LLCC officer saves kitten; “Mini” has a new home

Randy Emergy holding "Mini," the kitten he rescuedMonday, LLCC Police Officer Randy Emery was walking through a campus parking lot and heard what sounded like an animal in distress coming from a minivan. He found the driver of the vehicle when the student finished a class, and they opened the hood, only to find a small kitten hiding behind the back of the engine. The student had no idea how the kitten got in the minivan or where it came from. Officer Emery gently removed the kitten, relieved it was not injured, and decided to bring the newly named “Mini” home to join his family’s other cat companions.

LLCC seeks literacy volunteers

LLCC Adult Education. The bridge to your success.LLCC is seeking volunteers to assist adults in improving their reading, math or English-language skills.

The LLCC Adult Education and Literacy department provides free training to potential volunteer tutors. Those wishing to volunteer may call 217-786-2572.

“This is a great way to help individuals in your community move forward!” says Jamil Steele, director of adult education and literacy at LLCC. “We are recruiting volunteers from all areas within the LLCC district, which includes the Springfield campus and Outreach Centers in Jacksonville, Beardstown, Taylorville and Litchfield.”

LLCC was recently awarded a $64,531 Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant from the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office to offer training and opportunities for increased literacy among the citizens of the district.

Monday Morning Mentor program

LLCC Academic Innovation and eLearning is continuing the Monday Morning Mentor programming by MAGNA Publications this year. Each weekly topic is presented by respected academic peers and covers timely and relevant topics in only 20 minutes — brief enough to fit busy schedules, but long enough to deliver valuable, actionable content. The weekly videos and support materials will be available for a full week so you  may view at a time that is convenient for you.

This week’s topic:
How Can I Create a Meaningful Online Learning Experience for Students?Presentation date: Aug. 23, 2021 and on-demand for one week
Link to the presentation: mondaymorningmentors.com

From this link, you can view the featured 20-Minute Mentor and access the transcript, handouts and supplemental material. These materials are only available for the week of the presentation.

NOTE: You will need to enter a password in order to view the program. See Monday’s email from Becky Parton for the password, or contact becky.parton@llcc.edu.

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.

Welcome Yogi Chauhan

Yogesh Chauhan Yogesh “Yogi” Chauhan began work on Monday as LLCC’s new application developer. He started out in the field of information technology by developing his own e-commerce business in India. He later studied marketing at the University of Tampa and earned a master’s degree in information systems from Illinois State University. Most recently, he worked as a web developer for McKenzie Wagner Inc. in Champaign.

He can be reached at yogeshkumar.chauhan@llcc.edu or 217-786-2863. Welcome, Yogi!

Join us in welcoming students to the fall semester!

The fall semester has begun, and today kicks off Welcome Week! Please join us in welcoming new and returning students to campus! Volunteers will be working the Welcome Week table in A. Lincoln Commons, greeting students, providing directions and helping answer questions.

LLCC opens new Nursing Education Center in partnership with Memorial Health System

Ed Curtis, Dr. Charlotte Warren, Marsha Prater and Ken Elmore Signaling a new era in local nursing education, LLCC in partnership with Memorial Health System opened a state-of-the-art facility on Aug. 20 aimed at addressing the regional nursing shortage.

The new Nursing Education Center on the LLCC campus will allow 90 additional students to enroll in LLCC’s nursing program each year, for a total of 215 new nursing students annually.

“We are thrilled to open the doors of this new center with our Memorial Health System partners, just in time for the start of the fall semester,” said Ken Elmore, chair of the LLCC Board of Trustees. “The LLCC/Memorial Health System partnership addresses the need for more students to graduate from our nursing program and live and work in our communities, and aligns with both of our missions, to improve lives and serve our communities.”

“This facility marks a new era as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LLCC nursing program, which has produced nearly 4,000 nursing graduates,” added Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC. “Our nursing students will have access to the latest technology and equipment in this new center as they prepare for lifesaving and rewarding careers.”

A $6.1 million gift from Memorial Health System allowed LLCC to renovate the west wing of Montgomery Hall for the new center, purchase high-tech simulation equipment and hire additional faculty and staff. The partnership was announced in February of 2020, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the last 18 months, the public has come to appreciate more than ever the incredible dedication, expertise and heroism of the nursing profession. Unfortunately, our region continues to experience a nursing shortage that has made the last few months incredibly more challenging,” said Ed Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health System. “The formal opening of this new LLCC Nursing Education Center is visible proof of the ongoing collaboration between LLCC and Memorial Health System to address the nursing shortage in this region. This state-of-the-art facility creates expanded learning opportunities for LLCC students and enables LLCC to continue to increase its nursing enrollment over the next few years.”

“Having been a nurse for over 40 years, I am thrilled to see the caliber of this learning environment and the tremendous support it will provide for the next generation of nurses in our region,” said Marsha Prater, senior vice president and chief nursing officer. “Memorial is proud to employ so many LLCC nursing graduates here in Springfield and at our hospitals and clinics across the region. Like the students who are educated here at LLCC, we are deeply committed to meeting the health care needs of the people in the communities we serve. Supporting the future generation of nursing professionals is one way to do that. When we hire these LLCC graduates, we are confident they’ve developed strong knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of nursing, and that they reflect our organization’s values of safety, integrity, quality and stewardship.”

Tracy Madonia is entering her fourth semester of the LLCC Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Dr. Sonja Spencer, Tracy Madonia and Bridgette Hudson“I chose LLCC to pursue my nursing degree for several reasons. When I began researching schools and meeting with advisors, LLCC stood out because of their affordable tuition and their impressive statistics, including the success of LLCC students on the NCLEX,” said Madonia. “I was excited to learn that Memorial, a four-time recipient of a Magnet designation, was partnering with LLCC to expand on their already stellar program. This allows more nursing hopefuls the opportunity to pursue their RN and fill a much-needed demand in the field of nursing. LLCC has provided us with the tools and supplies necessary to perfect our nursing skills.”

The Nursing Education Center includes:

  • 1,900-square-foot nursing skills lab
  • Simulation labs, including a labor/delivery lab
  • Practice lab
  • Classrooms
  • Office space for nursing program staff

A celebration of the new facility and the LLCC nursing program’s 50th anniversary will be scheduled in the future.

Nursing faculty with Dr. Warren, Ed Curtis and Marsha PratherNursing Center classroomLLCC Nursing Instructor Bridgette Hudson observes nursing student Tracy Madonia as she practices skills in the labor/delivery lab of the new Nursing Education Center at LLCC. Dr. Charlotte Warren, Ken Elmore, Marsha Prather and Ed Curtis

Welcome to new LLCC faculty

Join us in welcoming the following new LLCC faculty members!

Julie BrennanJulie Brennan has been an adjunct instructor at LLCC since 2019 and is now our new assistant professor of computer science. She is the owner of J Mank Design and previously worked at SOI Dept. of Innovation and Technology, King Technology Inc. and State Farm. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education/computer science at Butler University and a master’s degree in computer science form University of Illinois Springfield. Julie can be reached at julie.brennan@llcc.edu or 217-786-2846.

Dr. Justin CobbDr. Justin Cobb has joined LLCC as assistant professor of anatomy & physiology. He previously served as an instructor of natural sciences at John Wood Community College, taught at Frank High School and worked as a researcher at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences as well as a Ph.D. in neuroscience from University of Mississippi Medical Center. Justin can be reached at justin.cobb@llcc.edu or 217-786-2820.

Kimberly ConoverKimberly Conover, instructor of nursing, comes to the college with experience working in multiple units at Passavant Area Hospital, including ICCU, Med-Surg. and PACU. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from MacMurray and her master’s degree in nursing with a nurse educator specialization from Benedictine University.

Kimberly can be reached at kimberly.conover@llcc.edu or 217-786-2363.

Marcie LeonardMarcie Leonard is an alum of LLCC’s ADN program and now an assistant professor of nursing at the college. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing with a nurse executive focus and a master’s in business administration from Benedictine University. She is board certified as a nurse executive leader. Marcie recently worked as director of nursing operations for Hope Learning Academy, as a nurse manager in cardiology at Memorial Medical Center and as a critical care/post anesthesia care registered nurse. She also worked as adjunct faculty at Blackburn College and as a nursing tutor at LLCC. Marcie can be reached at marcie.leonard@llcc.edu or 217-786-2876.

Derek MatlockDerek Matlock is the new air conditioning, refrigeration and heating instructor in LLCC’s Workforce Institute. After 16 years as a cabinet, countertop and furniture maker, he went to night school at Lake Land College to become an HVACR technician. He is a certified HVAC professional with over 12 years of experience in the field. Derek reached the rank of journeyman in Local 317.

Derek can be reached at derek.matlock@llcc.edu or 217-786-2811.

Ann NeilsonAnn Neilson has joined LLCC as an assistant professor of diagnostic medical sonography. She has a master’s degree in health services administration. The past 10 years she has worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur and for a local company providing ultrasound services to the women in Lincoln Correctional Facility. Prior to that, she developed and taught in a hospital-based diagnostic medical sonography program in Jacksonville, Florida. Ann can be reached at ann.neilson@llcc.edu or 217-786-2231.

Dr. David ParkDr. David Park, assistant professor of microbiology, comes to LLCC with experience as a faculty member at Ferrum College. He completed his undergraduate work at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a major in molecular and cellular biology, and earned  Ph.D. in biophysics and computational biology from Ferrum College.

David can be reached at david.park@llcc.edu or 217-786-2830.

Travis RathTravis Rath joins the college as an instructor of nursing. He started out as an LPN and then earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from MacMurray College and graduated from McKendree University with a master’s degree in nursing education. He worked as a school nurse for Chatham Elementary School, and prior to that, worked on a med-surg floor at Memorial Medical Center. He also has nursing experience in longterm care and in a doctor’s office. Travis can be reached at travis.rath@llcc.edu or 217-786-2442.

Angie Hardesty-SmithAngie Hardesty-Smith is also a new nursing instructor at LLCC. She started her career at Memorial Medical Center in the ICU and has worked at Mason District Hospital in Havana for the last 30 years in a variety of roles — ICU, ED, case management, community health and employee health. She earn an associate degree from Spoon River Community College, an RN through Graham Hospital School Nursing and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from SIU-Edwardsville, Springfield Campus. Angie can be reached at angela.hardesty-smith@llcc.edu or 217-786-2245.

Deborah TomkoDeborah Tomko, assistant professor of nursing, is joining LLCC after earning a master’s degree in education. She served many years in nurse anesthesia, providing anesthesia services for all specialties of surgery and obstetrics. Deborah can be reached at deborah.tomko@llcc.edu or 217-786-2314.

Canvas Learning Management System

As LLCC officially launches Canvas this semester, the Academic Innovation and eLearning team has developed the “Did You Know?” video series to provide quick instructions to common Canvas questions and functions. The first set of Did You Know videos (embedded below) are focused on semester Canvas getting started tips for faculty developing Canvas course shells.

Did You Know videos

Importing Blackboard Content into Canvas

Course Cleanup

Setting Up Your Home Page

Publishing Your Course

Additional Canvas Support:

  • AIeL Open Labs and Workshops: AIeL will be scheduling open labs, as well as Canvas hands-on workshops throughout the semester. These will be included in the AIeL workshop schedule released in September.
  • Canvas support 24/7 support: You may access Canvas support 24/7 through the Help link in your global navigation menu. From the Help menu you can access Canvas technicians directly through live chat support, phone, and the “report a problem” webform.
  • Canvas Training Services Portal: On-demand Canvas training is available to LLCC faculty through the Canvas Training Services Portal. In the training portal you will find a large number of self-paced online workshops and on-demand videos covering a wide variety of Canvas topics and tools. You may access the Canvas Training Services Portal through the Help link in the global navigation menu.
  • Panda Pros: A new support option provided by Canvas is Panda Pros. Panda Pros allows you schedule an appointment with a Canvas learning specialist for a live online meeting to answer your questions and help you setup your Canvas course shell. Appointments can be booked online through the link above.
  • AIeL Team: In addition to the above listed support options the AIeL team is here for you. You may visit us in person (walk-in or by appointment), call our office phones, contact us via Teams chat or video call, or ask for a Zoom meeting.  You may also visit the AIeL Canvas training page for additional support.

Writing Center fall hours and services

The LLCC Writing Center is available to help students with any writing assignment for any class at any stage of the writing process. We are currently meeting with students both in person and remotely via Zoom during all of our hours. Fall hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you assign any type of writing in your courses, the Writing Center specialists are available to visit your classroom in person, remotely via Zoom, or via a video presentation you can link in your online courses. If there are other ways the Writing Center can support student writers in your class, please let us know.

Call us at 217-786-2341 for more information about how the Writing Center can serve you and your students.