From the Board of Trustees: October 17, 2019

Academic Affairs

ICCB 5-Year Program Review

The Illinois Community College Board 5-year review of academic programs and services was completed and submitted in September. The purpose of the review is to demonstrate the viability, quality, and continuous improvement of academic programs and services at ICC. This year, the submissions included the following programs and service support areas:

• Academic Disciplines
  • Physical and Life Sciences
• Student and Academic Support Services
  • Financial Aid
• Cross-Disciplinary Instruction
  • Remedial English Language Arts
• Career & Technical Education
  • Accounting Clerk Cert
  • Business Administration AAS
  • CNC Machining Cert.
  • HVAC Technician Cert.
  • HVAC/R AAS
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology AAS
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technology
  • Medical Lab Technology AAS

Academic Departments

Agricultural & Industrial Technologies

Illinois Central College was selected to form a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter this fall to provide a connection in the agriculture industry between youth organizations and the Farm Bureau to encourage leadership, professional development, and education in agriculture.

Agriculture, Diesel, and Horticulture Career Showcase

Illinois Central College Agriculture, Diesel and Horticulture programs hosted a Career Showcase on the East Peoria Campus on Friday, September 20. Over 300 potential students and guests were provided with opportunities to learn about in-demand careers in the high-tech agriculture, diesel and horticulture industries with 28 area vendors/industry stakeholders present with booths and equipment on display. The day included tours of the ICC facilities, an industry keynote speaker and an ICC student/graduate panel.

Illinois Central College Livestock Judging Team Competes Nationally

Illinois Central College Livestock Judging Team competed at the 73rd Annual National Barrow Show held in Austin, Minnesota on September 9, 2019. The ICC team finished 3rd Overall (16 teams competed) and team member Wesley Moore was awarded 5th High Individual Overall.

Arts & Behavioral Science Professor, Jennifer Costa, Exhibits Her Work in Slovakia

Arts Professor Jennifer Costa was recently featured in an international art exhibition, the International Institute of Welding’s Welded Art Photographic Exhibition, held in Bratislava, Slovakia from July 7-12, 2019.

Communication Students Group Presentations

Students in Professor Kim Rose’s COMM 110 class were divided into groups and asked to pick a country to research communication and cultural elements of the country. They were asked to present in a creative format and include the audience in a participatory activity.

Health Careers Dental Hygiene and Physical Therapy Assistant Program Engage in Joint Activities

Professors Julie Feeny (PTA Program Director) and Cathy Korondi (DH Program Director) engage their students. Some clients come into the Dental Hygiene Program dentist office or clinic in a wheelchair and most DH don’t know how to safely transfer a client from the wheelchair to the dental chair. PTA students did an activity in which they taught DH students how to safely transfer a client but also watch their back (as to not cause injury) and then DH students taught PTA students oral hygiene care.

Physical Therapy Assistant Students Visit the Children’s Center

The Physical Therapy Assistance (PHTA 218) class, under the direction of Julie Feeney, visited for a morning in September with the children and staff of the Children’s Center. The students had assignments to develop multiple activities with team members and to carry them out, determining their ability to test motor skills, coordination, balance, and other skills of the children. The Children’s Center staff and children have welcomed The PHTA students every fall for the last 4 years.

Math, Science & Engineering

Student Association for the Environment (SAFE) Service Learning
The Student Association for the Environment (SAFE) students volunteered at Chillicothe Park District’s native planting event at Coal Hollow Park. With their help, the group was able to plant over 2,000 native plants on the property over four days to support conservation effort for the community.

MSE Faculty Presentation at a National Conference

Professor Cheryl Resnick gave a presentation at the annual Geological Society of America meeting on September 23 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The title of her presentation was “Building 2YC Students’ Science Identities through Digital Media to Broaden Participation in the Geosciences.” This presentation highlighted an assignment I created connecting my students to a Ph.D. student working in the geosciences as well as a website called “Time Scavengers” featuring a variety of scientists through a “Scientist Spotlight” series.

Educational Foundation

Thank you to those Trustees who were able to join the Foundation Board of Directors at the annual Board Reception on September 18th at Weaver Ridge Golf Club. The event was a great opportunity for the Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors to gather and share their passion for ICC. At the event, we honored outgoing Board of Directors, Jon Ward and LeAnne Moritz, as well as departing President of the Foundation Board, Jon Ward.

The Educational Foundation’s annual Community Celebration will take place on October 24, 2019 at Embassy Suites in East Peoria. This year’s theme “Camp ICC: Your Big Adventure,” encourages students to explore the many career choices ICC has to offer. Doors open at 5:30 PM with the program beginning promptly at 6:00 PM. This event honors those individuals who make a difference in the lives of ICC students! Please join the ICC Educational Foundation for an evening of celebrating our donors and scholarship recipients.

The Alumni Association now has 477 members. The Alumni Association will name the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus and Alumnus of the Last Decade award recipients at the annual Community Celebration event on October 24, 2019.

The ICC Educational Foundation Board of Directors and staff are proud to announce a new endowed scholarship for those students entering the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. ICC’s Medical Laboratory Technician Program began in 1970. In 1983, the program came under the leadership and supervision of Janice M. Kinsinger until 2003. Upon Janice’s retirement, she has continued to support the ICC students through generous donations to the Educational Foundation. Janice and her husband Dr. David Kinsinger understand the value of ICC and how scholarships impact students’ lives. They have endowed this award for full or part-time needy students entering the Medical Laboratory Technician Program.

Administration & Finance

Facilities Update

Facilities has been working on the 2019 Life Safety Projects to be included in the Tax Levy request for the coming year (included in Informational Item 6.5). Building Remodeling Projects from the prior year are all complete or substantially complete, on time, and within budget.

The Facilities Master Planning process is continuing and a preliminary report will be completed in November. DKA has completed all of the stakeholder and cabinet-level meetings and are in the process of identifying recommendations, and observations.

The Capital Development Board is managing two projects for the College: Curtain wall / architectural panels and Nature Court Bridge renovation. Both projects are currently in the planning stage and expected to move to design in November.

A kick-off planning meeting was held in Chicago to begin the process for the Workforce Sustainability Center detailed design and construction.

Human Resources

Human Resources

Human Resources has selected a new vendor for background checks. Employment Screening Resources (ESR) integrates with the NEOGOV talent acquisition management product that ICC currently uses. This integration will provide a streamlined approach for internal HR department processing as well as provide a user-friendly method for completing the required pre-boarding procedures for the new hire. In addition, the new enhancements are cost-neutral to the department budget.

Michelle Bugos attended the AAIM Employers Association Annual Employment Law Update on September 18. Human Resources will evaluate and update policies as necessary, to ensure compliance with the following items, which are effective January 1, 2020.

• Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (HB 1438; 410 ILCS 705/) (“CRTA”)
  • New law legalizes recreational cannabis
  • The act generally treats/regulates cannabis similar to alcohol.
    • Illinois colleges and universities are allowed to ban cannabis use at colleges/universities.
    • Employers may utilize drug tests pursuant to drug policies.
  • CRTA amends the Right to Privacy in Workplace Act by making it unlawful for Employers to refuse to hire, terminate or treat individuals differently based on their use of lawful products off the premises of the employer during nonworking and non-call hours.
• Illinois Human Rights Act amendments
  • Expands definition of “unlawful discrimination” to include discrimination against a person because of his or her “actual or perceived” protected characteristic.
  • The Act now states that a hostile work environment claim is not limited to conduct that occurred in the employee’s physical workspace and thus can occur outside the office. The Act now prohibits harassment by an employer against non-employees, including independent contractors and consultants.
  • Every employer with employees working in Illinois will need to provide sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis (the IDHR will soon develop a model training program employers can use).
    • In addition, beginning July 1, 2020 and every year thereafter, employers must send a report to the IL Department of Human Rights (IDHR) on all employment-related judgments and rulings against them. The report must include a breakdown of the protected characteristics (age, race, sex, etc.) that the adverse ruling was based on.
• Workplace Transparency Act amendments
  • Prohibits employers from contractually restricting a prospective, current, or former employee’s ability to report alleged unlawful conduct, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
  • Prohibits unilateral conditions of employment that prevent a current or prospective employee from reporting unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Permits confidentiality provisions if they comply with certain new requirements.

Human Resources has begun providing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) professional development to managers on a monthly basis. Kim Malcolm provided professional development on the topic “Performance Management” on September 18.

Benefits, Leaves, Risk Management & Safety

The Benefits, Leaves, Risk Management and Safety department will be sponsoring a Benefits Fair October 22 and 23. This will afford all full time employees an opportunity to talk to and ask questions of the benefits team and representatives from Unity Point Health Plus, Consociate Health, 403b vendors, AFLAC, EAP and more. This Benefits Fair will lead in to the Open Enrollment period that begins November 4. Along with the usual open enrollment for Flexible Spending Accounts (unreimbursed medical and dependent care) and AFLAC policies, for the first time, there will be open enrollment for the ICC Health Plan. November 4 through 8 there will be representatives on both campuses to facilitate enrollment. The open enrollment period will continue through December 6.

Marketing

Admission Update

ADMISSIONS

Hosted three Campus Visit Days; Over 500 incoming and outgoing phone calls; Participated in 20+ off-campus events, such as high school visits, senior presentations, and college fairs; Concentrated on converting prospects and applicants.

• Outreach
  • Campus Visit Days
    • 14,900 emails sent & 11,000 postcards mailed
  • Health Science and STEM Visit Days
    • 14,868 emails sent
  • Ag, Diesel, and Horticulture Showcase
    • 243 emails sent & 400 postcards mailed
  • Educational Foundation Estate Planning Seminar
    • 745 emails sent
  • Workforce Development Lunch and Learn
    • 74 emails sent
• Events
  • September 6
    • TGIF Celebration
  • September 7
    • Landscape & Garden Day
  • September 20
    • Ag, Diesel, and Horticulture Showcase
      • 300+ attendees
  • September 23
    • Workforce Equity Initiative Press Conference
• Media Mentions
  • September 3
    • A Path to Your New Career (CIProud)
  • September 11
    • College of Education Announces 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees (ISU News)
    • Big Year for ICC’s Wysinger Could Involve New Kidney (CIProud)
  • September 20
    • ICC Hosts Agriculture Showcase for Potential Students (HOI-ABC & WEEK-TV)
    • ICC Hosting Ag, Horticulture, Diesel Power Showcase (Farm Week Now)
  • September 23
    • Illinois Central College Taking Lead in Statewide Workforce Equity Program (PJ Star)
    • ICC to Take Lead in Statewide Workforce Equity Initiative (WEEK-TV)
    • Illinois Central College Leading $18.7 Million State Workforce Equity Project (CIProud)
    • Illinois Central College to Receive $1.85 Million in Workforce Equity Initiative (HOI- ABC)
    • Hope Fest Works to Bring Community Together (HOI-ABC)
  • September 26
    • Central Illinois Police Training Center at ICC Peoria Campus) Impact of School Shootings: Evolution of Police Response since the Columbine Massacre (HOI-ABC)
  • September 27
    • Illinois Central College Enrolls 8,875 Undergrads (Illinois Business Daily)
  • September 30
    • Area Colleges to be Part of Statewide Workforce Equity Program (Galesburg Register-Mail)

Student Life

• October 4
  • Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) held inductions and also had a game night
• October 9
  • Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted a Candy and Caramel Bar where students had the opportunity to get free apples in the Student Lounge alongside with caramel and candy!
• October 12
  • UNITE hosted a Halloween themed show.
• October 16
  • Agri-Business Club/Collegiate Farm Bureau had a Pork Chop Grill Out and sold pork chops for the club fall fundraiser. That same day, Student Life held a Higher Learning Accreditation (HCL) to get student’s input about the school.
• October 23
  • Student Association for the Environment (SAFE) arranged a contest to present ways to promote environmental sustainability.
• October 29
  • CAB is throwing a Halloween costume party for students to show off their crazy costumes and for students to interact with one another. And of course there will be plenty of candy to eat!
• October 31
  • CAB is hosting a Halloween Fun Fest in the student lounge for students to play games and participate in activities!

Student Services

Athletics

Nationally we are seeing a big push for intercollegiate E-Sports. This is most likely due to a recent tournament that awarded three million dollars to its first place winner. With a fan base and student interest growing, organizations such as the NJCAA are beginning to accredit institutions and support E-Sport programs. ICC is currently looking at the feasibility of offering an intercollegiate E-Sports team. Due to the nature of the program there would be limited travel required, and other than equipment, little to no additional cost to maintain the program. We have had a number of students express interested in this area. National data shows this has also been a powerful recruitment tool at some institutions. Although we have not moved forward with anything yet in the realm of E-Sports, we are continuing to explore the possibility.

Women’s Basketball

The ICC women’s basketball team has been at it again! This month the team volunteered at three service organizations, serving over 600 people in the Peoria area. Our cougars spent Saturday mornings helping at the Loaves & Fish Soup Kitchen at the First United Methodist Church. Over 280 guests were served and the ladies passed out salads, poured drinks, carried guests’ trays to their tables, bused tables, washed dishes, and helped with set-up and teardown. This ministry has been serving area residents every Saturday for the past 25 years and also provides on-site nursing care, a clothing locker, a literacy program, and take-home food items to the guests. This is the 7th year the ICC women’s basketball team has volunteered at Loaves & Fish.

Men’s Basketball

Men’s basketball has been busy this fall with volunteer projects as well. Assisting at the St. Paul Baptist Church Blood Clot Awareness Walk/Run and the Alpha Phi Alpha Heart Walk. Our team helped set up and tear down for all vendors, as well as participated in both walks/runs. Our 1st jamboree will be played at Danville on October 6th and then we will host the 1st Annual Men’s Basketball Alumni/Reunion Game on October 12th. We are inviting back all former cougar players, coaches and managers to participate in 3pt shootout, dunk contest and the game of Alumni vs. 2019-2020 team. Festivities start at 5:30 PM with game starting at 7 PM!
Cougar Pride Day February 19th vs. Parkland College 7:30 PM.

Enrollment Services

Financial Aid

Financial Aid has been working hard disbursing aid for enrolled students. Approximately $5,849,211 has been disbursed for all financial aid as of 10/3 with more aid being dispersed throughout the semester. Students are able to begin applying for financial aid for the upcoming 20-21 school year as of October 1. Our office has been working with our talented marketing department to get the message to students that now is the time to apply for aid! As we continue to move forward and serve our students we are implementing new processes that coincide with federal policies for awarding aid. We are confident that this new processes will remove barriers for students, and allow ICC to assist more students than ever in their academic journey.

Registrar

The registrar’s office has been working very hard these past few weeks to streamline and restructure our graduation process. Our team noticed a few barriers in the process and worked hard to remove them. The result, was almost double the number of graduates applying for fall 2019 graduation and a significant increase in summer graduation.

Student Success

Academic Advising

The advising team is working on the completion concierge project. This project reaches out to previously enrolled students who are close to completing a credential with ICC and are not currently enrolled. This semester we evaluated three years of student data in three programs; Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering Science, and Associate in General Students. We were able to identify over 1,300 student in these programs who had completed over 60 hours of course work. Our academic advisors then evaluated the individual student files to identify students within 2-3 courses of degree completion. Once identified our team reaches out to the students and encourage them to enroll for the spring 2020 semester. Although this is the second year of this program we anticipate increasing our numbers significantly. We have already identified over 200 students who are eligible to graduate from ICC based on their current credit hours and standing. This is more than five times greater than the number from the last time this program ran.

Click the links to see the full PDFs for the meeting notes and the newsletter this article is based on.