MCC mobile app degree receives state board approval

Current and prospective McHenry County College students have the opportunity to prepare for the high-paying, in-demand field of mobile app development with MCC's newly-approved Associate in Applied Science degree in mobile application development.

With the rapid growth of mobile technologies and a short supply of workers trained in creating mobile apps, MCC offers the degree to offset the shortage of workers.

The college started offering prerequisite classes last fall so students could get a jump start on their degree. The AAS degree program and two certificates in mobile app development were recently approved by the Illinois Community College Board.

"Mobile technology is the leading edge of high tech right now," said Bill Skrzypczak, programming instructor and chair of the Computers and Digital Media department.

"Businesses worldwide are adapting their existing legacy IT environments to the new mobile paradigm. We are providing businesses with students that have the skills to hit the ground running and solve the variety of challenges in this new environment."

MCC's program includes internships and job shadowing. The college is working with Robert Half Partners and Paul May Associates to provide job experience for students.

"We have a good relationship with area recruiters and industry partners who specialize in mobile development and are members of our advisory panel," Skrzypczak said.

Classes offered this fall include Android and iOS Development 1, 2 and 3. The first class focuses on learning the underlying programming language of the devices (Android/Apple), the second class teaches students a variety of common app development types - including displaying data, audio, video, and web services - and the third class is the capstone, where students come up with their own app idea, develop the code, design the marketing plan, and publish the app in the App Store.

Skrzypczak said his students range in age from 18 through 60s.

"Age is not a barrier for innovation," he said. "One of the winners of the recognition award at this summer's Apple Developers conference was a 70-year-old Asian woman who just published her first app. These classes really push the students into areas they may have never experienced in the past. You become part software developer, part artist, part designer, and part entrepreneur."

MCC received a $200,000 National Science Foundation grant two years ago to provide faculty training toward creating two certificate programs and a new associate degree in mobile application design and development. It was among 27 institutions nationwide and the only Illinois college to receive the grant in 2015 and offer this degree.

According to the Department of Labor, employment of software developers is projected to grow 17 percent through 2024.

Mobile developers create application software for mobile devices such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants. Trained app developers can earn highly paid jobs in several fields, including corporate IT, medicine, business process automation, advertising and marketing.

Entry-level mobile app developers can earn $60,000, and up to six figures with three to four years of experience, Skrzypczak said.

For more information on MCC's degree program, visit mchenry.edu/appdev.

Cary-Grove earns nominations for Illinois music awards:

Cary-Grove High School's spring musical production of "Evita" earned five nominations from Broadway in Chicago's Illinois High School Music Theater Awards.

It is the only Illinois school to earn nominations in each category. Seventy-four high school musicals are part of the awards this year.

The best actor and actress categories have 12 nominees each and the directing, scenic design, and production categories have five nominees each.

Cary-Grove's Haley Gustafson was nominated for best actress and Corey Barlow was nominated for best actor. The play also received nominations for best direction, best scenic design, and best production.

Cary-Grove's musical was a schoolwide effort. The production included 175 students, including 85 students in the cast and 15 adults who oversaw various areas. Auditions were held the week before winter break in December and students began rehearsing when classes resumed in January.

"The ensemble members rehearsed three or four days a week and the leads practiced six days a week. Each rehearsal ran between two and three hours," said director Rob Boncosky.

Students had nearly three months to practice and build a set. Twenty-two students assisted with different construction aspects. The set design was a collaborative effort between the technical director, director, and choreographer. They spent about 17 hours a week building for about one month. Art students painted the set in about 10 days.

"Working with the kids to bring a collaborative vision to life in front of our eyes was so much fun," said Mike Schiestel, tech director.

"The members of the cast were the ones driving us to deliver the best product possible with their constant praise, excitement, and the level of professionalism that they show to their craft."

Gustafson and Barlow will participate in an all-day workshop featuring Adam Jacobs, who is playing Aladdin in the National Tour of "Aladdin."

"Being nominated, 1 of 12, for the best actor in all of Illinois for the second time is an absolute honor. This recognition gives me encouragement to continue performing like I want to," Barlow said.

He plans to pursue a career in acting and will attend the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, where he will be studying musical theater and opera performance in the new Lyric Theatre Program.

"These nominations, and particularly the nomination for best production, serve to recognize everyone who had a hand in crafting 'Evita' - cast, crew, directors, choreographers ... the list goes on," Gustafson said.

"There is no one person solely responsible for the success of this show. Simply put, I am indescribably proud of 'Evita.' To be nominated means that we did our job. We created art."

She plans to move to New York next year and already has signed with a talent agency.

Last year, Cary-Grove won the best production award for its performance of "Cinderella."

"I could not be more proud of all those involved with this show," Boncosky said. "I am blessed to work with a team of adults and group of students who constantly amaze me with their passion and commitment."