The LLCC Student Success office has undergone significant changes over the past few years, so it is the office’s goal that colleagues across campus get to better know the who, what, when, where and why of Student Success. Over the next few months, they will be bringing you “Words to the Wise Wednesdays.” This week, they continue with the focus on the “who” and introduce four more members of the Student Success team.

Who

Shelly Smothers, student success coach (April 4, 2016)

Shelly is the student success coach for student athletes and social science majors (excluding criminal justice). Social science majors include psychology, political science and sociology-related majors. Shelly received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and is currently working on her master’s degree in higher education and community college from Eastern Illinois University. She has worked in higher education for four years in admission, registration and student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working on various craft projects and attending Loggers sporting events.

April Bergman, program assistant (June 25, 2018)

April graduated from LLCC in May 2020 with an associate in arts degree, associate in general education degree and a Microsoft Apps and Systems certificate. April enjoys helping LLCC students navigate processes, and she does much work in helping the Student Success office run smoothly.

Taylor Littig, student success coach (July 9, 2018)

Taylor is the student success coach for nursing students with last names A-K. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in social work from MacMurray College and earned her master’s degree in higher education administrative services from McKendree University. She has worked in higher education for four years in admission and student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time reading, playing video games and hanging out with her cats.

Carley Young, student success coach (Jan. 6, 2020)

Carley is the student success coach for nursing students with last names L-Z. Carley received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Illinois Springfield. She has worked in higher education for eight years in academic services, teaching, housing and residential life, and student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time traveling, playing trivia and spending time with her husband and “fur” children.

Student Success

www.llcc.edu/student-success
www.facebook.com/llccstudentsuccess
www.instagram.com/llcc_studentsuccess

The LLCC Office of Student Success is hosting virtual Transfer Tuesdays for current students looking to transfer after graduation to a four-year college or university. They can meet with representatives from four-year institutions and gather information to help them choose a school. Transfer Tuesdays will be hosted by an LLCC staff member every Tuesday afternoon from Sept. 7-Dec. 7, 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Next session: Sept. 28 – Aurora University

Please encourage your students to attend these Transfer Tuesdays sessions. For more information, please direct students to contact their student success coach.

The LLCC Student Success office has undergone significant changes over the past few years, so it is the office’s goal that colleagues across campus get to better know the who, what, when, where and why of Student Success. Over the next few months, they will be bringing you “Words to the Wise Wednesdays.” For the next three weeks, they will focus on the “who” and will begin by introducing the four newest members of the team.

Who

Alex Berry, director (Feb. 1, 2021)

Alex received his bachelor’s degree in communication from Millikin University, a master’s degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational administration and foundations with a leadership, equity and inquiry emphasis from Illinois State University. Alex has over a decade of experience in student affairs in community colleges, working in financial aid, student engagement and success coaching. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife (Molly), daughter (Gemma) and their zoo of pets — two dogs (Apple and Olive), a cockatiel (Conway Tweety) and a cat (Baby).

T’Keya Hicks, student success coach (March 15, 2021)

T’Keya is the student success coach for education majors and students taking courses only. T’Keya has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Illinois State University and graduated with a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Northern Illinois University in May 2021. T’Keya previously worked as a graduate assistant for two years, helping students with career assessment and goal setting. She has also previously worked in the areas of admission, student life and advising. When T’Keya is not at work, she enjoys traveling, binge-watching Netflix shows and hanging out with family and friends.

Micaela Childress, student success coach (May 17, 2021)

Micaela is the success coach for health professions programs (excluding nursing) and the liaison for students completing adult education/GED programs. Micaela received her bachelor’s degree in sport management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington. As a graduate student, Micaela worked as a pre-professional advisor. In addition, she has experience in career services, athletics advising and student success. When not at work, Micaela enjoys listening to podcasts, watching Netflix and being active.

Daron (Ron) Brown, student success coach (May 24, 2021)

Ron is the success coach for computer science and undecided students. Ron received his bachelor’s degree in corporate communication and master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Northern Illinois University and played football for NIU. Ron has worked in student athletic support services, fraternity and sorority life, and with first-generation and underrepresented student populations prior to joining the LLCC Student Success team. When not at work, Ron enjoys listening to music, teaching chess, playing Call of Duty and is a self-described sneaker head with an interest in high fashion.

Student Success

www.llcc.edu/student-success
www.facebook.com/llccstudentsuccess
www.instagram.com/llcc_studentsuccess

The LLCC Office of Student Success is hosting virtual sessions, “Transfer Tuesdays,” for current students looking to transfer after graduation to a four-year college or university. They can meet with representatives from four-year institutions and gather information to help them choose a school. Transfer Tuesdays will be hosted by an LLCC staff member every Tuesday afternoon through Dec. 7, 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Sessions yet in September:

• Sept. 14 – Quincy University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, University of Illinois – Springfield, Lakeview College of Nursing
• Sept. 28 – Aurora University

Please encourage your students to attend these Transfer Tuesdays sessions. For more information, please direct students to contact their student success coach.

The LLCC Office of Student Success is hosting virtual Transfer Tuesdays for current students looking to transfer after graduation to a four-year college or university. They can meet with representatives from four-year institutions and gather information to help them choose a school. Transfer Tuesdays will be hosted by an LLCC staff member every Tuesday afternoon beginning today and running through Dec. 7 from 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Sept. 7 – Methodist College, Loyola University – Chicago

Below is the Transfer Tuesday schedule for the rest of September:

• Sept. 14 – Quincy University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, University of Illinois – Springfield, Lakeview College of Nursing
• Sept. 28 – Aurora University

At each session, four-year institutions will be represented. There will be general announcements at the start of each session and virtual break-out rooms to meet with college representatives, who will be able to show videos/pictures, share documents and talk with students. Participating students will be able to go to as many of the college sessions that they choose.

Please encourage your students to attend these Transfer Tuesdays sessions. For more information, please direct students to contact their student success coach.

The LLCC Office of Student Success will be hosting virtual sessions, “Transfer Tuesdays,” for current students looking to transfer after graduation to a four-year college or university. They can meet with representatives from four-year institutions and gather information to help them choose a school. Transfer Tuesdays will be hosted by an LLCC staff member every Tuesday afternoon from Sept. 7-Dec. 7, 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

At each session, four-year institutions will be represented. There will be general announcements at the start of each session and virtual break-out rooms to meet with college representatives, who will be able to show videos/pictures, share documents and talk with students. Participating students will be able to go to as many of the college sessions that they choose.

Please encourage your students to attend these Transfer Tuesdays sessions. For more information, please direct students to contact their student success coach.

Below is the Transfer Tuesday schedule for September:

• Sept. 7 – Methodist College, Loyola University – Chicago
• Sept. 14 – Quincy University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, University of Illinois – Springfield, Lakeview College of Nursing
• Sept. 28 – Aurora University

The LLCC Office of Student Success will be hosting virtual sessions, “Transfer Tuesdays,” for current students looking to transfer after graduation to a four-year college or university. They can meet with representatives from four-year institutions and gather information to help them choose a school. Transfer Tuesdays will be hosted by an LLCC staff member every Tuesday afternoon from Sept. 7-Dec. 7, 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

At each session, four-year institutions will be represented. There will be general announcements at the start of each session and virtual break-out rooms to meet with college representatives, who will be able to show videos/pictures, share documents and talk with students. Participating students will be able to go to as many of the college sessions that they choose.

Please encourage your students to attend these Transfer Tuesdays sessions. For more information, please direct students to contact their student success coach.

Below is the Transfer Tuesday schedule for September:

• Sept. 7 – Methodist College, Loyola University – Chicago
• Sept. 14 – Quincy University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, University of Illinois – Springfield, Lakeview College of Nursing
• Sept. 28 – Aurora University

Greetings from LLCC Student Success! We wanted to take the opportunity to remind faculty and staff how to assist students needing mental health support.

Students need emotional and mental health support to help them stay on track with their goals and to feel connected to faculty and staff. We wanted to remind you that LLCC has partnered with Talkspace, a tele-mental health provider to offer students free, confidential counseling services. Students were sent information about how to access this service the first week of classes. Please encourage any student in need of mental health support to reach out to their success coach so that we can provide them with community resource and Talkspace information. Additionally, Student Success shares information about mental health and wellness on our webpage: www.llcc.edu/mental-health-and-wellness.

We can also provide classroom presentations on mental health and support services. For more information about this service, please call 217-786-2242 and ask for Alex, Melissa or Claire.

We, as an institution, have been through so much in the last year, but we’ve made it through and that is because we supported each other and our students. Thank you for all you do!

If you, as a faculty member or staff member, are needing support, please remember that LLCC provides access to the Employee Assistance Program. For more information, please visit: https://llcconline.sharepoint.com/HR2/SitePages/Employee-Assistance-Program-(EAP)-Services.as

We hope everyone has a great semester! Stop by and see us in Student Success or email at success@llcc.edu.