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.
JX Truck Center-Bloomington donates engine to LLCC diesel technologies program
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.
In the news
Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, wrote today’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “Healthy afterschool snacks that double as appetizers.”
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.
In the news
Nancy Sweet, dean, Workforce Institute, was interviewed by the State Journal-Register yesterday on how LLCC works with local employers to fill their job needs.
LLCC welcomes new vice president and two deans
LLCC welcomed a new vice president and two new deans this summer.
Kelli 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.
“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.
Todd 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.
In the news
Dee Krueger, director, LLCC-Taylorville, was interviewed yesterday on the WTIM Morning Show. She discussed fall classes at LLCC-Taylorville, welcome week activities and the enrollment process.
In the news
Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, provided a cooking demonstration on how to make fresh tomato salsa tostadas with shaved corn and cotija cheese on WICS Aug. 4 and discussed the LLCC cooking demonstrations that are taking place at the Illinois Products Farmers Market.
Fresh tomato salsa tostadas with shaved corn and cotija cheese
2 fresh heirloom tomatoes, diced
1/4 white onion, chopped
1/4-1/2 jalapeno pepper, diced
1-4 cloves garlic minced
1-4 stems fresh cilantro
cumin, salt and pepper to taste
1 package tostadas- optionally homemade
1 can refried beans- optionally homemade
1 fresh cobb of sweet corn
1-2 ounces cotija cheese
1 fresh lime, cut into wedges
Combine tomato, onion, jalapeno, garlic and cilantro. Season with cumin, salt and pepper to taste.
Spread a bit of refried beans on tostada.
Top with freshly made salsa.
With a box grater, shave fresh corn over tostada.
Sprinkle with cotija cheese and squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice on top. Enjoy!
LLCC and Memorial Health offering apprenticeship program beginning in August
LLCC and Memorial Health are partnering to offer a one-year, Department of Labor approved, paid apprenticeship program to train sterile processing technicians (SPTs).
SPTs are allied health professionals responsible for the sterilization, assembly and ordering of equipment used by physicians and nurses during medical procedures, including surgeries.
Interested individuals will first apply for admission to the 16-week central sterile service certificate program at LLCC. During this program, if students are interested in the apprenticeship option, they will have the opportunity to participate in a competitive selection process in order to earn their apprenticeship. The apprenticeship program will allow students to receive on-the-job, paid training at Memorial Health. A job with Memorial Health is targeted upon successful completion of the one-year apprenticeship.
“Sterile processing technicians are a vital part of the surgical and medical team and are in high demand,” said Dr. Cynthia Maskey, dean of health professions at LLCC. “They also gain experience that can put them on a career path to becoming a surgical technologist, registered nurse or other health care professional.”
“We’re pleased to partner with LLCC to offer individuals an opportunity to enter a health care career in a short amount of time and be paid while training,” said Dr. Elisabeth Klar, Memorial Health senior vice president and chief human resource officer. “Students who have just completed high school, as well as adults looking to start or change careers, are eligible to participate in this apprenticeship program, with a targeted job after completion.”
The program begins in late August. Interested individuals should first apply to LLCC (www.llcc.edu/apply). After being accepted to the program, they will then apply for the paid apprenticeship through Memorial Health. A four-week timeline is required for a background check, drug screen, physical and interview/job shadow. Participants will commit to one year of employment with Memorial Health upon program completion.
More information is available at www.llcc.edu/csst, by emailing brenda.elliott@llcc.edu or calling 217-786-2326.
In the news
Brenda Elliott, director, work-based learning, wrote the essay “Get to know LLCC’s Office of Work-Based Learning” for the State Journal-Register Aug. 7.
She was also interviewed Thursday by WTIM/Taylorville Daily News about the partnership with Memorial Health to offer an apprenticeship program to train sterile processing technicians.