IVCC recognizes emeritus recipients; offers new education certificate

Nine retired professionals were awarded with the honorary title of emeritus during the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees meeting in December.

Recognized during the meeting Jan. 16 were administrators Robert P. Marshall and Bonnie Campbell and faculty members Stephen Alvin, Rose Marie Lynch and Jane Sack. Also awarded emeritus status in December were Sue Isermann, Daniel O’Connor, James Stevenson and Linda Hawkins.

In other action, the board approved a new early childhood education certification that focuses on creating new leaders and mentors in the field.

The ECE Director Qualified Certificate introduces a class in coaching and leadership to existing administration and early-childhood education courses to create a streamlined and comprehensive program tailored to childcare workers who want to advance, ECE program coordinator Tammy Landgraf said. Licensed childcare facilities are required to have director-qualified employees on-site, and trainer/mentors are always in demand, she said.

Graduates will be able to list a program of study that sets out their qualifications to licensing representatives. The new certification, recommended by the college curriculum committee, still needs state approval, but the first class is expected to enroll in the 2025-26 school year.

In her monthly report, President Tracy Morris noted that:

• early spring semester enrollment has increased by 6.35% in headcount and 12.77% in credit hours compared with spring 2024. 
• Transformative Growth, IVCC’s mental health provider partner, provided 615 total counseling sessions in the 2023-24 school year and organized 42 activities for students, staff and the community.  
• the Truck Driver Training Program recently received a $300,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board to promote trade programs to high school students. 

In other action, the board also:

• authorized the purchase of independent audio-visual systems for CTC conference rooms, a test kitchen and a yoga studio from Intech Innovations of Washington, Illinois, for $323,955. 
• authorized a furniture purchase for a distance learning classroom from KI of Green Bay, Wisconsin, for $27,120.  
• learned of the appointments of Danielle Bell, student services administrative assistant, and Sarah Ursini, financial aid administrative assistant. 
• learned of the resignations of Dustin Lawless, professional tutor; Michael Furlan, professional tutor (who remains a part-time instructor); Kelly Shymanski, workforce careers navigator, and Jen Hauser, CNA instructor.