Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, wrote today’s Epicuriosity 101 column, “The psychology of colors in restaurants.”
LLCC Board of Trustees to meet tomorrow
The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 5:15 p.m. in the Robert H. Stephens Room located in Menard Hall. Read the agenda.
Driving and parking alert: Workforce Careers Expo tomorrow
Tomorrow, Sept. 28, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the LLCC Workforce Institute will host its first Workforce Careers Expo in conjunction with the Association of Illinois Electrical Cooperatives’ (AIEC) Line Worker’s Safety Rodeo. The large, outdoor event will bring approximately 500 participants to campus throughout the day, including high school students arriving on school buses and nearly 50 employers. Exhibits will feature large equipment on display in several parking lots.
Still time to review and comment for chance to win a free Quiznos lunch!
Congratulations to this week’s Quizno’s lunch recipient — Kalith Smith, dean, social sciences and business! Kalith read and commented on 10 Core Components, suggesting numerous edits and providing additional evidence (e.g., LLCC’s Teacher Education Pipeline) for subcomponent 1.B.3. – the institution engages with its external constituencies and responds to their needs as its mission and capacity allow.
Accreditation is incredibly important, and so is your input! Please make time to read and comment on all or part of the assurance filing (see files emailed yesterday). The deadline has been extended to Sept. 30. The individual who submits the best edit/suggestion for the week will be rewarded with a free Quiznos lunch!
What is the assurance filing? It documents how we are meeting identified criteria (and their subcomponents) to reaffirm our accreditation. The criteria:
- Mission
- Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources and Support
- Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
- Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
We will be hosting a peer review team on campus Dec. 5 and 6. They will be here to confirm the information in our assurance filing — so it is important that it be complete and accurate. It takes all of us working together to have a successful HLC visit!
Student Opinion Survey: Oct 3-12
On Monday, Oct. 3, all LLCC students will receive an email from IRE Automation (IRE.01@llcc.edu) with the subject line HLC Student Opinion Survey. This email communication is not spam but a survey invitation sent on behalf of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This survey of students is part of our comprehensive evaluation taking place this fall. Student responses will be shared with the peer review team and may inform questions asked during the site visit on Dec. 5 and 6.
If students inquire about the communication, just reassure them that the email is not spam and their responses are anonymous (unless they self-identify in a comment). For those interested in knowing more, please visit the HLC website. The HLC Student Opinion Survey closes on Oct. 12.
LLCC awarded grant to expand career and technical training
LLCC has been awarded a $540,000 grant as part of nearly $5 million designated for seven Illinois community colleges by the U.S. Department of Labor to expand career and technical training. LLCC will use the funds to expand its integrated media design and helpdesk programs.
LLCC will develop an integrated media design lab at the college’s Medical District location, 130 W. Mason St. near downtown Springfield. This will provide a convenient location to those who live or work in that area to earn an associate in applied science degree in the subject.
“The lab will contain Mac computers which are the standard in the design industry,” said Adam Watkins, LLCC dean of arts and communication. “Students earning the integrated media design degree will be qualified for local jobs in graphic design, application design and web design. Wrap-around supports will also be offered to encourage members of marginalized communities to enroll in the degree program. We are working with local employers who are looking to diversify their workforce and are interested in offering jobs to graduates of this program.”
The grant will also help LLCC develop a competency-based program leading to a helpdesk certificate. Students will be able to demonstrate the skills they have in the subject and accelerate through courses based on their prior knowledge and experience, saving them time and money.
“This program gives students the skills and knowledge required for an entry-level IT helpdesk position. We know there is a great need for these positions across all industries locally and nationally,” said Dr. Carmen Allen, LLCC professor of computer science. “We will develop this program to emulate another competency-based program LLCC offers in cybersecurity. The helpdesk program is offered online and can be a game-changer for adults looking for a new career as well as students right out of high school.”
Both program expansions are expected to kick off in fall 2023.
Level up! October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month — our chance to sharpen our cybersecurity skills, learn ways to avoid security threats and have some fun while we’re at it!
Starting next month, we’re Leveling Up our cybersecurity training.
Each week, we’ll share helpful tips and resources to help you stay safe and secure on your online travels — at work and at home.
For hackers cybersecurity is a game. Learn more about it here:
If you have any questions about cybersecurity or spot something suspicious, ask us! We’re here to help.
Look for a new Level UP poster on bulletin boards around campus each week during the month for additional information.
Game on!
Greg Matejka
IT Security and Assurance Manger
HR advertising for a financial aid outreach specialist
LLCC Human Resources is advertising for a financial aid outreach specialist. Full details on this and all other open positions can be viewed on the HR employment page.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Loteria
Loteria
Tuesday, Sept. 27, noon to 2 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons
A Spanish word meaning “lottery,” Loteria is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls. Students participating in Loteria will have the opportunity to win some gift cards to local Hispanic restaurants. Let’s test your luck with this timeless game and see if fortune will be on your side!
Learn about additional events for the month and how you can participate.
This week’s Monday Morning Mentor from AIEL
This week’s Monday Morning Mentor topic from Magna Publications:
How Can I Teach With Confidence in the Hyflex Classroom?
Presentation date: Sept. 26, 2022 and on-demand for one week
View the presentation and access the transcript, handouts and supplemental material: https://mondaymorningmentors.com.
NOTE: You will need to enter the following password in order to view this week’s program: confidence95.
Access to the programs in the Monday Morning Mentor series is restricted to members of the subscribing institution. Any unauthorized use or access, including sharing access with faculty and staff not affiliated with the subscribing institution, is prohibited.