Category Archives: In the News

Read about who is in the news.

09.06.22

LLCC signs agreement with PCASA

Leslie Johnson, Kelli Sinclar, Shelley Vaughan and Nikki Baker
Photo: Leslie Johnson, LLCC assistant vice president, student success; Kelli Sinclair, LLCC vice president, student services; Shelley Vaughan, PCASA associate director, prevention and outreach; Nikki Baker, LLCC compliance and prevention coordinator

Officials of LLCC signed an agreement last week with the Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault (PCASA) to provide confidential advisors to any students in need of these services. Per state statute, all Illinois colleges and universities are required to have confidential advisors and other resources in place.

PCASA will offer confidential support for any student who has ever experienced sexual misconduct, domestic or dating violence or stalking. Confidential advisors will assist students with information on reporting to law enforcement agencies, seeking emergency medical treatment, campus and community support services while protecting the student’s privacy and rights under the law.

Shelley Vaughan, associate director for prevention and outreach at PCASA, commented, “We are pleased to partner with LLCC in this endeavor and continue our longstanding partnership to offer our services and support to LLCC students.”

“I want to extend my thanks to Ms. Vaughn and our colleagues at PCASA for making this agreement possible,” said Kelli Sinclair, LLCC vice president of student services. “Our partnerships and relationships with local community agencies like PCASA are integral to our success at LLCC. In this case, PCASA’s ability to serve in the ‘confidential advisor’ capacity at LLCC helps us keep the safe and healthy learning environment we have for students. We are grateful for their expertise and support.”

All services to students provided by PCASA will be within the guidelines of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act. Students seeking more information may contact Nikki Baker, LLCC compliance and prevention coordinator, at 217-786-3426 or nikki.baker@llcc.edu.

09.02.22

In the news

Kim Wilson, recruitment specialist, PRM, was interviewed yesterday by WICS/FOX/CW23 for broadcast tonight in the Friday Night Rivals high school football game featuring Lanphier and Jacksonville and broadcast on CW23. She discussed the upcoming Campus Visit Day and eight-week classes. The interview is scheduled to run in the second quarter of the game. LLCC is the educator sponsor of Friday Night Rivals.

08.30.22

In the news

Mackenzie Bryant, recruitment specialist, was interviewed by WICS/CW23 during the broadcast of the first 2022 Friday Night Rivals game between Pleasant Plains and Maroa-Forsyth. She spoke about the start of the fall semester and opportunities to enroll in eight-week classes that begin Oct. 17. LLCC is the educator sponsor of Friday Night Lights, and recruitment staff will be interviewed during the second quarter of each game. They will also have a display table with promotional items at each game.

08.26.22

In the news

Karen Sanders, vice president, advancement and executive director, LLCC Foundation, was interviewed on WFMB radio Aug. 25 during a back-to-school food drive for the Central Illinois Foodbank. She spoke on the LLCC Foundation’s partnership with the Food Bank and how the Foundation supports students at LLCC.

08.25.22

JX Truck Center-Bloomington donates engine to LLCC diesel technologies program

Jeff Gardner, director, LLCC diesel technologies program; Nick Stafford, talent acquisition lead, JX Enterprises, Inc.; Jarried Knoll, service manager, JX Truck Center-Bloomington; and Josh Collins, assistant vice president, business relations, LLCC with a Cummins ISX15 engine donated to LLCC as a teaching tool by JX Truck Center-Bloomington.
Photo: Jeff Gardner, director, LLCC diesel technologies program; Nick Stafford, talent acquisition lead, JX Enterprises, Inc.; Jarried Knoll, service manager, JX Truck Center-Bloomington; and Josh Collins, assistant vice president, business relations, LLCC with a Cummins ISX15 engine donated to LLCC as a teaching tool by JX Truck Center-Bloomington.

JX Truck Center-Bloomington has donated a Cummins ISX15 engine to LLCC for use in its new diesel technologies program.

The engine will serve as a hands-on teaching tool for students as they prepare for careers in the high-demand, high-wage diesel service industry.

“JX Truck Center-Bloomington appreciates our strong relationship with LLCC in helping aspiring service technicians receive the education and training they need to serve the future needs of the industry,” said Jarried Knoll, service manager at JX Truck Center-Bloomington. “Skilled, well-trained technicians are essential to JX Enterprises’ dealer network and most importantly, its customers.”

LLCC diesel technologies program director Jeff Gardner said students will benefit from this donation. “The Cummins ISX engine donated by JX Truck Center represents the latest in diesel engine technology. Our students will benefit greatly from the hands-on experiences gained working on this engine.”

Nick Stafford, talent acquisition lead for JX Enterprises, Inc. commented, “Jeff Gardner has earned a reputation in the Midwest for producing some of the best entry-level technicians for our industry. He knows how to teach and prepare students for high-paying jobs in this demanding field. With Jeff’s experience and guidance, I’m confident LLCC’s new diesel program will produce a quality employee to support their industry partners for many years to come.”

LLCC’s Workforce Institute continues to make preparations to welcome students to the diesel technologies two-year associate degree program in fall of 2023. More information on the program is available by contacting Gardner at jeffrey.gardner@llcc.edu or 217-786-2239.

08.23.22

LLCC Aviation hosts B-25 aircraft

David Pietrzak, program director, aviation, was interviewed Friday by WAND about the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter’s visit of the B-25 WWII aircraft hosted by LLCC Aviation on Aug. 20-21.

Thanks to Chris McDonald, Ph.D., professor of political science, for sharing these  photos of the B-25 bomber.

portrait photo, looking up at cockpit of B-25side view of B-25View from in front of B-25

08.15.22

LLCC welcomes new vice president and two deans

LLCC welcomed a new vice president and two new deans this summer.

Kelli SinclairKelli Sinclair joined LLCC Aug. 1 as vice president of student services. “Kelli has more than 20 years of proven leadership experience in community college student affairs and enrollment management.” said Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president of LLCC. “We welcome her expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to student success.”

Sinclair previously served as executive dean for student success and retention at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill. Earlier, she served as associate dean of enrollment management at Elgin Community College and associate/interim director of university admissions at Aurora University. She is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission and has taught college classes in disability studies, College 101 and psychology. Sinclair holds a master’s degree in counseling with a higher education emphasis and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern Illinois University.

Also new at LLCC are Dr. Kalith Smith, dean of social sciences and business, and Brent Todd, dean of natural and agricultural sciences.

Dr. Kalith Smith“We are pleased that Dr. Kalith Smith and Brent Todd have joined LLCC. They are both champions for helping students discover their potential and prepare for their future,” said Dr. Vern Lindquist, vice president of academic services.

Dr. Smith previously worked at the New Mexico Military Institute for 16 years, most recently as the associate dean of student success. He earned a doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a guidance certificate from New Mexico State, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Texas Tech.

Brent ToddTodd most recently served as dean of instruction at Lincoln Trail College for five years. Prior to that, he was a faculty member at Eastern Illinois University, teaching biological sciences and botany, and also worked at SIU School of Medicine and Lake Land College. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in public administration from University of Illinois Springfield and holds a master’s degree in biological sciences, a bachelor’s degree in botany from EIU and an associate degree from Danville Area Community College.