The Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grant Project Team is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s IDI Grants!
In the Training, Teaching, and Learning category, Brenda Schuster and Bree McClenning of LLCC-Beardstown was awarded to educate local high school students and administrators on the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act). The RISE Act allows graduating high school seniors in Illinois to receive college assistance when they do not meet the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) requirements. The project aims to increase college enrollment and educate local community members in Cass County about alternative forms of financial assistance. This project will dispel the perception that no financial aid is available for undocumented, non-citizen and transgender students.
In the Training, Teaching and Learning category, Lori Large Oldenettel of LLCC-Jacksonville was awarded funding to carry out a Hunger Banquet. The Hunger Banquet is a meal and a presentation that addresses socio-economic differences, specifically around local hunger, world hunger and poverty. Through guided, thoughtful conversation, students will learn about the disparity of food and wealth and how we do not choose the economic situation we are born into.
Congratulations to the grant recipients! Their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion at LLCC is appreciated, and we look forward to the positive impact these projects will have.
As part of the Inclusivity Speaker Series, Andrea Echelberger, long time teacher of English language learners, will give a livestream presentation and discussion of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” describing research that shows how accent bias really does exist! If you are unable to attend this event in person, please join us via Zoom at: 
Join us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons! Andrea Echelberger, English learner specialist, will provide a livestream presentation and discussion of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” describing research that shows how accent bias really does exist! If you are unable to attend this event in person, a Zoom link will be available in tomorrow’s LincIn.
Please join the campus community in welcoming Andrea Echelberger, English Language teacher, speaking on accent bias! Echelberger is continuously humbled and inspired by the lessons and stories that she hears from her learners every day and is passionate about helping the people that she works with develop their voices in English so that they and their families can thrive in the United States. This presentation will be livestreamed and available to view in A. Lincoln Commons on Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Save the date! Please join us to view a livestream of the second part of the Inclusivity Speaker Series on Feb. 9, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons with Andrea Echelberger, English language specialist. Andrea will be presenting “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.”