MTC aims to expand enrichment offerings

EAST COUNTY — This summer, East County resident Greg McGrew traded his longtime post teaching technology at Lakewood Ranch High School to spearhead educational opportunities for adults.

“In education, you always want people to be lifelong learners,” said McGrew, MTC’s new program supervisor, who taught at Lakewood when it opened and has been involved in vocational education, as well. “This fits very well with my background.”

With the start of regular MTC classes behind him, McGrew can now dedicate more time to redeveloping MTC’s enrichment program, which waned after the college’s shift from its west Bradenton campus to its new main State Road 70 facility in January 2013.

MTC’s west campus used portables with tables and chairs for enrichment courses. 

“When we moved into this building, we didn’t have the art room, the same kind of facilities that lent themselves to these sorts of things compared with the other campus,” said Maura Howl, MTC’s grants and public relations specialist, adding that the S.R. 70 campus has highly specialized classroom spaces.

But now, MTC officials are ready to put more emphasis on adult, not just technical, education to better meet the needs of the community.

Two photography classes by local photographer Carmen Schettino are slated to start in early September, but McGrew hopes to add more enrichment offerings to the schedule as quickly as possible. He and Howl want the community’s input on the type of enrichment courses offered, and also want to hear from professionals willing to teach on various topics, whether a one-night course on investing, retirement or how to play the card game Euchre, or a 10-week photography class, like the one Schettino teaches.

“We want to start small with really good ideas,” Howl said. “Then, we’ll expand on the types of programs. We really want to solicit input front he community and if there’s anybody out there who can teach something, let us know.”

McGrew also expects to host lectures, seminars and possibly a “TED Talks”-like series.

“We have so many interesting, qualified people in our area from sports to arts,” McGrew said. “We could fill an auditorium."

“I have a big stack of papers to look at (for ideas),” he said. “We may put out a survey and ask School District employees (for suggestions). The options (for these classes) are limitless.”

McGrew and Howl say course costs will vary, but should remain minimal. Fees will cover basic expenses for the instructor and facility, but won’t be a revenue generator for MTC. 

“It has to be self-sustaining,” Howl said. 

Enrichment courses offer no credits or certifications.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].