Student Success: Jon Ritchings Sets Off on a New Career Path Thanks to MCC

Jon Ritchings was sidetracked from his job in retail a few years ago by a health issue, but now he is making a comeback as a student at MCC.

Ritchings speaks highly of his teachers and the support they have given him as he works to complete his associate degree in Business Office Technology (BOT)/Medical Administration. ”Professor Carla Adams has been so supportive of me, which made all the difference in the world,” he said. He is simultaneously working toward a one-year certificate in Electronic Health Records at MCC.

His successful progress was recently acknowledged when he was named as the college’s third recipient of the Vicki J. Rice Memorial Scholarship. This award was instituted in honor of Rice by the Administration Professionals Club in 2012. She herself was laid off in the midst of a long career as a teacher and returned to MCC as a full-time student as what she called “an investment in myself.” Rice passed away in 2011 but her determination and perseverance inspired the club to create the need-based scholarship for a BOT student. It provides enough funding to cover tuition and textbooks for a three-credit course.

Ritchings’ will formally receive his scholarship at the college’s annual awards ceremony, to be held Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m. in MCC’s SBM Charitable Foundation Building auditorium.

Once he graduates, he plans to find full-time work. In addition, he would like to earn another certificate in patient advocacy and has his eye on an online degree program offered through the University of California at Berkeley.

“I would like to work as a liaison between hospital patients and their insurance companies,” he said.

He added, “The biggest key to success in returning to school after an absence is staying organized and focused on your classes.” Ritchings also stresses the importance of looking for financial resources early, as they can take a long time to process once funding is identified.

These days, Ritchings is managing his health issues and is well on his way to a successful return to the workforce, crediting MCC for enabling a viable career change after a long stretch of disability. “I had no other plan than to come here,” he said. “MCC has made all the difference in the world.”