Spring 2024 Professional Development Day happens today. An overview of the staff professional development day activities can be found on the HR portal. The LLCC Foundation will also be hosting the Annual LEAGUE kickoff event beginning at 11 a.m.

Faculty Professional Development Day

• 9-11 a.m. – Instructional department activities.
• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – LLCC Foundation Annual LEAGUE Kickoff Event and Luncheon in the Student Union, Menard Hall
• 1:15-2:15 p.m. – Welcome by Dr. Jason Dockter, vice president, academic services and “Who Are Our Students?” by Cody Cox, research and analytics associate II, Institutional Research and Effectiveness – Location: Trutter Center
• 2:30-4:20 p.m. – Concurrent sessions
  • 2:30-3:20
    • Track 1: Beyond Accessibility: Bridging Our Gaps – Design for All, Teaching for Success: Universal Design for Learning, Dr. Vance Martin (University of Illinois’ System), Robert H. Stephens Room.
    • Track 2: Beyond DEI: Refreshing Our Approach – Building an Inclusive Face-to-Face Classf, Dr. Jennifer O’Malley, Leigh Giles Brown, Menard 2202.
    • Track 3: Beyond the Lecture: Activating Our Students – Dr. Ted Babin, Dr. Gillian Bauer, Dr. Matthew Schownir, Dr Karen Sisk, Kimberly Alexander, Rebecca Miller.
  • 3:30-4:20 p.m.
    • Track 1: Track 1: Beyond Accessibility: Bridging Our Gaps – Level Up Your Files: A Hands-On Lab, Dr. Vance Martin (University of Illinois System), Menard 2229.
    • Track 2: Beyond DEI: Refreshing Our Approach – Building an Inclusive Online Class, Rebecca Miller, Rihab Sawah, Amy Strawn, Menard 2202.
    • Track 3: Beyond the Lecture: Activating Our Students – Mental Health Resources: Promoting Mental Health in College Students, Dr. Tamilore Odimayo (Mental Health Savage LLC), Trutter Center.
• Late Afternoon/Evening – Instructional department activities with adjuncts, adjunct coordinators and deans.

LEAGUE Kickoff & Lunch

All faculty and staff are invited to join the LEAGUE Committee for the LEAGUE Kickoff and Lunch! To join us, you can pick up a lunch ticket at a ticket booth under the Menard Hall awning. You can then choose from one of the three food trucks available on the east side of Menard Hall for a complimentary lunch beginning at 11 a.m.

• Leo’s Pizza – choice of mushroom, cheese or pepperoni pizza.
• AZ-T-CA – chicken or beef nachos or a vegetarian option.
• Twyford BBQ – Beef brisket or pulled chicken with choice of potato casserole or mac-n-cheese.

11 a.m.-noon – Complimentary lunch from one of three food trucks on the east side of Menard.

11:30 a.m.-noon – Gianna Hines will be playing some 90’s songs on guitar in the Student Union.

Noon-1 p.m. – Program including Kahoot Trivia, LEAGUE Grant Awards and a special feature you won’t want to miss!

50/50 raffle tickets will be available so bring cash. A coffee bar and cookies will be provided and you can also make your donation to the annual faculty and staff giving campaign. There are drawings for some great prizes for anyone who makes a donation including $150 cash prize donated by members of the Cabinet. Make your donation now and avoid the line 2024 LEAGUE Form.

Were you able to guess that yesterday’s LEAGUE Friend was Bobbi Henry, research and analytics associate III in institutional research?

Guess the LEAGUE Friend?

Today’s LEAGUE Friend has worked at the college for 21 years in the same role. They give to the Dr. Ranier Erhart Scholarship to help students in geography and to uphold the legacy of their grad professor. One of their favorite pastimes is cloud watching. Can you guess who this friend is that has been giving to LEAGUE for 21 years? Submit your answer to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win.

Spring 2024 Professional Development Day is coming up on Tuesday, March 26.

Access the updated schedule-at-a-glance and the full session descriptions on the Staff Training and Development page on the HR portal. Please note that the location for the general session (1:15-2:15 p.m.), “Prioritization & Time Management,” has been changed and will now be held in Student Union.

Faculty sessions for the day include:

• 9-11 a.m. — Instructional department activities.
• 1:15-2:15 p.m. — Welcome by Dr. Jason Dockter and “Who Are Our Students?” by Cody Cox, Trutter Center
• 2:30-4:20 p.m. — Concurrent sessions
• Late afternoon/evening — Instructional department activities with adjuncts, adjunct coordinators and deans.

LEAGUE Kickoff and Lunch

All faculty and staff are invited to join the LEAGUE Committee for the LEAGUE Kickoff and Lunch on Professional Development Day! To join us, you can pick up a lunch ticket at a ticket booth under the Menard Hall awning. You can then choose from one of the three food trucks available on the east side of Menard Hall for a complimentary lunch beginning at 11 a.m.:

• Leo’s Pizza – choice of mushroom, cheese or pepperoni pizza.
• AZ-T-CA – chicken or beef nachos or a vegetarian option.
• Twyford BBQ – Beef brisket or pulled chicken with choice of potato casserole or mac-n-cheese.

After you pick up lunch on the east side of Menard, head to the Student Union for some entertainment, a coffee bar and some Neslee Toulousee chocolate chip cookies.

For special dietary requests, please contact, please contact Jay Kitterman at Jay.Kitterman@llcc.edu to reserve.

Guess the LEAGUE Friend

Were you able to guess that yesterday’s wannabe songstress and LEAGUE Friend was Nicole Ralph, associate vice president human resources?

Speaking of vocalists, today’s friend has been performing with many central Illinois bands and singing in the Illinois Country Opry circuit since they were 6 years old. In 1991, ‘92 and ‘93 they were voted female vocalist of the year by the Illinois Country Music Association. They still appear as a guest artist at Central Illinois Opry houses from time to time.

This friend has worked for LLCC for 26 years in various roles including nursing continuing education, truck driver training, student services, and the Workforce Institute. They are a 1989 alum of LLCC and have donated since they began at LLCC because they have watched many students struggle with financing their education, balancing a home budget and unexpected expenses. They appreciate that there is someplace for students to turn for assistance when those unexpected needs arise to ease their burden. This student emergency assistance fund is known as the Pay It Forward Fund and you can choose to designate your LEAGUE gift for this purpose. Can you guess who this LEAGUE Friend is? Submit your answer to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.