Brothers from California adapt to life in Minnesota
Daniel Skillicorn, 23, and Jason Skillicorn, 19, moved from Rancho Cucamonga, California, to Lakeville, Minnesota, in fall 2018. With a population topping 180,000, Rancho Cucamonga would be the third largest city in Minnesota; it’s ranked 25th in California.
Daniel and Jason are both graduates of Alta Loma High School in Rancho Cucamonga—Daniel in the Class of 2016, Jason in the Class of 2018. Jason is earning an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Individualized Studies at DCTC; he hasn’t confirmed his graduation date yet.
Daniel is pursuing his A.S. in Business Administration with plans to graduate fall 2020. Daniel is also taking classes in Information Systems Management and Network Administration. He has a strong interest in IT and is open to earning degrees in these programs. He appreciates how much work IT instructor, Judy Suddendorf, puts into her curriculum.
Daniel and Jason are exceptionally engaged students on campus. Daniel is a student ambassador and peer tutor; Jason serves as president of the DCTC Campus Lions Club (Daniel’s a backup Lion).
Faculty perspective: Brett Kolles
Brett Kolles teaches English in the General Education department at DCTC. He is also the original faculty advisor for the DCTC Campus Lions Club, which received its charter in November 2010. Through his role as an instructor and advisor, Brett has had the opportunity to work with both Daniel and Jason.
Brett Kolles
“What immediately stands out about these two brothers is their deep-seated concern for the community,” Brett said. “They have helped veterans, served food for the less fortunate, volunteered for the DCTC clean-up crew for the campus grounds, and are always there to help students academically.”
Brett added that he has watched how Daniel and Jason jump at the chance to help out fellow students in any way they can. “Whether it is supporting them academically through peer tutoring or socially by making everyone at DCTC feel welcome, it’s remarkable how these two really get outside of themselves and are more concerned about other’s challenges than perhaps even their own.”
Brett reported that Daniel graciously informed everyone in Brett’s Short Stories class that he is a peer tutor and would welcome the opportunity to help anyone in class proofread his or her work for the best grade possible.
Jason has found a home as Lions Club president. “One of Jason’s core contributions for the Lions Club, I believe, is the genuine warmth and positivity he imbues at every Lions event,” Brett said.
Jason is looking forward to transferring to the University of Minnesota to earn bachelor’s degrees in physics and chemistry. He would like to continue his education and has plans to get his master’s in biochemistry on the way to earning a PharmD. His career plans are centered on joining the Minneapolis or St. Paul police departments and ultimately making a living as a forensic scientist.
Daniel is also looking at the U of M as his transfer school. He would like to earn a four-year degree in business. His goal is follow an entrepreneurial path, launching and managing his own computer repair business. Daniel has four years of experience studying coding at Alta Loma.
Daniel and Jason’s family includes two more brothers, Brian, 26, and Adam, 14, and twin sisters, Katilyn and Jessica, 26. Brian earned a business degree at Indiana Tech; he works as a recruiter for Omaha Nurses. Katilyn is a music theory major at Cal Poly Pomona; her twin was born with cerebral palsy. Adam attends Apple Valley Middle School.
In his free time, Daniel enjoys playing videogames, including Minecraft, Rocket League and League of Legends. He also loves building computers. Jason enjoys being outdoors; he likes hiking, fishing, hunting and shooting. Daniel and Jason reside in Lakeville, Minnesota.
DCTC Lions volunteer at Ronald McDonald House September 2019
Student Spotlight: Daniel Skillicorn
Daniel Skillicorn
Daniel Skillicorn • Q & A
Why did you choose DCTC?
I was originally interested in majoring in IT, but I took some business courses and loved them. I talked with Harold Torrence, a business instructor, and he gave me some ideas about careers in business.
What are your duties as student ambassador?
I greet visitors to the college, give campus tours and help out at Student Life events.
Why should students become more engaged on campus?
Students should experience college beyond their classes. Student Life offers all kinds of clubs to join. You’ll meet more people on campus and everyone is welcome to belong. You’ll have something to look forward to besides your coursework.
What do you like best about Business Administration?
I like how I’m learning how business works because I would like to have my own computer repair business after I graduate.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
LOYAL. DETERMINED. EXCITED.
Why did you choose your career path?
I love working with computers. Having my own computer repair business will allow me to help my clients understand their computer. I enjoy working on projects with other people.
What is the most challenging aspect of college life?
Procrastination—I need to work on becoming more organized.
What advice would you give students thinking about attending a technical college?
If you’re a transfer student, make sure you have your transcripts. If you’re a new high school graduate, don’t be worried—everyone is a little scared when they start college.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
INFORMATIVE
Daniel Skillicorn • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Tennis
Place you would most like to visit: Isle of Man; our family’s originally from England
- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Meeting Anže Kopitar from the Los Angeles Kings
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Donate to charities 2) Invest 3) Pay off mom and dad’s house
- Favorite videogame you’re playing now: Minecraft
- Best movie you’ve seen lately: Red Dawn (1984)
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Make six figures annually
Your national bird if you were your own country: Bald eagle
- Dream occupation: Astronaut
- Person you would most like to meet: Rafael Nadal
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Cooking
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Global warming
Staff perspective: Diane Frandrup
Diane Frandrup
Diane Frandrup serves as registration coordinator at DCTC. She started working at the college in 1985 and has been interacting with students for nearly 35 years. Daniel made a great first impression on Diane one day in Enrollment Services.
“We were very busy helping students during the first week of fall semester,” she said. “Daniel was standing in line at the front desk. He was there to ask us a question, but he heard a student who needed help finding a classroom. Daniel walked the student to his class—and he continued to take it upon himself to help other students find their classrooms. These kind acts went on all week.”
Student Spotlight: Jason Skillicorn
Jason Skillicorn
Jason Skillicorn • Q & A
Why did you choose DCTC?
Closest college to my house.
What are your duties as Lions Club president?
I help decide at what events club members volunteer—then I help out at those events.
Why should students become more engaged with their communities through volunteerism?
Because volunteering will help students grow and connect with others in their communities.
What do you like best about the Individualized Studies program?
I like that the courses are in a classroom and not online. I’m a hands-on, visual learner.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
DETERMINED. RELAXED. HARDWORKING.
Why did you choose your career path?
Because forensic science has always interested me.
What is the most challenging aspect of college life?
Getting to know new people.
What advice would you give students thinking about attending a technical college?
It’s worth it and allows for more financial stability.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
AMAZING
Jason Skillicorn • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Hockey
Place you would most like to visit: Italy
- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Met Ryan Reynolds
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Buy a house 2) Marry my girlfriend 3) Buy a car
- Favorite TV show you’re watching now: The Ranch
- Best movie you’ve seen lately: Judy
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Getting married
Your national bird if you were your own country: Red-tailed hawk
- Dream occupation: Forensic scientist
- Person you would most like to meet: Sam Elliott
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Ballroom dancing
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Politics
Learn more about the Campus Lions Club at DCTC by contacting:
Brett Kolles
English Faculty
DCTC Campus Lions Club Adviser
651-423-8395
Learn more about Business Administration at DCTC by contacting:
Harold Torrence
Business Management Faculty
651-423-8606
Scott Gunderson
Business Management Faculty
651-423-8295
Learn more about Individualized Studies at DCTC by contacting:
Scott Gunderson
Business Administration Faculty
651-423-8295
Learn more about STEM Careers at DCTC by contacting:
Betty Krueger
Information Systems Management Faculty
651-423-8560
Judy Suddendorf
Information Systems Management Faculty
651-423-8385
