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For more information about any of the press releases below, contact Jennifer Stoner, executive director of communications and marketing, at (708) 709-3949 or Jill Yott communications, specialist at (708) 709-2948.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Prairie State College (PSC) recently added three new pieces of art to the PSC Board of Trustees Student Art Collection. The collection was established in September 2008 and features student artwork hung in prominent places throughout campus. The new additions were chosen from the spring 2009 graduate exhibition. Pictured from left to right are Blanca Martinez, of Chicago Heights, with her mixed-media collage, Vida Con Carino; PSC Board Chair Mark Fazzini; Ryan Niksic, of Crete, with her pastel drawing, Medusa; David Wedryk, of South Holland, with his photograph, Reflections; and PSC President Dr. Eric C. Radtke.
TIME SUBJECT OF PSC’S NEXT ART EXHIBIT
[Released 11/04/09] Time flies when you’re having fun…There never seems to be enough time to do all the things you want to do…too much time on your hands. We are a society obsessed with time, how we spend our time and how we manage our time. An art exhibit coming to Prairie State College (PSC) will explore various aspects of time: old stories and myths that are revisited in contemporary contexts, dreams that blend past and present, and memories and how they effect the present.
PSC will be hosting The Mythopian Artists’ Group exhibit, entitled “As Time Goes By” that focuses on the human experience of time. Like the famous song that the exhibit is named for, some of the art relates to romantic love, past and present.
“As Time Goes By” will be held from November 16 through December 17 in the College’s Christopher Art Gallery, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. An artists’ reception will take place on Thursday, November 19 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Seven artists of the Mythopian Artists Group are featured in this exhibit: Robert Kameczura, of Chicago; Karena A. Karras, of Chicago; Kim Laurel, of Chicago; Diane Levesque, of Kenosha, Wisc.; James Mesplé, of Chicago; Christine O’Connor, of Joliet; and Steve Sherrell, of Oswego. They are concerned with finely crafted narrative art that examines things old and new, beautiful and ugly, mystical and everyday.
The artists work with an array of media including oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, hand made prints, and digital art. Naomi Maurer, arts writer and curator, called their work, “Imaginative and beautifully executed.”
Hours for the Christopher Art Gallery are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Visits can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit, or to make an appointment for a visit, contact the Prairie State College Foundation at (708) 709-3636.
PSC PILOTING NEW MATH STUDY PROGRAM
[Released 11/04/09] Most community colleges are faced with a growing numbers of students that are not ready for college-level math. Many of these students possess poor study habits and give up too easily when learning.
At Prairie State College (PSC), professors are committed to student learning and success. This fall, several of PSC’s math professors are piloting a new program in their elementary algebra classes to ensure students who take these courses not only understand math concepts, but also learn the necessary study skills.
Through the use of software, professors can get immediate feedback about their students’ comprehension levels and progress. Using Web resources, students and instructors find out what kind of learners the students are—visual/verbal, visual/nonverbal, auditory, or tactile/kinesthetic. Based on this feedback, class instruction can be adjusted on an individual basis to accommodate each particular student’s learning needs.
“Students must demonstrate a certain level of mastery to get credit for the lesson,” said Brian Garant, assistant professor of mathematics, and co-director of the pilot program. “As a result, students spend more time being successful rather than falling far behind and feeling like they can’t catch up.”
The math department is currently using this software in four elementary algebra classes. In the spring, they plan on using the software in both elementary and intermediate algebra classes. The program will continue to expand as more instructors become involved.
“While we are getting immediate feedback of how the students are doing, we will know how effective the program is at the end of the term when we can measure how many students successfully completed their courses,” said Garant.
Next fall, the professors will teach these redesigned developmental math courses in a new math lab. The construction of the lab is currently underway. It will be fully equipped with smart classroom technology and student computer stations. A portion of the new math lab is funded by a part of Title III project, a $1.79 million federal grant aimed at improving student success and retention at the college.
SCHAFFER APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS AT PSC
[Released 11/04/09] Ed Schaffer was recently hired as the director of physical education and athletics at Prairie State College (PSC).
In his new position Schaffer will provide leadership in planning, administering, and directing the College’s physical education, intramural, recreation, and intercollegiate athletics programs. He will also take part in initiating support for the PSC Foundation Student-Athlete Scholarships.
Prior to this, Schaffer held two positions at PSC. He most recently was the assistant athletic director and before that he was the coordinator of athletic information and mentoring. During his tenure, Schaffer was involved with student-athlete eligibility, recruiting, financial aid, scholarships, academics, game-day administration, public relations, and fundraising. He was also a member of the enrollment development committee and created the athletic department’s recruiting and retention plan.
“I love the community college environment as well as the challenges that go along with it. I believe that my transition to this position will be smooth as a result of my background in this department at PSC.”
Schaffer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Masters of Arts in Education from Lewis University in Romeoville.
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE SPRING REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY
[Released 11/03/09] Registration for spring 2010 classes at Prairie State College (PSC) is underway.
Hundreds of classes are available including art, biology, business, communications, computers, English, geography, graphic design, health and fitness, mathematics, music, photography, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and more. To accommodate busy schedules, classes are offered days, evenings, Fridays only, Saturdays and online.
Students are encouraged to register early to get the schedule to best accommodate their needs. New and continuing students can register in person at PSC, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. Registration hours are Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Current students also can register online at prairiestate.edu.
“PSC’s counselors and academic advisors will guide new students through the enrollment process,” said Shawn L. Govan, dean of counseling and academic advising. “When students register early, we are better positioned to give them the personalized attention they need, while helping them select the classes they want.”
Classes for the spring 2010 semester begin January 19. Students who register now have until December 5 to pay in full or set up an installment payment plan; contact the college’s Business Office at (708) 709-3577 for details. For those who can’t start in January, PSC offers dozens of Late Start classes that begin February 12. The schedule can be viewed online at prairiestate.edu. Print copies of the schedule will be mailed to district households in November.
In addition to career and technical programs, PSC offers more than 40 majors leading to associate’s degrees in the arts, sciences, teaching, or fine arts that enable a student to transfer as a junior to a four-year college or university.
For more information about programs or course offerings, call the Office of Counseling & Academic Advising Center at (708) 709-3506.
PSC RECIPIENT OF GRANT TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO INCREASE COLLEGE SUCCESS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES
[Released 10/28/09] African American male students face great challenges in obtaining academic access and success. Too often, African American youth feel that they are not “college material”, a message they often receive from society, from friends, and even indirectly from family.
Prairie State College (PSC) is committed to student success and already has in place many initiatives to foster the success of African American male students. Now PSC’s effort will be greatly enhanced since the college received a United States Department of Education Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) grant to begin the Excellence = Men of Color in 2 Programs (E=MC2) initiative.
The $600,000 federal award will be used to achieve two goals: increase the percentage of African American males in PSC’s district who enroll in college, as well as to increase the persistence rates of African American male students at PSC.
“PSC’s E=MC2 initiative is designed to provide young African American men with the means to improve their academic skills, arm them with an understanding of the college process, and guide them to set goals for themselves,” said Dr. Eric C. Radtke, PSC president. “While PSC has a strong program in place for academic support, the PBI grant will allow us to provide additional resources to ensure continued student success.”
To achieve the goals of the grant, PSC is putting several components in place. For the first part of the initiative, PSC is partnering with Rich Township District 227 high schools to create the “Pipeline to College” program. Freshmen through senior African American male students will be invited to participate in a college awareness and readiness program to increase college familiarity for both the students and their families.
“PSC will offer a variety of activities including career exploration services, events to provide positive educational and professional role models, and the support needed to transition to college successfully,” said Mary Reaves, vice president of student affairs.
“This partnership speaks highly of reaching into the high schools to assist our young men on so many levels – academic, personal, social, etc. We are extremely excited about the future based on this new added support to build a bridge to unlimited post-secondary possibilities,” said Dr. Donna Simpson Leak, assistant superintendent of student learning and accountability for Rich Township High School District 227.
The second part of the E=MC2initiative includes a new holistic Protégé program that will address the academic, social, and personal needs of African American male students enrolled at PSC.
“Protégé students can participate in additional cultural experiences, leadership workshops, career exploration, and college tours,” said Sean Smith, who serves as coordinator of the Protégé program under the grant. “These activities will help provide them with the confidence and skills needed to meet their educational challenges.”
In addition to the Protégé program, PSC African American male students can enroll in the Man Up! college success seminar, which was piloted in Fall 2008. Man Up! is designed to explore the challenges and choices they face, not only as college students, but as men of color. Students set educational goals, explore values, develop decision making skills, and learn effective study skills. Through grant dollars, the college is developing an additional course, entitled Brothers and Scholars, which is designed to continue mentoring and support. Students in both success seminars will have access to tutoring, advising, and early alert services in a new Learning Achievement Center.
“The new “Brothers and Scholars” program will foster a learning environment centered on brotherhood, scholarship, civic-engagement, and self-improvement as well as provide relevant learning experiences that promote unity, self-awareness, academic motivation, leadership, and community involvement,” said Elighie Wilson, professor of communication, who was instrumental in developing the Man Up! and Brothers and Scholars courses.
The E=MC2 initiative began Oct. 1.
In accordance with the Predominantly Black Institutions Program, the grant funded portion of the Excellence = Men of Color in 2 Programs at Prairie State College for FY 10 is 100% funded with federal funds totaling $600,000.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Representatives from Rich Township High School District 227 attended the Prairie State College (PSC) October board meeting when the announcement was about the college receiving a U.S. Department of Education Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) grant to begin the Excellence = Men of Color in 2 Programs (E=MC2) initiative.
Shown left to right: Mark Kramer, principal, Rich East High School; Elighie Wilson, PSC professor of communication; Michael Watkins, coordinator, Pipeline to College Program; Mary Reaves, vice president of student affairs; Sean Smith, coordinator, Protégé Program; Dr. Donna Simpson Leak, assistant superintendent of student learning and accountability, Rich Township High School District 227; Dr. Eric Radtke, PSC president; and Mark Fazzini, PSC board chairman.
PSC FORENSICS TEAM BEGINS ANOTHER WINNING SEASON
[Released 10/26/09] Coming off the heels of last season’s national championship win, the Prairie State College (PSC) Forensics team is on their way to another successful season. The first speech competition of the season spawned two individual tournament championship wins and six individual medals for the team.
Terrance Clanton, of Park Forest, was honored as tournament champion in persuasive speaking while Nadia Crawley, also of Park Forest, was honored as tournament champion in speech to entertain.
Other results are as follows: Kate Mathews, of Lynwood, second place in poetry interpretation; Nico Garcia, of Chicago Heights, second place in program oral interpretation; Christina Sigers, of University Park, third place in dramatic interpretation; September Stanton, of Country Club Hills, fifth place in dramatic interpretation; and Sharnita Redly, of Country Club Hills, sixth place in persuasive speaking and poetry interpretation.
PSC students who also competed in the tournament were Albert Abney, of Harvey; Jim Marx, of Country Club Hills; Herdie Matthews, of Olympia Fields; Sydney Milligan, of Olympia Fields; and Erich Zett, of Park Forest. The team is coached by professors of communication Ed Schwarz, Elighie Wilson, and David Naze.
“We are very excited for our team this year,” said Naze “We are still in the early stages of the season, but it looks to be shaping up with a solid group of students that are representing our program.”
NATIONALLY AWARD WINNING POETS TO APPEAR AT PSC
[Released 10/21/09] Two nationally recognized poets will share their poetry with Prairie State College (PSC) students and community members during a reading and discussion. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 27 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Barnes and Noble Reading Room located on PSC’s main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. The event is free and open to the public.
Kimberly Johnson and Jay Hopler are published poets who have each won prestigious writing awards. Johnson is an author of two books and her poems have appeared in publications such as The New Yorker, Slate, and the Iowa Review. Hopler also has published two books, with another due out later this year. He is currently teaching creative writing and English at the University of Southern Florida.
For more information about the poetry reading, call (708) 709-3500. This event is partially-funded by the PSC Foundation.
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE PROFESSOR RECEIVES STATEWIDE HONOR
[Released 10/16/09]Just ask any of Dave Naze’s students about the impact he has made on them, and they’ll immediately light up and provide glowing comments. The Prairie State College (PSC) professor of communication has touched hundreds of students as an instructor in the classroom, as a coach of the college’s forensics team, and the director of a summer speech camp for high school students.
For his dedication to teaching, Naze recently received the Outstanding Young Teacher Award at the annual Illinois Speech and Theatre Association Conference (ISTA). The ISTA is a professional organization made up of Illinois high school, community college, and universities speech and theatre professors. Naze was nominated for the award by a teacher at a local high school.
“His contributions to the ISTA organization and his commitment to the college and to students in the classroom and on the forensics team led to his nomination and ultimately his winning the award - he is truly a deserving recipient,” said Elighie Wilson, professor of communication at PSC. “I am proud to call him a colleague, and I am glad that he has made PSC his professional home.”
The award was presented to Naze by Judy Santacaterina, director of bachelor of general studies baccalaureate degree program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) and director of individual events, NIU forensics. Santacaterina was Naze’s mentor and coach when he was a student at NIU. She said she always new Naze would be a successful teacher and mentor for his own students.
“Dave challenges students and encourages them to think, argue, and communicate,” said Santacaterina. “He recognizes talent and allows students to cultivate that talent. I think part of his success is due to his undaunting positive attitude and his very patient yet effective demeanor. He is the quintessential motivator.”
Thaddaeus Carr II agrees with Santacaterina that Naze is a motivator. Carr graduated from PSC last spring and was a member of the forensics team that won the college’s first ever national championship. Carr followed in Naze’s footsteps and is a student at NIU, competing on the Forensics team. He credits Naze for helping him discover himself.
“Dave has an unyielding passion for his work, and has a deeply rooted gift for helping others. He recognized the hidden potential in me to mold myself into a better individual,” said Carr. “I am very thankful to have met him, because I now have the confidence and drive to teach others the lessons he taught me. I can honestly say that he changed my life for the better, and for that I couldn’t thank him enough.”
Naze has been a professor of communication at PSC since 2006.
PSC TO HOST FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY
[Released 10/14/09] Little ghosts and goblins and their parents are invited to enjoy a Halloween extravaganza filled with candy, hay rides, carnival games, and more at Prairie State College (PSC). The 13th annual Halloween Family Fun Fest will be held on Friday, October 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the college’s Prairie Center gym, located on the main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.
“Our goal is to provide a fun, safe, and positive atmosphere for children and their families to celebrate Halloween,” said Strafford Westgate, coordinator, campus and public safety.
Halloween Family Fun Fest is for children through age 12 and their families. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. In addition to fun and games, the Chicago Heights police and fire departments are planning presentations about fire and personal safety.
The fest is organized by the PSC Department of Campus and Public Safety in conjunction with PSC students, faculty, and staff. For more information about the event, call the college at (708) 709-3500.
PSC TO HOST COLLEGE FAIR FEATURING OVER 100 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
[Released 10/08/09] High school students and their parents can visit with more than 100 representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities at the annual Illinois College Exposition College Fair hosted by Prairie State College (PSC).
The college fair will be held on Tuesday, October 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the atrium of the college located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. The fair is free and open to the public.
The annual event is organized by the South Suburban Counselors Fair Committee, which includes counselors from PSC, Bloom Township High School District 206, Rich Township High School District 227, Crete-Monee High School District 201-U, Peotone High School, and Marian Catholic High School.
Students and their parents can learn about programs, campus activities, and admissions requirements from university representatives. Attendees also can find out more about financial aid including state and federal grants, loans, as well as scholarships from representatives from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Current PSC students who are thinking about transferring to a college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree can learn about their transfer options at the fair.
“College fairs give students the chance to talk to admissions representatives and get the scoop on everything from what courses are offered to campus life,” said Sarah Hein, counselor/transfer coordinator at PSC. “College fairs also can help introduce students to new college options as well as ruling out others.”
For a complete listing of college and universities attending the fair visit, prairiestate.edu and click on College Fair: Oct. 20. For more information about the college fair, call PSC’s Counseling and Academic Advising Center at (708) 709-3506.
GEM AND MINERAL SHOW SET FOR OCTOBER 17 AND 18
[Released 10/07/09] Fossils, shells, and minerals, oh my! More than 10,000 items will be on display at the annual Fossil, Gem, and Mineral Show hosted by Prairie State College (PSC) and the South Suburban Earth Science Club (SSESC). The show will be held on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in PSC’s Prairie Center gym located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.
The annual show is an excellent opportunity for gem and fossil enthusiasts to meet the experts, get a close look at the latest finds, learn about the geological history of the area, and purchase rare gems and fossils, as well as jewelry. The show is free and family-friendly.
Family-friendly activities include science demonstrations and an opportunity for scouts to earn their geology merit badge. Throughout the show, NASA Ambassador Joel Knapper will host special presentations about the Phoenix Mars Landing and the Hubble Telescope.
“The show is wonderful way to spend the afternoon with the family,” said Lee Anne Burrough, associate professor of earth science at PSC. “You can learn about science and shop for unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.”
For more information, contact Burrough at (708) 709-3500 or lburrough@prairiestate.edu or Jan Podbielski, of the SSESC, at jepodbielski@comcast.net or (708) 258-3791.
PSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO BEGIN SEARCH FOR NEW MEMBER
[Released 10/05/09] With the retirement of John Marks from the Prairie State College (PSC) Board of Trustees, the board is seeking candidates to fill the vacant position. The board is required to appoint an interim trustee to serve until the next PSC election in 2011.
Board Chair Mark Fazzini publicly announced Marks’ resignation effective October 31, 2009, at the September 28 board meeting. Marks has been a PSC board member since 2003 and also has served on other elected boards for a total of 21 years of service to the community.
“We have enjoyed working with John Marks and will miss his exceptional years of service to the PSC board,” said Fazzini.
As a member of the PSC board, Marks represented the board at insurance settlement negotiations due to his background in the insurance industry. His special talents were instrumental in helping the college forge sound insurance decisions.
With his resignation, the board has turned its attention to finding an interim trustee to fill the seat left by Marks and is accepting applications from possible candidates. The board is planning to meet in early November to interview candidates. Based on the interviews, a new board member is expected to be chosen and sworn in at the November 24, 2009, meeting.
To qualify, a candidate must be a registered voter and a resident of Illinois Community College District 515 for a minimum of one year prior to the appointment. Applicants must also submit a letter of interest and a complete prospective member profile to the PSC Board of Trustees in care of the Office of the President by 4:30 p.m. on October 23, 2009. For an information packet, visit the Office of the President, located on PSC’s main campus at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights, IL 60411, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call (708) 709-7918.
PSC TO HOST INFORMATION SESSION ON EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS
[Released 09/24/09] The Post-9/11 Montgomery GI bill that recently took effect is a new education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The new bill gives veterans more dollars toward their college education.
To help veterans prepare for a smooth transition from military life to college life, Prairie State College (PSC), in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, will host a free information session on the types of financial assistance available for college. During the session, the Post- 9/11 GI Bill will be discussed along with other benefits available to veterans and their families. The session will be held on Friday, October 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Business and Community Education Center.
"Prairie State College is committed to helping veterans obtain educational benefits through a variety of programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission," said Carissa Davis, veterans and scholarship advisor at PSC.
Veterans can learn more about services such as homeless veterans outreach, debt management, and services available from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Chicago Heights Veterans Center. In addition, veterans can find out more about career possibilities in criminal justice with representatives from PSC and a job recruiter.
To register for the information session, visit prairiestate.edu. From the Choose a Link menu, select Veterans Affairs. For more information, call Davis at (708) 709-3562.
PSC JOB FAIR SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 21
[Released 09/30/09] For many unemployed workers, job searches can be a long and frustrating road. Job fairs are an excellent way for job seekers to explore potential employment opportunities, which can lead to great jobs. Prairie State College (PSC) is hosting its annual fall job fair on Wednesday, October 21 from 10 a.m to 1 p.m., in the Business and Community Education Center, located at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.
The job fair is free and open to the public. Companies will be recruiting for both full- and part-time positions. For a complete listing for companies and the positions they are hiring for, visit prairiestate.edu, and click on Fall Job Fair: October 21.
Those who attend the job fair should come with an interview-ready mind set. Attendees are required to dress in business attire and bring résumés to present as if they were applying for jobs. No pre-registration is required to attend the job fair for job seekers.
“Attendees should be sure to mingle with the employers at the job fair and do their homework about companies they are interested in,” said Tanya Norfleet, coordinator of career development services at PSC. “Don’t hand in your resume and walk away—take the time to show employers that you’re serious.”
For more information about the job fair, contact Norfleet at (708) 709-3755 or tnorfleet@prairiestat.edu or Ramien Manson, career advisor, at (708) 709-3922 or rmanson@prairiestate.edu.
GREEN ART SUBJECT OF PSC’S NEXT GALLERY EXHIBIT
[Released 09/24/09] Recycling is starting to become second nature, and media attention has made most people take a look at the carbon footprint they are leaving through their lifestyles and work choices. To capture the spirit of sustainable living, Prairie State College (PSC) is hosting an exhibit focusing on artists who have embraced the concept of thinking green.
“Thinking Again: A Regional Juried Survey of Green/Sustainable Art and Art Practices” will be held from October 5 through November 5 in the college’s Christopher Art Gallery, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. An opening reception will take place Friday, October 9 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is an Art Trek Event.
“Artists, too, have begun to ‘think again’ about their art and how to have a more positive effect on the environment,” said Jan Bonavia, director of the Christopher Art Gallery. “For some artists, this means removing particular toxic chemicals from their processes. Others are saving money and resources by recycling materials and objects in their work or using sustainable materials.”
Artists featured in the exhibit are Julia Asherman, of Chicago; Jerry Catania, of South Haven, Mich.; Maryellen Cox, of Bargersville, Ind.; Mike Henderberg, of Saugatuck, Mich.; Laurel Izard, of Michigan City, Ind.; Larry Jensen, of Beverly Shores, Ind.; Elaine Martin, of Flossmoor; Andrea Mattson, of Chicago, Suesi Metcalf, of Mundelein; Robert Possehl, of Chicago; and Jeff Stevenson, of Flossmoor. The exhibit is juried by Andrea Peterson.
Hours for the Christopher Art Gallery are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Visits can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit, or to make an appointment for a visit, contact the Prairie State College Foundation at (708) 709-3636.
Photo Captions:
3-D by Jerry Catania, "Falling Between the Cracks"; Mixed Media by Jeff Stevenson, "Mastermind"
ILLINOIS WORKNET CENTER OFFERS FREE MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION
[Released 9/4/09] Earlier this year Microsoft Corporation announced a job training program aimed at teaching technical skills to as many as 2 million Americans over the next three years. Illinois residents are the latest to benefit from Microsoft’s Elevate America program.
Illinois residents can obtain a free voucher to complete Microsoft online courses and take business certification exams free of charge now through October 31, 2009 through the Prairie State College Illinois workNet Center. For a small fee, voucher recipients can extend the offer to complete more advanced certifications through Microsoft.
“This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to improve their computer skill set to be competitive in the workforce by taking industry standard classes and exams free of charge,” said Lisa Wilkins- Hill, coordinator of employee research room at the Illinois workNet Center.
To obtain a voucher, individuals must register at the Illinois workNet Center, located in the Adult Training and Outreach Center of the college’s main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. An appointment is required for registration by calling (708) 709-3911.
The Illinois WorkNet Center (IWC) provides employment support services to help individuals become employable and self-sufficient. The IWC, formerly called Illinois Employment Training Center (IETC), is funded through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
PSC SITE OF IMMIGRATION WORKSHOP
[Released 9/4/09] Immigration is an issue that affects many individuals in the U.S. Whether they are experiencing it first-hand or with a family member, individuals looking for more information about immigration rights are invited to attend a workshop at Prairie State College (PSC).
The “Know Your Rights” workshop is free and open to the public. Led by Julissa Ruiz, Esq., of Ruiz Travis Law, LLC, the workshop will cover how to obtain and maintain a legal permanent resident status and explain the rights of individuals during deportation proceedings.
To accommodate busy schedules, two sessions are offered: Thursday, September 17 from 6 to 7 p.m and Wednesday, September 23 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The workshop will be held in Room 1315 of the Business and Community Education Center, located on PSC’s main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.
“Our community members will benefit from having an immigration lawyer provide them with free, yet helpful information that can answer many of their questions,” said Mildred Andaluz, outreach coordinator/bilingual advisor at PSC.
Registration is not required. For more information contact Ruiz at (708) 647-1260.
PSC RECEIVES GRANT TO DEVELOP NEW CAREGIVER PROGRAM
[Released 9/3/09]The number of Americans who will need a caregiver is projected to grow at a record pace. According to the U.S. Census, 12.7 percent of the Chicago south suburbs’ population is aged 64 and older with many communities surpassing 15 percent. To address the need for trained caregivers, Prairie State College (PSC) is developing a Geriatric Home Caregiver program.
To help fund this new initiative, PSC is the recipient of a $20,000 grant funded by the MetLife Foundation and managed by the Caregiving Project for Older Americans, a project housed within the International Longevity Center-USA (ILC-USA).
“The Geriatric Home Caregiver Program at PSC will provide much needed service to several groups of people in our communities,” said Iris Kimbrough, coordinator of career training. “Elders will benefit from trained, compassionate caregivers; families will benefit from skills training and support services; and area residents looking for a rewarding career in a growing field will receive the education and hands-on experience to succeed.”
The college will offer a vocational certificate program to provide skills training for basic elder care within a client’s home or an outside facility. This includes assisting with physical needs and helping the patient maintain functional independence.
Family caregivers also will have the opportunity to participate in any combination of workshops and courses that most closely match their needs to care for their loved one. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year.
The curriculum for the Geriatric Home Caregiver program will be developed by registered nurses with input from area social service agencies. The program will promote skill growth, advance the quality of care, and provide opportunities for career development.
For more information about this new program, contact Kimbrough at (708) 709-7866 or ikimbrough@prairiestate.edu.
ATEWOLOGUN NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT PSC
[Released 03/30/09] In a special meeting on Tuesday, June 17, the Prairie State College (PSC) Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Adenuga Atewologun as PSC’s new vice president of academic affairs. He replaces Dr. Linda Uzureau, who is retiring with 12 years of distinguished service. Atewologun assumed his duties on July 1.
Atewologun was recommended by PSC President Eric C. Radtke following an extensive national search. Atewologun was one of five finalists forwarded by the search committee, which was co-chaired by John Flannigan, professor of English and faculty union president, and Mary Reaves, vice president of student affairs.
Atewologun has extensive academic experience. Most recently, Atewologun was the dean of natural and applied sciences at the College of DuPage, managing and directing a large academic division including 18 departments, 70 full-time faculty, 250 part-time faculty, 14 staff, 3 associate deans, and an annual budget of $11 million. He has been at the College of DuPage since 1990 where he started as a member of the faculty until 1998 when he moved into academic administration. During the past year, Atewologun participated in the American Council on Education Fellows Program, the nation’s premier higher education leadership development program in preparing senior leaders to serve American colleges and universities.
“We are very pleased and excited to welcome Dr. Atewologun to PSC,” said Radtke. “He has impressive experience, and we look forward to his academic leadership so we can continue to provide quality education to our students.”
The vice president of academic affairs is the chief academic officer of the College and is responsible for providing executive leadership in the curriculum, instructional, and educational services of the College. Atewologun will oversee the division of arts and sciences; health professions; business and technology; academic services and the library; and communications and marketing.
“The board of trustees unanimously supported Dr. Radtke’s recommendation to hire Dr. Atewologun as our next vice president of academic affairs,” said Mark Fazzini, board chairman. “The board was very impressed with Dr. Atewologun’s background and believes he will enrich our already very qualified administrative staff, serving district residents.”
PSC RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
[Released 03/30/09] President Barack Obama wasn’t the only winner as a result of the November 2008 election.
Prairie State College (PSC) received national recognition from the National Student/Parent Mock Election for organizing a mock election with sixth grade students at Washington-McKinley School in Chicago Heights.
PSC was one of three institutions in Illinois to receive an award titled, the League of Women Voters Award, for an outstanding mock election project. The National Student/Parent Mock Election is the nation’s largest civic education project and annually holds the world’s largest mock election.
Tiffany Bohm, PSC adjunct professor of political science, organized the project to teach sixth grade students about the importance of voting as part of the college’s service learning initiative. For six weeks, Bohm’s students learned about the voting process. Then they worked with the Washington-McKinley students. The project culminated with a mock presidential election.
“The mock election allowed these young people to be a part of history while learning about democracy and the importance of exercising their right to vote,” said Angela Winters-Harmon, assistant dean of student life and multicultural affairs. “Their experience was an excellent mix of service learning and civic engagement.”
Service learning is a method of teaching and learning that connects classroom lessons with meaningful service to the community. PSC students and faculty participate in several service learning projects throughout the semester. Previous projects have included recording veterans’ stories for the Veterans History Project, volunteering for the Cancer Support Center’s Walk of Hope, and organizing community events through Phi Theta Kappa.
Photo: From left to right, President Dr. Eric Radtke, Board Member Peg Donohue, Adjunct Professor of Political Science Tiffany Bohm, and Board Chair Mark Fazzini
Jennifer Stoner
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
(708) 709-3949
jstoner@prairiestate.edu
Jill Yott
Communications Specialist
(708) 709-2948
jyott@prairiestate.edu