Monarchs had a 6-4 record, with Jackson scoring an average of 15.5 points per game, 150 total. She also runs cross-country for Macomb and made the All-Region Team last year, as well as Michigan Community College Athletic Association Academic All-Conference teams in both cross-country and basketball.

Although Jackson came to Macomb intending to play only basketball, her favorite sport and “only hobby,” an invitation to join the cross-country team was too good to pass up.

“I was all over it because I had been running cross-country since middle school to get myself in shape for basketball,” says Jackson, who also competed in volleyball, softball, bowling and track while in high school and had the fourth best time running the 5K in Flat Rock’s history. “Being part of a team is something special. Being able to celebrate with a group who shared the same experiences as me – it’s an incredible feeling.”

Like any other 19-year-old

Commuting from her home in Flat Rock was the least of Jackson’s worries when she started at Macomb. She stressed over maintaining good grades as she transitioned from high school to college, and online learning, necessitated by the pandemic, was equally intimidating.

“But the transition was made so easy by the amazing professors I’ve had,” says Jackson, who hopes to play basketball for a four-year school, where she plans to major in sports management. “They’ve all been so understanding, and so easy to approach.”

During the pandemic, Jackson made good use of the hoop in her driveway, playing against her dad, brother and sister. A country music fan, she frequently listens to rap or other “pump me up” music when she’s training. Competitive by nature, there are still times when “like any other 19-year-old, I just want to be lazy,” she says.

“When I am in that mood, I enjoy watching Netflix, hanging with my boyfriend, friends and family,” says Jackson, “and playing with my dog Rosie, I love her so much.”

Sam Tocco doesn’t want to get his hopes up, but his ophthalmologist had some good news last time he went for a checkup. There is a new procedure expected to be available in a year or so that might restore at least a portion of the vision Tocco completely lost at 17.

“I won’t let anything stop me from going after the things I want in life,” said Tocco, a business major at Macomb, “but this possibility is now in the back of my mind.”

Tocco was born with a rare, congenital eye defect. During most of his childhood, he could see fairly normally out of one eye, and functionally out of the other. That changed when he was 12 and began hemorrhaging from both eyes.

“I missed the first three months of eighth grade because I could do nothing but lay on the couch so the blood would drain out of the way of my vision,” related Tocco, who endured 11 eye operations between the ages of 14 and 19. “There is no way to make another person understand what those years were like.”

Overcoming his loss of vision

Despite the challenges he faced, Tocco describes his childhood and teens as “very precious to me.” And he is approaching his future with the same positive attitude. His goals are to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Walsh (where he also attends classes), become fluent in Spanish, “find the right girl” and travel the world.

“Unfortunately, way too much of my life has been spent in survival mode,” acknowledged Tocco, 43 and a graduate of Roseville High School. “Now that I am working again, I can afford to get back into many more things.”

Tocco is on a cooperative education (co-op) assignment with DTE Energy’s Regional Relations division. The division’s director, Michael Chriss (a Macomb alumnus), recommended Tocco for the position after having him as a student in the Corporate Responsibility course Chriss teaches at Macomb. Inspired by his instructor’s confidence in him, Tocco pursued the co-op position determinedly and enlisted Macomb’s Career Services to help.

Two “wonderful people” at Macomb

“Marion (Benoit) was crucial in helping me revise my resume and put together a cover letter when time was of the essence,” offered Tocco. “I couldn’t have done it without her, for which I will always be grateful. She and Mike are some of the many wonderful and intelligent people I have met (at Macomb).”

Tocco’s co-op assignment began in July and has been extended through the end of the year. There might even be a chance it will be extended far longer than that.

“Mike is trying to find me a permanent spot with the company,” said Tocco, who has spent the majority of his co-op assignment working with DTE’s energy and environmental justice group. “He also arranged for me to speak to (DTE’s) CEO Jerry Norcia. I was floored when my phone rang and it was him.”

If crime shows like CSI or the real-life scenarios that play out in information technology (IT) departments everyday have lit your interest in cybersecurity, Marjoria Cox knows the feeling and offers a suggestion if you’d like to act upon it.

“I would highly recommend (Macomb’s) program to anyone considering cybersecurity as a career,” offers Cox. “It is a very cost-effective program and the professor makes it a fantastic experience.”

“A great cybersecurity program”
Cox graduated from Detroit’s Osborne High School in 2000 and earned a certificate in Computer Technology and Electrical Systems from Phoenix University. She is completing her last semester at Macomb before transferring to Oakland University to earn a bachelor’s degree in IT. She’s a single mother of three daughters and is employed full time as an information technology (IT) manager with Welker Engineered Products. With no time in her busy schedule for back tracking, she did her homework before choosing a career path.

“Research showed Macomb has a great cybersecurity program,” said Cox, noting that it is one of the few to have earned the National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education from the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. “Even considering having to make changes and adjustments due to the pandemic, it’s been wonderful.”

Since she already works in IT, cybersecurity was a natural fit for Cox. In Macomb’s IT-Network Security Professional (Cybersecurity) program, she is learning how to build a defense against cybersecurity threats, including how to configure firewalls and intrusion detection systems, safeguard digital assets, analyze threat risks, use encryption techniques and evaluate security issues.
In other words, it’s been exactly what she was looking for.

It’s all about combatting cybercrime
“The most interesting part about this field is that you are able to fight crime and terrorist attacks while just sitting in front of your computer screen,” offers Cox, who worked in IT for Ford, GM, Volkswagen and Verizon before her current position. “I hope to specialize in network defense,” which would include detecting, monitoring, analyzing, preventing and defending against any and all cyberattacks on a computer network.

Long intrigued by counter-hacking techniques and the use of cyber-based technologies to combat terrorism, Cox’s interest was heightened by watching such television shows as Person of Interest, Scorpion and the entire CSI franchise.

“I’ve grown more and more fascinated with cybersecurity by watching these shows,” said Cox. “Now I want to apply my own knowledge and skills to stop hackers.”

If Kelsey Schrade wasn’t set on becoming a teacher, she’d be majoring in theatre right now and planning a move to New York City where she could indulge her love for Broadway music, preferably on the stage. Fortunately, at Macomb she doesn’t have to give one up for the other.

Dealing with dyslexia

“When I chose Macomb, the pandemic had just started and I did not know what the future looked like,” says Schrade. “I decided to stay at home and save some money. Macomb has many great classes to choose from and many great resources to help with my severe dyslexia.”

Dyslexia affects how someone learns to read, write and spell. A common condition with more than 3 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, British researchers have found that singing and dancing appear to help some overcome its challenges.

Schrade, obviously, had already discovered that.

“Music is one of my greatest passions,” says the 2020 graduate of Lutheran High School North. “Performing helps me share that passion with others.”

A New Macomber!

After a successful audition, Schrade received a spot this year on the Macombers, the college’s show (i.e. singing and dancing) choir.

As a Macomber, Schrade receives a scholarship in exchange for the many hours of rehearsing and performing required.

Her first season with the troupe begins after the start of the fall semester, but you can also find her singing on Sundays with the praise band at her church.

“When I perform on stage, it fills me with joy,” says Schrade. “I like to be able to share that gift with others.”

What also fills her with joy is working with young children, which helped her decide on a career in the classroom instead of on the stage.

How teaching won out

“I have been a summer camp leader for five years now at my church and I am very passionate about working with young kids. I hope to become a kindergarten or first-grade teacher,” says Schrade. “I had many incredible teachers help me through my struggles. The professors at Macomb are always willing to go that extra mile.”

Describing herself as self-driven, Schrade had no difficulty with online learning last fall when the pandemic closed Macomb’s campuses.

“Online courses were more manageable for me than in-person classes,” notes Schrade. “But I am very excited to get back to in-person classes and have that social experience every college student wants.”

After she completes her associate degree next year, Schrade intends to transfer to Oakland University, where she will major in elementary education.

“As a dyslexic, I have trouble reading. But all the professors I have had have been outstanding in helping me,” says Schrade. “I want to be that teacher to help someone like me and make a positive impact on them.”