January 2014 Issue 49

KILIAN NEWS

Kilian News January 2014 Issue 49—Page 2

Counseling services from a nationally licensed, pro-fessional counselor are available at no cost to our students. The counselor is available to assist the

student in dealing with personal or social concerns and academic or vocational issues. The counselor will refer students to outside agencies when appro-

priate.

All students are encouraged to use this service. Ap-pointments can be made by calling 221-3121 or by

stopping by the counselor’s office in room 121. Walk-ins welcome!

COUNSELING SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL

AND ADHEERE TO FERPA GUIDELINES.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) FREE TAX FILING FOR TAX YEAR 2013

Certified Volunteers prepare basic tax returns for taxpayers with incomes less than $51,000 and a variety of special needs individuals and families. There are no fees for tax preparation or electronic filing (e-filing) at VITA sites. Location: Siouxland Main Library Downtown Sioux Falls 200 N. Dakota Ave. Sioux Falls, SD When: Mondays 5:00 pm—8:00 pm Saturdays 10:00 am—3:00 pm February 3 February 8 February 10 February 15 February 24 February 22 March 3 March 1 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 April 7

WALK IN ONLY, NO APPOINTMENTS, FIRST COME—FIRST SERVE.

For more information: www.helplinecenter.org or dial 211

Kilian News January 2014 Issue 49—Page 3

KILIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT OF THE

MONTH

LEONARD YOUNG

Leonard started out at Kilian as an Accounting Major, but made the change to

Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Education a few semesters in. “I decided I

liked working with kids, more than numbers,” he said. His plans are to pursue

his Bachelor’s after graduating at Kilian, although he has not officially decided

on a school.

His teaching career is still a few semesters away, but Leonard has already built

an impressive resume by giving back through Junior Achievement and Big

Brothers Big Sisters. He is also part of the entrepreneurship program at KCC,

which has allowed him to start developing his own youth program. “I am

working towards having a pilot workshop in February. I want to help kids learn to be a self-

advocate.” Through mentorship, teaching kids early about interviewing skills and resume writing, and

social skill development he hopes to help pave a good path for their future.

Leonard’s path was not always laid out for him. He grew up in New Orleans, where he admits he was be-

ginning to get off track. “The Marine Corps saved my life. Seeing different cultures and really learning

what is out there changed the way I was living.” No longer in the military and seemingly settled into

Sioux Falls, he likes it here. He sees Sioux Falls as an up and coming city and a great place to raise his

sons.

Anyone that has ever met Leonard knows he is always impeccably dressed. “I always go for the shock

factor. I don’t like to stick to the social norms. I like to fly under the radar, but I am not hard to

miss.” This fun-loving attitude should make his next project a popular one. He is planning to write a life-

style blog. He will discuss fashion and how to shop and save. He never pays full price, yet he always

looks like he is on trend.

The biggest downside to Leonard winning student of the

month in January is that he won’t be able to show off his

“BOSSHOG” car in his reserved parking spot. He stores the

car in the winter. I had to ask him if there is a benefit to hav-

ing horns on the front of your car, “Just the fact that everyone

that sees it, seems to enjoy it as much as I do.”

Leonard loves being at Kilian. “It has been an opportunity of

a lifetime. Coming from where I was I didn’t expect to accom-

plish so much.” He has found both friends and mentors in Sta-

cy Walters and Jim Smorada. What Leonard may not realize

is how pleased all of us at Kilian are to have him as a stu-

dent. So thank you, Leonard. You deserve the parking spot

and the title of Student of the Month.

Kilian News January 2014 Issue 49—Page 4

DON”T SKIP CLASS—A message from Wendi Van Beek Do you have an extra $71.45 to burn or throw away? If you paid that much for a ser-vice or item, and didn’t get that service or item, would you be upset? Did you know that each of the classes you skip cost approximately $71.45? Sometimes, it’s easy to forget the cost of an education if you don’t pay for that education until after you leave school, and your student loan payments are due. However, you have paid for this education, and the instructors’ time for the class, so use it wisely! So, try this. Write a check for $71.45 to Down the Drain and keep in on your

nightstand. The next time you feel like sleeping in and skipping class, let that check

remind you what you have already paid for your education!

Do you experience math anxiety? Here are some helpful hints from www.usnews.com. From Lynn Jacobs and Jeremy Hyman—“Professors Guide” 1. Don’t Skip Questions! Do every sin-

gle homework problem. In math, homework is critical. Doing homework is the way you learn math.

2. What is your Strategy? Figure out what type of problem you’re working on and choose your strategy for solving it!

3. Be NEAT. Be meticulous! In all work in-volving math-notes, homework and tests—be extremely neat.

4. Write down all of the Steps in your notes!

5. When you get stuck, fight the urge to quit and declare yourself clue-less! Trace back your steps. Where did you get stuck?

6. Go Get Help. The sooner, the better. Join a study group and use Kilian’s Success Center!

7. MOST IMPORTANTLY—REMEMBER YOU CAN DO IT!

The people. Not just the staff and faculty, but the students who are at the center of the Kilian Community College family. Every student comes to Kilian via a different path in life. Each one has an interest-ing, personal story to share. I enjoy getting to know them, whether for one semester or several, and watching them take what is learned here and apply it to life outside and beyond Kilian. - Mark Millage, President I am usually the first person students meet when starting at Kilian. I often get the opportunity to reassure students that if they are dedi-cated, not only will they be successful, but they will enjoy school. My favorite part is seeing students come to the realization that they are smart enough, strong enough and dedicated enough to be suc-cessful. - Director of Admissions, Mary Klockman That everyone has the same end goal and that everyone does what they can to help students be successful in their present and future goals. - Joyce Hubregtse, Bridges Director & President’s Assistant

As an employee of Kilian, I really enjoy helping students achieve personal and academic goals. As a graduate of Kilian, it has been a lot of fun to come back and work with a lot of the same instructors I had when I was a student here. It’s kind of like coming back home again! - Wendi Van Beek, Dean of Student Services I love working in an educational environment. I like the students, teachers and the staff. I have spent the last 25 years working in ed-ucation, and I like the routine and not so routine of itJ Always meet-ing new students, being able to help them and the instructors is truly “a good thing”. - Linda Haskett, Academics Administrative Assistant

Kilian News January 2014 Issue 49—Page 5

What do you enjoy most about working at Kilian?

I like Sioux Falls because it’s a growing, progressive city. It has all the big city perks but in a small enough area to get around easily. - Rose Leibhan, Bookstore Manager It is a safe community with many vibrant areas including downtown. - Wendy McDonnel, Director of Development The opportunities to volunteer. It is a great way to help others and meet new people. Craig Jucht

My parents were educators so they were an example. I also wanted to teach adults so I pursued degrees so I could do that. - Cheryl Hartman, Faculty I began in education to help others, and I am fortunate to work at Kilian where I get to help and see the growth in students. I like most seeing students achieve their potential. - Wendy Jansen, Faculty

Kilian News January 2014 Issue 49—Page 6

What do you like most about Sioux Falls?

How did you get into Education?

FINANCIAL AID TIPS by Christine Schelske

Kilian News January 2014 Issue 49—Page 7

Welcome back Kilianites! I hope you are all well-rested and ready to finish the winter term. This time of year is wonderful! Everyone had a renewed sense of spirit and desires to do better for themselves and those around them. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? I am sure everyone has made a health resolution considering people brought out their yum-miest, most fattening recipes. Here are some resolutions you can adopt for your “pocketbook” health as a student: I will live like a college student (keeping luxuries to a minimum) now so that I won’t have to live like a college student later. I will only borrow what I need to cover college expenses such as tuition, room and board, and books. I will check www.nslds.ed.gov to verify that the loan amounts reported match my rec-ords, keep track of how much I’ve borrowed in student loans, what the estimated monthly payments will be, and to obtain loan servicer contact information. I will contact my loan holder to discuss possible options if I am having trouble making my loan payments and I will request a different repayment plan if needed. (There are op-tions.) I will set up auto-payments for my student loans. I will notify my loan holder of any changes to my address, phone number, name, or en-rollment status. It is human nature to “get in the way” of our own full potential… we all desire to do and be better. The hope in a new year is an opportunity to clear that slate. We must set goals, be-cause honestly people with goals succeed because they know where they are going. It is as simple as that! Good luck keeping your resolutions (goals) in the New Year. Remember you are doing it to better you!