Campus Connections with Geovanny Mayorga

In Episode 18, host Geovanny Mayorga talks with MCC's DSO Team: Jihoon Doh, Associate Director of SVP Compliance, and Ethan Archer-Helke, International Student Advisor and Title IX Coordinator at Midwestern Career College.

Jihoon and Ethan explain how DSOs support international students with F‑1 visas, SEVIS records, domestic and international travel, driver’s licenses, health insurance, program transfers, and Title IX protections. They break down complex immigration rules into clear, practical guidance so students can focus on their education instead of worrying about compliance.

Perfect for current and prospective international students who want to understand how MCC’s international office supports their journey in the U.S.

In Episode 17, host Geovanny Mayorga is joined by two key MCC staff, Eric Valdez, Student Services Coordinator, and Monica Loayza, Career Services Coordinator, to share how Midwestern Career College supports students inside and outside the classroom. From personal wellness to professional readiness, Geo, Eric and Monica walk through the key resources every MCC student should know about.

Eric explains the support available through student services, including domestic violence and substance abuse resources, help for students experiencing homelessness, mental health support, and the welcoming Game Lounge. He also highlights new-student guides, academic advising, and tutoring connections.

Monica covers how MCC Career Services helps students build resumes, practice mock interviews, grow their LinkedIn presence, and network with employers through career talks, career fairs, and student ambassador programs.

Together, they show how MCC prepares students for graduation, job placement, and long-term career success.

Join host Geovanny Mayorga for an engaging conversation with Patrick Brennan, distinguished ESL faculty instructor at Midwestern Career College.

In this episode, Brennan shares his journey from the financial sector to the classroom, the philosophy that guides his teaching, and the transformative moments he witnesses as students find their confidence in a new language.

With warmth, humor, and deeply human insight, he reflects on the challenges and triumphs of multicultural learners—and what it truly means to build a supportive, collaborative learning community. This thoughtful, uplifting episode offers a window into the heart of effective language education and the passion that drives it.

In this episode of Campus Connections, host Geovanny Mayorga sits down with MCC Lead Dental Instructor Rigo Zavala, who shares his path through clinics, dental labs, and hands-on patient care.

Rigo reflects on what first drew him to dental work, the surprising challenges of clinical environments, and the skills that shaped him long before he ever considered teaching.

He also talks about life in the MCC dental lab, the moments that defined his professional identity, and what it means to guide students who are just starting their own journeys.

This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about craft, mentorship, and the real human stories behind dental care.

In this episode of the MCC Campus Connections Podcast, we sit down with Eric Valdez, Student Success Coordinator at MCC. Eric shares his passion for helping students navigate challenges inside and outside the classroom, from academic support to personal growth. He talks about the importance of community, how MCC’s student services connect learners to the resources they need, and why listening and encouragement are at the heart of success.

Whether you’re a new student or preparing for graduation, this conversation highlights the people and programs that make MCC a place where students can thrive.

Join us for an inspiring look into the lives of Midwestern Career College's student ambassadors, Crystal and Tanjea!

In this episode, host Geovanny Mayorga and special co-host Jennifer Green, Academic Manager of MCC's Evergreen Park Campus, join two of MCC's Student Ambassadors for a lively discussion on overcoming challenges to make their dream a reality.

Crystal and Tanjea share their personal journeys of perseverance and determination as they navigated unexpected challenges on their paths to their dream careers in healthcare. Hear how they overcame setbacks, found their true passions, and are now thriving as student leaders, ready to inspire their peers!

This conversation offers valuable insights and motivation for anyone pursuing their educational and professional goals, highlighting the power of resilience and the importance of finding your true calling.

Don't miss these uplifting stories from MCC's remarkable student ambassadors. And be, be sure to subscribe to Campus Connections to receive alerts when each new episode is launched!

Campus Connections is back with an insightful discussion on navigating the evolving role of technology in education. Join us as host Geovanny Mayorga sits down with Hamza Mahmood, MCC's Lead IT Instructor, and Dr. Adriana Sabau, Healthcare Program Lead, to explore their personal journeys with technology and how they are leveraging it to enhance student learning.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Their unique backgrounds and initial introductions to technology, from Pakistan to Romania.

• The advantages and challenges they've encountered in transitioning to online and technology-enabled education, from flexibility to maintaining student engagement.

• Strategies they employ to keep students motivated, discourage academic dishonesty, and align their curriculum with industry needs.

• Insights into how they balance the use of technology in the classroom with fostering personal connections and offline activities.

Listeners will be captivated by the engaging dialogue as Geovanny, Hamza and Dr. Sabau share their perspectives on the ever-changing landscape of technology in education.

Welcome to Season 2 of Campus Connections! In this episode, host Geovanny Mayorga and co-host Monica Loayza engage in an in-depth discussion with Jennifer Green, Academic Manager of MCC's Evergreen Park Campus.

Jennifer shares her personal educational and career journey, which took unexpected turns before leading her to a fulfilling role in supporting students.

In this compelling interview, learn more about:

• MCC's opening of its Evergreen Park campus, which allowed expansion of both courses and student body
• the diverse range of programs offered at the Evergreen Park campus
• the personalized approach that defines MCC's educational offerings
• and more!

With the lively dialogue of Geovanny and Monica, Jennifer provides compelling insights into the college's growth, her mentorship of students, and her vision for the future of the Evergreen Park campus.

This episode of the Midwestern Career College Campus Connections podcast features an interview with Monica Loayza, the Career Services Coordinator. She shares her journey growing up in Peru and moving to the US to pursue higher education and career opportunities. Monica discusses her role supporting students through services like resume/interview preparation and job placement. She emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, cultural adaptability, and being open-minded when pursuing international opportunities. She also reflects on her background in psychology and her thesis research on the impact of breast cancer. The conversation provides insights into Monica's personal connection with the passion of developing the career development resources available to MCC students.

In this episode of the Midwestern Career College podcast, host Geovanny Mayorga and co-host Shaudy Martinez sit down with alumna Estefania Mena to discuss her inspiring career journey as an international artist. Born in Guatemala, Estefania shares her story of pursuing her dreams of acting and singing by moving to Mexico for school, overcoming challenges as an immigrant, and ultimately coming to Chicago to further develop her English skills at Midwestern Career College. Listeners will learn about Estefania's diverse experiences performing in theater, film, and music in Latin America and the opportunities she has found in Chicago. Through her story, Estefania provides insight and encouragement for those seeking to advance their careers through cultural exchange and language learning.