Compliments of Kirtland's student publication, 'The Zine'
By Katelyn Durst
Kirtland Community College has begun with the opening of a new location in West Branch earlier this fall. And, now, college officials are looking to show it off during several upcoming events at the site, located adjacent to Ogemaw Heights High School on M-33.For some Ogemaw County students, the new campus is a dream come true – the creation of a place where students can go to learn surgical technology that’s more accessible and closer to home.
The new site, located in the former West Branch-Rose City Schools board office, already has nearly a dozen students walking up and down its hall.
“It is my desire to not only establish this program, but to set a new standard for all programs of this type to emulate,” Colunga said. “I love the challenge almost as much as I love to teach.”
So far, the West Branch campus has a simulated operating room and general classroom space, as well as offices. The new location even has a computer lab, which any KCC student can use with a valid student I.D.
“I am so excited for this program,” said Cara Etcher of Gaylord. “I started something like this a while ago, but I was so happy when I heard about it opening here in West Branch.”
The new campus and program hold great potential for KCC students, as well as the future of the college.
Jose Colunga, Kirtland’s new surgical technology instructor, talks to a perspective student at the new campus, located next to Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch. Colunga began his instructor's career in the U.S. Air Force.
“All of our students in the surgical technology program have the option to graduate in a year,” said Dr. Tom Quinn, president of KCC. “Not only that, we can practically guarantee them employment because of the current need for surgical technicians. We don’t know how fast this will grow, but it could happen very fast.”
In fact, officials said this winter semester the West Branch office will open its doors to all students, as the college starts to provide developmental and prerequisite classes. Five classes will be offered and any Kirtland student may enroll.
If the new campus proves to be a big hit with students, other programs and classes may be added in the future.
And, to show off the new site, college officials are opening the doors for a trio of upcoming events to give people a chance to tour the building. The first is an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The college and West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce will next host a “Business After Hours” event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.
“We are very excited about having the West Branch site up and running, which we believe will benefit both our students and the community,” said Dennis Mansfield, director of public relations at KCC. “Now, we have the chance to show off both the remodeled building and our new surgical technology program with these events.”
The third event is set for Thursday, Nov. 19, when the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at the site. The meeting is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Annually, about 3,200 students attend a variety of certificate and two-year degree programs at Kirtland’s three locations – near Roscommon, and the Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) in Gaylord and in West Branch – with the college’s service area including all or parts of Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Otsego, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Gladwin and Alcona counties, and the surrounding areas.
For more information on Kirtland, persons visit online at www.kirtland.edu or call 989-275-5000, extension 284.
– Katelyn Durst of West Branch is a staff writer for the Kirtland Zine, Kirtland Community College’s student magazine.
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