Assistance available for small business affected by storm

The North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE offices at Central Lakes College are available to assist in the recovery efforts of small businesses affected by the recent storms.

The SBDC and SCORE have counselors available to work with business owners to assess the long-term impact of the storm to their business and to develop recovery plans so they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible. 

“Some businesses are suffering financial losses from the storm, whether they had physical damage to their property or not,” said Greg Bergman, SBDC director. “Being able to recover financially can be difficult for many impacted small businesses. We are there to help them through that process.” 

CLC welcomes first local Ojibwe speaker/instructor

Central Lakes College welcomes its first local Ojibwe speaker/instructor, who will teach the Ojibwe language class in the fall and spring semesters.

John Benjamin, or his Ojibwe name Waabishkigaabaw, is from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

He brings a high level of knowledge around the language and culture, said Mary Sam, CLC’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Tribal Relations.

“John is a well-respected Ojibwe instructor within the Mille Lacs Band community and across the region,” she said. 

Benjamin is one of two Mille Lacs Band members who received mentoring from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Ojibwe instructor Dan Jones throughout last year.

Academic advisor Dan Davidson returns to CLC

Dan Davidson returns to Central Lakes College after a year of absence on leave.

Davidson will serve as an academic advisor. It’s a role he’s had a lot of experience in, having been in the Admissions and Academic Advising fields for more than 20 years at CLC.

In his position at the college, he’ll be serving in a duel Admissions/Advising role, assisting with the Minnesota Education Fairs and new student admissions. As an advisor, Davidson will focus on Associate in Arts and transfer degree seeking students, as well as assisting with registration sessions. 

His previous leadership focus involved: Credit for Prior Learning, Associate in Arts Honors Degree, Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice, Marine and Small Engine, Natural Resources Technology and Welding.

Erich Heppner returns as Director of Student Life

Erich Heppner returned to Central Lakes College to serve as Director of Student Life. 

Heppner, a CLC alumnus himself, was first brought on as Director of Student Life in 2008. He led a dynamic program for five years before taking on a new opportunity at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Feeling a pull to come home to CLC and the Brainerd lakes area, Heppner returned to CLC this week. In his post, he’ll create fun and engaging activities for the wide range of students at the college. He’ll also work to increase the participation and effectiveness of student government groups on both the Brainerd and Staples campuses.

Heppner is looking forward to creating strong and lasting partnerships with community businesses and local leaders.

Originally from Warroad, MN, Heppner enjoys playing and watching hockey, soccer and broomball. He has two very large, friendly Bernese Mountain dogs named Ralph and Rascal. Heppner is excited to be back at CLC and plans to become very involved in the communities of Brainerd and Staples.

Don't miss “We are all Criminals” on Aug. 28

“We are all Criminals” will be presented at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 in the Chalberg Theatre, on Central Lakes College’s Brainerd campus. 

One in four people in the U.S. has a criminal record. This is the other 75 percent. 

The production examines those with criminal histories but no record. Doctors, lawyers, social workers, students, retailers and retirees tell their stories of crimes they got away with, and consider how different their lives would have been had they been caught. 

The stories are about youth, boredom, intoxication, as well as luck, class and privilege. 

A discussion will follow the performance. The project seeks to challenge society’s perception of what it means to be a criminal and how much weight a record should be given.

The event is sponsored by the Central Lakes College Office of Diversity and Equity and Crow Wing Inside Out Connections. 

The project depends on people volunteering their stories. To share yours, email Emily at Emily.baxter@weareallcriminals.org.

CLC student earns bronze in SkillsUSA Championships

Central Lakes College student Tommy Hoheisel, of Pierz, earned a bronze medal in the SkillsUSA Championships held in Kentucky June 22-26.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.

More than 6,000 outstanding career and technical education students –– all state contest winners –– competed in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields during the championships. 

Hoheisel, who is attending CLC in the PSEO program, competed in the high school division.

SBDC business consultant at CLC named 'State Star'

Peter Nelson of Brainerd was recently recognized as the Minnesota Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) State Star for 2015 at the Minnesota SBDC Program annual conference in Minneapolis.

The award recognizes business consultants and staff in the SBDC Program who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the program and the business community. 

Nelson, a business consultant with the North Central SBDC at Central Lakes College, was recognized for his work in assisting financially stressed businesses, helping guide companies through the development of growth plans, and working with business owners to prepare for transitioning their business to new owners in the future. Nelson has also been an active member of the Minnesota SBDC Advisory Council and has been a speaker at many business events.