A link for the free webinar today at noon provided by Mental Health America is available on the Health and Wellness tab of the HR portal. The webinar will cover the positive benefits of nature related to mental health.

The next Walk the Walk event will take place on Thursday, June 8, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants can meet in front of Cass Gym at the time they wish to attend.

Have questions about your benefits? Need assistance with the online enrollment system? Plan to attend one of the following open labs for assistance with benefits open enrollment. You may come anytime during the hours scheduled.

• May 25, 3-4:30 p.m. in Sangamon 1101
• June 1, 3-4:30 p.m. in Sangamon 1101
• June 7, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Sangamon 1101

Join Mental Health America and guests on Thursday, May 25, at noon for a webinar where panelists discuss how connecting with nature is a part of their lives and how others can incorporate it into practices of self-care.

In this free 60-minute webinar, participants will:

• Discuss the positive benefits that being in nature has on our mental health.
• Explore the relationship between nature, spirituality, culture and mental health.
• Hear from panelists about their experiences with mental health and the connection to nature.

Visit the health and wellness tab on the HR portal for a link to register for the event. Those who register will receive a recording of the event if they are unable to participate at the scheduled time.

The next LLCC Walk the Walk event will take place on Thursday, June 8, in support of National Get Outside Day and Men’s Health Month. Employees are invited to take part in one of three sessions to get outside for a bit of exercise and nature. Sessions will be held at  10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m., and those interested in participating can meet in front of Cass Gym.

Visit the Health and Wellness tab on the HR portal for more information.

Visit the Health and Wellness tab on the HR portal to learn more about the Aware Program offered through LLCC’s EAP. Aware is a mindfulness-based stress reduction program offering six telephonic sessions for individuals to learn mindfulness exercises and create an individualized plan tailored to meet specific needs. By visiting the health and wellness tab, employees can experience one of the mindfulness exercises by reading along with the exercise or listening to the audio. For more information regarding Deer Oaks EAP Services visit www.deeroakseap.com.

LLCC will be closed on Fridays for 12 weeks beginning Friday, May 19, 2023 and ending on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. During this period, all full-time professional, administrative and classified benefit-eligible employees will be scheduled to work on a 36-hour per week basis.

• Normal college services will be provided, and most administrative offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Departments that normally offer evening services may continue to provide services on their normal schedule.
• Work schedules for all full-time employees will be based on a 36-hour week. Benefit-eligible employees who are normally scheduled to work 20 hours per week would be scheduled to work 18 hours, 30-hour-per-week employees would work 27 hours per week, etc.
• Work schedules must include either an hour or half-hour unpaid meal period for those working 7.5 or more hours in a day.
• Vacation, sick and personal leave time will be charged on an hour-for-hour basis. If a full week of vacation is utilized during this period, 36 hours of benefit time will be charged for full-time employees.

Holidays: Memorial Day (May 29) and Independence Day (July 4) will be considered a nine-hour day (or a pro-rated amount based on hourly work schedule) toward hours worked for employees.

LLCC honored 2023 Distinguished Service Award winners, employees with service anniversaries, retirees, faculty emeriti and those who earned ACUE credentials at the LLCC Employee Recognition Ceremony May 10.

The college presented four Distinguished Service Awards to individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership and service to the college community, promote a student-focused environment and exhibit a strong commitment to the college’s core values.

• Faculty – Rebecca Miller, professor of psychology
• Administrator – Dr. Joel Dykstra, interim associate vice president, academic services
• Classified Staff – Elaine Higgason, program assistant, accessibility services
• Professional Staff – Laurie Clemons, student success coach

Retirees recognized were:

• Neci Faine, duplication and mail center technician, 29 years
• Donald Loftis, general maintenance technician, 23 years
• Susan Rush, education services representative, 11 years
• Donna Satterlee, professor of nursing, 30 years
• Jan Szoke, program director, respiratory care, 10 years
• Shirley Warfield-Jones, child development teacher, 22 years

Faculty emeriti:

• Peggy Goetsch, professor of biology
• Kevin Kirsch, professor of computer aided drafting
• David Sykes, professor of physics

Association of College and University Educators – Effective Teaching Practices:

• Laura Anderson, professor of art
• Dr. Gillian Bauer, professor of English
• Dr. Deborah Brothers, professor of English
• Dean Butzow, professor of geography
• Dr. Justin Cobb, assistant professor of biology
• Dr. Diana Coffman, professor of biology
• Elizabeth Conrady, instructor of agriculture
• Dr. Alonzo De Carlo, assistant professor of psychology
• Angie Gum-Miller, professor of mathematics
• John Paul Jaramillo, professor English
• Derek Matlock, instructor of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating
• Susan McClintock, professor of mathematics
• Timothy McKenzie, professor of philosophy
• Stacey Olson, associate professor of biology
• Dr. David Park, assistant professor of microbiology
• Jennifer Ramm, professor of chemistry
• Cara Swafford, professor of English
• Natasha Trame, professor of psychology
• George Vaughn, professor of communication
• Dr. Dallas Wright, assistant professor of computer science
• Laurenn York, instructor of English

During Employee Recognition Week, employee recognition video presentations were also shared. Employees celebrating service anniversaries:

30 years — Nina Koch, records specialist; Dee Krueger, director, LLCC-Taylorville; Dr. Brenda Michel, professor of nursing; Jennifer Ramm, professor of chemistry; Leanne Roseberry, library acquisitions specialist; Donna Satterlee, professor of nursing

25 years — Shanda Byer, interim vice president, student services; Darla Cochran, workforce enrollment specialist; Lyndsey Craigmiles-Brooks, administrative assistant, LLCC-Medical District; John Paul Henry, professor of math; Dr. Chris McDonald, professor of political science; Laurie Rhodes, director, LLCC Child Development Center; Ben Roth, director, IT systems; Vickie Ward, administrative assistant to the dean, LLCC Workforce Institute

20 years — Lisa Avendano, writing center specialist; Craig Beckmier, professor of agriculture; Kenny Bridgeford, general maintenance technician; Dean Butzow, professor of geography; Dr. Mary Goldstein, professor of nursing; Elaine Higgason, program assistant, accessibility services; Tim Humphrey, professor of political science; Dr. Abbas Meigooni, professor of math; Dr. Alison Stachera, professor of English; Eric Stachera, professor of English; Heather Voyles, assistant to police chief/Clery compliance coordinator; Stacy Wallace, child development assistant

15 years — Dave Bretscher, director, facilities; Esteban Cruz, chief information officer; Tiffany-Anne Elliott, academic support program coordinator; Barry Lamb, instructional designer; Kim Lesko, program/child development assistant; Fred Logue, building custodian; Brenda Loschen, administrative assistant to the dean, arts and communication; Keri Mason, director, LLCC-Jacksonville; Karrie Prescott, administrative assistant to the dean, natural and agricultural sciences; Ryan Roettgers, building custodian; Leslie Ross, professor/librarian; Dr. Beth Wiediger, professor of psychology

10 years — Andrew Blaylock, director, campus services; Dawn Burch, financial aid advisor; Brian Earley, instructor of auto technology; Sarah Goodman, director, business and accounting; Bill Goyke, switchboard receptionist; Tameka Johnson-Tillman, professor of English; Dorothy Marshall, accounting technician, disbursements; Michael Meyers, assistant professor of respiratory care; Cheri Reardon, bookstore operations manager; Dr. Colin Suchland, professor of sociology; Anthony Tate, professor of biology; Jud Walker, facilities maintenance technician; Diane L. Wilson, program director, neurodiagnostic technology

Five years — Laura Anderson, professor of art; Dr. Gillian Bauer, professor of English; Debra Bell, custodial operations supervisor; April Bergman, program assistant, student success; Whitney Brandenburg, workorce development program coordinator; Dr. Brian Douglas, professor of nursing; Tim Ervin, director of construction and environmental health and safety; Jack Geisler, building custodian; Andrew Harmon, instructor of radiology; John Hubner, network administrator; Doug Longstaff, truck driver training specialist; Stacey Olson, associate professor of biology; Amanda Peabody, instructor of nursing; Rihab Sawah, professor of physics; Robert Schuerman, property control technician; Candace Silas, director, Open Door WEI; Chester Simmons, building custodian; Dr. Sonja Spencer, associate dean, nursing; Elizabeth Tennikait, academic success professional; Kayla Weitzel, human resources associate; Laurenn York, instructor of English; Kimberly Young, program assistant, nursing

Congratulations to all the honorees!