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MCCC nuclear tech plans not altered by Japan

MCCC plans to move forward with program despite quake and tsunami

Tyler Eagle

Agora Reporter

The recent tsunami and earthquake in Japan has the world questioning the safety of nuclear power, but these events wont affect MCCCs new nuclear tech program. MCCC President Dr. David Nixon and Jack Davis, the senior vice president and chief nuclear officer of DTE Energy, signed an Agreement of Understanding on Monday, Feb. 28, to create a nuclear engineering technology (NUET) program. While the announcement of the NUET program means an expansion of MCCCs curriculum, it comes at a time where concern and fear are present in the nuclear energy market. The recent tsunami and earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, March 11, has threatened the stability of several nuclear reactors in severely affected regions. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan, located 170 miles north of Tokyo, has suffered extensive damage. Of six reactors, four have sustained damage, with radioactivity reaching abnormally high levels and seawater discharge testing positive for radioactive isotopes. Nixon said he doesnt think Japans problems will derail the MCCC program, although they could impact the curriculum. Because of the dangers seen in Japan, there might be more emphasis on safety, he said. Its definitely opening up a lot of

Photo courtesy of DVIDSHUB

Wreckage as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan March 11.

Its definitely opening up a lot of new discussions regarding nuclear Dr. David Nixon power MCCC President plants.
new discussions regarding nuclear power plants, Nixon said. Safety training will be part of the curriculum, but Nixon suspects that the issues in Japan might cause that safety training to expand. The two-year associate degree program will be aligned with initial training programs offered by DTE Energy, Nixon said. Students are going to have to learn

See NUCLEAR TECH, Page 2

Nuclear tech program to be offered Fall 2011


Tyler Eagle
Agora Reporter

In partnership with DTE Energy, MCCC will begin offering a nuclear engineering technology program for the 2011 fall semester. This program is good for the college, good for DTE Energy and good for jobs, Jack Davis, the senior vice president and chief nuclear officer of DTE Energy, said. The development of the nuclear engineering technology program (also known as NUET) began in 2008 when the college was approached by DTE Energy. The company was concerned about an upcoming shortage of qualified workers. Much of the nuclear energy workforce will be retiring within the next five years, and several job opportunities will be opening up due to a projected shortage of nuclear professionals, according to Dr. Grace Yackee, MCCC vice president of Instruction. MCCC President David Nixon said he thinks the NUET programs most beneficial aspect will be the employment possibilities it will offer students. Im most excited about the program for the job opportunities it presents, Nixon said. Davis also said he thinks the job opportunities open to NUET graduates will be plentiful. The nuclear industry needs well-trained employees, not only to replace those currently in the field, but also in the future. Thats why this is such a forward-looking program. Davis said. MCCC students have been able to study nuclear engineering technology since 2008, but only through a partnership with Lakeland Community College of Kirkland, Ohio, and DTE Energy. Previously, LCC granted the degree to students who completed the program, but now MCCC will grant degrees to its students.

Nuclear tech students needed to replace retirees


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more because a thorough investigation of the Japan nuclear reactors may result in a whole new list of safety training and strategic planning of additional nuclear power plants. Nixon also feels that if nothing else, the NUET program will be beneficial in the process of filling slots that will become open when technicians retire with qualified replacements. Even though the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan may slow down growth of new nuclear power plants in America, there are still large numbers of nuclear technicians needed to replace those who are retiring, Nixon said. There are several ways to donate to relief funds for Japan, many of which are used in social media outlets and popular online music stores. Most notably, Apples iTunes Store has now added a feature that allows users to directly donate money. Users can click on the icon on the homepage and be directed to donation options, which are processed the same way as a purchase would. Also, donations can be made through the Red Crosss Facebook page. Donations can be made through the cause feature, or done by using a text message option. MCCC faculty, members of the MCCC curriculum committee and Industrial Tech Division Dean Peter Coomar wrapped up writing the curriculum in December 2010. Six courses were approved by the curriculum committee, according to Nixon. With approval of the curriculum for the new nuclear courses, it becomes an MCCC program, accredited by the National Nuclear Accrediting Board. The program will be able to take 20 students a year, according to Nixon. The new Career Technology Center, projected to be completed and open for the 20122013 school year, will house the NUET program. An associate of applied science degree in nuclear engineering technology will be the degree offered at MCCC. The college will create and maintain its own program, with the help of DTE Energy, which puts emphasis on written and oral communication, mathematics, science and technical skills. We will be among the 40 odd programs in the country at the AAS level, recognized as being prepared to offer a program by the Nuclear Energy industry, Coomar said. We have the support of DTE Energy and internally have qualified faculty to teach support courses in the program. This will be a feather in our cap as far as new programs go in our division. In addition to receiving a diploma, students who achieve a B average (80 percent) or higher in courses that contain core fundamentals and discipline-specific learning objectives will be awarded a certificate from the National Academy for Nuclear Training Branch. MCCC will be responsible for the staffing and equipment required for the Nuclear Engineering Tech program. Classes will take place on MCCCs campus, as well as DTE Energy. DTE Energy will act as a contact for review of the curriculum, like it did with the program at LCC, and may also provide equipment essential to the program. Enrollment through the partnership with LCC has totaled 80 students since January 2008, according to Mark Hall, director of Admissions. We have had two graduating

This image shows waves crashing on the northern coast of Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that occured on March 11. As a result of the disaster, several nuclear reactors in Japan have had their stability threatened.

Photo courtesy of Summergirl123 via Flickr.com

classes with 16 total graduating. I expect another eight to 10 to graduate this spring, Hall said. Current students still will have the ability to finish the program through LCC, according to Hall. The partnership agreement has expired, however, LCC is committed to finish their current students by the language in the expired agreement, Hall said. With MCCC starting its own program, it will act as the degreegranting institution for first-time students, as well as current students in the LCC program who wish to transfer to MCCC.

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2012 Michigan Community College Press Association Judging Form


Place of award: First Place Second Place Third Place Honorable Mention

Category: In depth reporting Headline/title of entry: MCCC nuclear tech plans not altered by Japan, etc. Contestants name: Tyler Eagle College name: Monroe County Community College Judges comments: This is a smart follow on a world event that could have resonance locally, and the main story asks good questions and does a good job of presenting the answers. It would have been stronger had you brought in outside voices, people who dont have a stake in the programs success, to talk about the prospects for the nuclear industry and for the local plants that the college is working with. The second piece does what it needs to do, but Im not sure readers required that level of mundane detail. It probably could have been reduced to a much shorter sidebar.

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