Join our Walk on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in front of Cass gym for a rejuvenating stroll.
If it’s raining, we’ll meet in A. Lincoln Commons. Don’t miss out—join online!
Message from Dr. Charlotte Warren: Kick-off meetings for workgroups
*Note: Room change for Non-Traditional Course Delivery
**Note: Date change for Just-in-Time Programming
Convocation was an opportunity to shine a light on a fast-changing world. It also demonstrated the need for us as a college to look at new opportunities and ways to think about, and possibly reconceive, the services/programming we provide and how they are delivered. As the needs of our students and communities continue to evolve, we need to do our best to stay at least one step ahead.
With this in mind, the cabinet and I have created several workgroups to help us in this process. The workgroups, along with the co-chairs and cabinet liaisons are listed below. We are excited to invite you to join us in this important initiative! Your participation is invaluable as we work together to explore new opportunities and drive meaningful change. We’re looking for input and fresh perspectives from across all areas of the college; experience in these topics is not required to participate.
To get started, we have scheduled several kick-off meetings, and we encourage you to attend the session(s) that address topics of interest to you. This is a great chance to connect with colleagues, share your insights, and help shape the future of our college.
Our plan is to meet, establish a workgroup around each focal point, and then have the workgroups lead actionable progress in these areas by the end of this academic school year. The goal is to think beyond what currently is in order to determine what could be. The projects represent areas that the cabinet and I believe are ripe for further development, enhancement, or change.
I think this will be a very exciting year for the college. This is an opportunity to collaboratively brainstorm and think futuristically on a large scale, and an opportunity to bring about changes that will truly make a difference.
I look forward to seeing you at one of our kick-off sessions.
Charlotte J. Warren, Ph.D.
President
Lincoln Land Community College
Workgroups:
Early Alert
We have tried for years to adopt and use an early alert system. We have had a number of versions, but now is an opportunity to take a look at what we really want this to accomplish and to create a system that is systematic, user friendly, and significantly increases retention of our students.
Co-chairs: Dr. Kalith Smith, Susan Boehler
Cabinet Liaison: Shanda Byer
Kickoff Meeting: Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m., R.H. Stephens Room
Non-Traditional Course Delivery
As we work to better address needs of adult students and learning methods of our new generation of students, we need to look at opportunities for programming including Competency Based Education, Prior Learning Assessment, and the places for blending of both non-credit and credit offerings.
Co-chairs: Dr. Laurel Bretz, Dr. Corrine Hinton
Cabinet Liaison: Bryan Gleckler
Kick-off Meeting: Sept. 16, 1-3 p.m., Menard Hall, Room 1179*
Learning Resources for Students
We have a number of supports available for our students, but we need to ask whether our models of delivery are keeping pace with the changing learning needs of our students and reducing the stigma of asking for help. This workgroup will determine the resources and delivery needed for the future.
Co- chairs: Ryan Roberts, Alex Berry
Cabinet Liaison: Kyla Kruse
Kick-off Meeting: Sept. 18, 1-3 p.m., R.H. Stephens Room
Choosing a Health Care Career: Pathways & Entry Barriers
The need for health care providers is increasing in a post-COVID world that has led to a decrease in those choosing health care careers. That means that we need to promote pathways and career opportunities in those fields while also reducing/eliminating barriers to enrollment. This does not mean reducing quality, but it does mean we need to make entry for qualified applicants more seamless and demonstrate that our programs should be the health care programs of choice throughout our district.
Co-chairs: Dr. Leigh Giles-Brown, Dr. Bryan Goers
Cabinet Liaison: Karen Sanders
Kick-off Meeting: Oct. 10, 1-3 p.m., Kreher Agriculture Center, Room 1117
Just-In-Time Programming
*Note: New date
Traditional students will always be a part of our student body, however potential adult students and employers are looking for other options. There is increasing need for short-term programming to learn basic new skills, get a quick refresher on a subject, prepare for a new job, keep up with current job requirements, or seek opportunities for a promotion. This means building new certificate/program offerings that provide the opportunity to “ramp on and ramp off” to meet more immediate work needs of current students, potential students, and employers.
Co-chairs: Dr. Brent Todd, Josh Collins
Cabinet Liaison: Dr. Jason Dockter
Kick-off Meeting: Oct. 17**, 1-3 p.m., Menard Hall, Room 1175
Hall between A. Lincoln Commons & Menard Hall closed on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, contractors will continue to work outside of the student services construction barrier in Menard Hall. The portion of the hallway between A Lincoln Commons and Menard Hall will be closed the entire day.
Entering Menard Hall from the east or through A. Lincoln Commons and either up or downstairs will be the only way to access each building. There will still be access to the elevators in Menard Hall as well as classrooms and offices on the 1st floor when entering from the east. We appreciate your patience as we continue to work to improve these areas of campus and hope the inconvenience is minimal. As always, please use caution and follow all signs, caution tape, barricades and barriers in this area. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tim Ervin, director, construction & environmental, health and safety at 217-786-9605.
Wellness screenings and flu shots
Sign up for a wellness screening and flu shot on Oct. 10 or Oct. 23, 7 -11:30 a.m. in the Student Union in Menard Hall. All benefit-eligible employees and their spouses may participate. The screening is free to benefit-eligible employees and for spouses who are enrolled on a LLCC health insurance plan. All benefit-eligible employees who participate in the wellness screening and complete the health risk assessment survey will receive a $50 Visa gift card! You may also sign up for a flu shot. A regular flu shot, as well as a preservative free and high dose flu shot, will be available. View Monday’s email from HR for the link and program code to sign up!
The 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair will also be held during the first wellness screening event on Thursday, Oct.10. Look for more information soon in LincIn!
Don’t miss the LLCC Honey Harvest Today!
LLCC’s annual Honey Harvest takes place today. The process will begin at West Lake Nature Grove, 2321 West Lake Shore Drive, at 9:30 a.m. The honey supers will be brought to A. Lincoln Commons for a demonstration at 11 a.m.
Today’s Data Byte – OER and Textbook Affordability Survey Results
During 2023, CARLI, the library’s consortium, administered a statewide survey to help identify Illinois students’ needs regarding affordable course materials and interest in open educational resources or other affordable course material options. This Data Byte will look at LLCC students’ responses to this survey, as well as discuss some initiatives at LLCC Library to address the needs that our students expressed.
See you today in the Robert H. Stephens Room at 11:10 a.m. Bring your lunch, or maybe you will be one of the lucky attendees who wins a lunch from Quiznos.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, Sept. 19
LLCC Human Resources is offering a session on Effective Communication in the Workplace on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. in Menard Hall, Room 1179. Participants will learn how to articulate their ideas effectively, engage in constructive dialogue and foster a collaborative work environment. Session details can be found on the HR Portal page. To register for the session, email Kirsten.Taylor@llcc.edu.
Faculty Workshop this Thursday focuses on Single-Mother Learner Engagement
Join us this Thursday for the faculty workshop, Equity and Human-Centered Design for Single-Mother Learner Engagement.
Approximately 1.7 million undergraduate students are single-mother learners. Yet, they are rarely the focus of campus programming. While more campuses are turning their focus to supporting single mothers toward completion, single-mother learners need comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that can lead to long-term, family-sustaining careers. This webinar explores how campuses can apply human-centered design to develop learner-centric programs and partnerships that address the specific needs and motivations of single mothers and other student parents. Drawing from the experience of the Single Moms Success Design Challenge, this session shares new models that seek to dramatically boost education outcomes for single-mother learners and connect them to academic and career pathways that improve their families’ economic mobility and well-being.
Register online for this workshop, which will begin with a viewing of a live webinar in Sangamon 1102 from 1-2 p.m. It will be followed by a discussion led by Dr. Deborah Brothers, professor of English, from 2-2:30 p.m. Those who attend both parts in-person will receive 2 points. Those who attend only the discussion in-person or on Teams will be awarded 1 point.
Bistro To Go Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month Early with a Jiburrito
Bistro To Go is getting a jump on Hispanic Heritage Month with this week’s chef special: Chef Sydney Audain‘s jiburrito. A jiburrito is a traditional Puerto Rican sandwich. Instead of bread, this sandwich substitutes smashed plantains for the bread and is then filled with your choice of steak or Lion’s Mane (a type of mushroom). The Bistro will also feature ½ off our Pina Colada Slushy, another Puerto Rican influenced favorite when purchasing either the chef special or the Mexican Favorites menu items.
Bistro To Go will be taking orders today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. View the menu on the LLCC website. Orders should be placed in person. You may take it to go or enjoy it in the dining room space. Bistro To Go is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., now through Oct. 3.
Hispanic Heritage Month official begins on Sept. 15.
Writing Center is closed today
The LLCC Writing Center is closed on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as part of a daylong retreat in the English and humanities department. The center reopens for appointments on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 9 a.m.