LLCC’s second cardboard boat regatta, sponsored by the LLCC Police Department, was held earlier this fall semester at Lake Macoupin. The event raised $240 for charity. The funds have been donated to Wooden It Be Lovely, a non-profit designed to give women in need unique and empowering employment and job training, enriching relationships and housing.
“For Every Student, For Every Community”
LLCC Board of Trustees Vice Chair Wayne Rosenthal, Agriculture Student Skylar Stewart and Board of Trustees Secretary Samantha Enz
The Illinois Community College Marketing Collaborative held a press conference yesterday, announcing the launch of a new statewide campaign, “For Every Student, For Every Community.” The campaign focuses on community colleges in Illinois and the many valuable and vital benefits they bring to the state.
LLCC Board of Trustees Vice Chair Wayne Rosenthal and LLCC Ag Student Skylar Stewart spoke at the event.
The messaging centers on five truths that all Illinois community colleges share.
- On our campuses, everyone belongs. We serve the most diverse group of students and communities of any post-secondary option in Illinois. We feel like home, and we open up the world.
- We are outcomes-driven. Our degree and stackable certificate programs help every student forge a clear, personalized path toward their goal, giving them a sense of accomplishment and greater control over their future.
- We open up access to more rewarding futures. We make the proven and substantial benefits of higher education available to the greatest number of people by doing whatever it takes to help them succeed.
- We’re flexible, innovative and agile. We meet students where they are and make the most of their prior learning experiences. We can ramp up and re-engineer workforce development programs quickly, helping businesses and government stay ahead.
- We’re dedicated and accountable to our communities. We return our communities’ investment by boosting local education levels and social mobility, developing new generations of local leaders, and being a trusted, proactive partner for local economic and civic ambitions.
Info meeting today at 5:30 p.m. for two-week trip to Italy
LLCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts is planning a two-week trip to Italy May 20-June 2, 2024, which is open to students, employees and the community. An informational meeting on the trip will be held today, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m. in Bistro Verde, located in the Workforce Careers Center on the LLCC campus. If you are unable to attend in person, a Zoom meeting option has also been set up.
The trip, in conjunction with Centro Studi Italiani in Urbania, Italy, will travel to Gradara and the Food Valley of Italy, and includes a capstone weekend in Rome.
While there, various classes will be held in Italian language, culture and culinary heritage and traditions of Italy. This cultural tour will also include meetings with culinary experts, local wine and food producers, restaurant owners and culinary entrepreneurs. Excursions to destinations with artistic interest as well as the natural beauty around Italy will provide a well-rounded perspective of Italian life and culture.
Interested individuals unable to attend the informational meeting may contact Sheridan Lane, director, LLCC culinary program and operations, at 217-786-2494 or sheridan.lane@llcc.edu.
It’s PTK Cheek Week!
Phi Theta Kappa is partnering with Be the Match to connect patients that have blood cancers/diseases to genetically matched donors willing to give life-saving blood stem cells. Donation is safe, free and confidential. The only thing required to join the donor database is a quick (painless!) swab of the cheek. If a match is found at any point throughout the years, the hope is that potential donors will be ready to say “yes!”
Please stop by A. Lincoln Commons between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. today, Nov. 8, to join the national registry. Members of PTK, along with members of several other student clubs, will be there to assist with registration and to answer questions.
Monthly Writing Center Sway presentation
The LLCC Writing Center is here to help! Please remind students that they are welcome to schedule an appointment (either in person or on MS Teams) to discuss prewriting, drafts, revisions — any writing — related activity for any of their classes. Just call 217-786-2341. We hope you enjoy the November Sway about writing your way to health.
National Gratitude Month continues
According to an article provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), practicing gratitude has been linked to better sleep, lower stress and improved interpersonal relationships. Visit the Health and Wellness tab on the HR Portal page to learn more about gratitude practice and how it affects mental health.
In support of National Gratitude Month, join the Walk the Walk event on Friday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or at 12:30 p.m.
National Career Development Week: Get Career Ready!
The LLCC Career Center is excited to announce, “Get Career Ready,” four days of fun activities to mark National Career Development Week Nov. 13-16. The Student Government Association (SGA) has partnered with the Career Center to promote Handshake, and members of SGA will be at every event to help students activate their accounts. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join in on the fun each day and help support and engage with our students during the Get Career Ready activities.
Mark your calendars to volunteer at or attend these events. Any questions can be directed to CareerCenter@llcc.edu.
Monday, Nov. 13, 9:30 a.m.-noon
The “My Story” Kickoff in A. Lincoln Commons Rotunda — Students will be introduced to the “My Story: From Learning to Earning poster” project and invited to review posters that are popping up across campus. Reading about the educational and career journeys of their favorite professors and others at LLCC can be inspirational and informative. Students can visit with members of the LLCC Career Center and SGA to learn more about the Handshake job board and opportunities to win exciting prizes. Sign up to volunteer for Nov. 13.
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
“Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork” in A. Lincoln Commons, Large Lounge — Faculty and staff are invited to check out the Master the Cup Challenge. Students will join in this entertaining game and experience first-hand the role of teamwork in accomplishing what seems like a simple task. Students will be invited to get in on the Handshake action. Sign up to volunteer for Nov. 14.
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon
“Hired or Not? You Be the Judge” in the A. Lincoln Commons Rotunda — Everyone will get a kick out of the improv job interviews! See faculty, staff and students get it right (or wrong), and support students who get to be judge and tell us “what went wrong.” Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show! Note: We need faculty and staff actors for our improv. Don’t be shy! Contact Marina Wirsing or sign up to volunteer for Nov. 15.
Thursday, Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m.-noon
“Get Hired!” in the A. Lincoln Commons Rotunda — This event will be devoted to Handshake, LLCC’s student-focused job board. Students will receive help to activate their account, complete a stellar profile and be entered into a drawing for an HP laptop or Amazon gift cards. Come see what all the Handshake buzz is about. Sign up to volunteer for Nov. 16.
In the community
Zoolie Ghoulie is the annual Trick or Treat Event held at Henson Robinson Zoo. This year the event took place on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. The LLCC Child Development Center annually provides a treat station and was able to pass out information about our Preschool for All Expansion Program in addition to the treats for children.
In the news
Jolene Lamb, LLCC Community Education culinary coordinator, wrote this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “A fall favorite: Pumpkin spice.”
Bistro Verde open today and tomorrow this week
Bistro Verde will be open Wednesday and Thursday this week, offering a full-service lunch experience that features appetizers, soups, salads, desserts, coffees and drinks! View the menu. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by leaving a message at 217-786-2821 or by emailing BistroVerde@llcc.edu. Your phone or email reservation will be confirmed as soon as we are able.
Online to-go orders will be accepted, but we very much encourage guests to make a reservation and join us in person.
Bistro Verde
Through Nov. 16
Tue, Wed and Thu
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.