HTC Press Release
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jared Laabs (Marketing) 952-995-1444 / jlaabs@hennepintech.edu
LONG DISTANCE PLACEMENT TESTING BENEFITS PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS SERVING IN MILITARY
(BROOKLYN PARK & EDEN PRAIRIE, MN) – When it comes to college placement testing, Hennepin Technical College, Minnesota’s largest technical college, wants to make the process as accessible as possible for prospective students. With that in mind, Kathie Montognese, director of testing at HTC, has overseen the growth of long distance testing that makes it possible for students to complete testing that will assess their skills and help determine the course levels in which they’re most likely to succeed. The prospective student doesn’t have to be on campus. In fact, they don’t even have to be on the same continent.
That’s what U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Zachary Schmitz found out when he inquired about registration for classes. He is currently stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, and has served on board a U.S. Navy warship for the past three years. He’ll return to Minnesota this summer, but wondered if that would be too late to complete placement testing and register for classes in the college’s Fire Protection program.
“All sailors are required to know how to combat fires and how to give emergency first aid, including CPR,” said Schmitz. “I have been through that training and thoroughly enjoyed it.” So the 21-year-old native of Montrose, in Minnesota’s Wright County, decided to build on that knowledge and pursue a career as a firefighter when he returns to Minnesota.
“I went on Google.com and typed in Minnesota firefighter schools, and Hennepin Technical College (www.hennepintech.edu) popped up,” explained Schmitz. “After looking at websites for various colleges, I thought HTC best fit my future schedule, as well as including all the courses I needed.” Next, he contacted the college and began finding out about long distance testing.
“HTC’s Fire Protection program is very well respected and the classes fill up quickly,” explained Montognese. “With Internet access and the help of Zachary’s education officer, who could serve as a procter in administering the tests, we were able to get Zachary on track to plan his future.” That personal interest in his success made an impression on Schmitz.
“I appreciated the way the HTC staff coordinated everything with me via e-mail,” said Schmitz. “It’s stressful trying to plan when you’re this far from home. Thanks to Kathie and to Susan Lorenz, the HTC counselor who helped me register for courses via e-mail after testing, the process ran as smoothly as it possibly could.”
“Long distance testing has helped many students,” said Montognese, who has been part of the evolution of testing practices in her 27 years at HTC. “I think it will continue to grow, and it certainly can have a positive impact.” Zachary Schmitz would certainly agree with that.
For information about Accuplacer Placement Testing at HTC, contact the Admissions Office at (952) 995-1300.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Hennepin Technical College is changing lives and building local and global communities one student’s dream at a time and is Minnesota’s largest technical college, serving more than 10,000 students at campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie and a Customized Training Center in Plymouth.
HTC offers more than 45 programs of study leading to certificates, diplomas, an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. The college offers many evening and weekend classes, as well as online courses, to accommodate students’ schedules. To learn more, visit www.hennepintech.edu.
HTC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprised of 32 universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 30,000 students in non-credit courses.
Contact HTC at 952-995-1300 or info@hennepintech.edu
Copyright © 2008 by Hennepin Technical College