Southwestern Michigan College

Southwestern Michigan College is a public community college. The main campus is near Dowagiac, Michigan and the Niles Campus is located just outside the city limits of Niles, Michigan.

Academics

Southwestern Michigan College offers Associate in Applied Science degrees in Accounting, Automotive Technology, Business, Construction Trades Green Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Educational Paraprofessional, Engineering Technology, Fire Science, Graphic Design Technology, Health Information Technology, Industrial Technology, Information Technology (Application Development, Networking and Support), Mechatronics Technology, Medical Assisting, Music, Nursing (RN, LPN to RN, and Paramedic to RN), Occupational Technology, Paramedic, Precision Production Technology, Professional Communication (Communication, Creative Writing and Professional Writing tracks), and Social Work. They also offer Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees in Business; Communication; Education; Environmental and Life Science; Medical Pre-Professional; Music; Science, Engineering and Math; Social Science; and Visual Arts.^[1]

Southwestern Michigan College offers certificate programs in Automotive Technology, Construction Trades Green Technology, Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician, Elementary Education, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Science, General Education, Home Health Aide, Information Technology Help Desk, Mechatronics Technology, Medical Assisting-Clinical, Medical Assisting-Office, Medical First Responder, Nursing Assistant (CNA), Practical Nursing LPN, Occupational Technology, Office Assistant/Specialist, Paramedic, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Precision Production Technology, Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship, and Welding Technology.

Southwestern Michigan College offers bachelor's degrees on the Dowagiac campus through partnerships with Ferris State University and Bethel College. The Ferris programs offer students an advantage by allowing them to take three years of classes at SMC's low tuition and pay only one year of the university's tuition.

Ferris State University at Southwestern Michigan College bachelor's degrees

Accountancy/Public Accounting

Business Administration

Business Administration/Professional Track

Computer Information Systems

Computer Information Technology/Systems Administration and Security

Criminal Justice

Human Resource Management

Bethel College at Southwestern Michigan College bachelor's degrees

Organizational Management Accelerated Degree

Human Services

History

Southwestern Michigan College was founded on November 19, 1964 after the voters of Cass County, Michigan approved a 1.5 million dollar tax levy to fund a Cass County Community College. On September 12, 1965 ground was broken for the main campus in Dowagiac, Michigan. Classes began at Southwestern Michigan College in September 1966. The college is located three miles (5 km) outside of Dowagiac, Michigan city limits. Their sports teams were nicknamed the "Roadrunners" before SMC dropped sports in 1998. Intramural sports are still popular on campus, however, and the Roadrunner moniker is still used.

Main campus

Currently the Main Campus houses 10 buildings:

• Jan and A.C Kairis Building
• Barbara Wood Building
• Charles O. Zollar Sports Complex^[2]
• Dale A. Lyons Building
• Foster W. Daugherty Building
• Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center
• Keith H. McKenzie Hall^[3] (Student Housing)
• William M. White Hall^[4] (Student Housing)
• Thomas F. Jerdon Hall^[5] (Student Housing)
• David C. Briegel Building
• William P.D. O'Leary Building

Student Activity Center

The Student Activity Center is the center of campus life. It houses a fitness center, gymnasium, racquetball courts, rock climbing gym, resistance pools, cafe, student theater, and game room complete with pool, foosball, Ping Pong, arcade games, and video games. All student facilities and events are free for all students. Community members can also buy memberships or day passes to the fitness center.^[6]

Satellite campus

In July 1992 the Niles Campus opened with a new 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m²) facility, located just outside the city limits of Niles, Michigan. In 1999 a 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m²) addition was completed which came close to doubling the size of the Niles Campus. In 2001 a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m²) Michigan Technology Center was add to the Niles Campus. This building is known as the Harry T. Gast Building, named for the former Michigan state senator. Renovations began on the main building at the Niles Campus in 2013, and continued improvements are planned.^[7]

Accreditations

Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Southwestern Michigan College is also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

On-campus student housing

SMC Housing offers apartment style living with full kitchens and private, lockable bedrooms. These fully furnished four bedroom apartments have two bathrooms. SMC housing covers all utilities including wired and wireless internet, air conditioning, electricity, and water.

In fall 2009, Southwestern Michigan College opened their first residential housing facility on campus with a 130-bed student housing unit. On August 16, 2009 the student housing was dedicated and named in Honor of Keith H. McKenzie. Southwestern Michigan College's second housing unit, East Hall, on the College's Dowagiac campus opened for the fall 2010 semester.

Due to continuing high demand, SMC built their third housing facility which opened to students in 2013. Originally named South Hall, the building became William M. White Hall on August 19, 2013; East Hall was renamed Thomas F. Jerdon Hall on this date as well.^[8]

Board of Trustees

Southwestern Michigan College is governed by a 7-member locally elected Board of Trustees.^[9]

References

External links

• Southwestern Michigan College Home Page
• Michigan Community College Association