Liberal Arts Week

September 24, 2021 Washtenaw Community College

October 21-25, 2024

#LiberalArtsGetPaid

Register

Elevate your education! Develop essential workplace skills!

Join us at WCC’s Liberal Arts Week (October 21– 25, 2024). The interactive virtual and in-person presentations and workshops will showcase how liberal arts classes empower personal and professional success, and sustain a fair and just society.

The Liberal Arts Week sessions will help you.

  • Gain insights from seasoned professionals and industry experts
  • Participate in hands-on workshops and real-world scenarios
  • Connect with like-minded professionals and expand your network
  • Take home valuable tools and resources to continue your workplace skills development

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dive deep into the essential Liberal Arts Workplace Skills (link) that will give you a head start in your professional journey!

Speakers

jacob brown

Jacob Brown

former NFL athlete, #FailForward

Jacob Brown's journey from the tough NFL fields to speaking on international stages is inspiring. Navigating two decades of trials, Jacob has transformed his falls into stepping stones. He now guides others to see failure not as a dead end, but as the fuel for growth.

Today, as an experienced entrepreneur, engaging speaker, and recognized writer, he shows the true power of resilience. His #FailForward philosophy, shared on LinkedIn, through motivational posts, and in powerful videos, has inspired countless individuals worldwide to turn setbacks into strength.

susan westhoff

Susan Westhoff

President of Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center

Susan Westhoff is passionate about working with youth, volunteers, and cultural partners. She strives to create a sense of community in all her interactions and loves to provide opportunities for everyone to experience something new and inspiring every time they visit, whether it's indoors or outdoors, involving science, the arts, or the natural world. In her free time, Susan enjoys camping and hiking throughout Michigan with her husband, Jim, and their children, Ellie and Sam.

stephanie mansour

Stephanie Mansour

Today Show Fitness Contributor, Host of Step it Up with Steph, PBS

Stephanie Mansour is a contributing health and fitness writer for TODAY. She is a certified personal trainer, yoga and Pilates instructor, and weight-loss coach for women. Stephanie also hosts “Step It Up With Steph” on PBS. Stephanie holds a BA in Communications with an emphasis on Women’s Studies & Psychology from the University of Michigan, and she has personal training, yoga, and Pilates certifications, as well as her professional life coaching certification.

Before starting “Step It Up with Steph” in 2008, she worked for Oprah’s XM Radio show host Marianne Williamson, the Dr. Phil show, Lifetime TV, and WNET PBS.

Schedule

Monday, October 21

10:45 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Welcome

ML 150, Morris Lawrence Building

President Rose Bellanca, Washtenaw Community College
10:50 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Opening Remarks

ML 150, Morris Lawrence Building

Brandon Tucker, Executive Vice President for Instruction and Chief Workforce Development Officer.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Keynote - "Embrace the Fear and Fail Forward to Discover Your Purpose!"

ML 150, Morris Lawrence Building

Jacob Brown, former NFL athlete, #FallForward
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Local Employers Speak: What We Need in New Hires, Panel Session

Community Room - Student Center Building, First Floor

This session brings together five area employers representing a variety of industries. Attend and hear what's hot as employers search for the right employees in tech, criminal justice,.. (more added as we secure speakers) Next, interface directly with employers who could help you break down the door to your future by providing the straight scoop on how to gain experience and by providing input on must-have classes to equip you with Liberal Arts Workplace Skills!

WCC Alumni, local employers with co-facilitator Amanda Deacon, Student Advisor-Center for Career Success

Tuesday, October 22

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker

ML 150, Morris Lawrence Building

Susan Westhoff, President and CEO, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Blazing Your Own Trail: Successful Career Transitions in the Liberal Arts

Panel session on Zoom

Nothing teaches like experience, and this panel session delivers experience! Hear the stories of our panelists who discovered new professional paths and launched themselves in new directions.

Co-facilitator Marisol Adelmann, Coordinator of Enrollment, Assessment, & Data - Adult Transitions
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

#LiberalArtsGetPaid: Plan NOW To Apply Your Workplace Skills & Prepare to LAUNCH Your Great Business/Product Idea*

Garrett’s - Student Center Building, First Floor

Facilitator Emanuel Terrell, Entrepreneurship Center Manager

Wednesday, October 23

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Keynote - "The Liberal Arts and The Career Change"

Zoom session

How do you become a wellness contributor on NBC’s Today Show and work with Al Roker? Find out in this keynote session where Stephanie Mansour will share her unique story of how she used the skills she learned in her Liberal Arts courses to create a niche career of her dreams.

Stephanie Mansour, Today Show Fitness Contributor
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Cool Careers in Writing Panel & Networking Event

Panel session on Zoom

Employers across industries know -- the skills we develop in liberal arts classes are essential to successful organizations! In this moderated Q&A, you’ll learn directly from professionals in writing intensive roles how YOU can get paid to write, from public advocacy to fiction to film! You’ll also get to ask your own questions in networking breakout rooms! Join us to learn about creating great writing, getting your writing out to real readers, and how #TheLiberalArtsGetPaid! #WritingForTheWin!

Facilitator Hava Levitt-Phillips, Professional Faculty, English and College Readiness.
Panelists Sarah Flandorfer, Novelist and Matthew Flemming, Freelance Writer
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Is This the Right Career Pathway for Me? Taking Career Exploration From the Virtual Level to Reality - A Workshop Journey*

Garrett’s - Student Center Building, First Floor

Are you feeling “stuck” in a career that you’ve outgrown? Have you lost the passion for the field you entered a few years ago? Is there a career you have always wondered about? Are you the right fit for the industry? Take control of your future and stop the guessing game! Attend this workshop and explore your career from the inside-out with the help of Virtual Reality Technology. This is a workshop designed for adults who are considering using their Liberal Arts Workplace Skills for the first time AND those who are considering transitioning to a new career pathway.

NOTE: Pre-registration by 12:00 noon on 10/21/24 to insure enough materials to provide everyone with a hands-on experience. Max capacity = 25 participants

Thursday, October 24

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Career Vision Boarding and Reflection Workshop*

Garrett’s - Student Center Building, First Floor

Art & literature aren’t just for audiences! As renowned novelist Julia Alvarez famously said, “I write to find out what I am thinking. I write to find out who I am.” In this interactive session, we’ll use collage, poetry, and reflective writing to get a glimpse of the futures we’re working to bring into our lives. Get ready to make something beautiful and inspire yourself to keep going toward your goals! #LiberalArtsGetPaid #ArtForLife #WritingForTheWin

Co-facilitators Hava Levitt-Phillips (Professional Faculty-English and College Readiness) and Jill Jepsen (Professional Faculty - Art)
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Projectships: Get Verified Work Experience Through WCC On Campus - Community

Garrett’s - Student Center Building, First Floor

Friday, October 25

11:00 a.m.

Closing Remarks

Zoom session

Dean Anne Nichols, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences Division
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Cool Careers in Communication, Media and Theatre Arts

Zoom session

Wondering what careers highlight the skill sets you’ve been acquiring in your Liberal Arts classes? Wonder no more! Join the Communication, Media and Theater Arts faculty to explore the bright future one could have within these exciting disciplines. Meet with our panel of working professionals in breakout rooms for small group discussions about your future.

Panelists:
  • Charmie Gholson: New York Times Published Writer, Founder: Michigan Moms United, WCC Alum
  • Frannie Shepherd: Founder: “Shakespeare In Prison”, Local Teaching Artist/Choreographer, Sound Designer
  • Stephanie Mansour: Today Show Wellness Contributor
  • Nicole Brown: Mayor of Ypsilanti
  • LeNa McDonald: Associate Commissioner for Academic Relations for the SEC
* Zoom Streaming not Available

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