News

SMC a Partner in Award-Winning Apprenticeship

An award-winning early childhood education apprenticeship program involving Flowers Early Learning (formerly Tri-County Head Start), Southwestern Michigan College and Michigan Works! marked its first anniversary this year. An apprenticeship program enabled someone interested in working with children ages 0-5 to get paid and receive benefits while training and working toward a degree.

SMC Faculty Recital Features Brass Quintet

Southwestern Michigan College’s brassy faculty recital, “Danny Lopez and Friends, Vol. III: Trumpet in Good Company,” was heard by more than 50 Oct. 6 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

SMC’s Futures Fest Explores Careers

Southwestern Michigan College’s career-exploration Futures Fest Sept. 30 was designed to help SMC students choose or explore a major, discover career pathways and find opportunities to volunteer, job shadow or intern. The theme was a retro arcade game with the slogan, “Level up,” according to Career Development Manager Melinda Stockwell.

SMC Codes for Cass Kickstart to Careers

When Cass Kickstart to Careers, the Cassopolis Public Schools’ children’s savings account (CSA), wanted to tweak its deposit process, it turned to Southwestern Michigan College information networking students to create an application. Four students in Information Technology Professor Eric Clayborn’s introductory coding class last spring were thrilled to tackle such a challenge.

SMC To Add NJCAA Soccer Next Fall

Southwestern Michigan College will be adding Men’s and Women’s Soccer as official NJCAA intercollegiate sports, with competition beginning in the fall of 2027, presuming appropriate roster sizes are achieved.

SMC Automotive Program Acquires Electric and Hybrid Cars for Its Fleet

Automotive Technology Professor Jeff Robson made a conscious decision to steer clear of the family hog farm. His affinity for technology took him to Seattle and back and employment with General Motors and service manager positions at vehicle dealerships before he started teaching at Southwestern Michigan College in 2013.

SMC Celebrates Constitution

Southwestern Michigan College observed Constitution Day dramatically, combining Heidi Schreck’s play, “What the Constitution Means to Me” with a spirited debate about whether the 239-year-old document should be kept or abolished. Constitution Day occurs on Sept. 17 because that is the date delegates signed the document at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

SMC Adding Instrument Repair Certificate

At a special meeting Monday afternoon, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees approved the addition of a one-year musical instrument repair certificate to be offered beginning in Fall 2027.

Meet SMC’s New Athletic Trainer

Dylan Mondschein, Southwestern Michigan College’s new athletic trainer through Beacon Health System, grew up in Berrien Springs. In fact, he completed some dual-enrolled SMC classes in high school.

SMC May Grad Arly Fitzgerald Presents Research in New York

Southwestern Michigan College 2026 honors graduate Arly Fitzgerald represented SMC on a national academic stage in New York City Aug. 8.