Esports, animation, cybersecurity, and video production are among enhancements
Intentionally redesigned in 2024 to bring new and emerging technology to students,
classrooms and education spaces in SCC’s Technology Building now are better equipped to prepare students for jobs of the future.
SCC students and community members are welcome to stop in to see the new spaces. There
are a variety of classes available to choose from, and groups may use the space in
creative and collaborative ways. The Technology Building also is home to academic
programs like accounting, business administration, business technology, economics,
computer science, IT, engineering, computer-aided drafting, digital media, graphic
design, and more.
Rex McKanry, Ed.D. (second from left), spearheaded the redesign, with help from Kim Mercurio, Ed.D. (second from right). They recently received the Innovation Award from the Missouri Community College Association in November. The award encourages the creative and effective use of technology to improve outcomes and/or operations. (Also pictured: Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC President (left), and Amy Koehler, Ed.D., Provost/Chief Academic Officer (right).
Tech 101 now is home to animation/gaming courses and SCC's NJCAA Esports program. Alienware computers, 75-inch display monitors, gaming chairs, and power lift tables have transformed the former classroom into a cutting-edge gaming center.
Tech 108 has been named the “Mark Twain Imaginarium” and is a classroom and collaboration workspace. Designed to mimic real business world environments, the flexible space can be configured for interactive collaborations and presentations, with an 86-inch touchscreen monitor and four 43-inch screens. Capstone courses are taught in the Imaginarium and all SCC students, faculty, and staff may use the room, whether to collaborate on entrepreneurial endeavors or to host industry leaders for speaker sessions.
Tech 110/112 is an Engineering lab, designed with space for large projects, and equipped with professional grade power tools. The 2,100 square-foot lab for technical and engineering students has two 86-inch monitors for lectures and presentations. New toolboxes and cabinets keep materials well-organized for smaller projects like mousetrap cars and catapults. A bandsaw, drill press, grinders, and a laser engraver/cutter streamline the fabrication of more ambitious projects. The new double-door entryway will allow the largest projects – like solar cars – the space they need to exit the building in one piece.
Tech 202 is the cybersecurity, data analytics, and Global Information Systems classroom with large, 86-inch monitors at the front of the room and tiered student seating. Faculty can display cyber-attacks, presentations, and students joining on Zoom all at the same time.
Tech 216 now is a video production studio, including three-camera video production, stage, green screen stage, sound booth
and control room. Students have the opportunity for hands-on experience in video production,
directing, scripting, lighting, sound production, photography, and all other aspects
of a working studio.
Even the hallways have been transformed, providing students easy access to new holograms, a podcast booth, gathering areas and student work that is now displayed on magnetic glass boards.
“Our students already are pioneering the next advances, and we want them to have access
to new and emerging technologies,” said McKanry. “Students who want to build the next
sustainable vehicle or produce their first short film now have a professional space
to do that.”
For more information, contact Dr. Mercurio at kmercurio@stchas.edu.