On Thursday, Aug. 24, Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board, visited LLCC to recognize the college’s Open Door Mentorship Program as a statewide and national model for community college engagement and alignment with business.

Anderson was joined by college president Dr. Charlotte Warren; Hy Bunn, president and CEO of BUNN; Jennifer Foster, ICCB Deputy Director for Adult Education and Workforce; Michael Phelon, Open Door program coordinator; and students in the Open Door program.

Dr. Warren discussed how LLCC has developed an innovative partnership with local businesses to support the academic success and workforce goals of African American male students. Hy Bunn spoke as one of the Open Door program’s business partners. Since the program’s inception, more than 30 local business and industry partners have signed on to mentor students, lead professional development sessions or offer internships.

Michael Phelon and students in the Open Door program shared their experiences with the program and provided interviews to media.  Read more.