Month: October 2019

Bulldogs to Open Season This Weekend Ranked 3rd in the Nation

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The South Suburban College Basketball Programs are gearing up for the 2019-20 season with the Men’s Team set to open at home this Saturday, November 2nd vs. Northwestern University (Club). The Bulldogs are ranked #3 in the newest NJCAA Division II Pre-Season Poll. They will feature 12 new players and will be vying for their 10th Regional Championship and National Championship Tournament appearance during Head Coach John Pigatti’ s 14 seasons at the school.

“This year’s team has a very versatile mix to it,” said Coach Pigatti. “We have 12 new players and several who can play different positions on the floor. It should be a very interesting season!”

The Lady Bulldogs will open on the road November 5th vs. Wilbur Wright College at 5 p.m. They are ranked #18 in the Preseason Poll and will be defending their 2018-19 Regional Championship with an eye toward another National Tournament berth. The Lady Bulldogs home opener is on November 12th vs. Waubonsee Community College at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Coach Pigatti at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2524, or email jpigatti@ssc.edu. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

Free GED/HSE and English as a Second Language Classes offered through South Suburban College in South Holland, Oak Forest and Riverdale

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College’s Adult Education Department offers a wide range of opportunities for adults to build the basic skills required for success. Registration for the free ESL & GED classes will take place November 1 and 7, November 14 and 15, and November 21 and 22 at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Room L233. Potential students must come on time since a placement test will be given. Spring classes begin January 21, 2020. Students interested in GED can choose classes from General Studies, Math, Welding/ICAPS or CNA-Bridge/ICAPS.

Many adults choose to pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (GED/HSE) program. The HSE program will develop the skills required to pass the High School Equivalency exams. HSE classes are free and are conveniently offered in South Holland, Riverdale and Oak Forest. SSC’s Adult Education Department is also offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) in South Holland and Oak Forest. ESL helps non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels.

At the time of Registration All Students will take a Placement Test and need the following items:

  • CURRENT STATE I.D. OR DRIVERS LICENSE INDICATING ILLINOIS RESIDENCE
  • UNDER AGE 18 – WITHDRAWAL FORM FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL OF CURRENT RESIDENCE
  • PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (GED/HSE only)

Information provided will be kept confidential in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380). Priority registration is given to continuing students who are making progress in their studies. Waiting lists will be taken as classes have a maximum number of students who can be served. (Indiana Residents cannot participate in this program.)

For more information contact South Suburban College at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2240 or 2385, or visit www.ssc.edu. To request ADA accommodations (allow three weeks), please contact Gail Bonds-Carpenter, ADA Coordinator, (708) 596-2000, ext. 2691. The SSC Adult Education program is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

SSC Bulldog’s Baseball Program to hold a holiday Youth Catching Camp December 26th and 27th

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College Head Baseball Coach Steve Ruzich will be directing a two-day Catching Camp on Thursday, December 26th and Friday, December 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Coach Ruzich has directed youth camps for the past 34 years and has taught baseball skills at many other baseball camps throughout the state.

This clinic will provide catching instruction in the areas of blocking, calling a game, pick offs, pop throwing times, stance and footwork, drills for practice, pop ups, handling pitchers, and conditioning. In addition to Ruzich’s instruction, Bulldog baseball players will be on hand to help and develop skills. The players’ enthusiasm and expertise always adds to the camp’s success. The Catching Camp is open to boys ages 8-18. All players should bring their glove and gear. All participants should wear baseball or sweat pants and gym shoes, and boys must wear cups.

Coach Ruzich was an All-American catcher at the College of St. Francis. He graduated in 1985 and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Coach Ruzich had a short stint as a pro catcher before coming to SSC as Head Baseball Coach in 1987, where he has compiled a winning record of 1183-679.

The cost of the Catching Camp is $100, and checks should be made payable to “SSC Bulldogs Baseball.” Enrollment is limited, so early registration is suggested. South Suburban College is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL. For more information contact Coach Ruzich at (708) 225-5843.

South Suburban College to Host Free Family Reading Night

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Program is hosting its annual Family Reading Night event on Wednesday, November 13th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the college’s Performing Arts Center Lobby. The public is encouraged to join SSC for this free event to find out about community literacy while enjoying stories and presentations. There will also be free books for children, raffles, interactive games and refreshments.

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults and children who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market. SSC’s Adult Education Department administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program in addition to High School Equivalency (HSE/GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE).

For more information about Family Reading Night or the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, please contact Raylynn Stokes, coordinator, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email rstokes@ssc.edu. South Suburban College is located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, Illinois. This event is sponsored in part by the SSC Foundation.

Register Now for Spring Classes at South Suburban College

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A free class is available to qualified applicants during the spring term.

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– Spring Registration is in progress at South Suburban College (SSC). The 2020 Spring Semester begins the week of Monday, January 13th for both credit and non-credit classes at the college’s Main Campus and Oak Forest Center. The class schedules are available online at www.ssc.edu. Prospective students are encouraged to register soon to secure their preferred schedule.

The spring semester is an excellent opportunity for students to take the next step in their success by customizing a class schedule at a convenient, affordable institution. Prospective SSC students should get started with the Online Application at www.ssc.edu. Once the application process is complete, new students will receive an SSC email account and a Self Service Username & Password via email which will allow access to student information and class registration. Early registration is encouraged and may also be completed in person in the SSC Circle.

SSC also offers a free class to first time credit students residing in District 510 and in Lake County, IN. Residents may take the free class during a fall or spring semester (high school students may also utilize the free class during the summer semester before or after their senior year). The free class applies to tuition only – it does not apply to courses of more than 5 credit hours, and it cannot be used with State or Federal Financial Aid, Other Special Tuition Programs or Employer Subsidy Programs.

For more information, please visit www.ssc.edu or contact the Admissions Office at (708) 210-5718. Para Información En Español Llame: (708) 210-5740. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois

SSC is a community college located in South Holland, Illinois serving 21 communities including parts of the Chicago Southland and northwest Indiana. SSC provides a variety of support services and leadership opportunities to its students in addition to a wide range of academic program options. For more information about SSC, please visit www.ssc.edu.

South Suburban College announces $1.5 million Workforce Equity Grant with new career programs

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Learn more about WEI and apply now!

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College recently announced its selection for a Workforce Equity Grant through the Illinois Community College Board which includes funding for several new in-demand programs. The project is designed to create, support and expand short-term workforce training opportunities in high need areas within SSC District #510. Through expanded access, opportunity, and support services, the project is anticipated to yield impactful outcomes for individuals, families, communities, local businesses.

“We are so pleased to receive this grant for the benefits it will provide to our student participants, as well as its establishment of new highly employable career programs,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Chairman of the SSC Board of Trustees. “I commend the ICCB for recognizing the importance of providing assistance to students who need it the most, while also creating critical opportunities for meaningful employment.”

The project provides wrap-around services including financial assistance and academic support to participating students within five program areas providing stackable credentials including Nursing and Patient Care Technician (PCT), Basic Nursing Assistance Training Program (BNATP), Community Healthcare Worker (CHW), Certified Production Technician (CPT), and Barber Technician (BT).

Students who are not selected to participate in the grant will still benefit from the opportunity to enroll in the following new programs, pending final ICCB approval:

Patient Care Technician (PCT)
The PCT program will be offered during the Spring 2020 Semester and will provide stackable credentials in EKG, Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program (BNATP), and Phlebotomy. The program is a basic certificate which allows completion in one semester. According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for PCT is $36,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows job outlooks for PCTs and related careers will increase by 23% over the next 10 years.

Barber Technician (BT)
The Barber Technician program will not be in place until the Fall 2020 Semester. Barber Technician is a 12-month program leading to professional certification According to BLS data, the average salary for a Barber in Illinois is $42,930, or $20.64 per hour with an increase in demand of 9% by 2026. In the Southland area, there are currently 286 new job openings for barbers. The Barber Technician program at SSC will be offering programming and support at a fraction of the cost to attend area proprietary institutions.

For more information about these programs, please call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2413 or email workforceequity@ssc.edu.

Open registration for the Spring 2020 Semester begins Monday, October 21, 2019. For more information, please visit www.ssc.edu or contact the Admissions Office at (708) 210-5718. Para Información En Español Llame: (708) 210-5740. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois.

SSC is a community college located in South Holland, Illinois serving 21 communities including parts of the Chicago Southland and northwest Indiana. SSC provides a variety of support services and leadership opportunities to its students in addition to a wide range of academic program options. For more information about SSC, please visit www.ssc.edu.

South Suburban College Announces Red Ribbon Week Events

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The South Suburban College (SSC) Office of Student Life & Leadership is hosting several events in recognition of Red Ribbon Week. The following events will be held at the college’s Main Campus — 15800 S. State Street in South Holland, IL. For more information contact the Office of Student Life & Leadership, Room 2329, Phone (708) 596-2000 ext. 5737.

“Red Ribbon Week/Alcohol and Drug Awareness: Presidential Proclamation”
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Location: Student Life and Leadership Display Case (Library)
“Red Ribbon Week” highlights Drug and Alcohol Awareness. To learn more view South Suburban College President, Dr. Lynette Stokes’, proclamation kick-off for Red Ribbon Week.

“Red Ribbon Give-A-Way-Day”
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Location: Office of Student Life and Leadership, Room 2229
Students, Faculty, and Staff can show support of SSC’s Red Ribbon Week by wearing a special gift promoting a drug free campus. Visit the Office of Student Life and Leadership to receive a ribbon.

“CEP INC. / DUI SIMULATOR AWARE3”
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Outside Performing Arts Center
Award-winning DUI Simulator uses the most cutting-edge technology to help students across the country be responsible drivers. Their Reality Check: Alcohol Abuse Awareness program is designed to help students learn about the dangers of alcohol abuse in a fun, interactive environment. Learn about DUI, the dangers of DUI and how to make the right choice.

“Wear Red Day”
Date: Friday, October 25, 2019
Location: Office of Student Life and Leadership, Room 2329
Students, Faculty, and Staff can show support of SSC’s Red Ribbon Week by wearing red and visiting the Office of Student Life and Leadership (Room 2329) to receive a special gift promoting a drug free campus.

Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent Enrique Camerena in 1985.

Jessica Wagner Exhibition Coming to South Suburban College’s Dorothea Thiel Gallery

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The Art & Design Department of South Suburban College is pleased to present a collection of artworks by Jessica Ann Wagner titled “Goddess Guide Us – Divine Feminine Intervention.” The solo exhibition will be on display in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery from October 24 – November 15, 2019. An artist lecture and reception will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31st in Room 4340.

Wagner, an SSC alumna, is an artist living and working in Chicago, Illinois. She received her BFA in Painting from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2007 and her MFA in Visual Arts from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2016. Her work explores her relationship to the Divine Feminine and the magical inner workings of the cosmos. Ceremony is an important aspect of her artwork and they are often performed prior to the creation of her work to bring forth goddess energies.

Wagner moved her practice to Austin, Texas from 2012 until 2017. During her time there, she created an artist collective entitled “The Witch House”— a place where art and spiritual practices collaborated. Currently, she maintains her artistic and spiritual practice in the Chicago area holding public intention settings at venues such as The Den Theater in Chicago.

Jessica has exhibited in New York, Connecticut, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, and Vermont. You can see more of her work at jessicaawagner.com

The Dorothea Thiel Gallery is located on the fourth floor and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The galleries are closed on weekends and holidays. The galleries are supported in part by the SSC Foundation. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. For more information, please email jtassin@ssc.edu or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2316.

Pictured: “Doorways to Magic and the Moon” – media, watercolor, ink and hand stitching on paper

South Suburban College to Host Sustainability Month Events

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The South Suburban College (SSC) Sustainability Committee is hosting a wide range of events in recognition of National Sustainability Month. The SSC Sustainability Committee was established in 2011 to coordinate the college’s efforts in sustainability leadership within its community. All of the following events will be held at the Main Campus— 15800 S. State Street in South Holland, IL.

Oak Sapling and Compost Giveaway sponsored by the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Wednesday, October 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Atrium
The first 100 participants will receive an 18-inch oak sapling, planting and care instructions, along with additional information regarding the benefits of trees and one bag of MWRD Compost.

World Food Day
Wednesday, October 16, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Performing Arts Center Lobby
A “Mats for the Homeless” demonstration will be provided by Professor Millicent Collier. Plastic bags are needed to make “plarn” to weave the mats. Bags may be dropped at the Service Learning box located at Campus Police.

Movie Day: “What the Health?”
October 16, 12 noon, Lecture Hall B
This film examines the link between diet and disease, and the billions of dollars at stake in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Food Sustainability Lecture
October 16, 1:30 p.m., Lecture Hall B
Fred Carter from Black Oaks Center will lecture on food scarcity, farming sustainability, Food Deserts, and Hunger.

Campus Tree Walk
Wednesday, October 23, 2:15 p.m., Cafeteria
A guided tour will be provided by Dr. Eric Myers, faculty member in the Life Sciences Department, showcasing SSC’s hundreds of tree species on campus.

Annual Campus Clean Up Sponsored by Home Depot
Wednesday, October 23, 3:00 p.m., Cafeteria
Gloves, Water, Bags, and Pizza will be provided.

For Sustainability related questions, please contact Rebecca Garcia at (708) 596-2000, ext. 6042, or email rgarcia@ssc.edu.

Breakfast with BCI Presents: Taking the Fear Out of Sustainability

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The South Suburban College Business & Career Institute (BCI) presents a Breakfast with BCI Workshop titled Taking the Fear Out of Sustainability on Thursday, October 31, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., with check-in and continental breakfast to begin at 8:15 a.m. This workshop will be held in the Mi-Jack Room on the 1st floor of SSC’s Main Campus, and will be presented by Mark Hendrix, CEO of Energy Sustainability Partners.

Does the idea of sustainability make your blood run cold? Do your energy bills give you nightmares? Is putting together a sustainability plan a ghoulish undertaking? In this highly-interactive workshop, sustainability is defined, questions and anxieties about sustainability are addressed, and best practices for large and small business operations are shared. Attendees will leave with a sample plan, ideas to get started, and a team to assist.

The cost of the workshop with continental breakfast is $15 per person or $10 per person if three or more from the same company attend. Walk-ins are $25. Reservations are required by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019. For more information or to register, please email bwells@ssc.edu or call (708) 225-6055. South Suburban College is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL.

Drawings by Chicago Artist Mike Benedetto on Display in South Suburban College’s Dulgar Gallery

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The South Suburban College Art & Design Department present an exhibition of drawings by artist Mike Benedetto in the Dulgar Gallery through the closing Artist Reception on Thursday, October 17th at 1 p.m.

Mike Benedetto is a Chicago artist who does conceptual work in various media. His work investigates the self and its relationship to identity, family, society or culture. Benedetto graduated with an MFA from The University of Chicago, a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis.

“Since 1996 outer turmoil has brought internal discord to the surface. Rants about world circumstances are echoes,” said Benedetto. “In this series of work, childish notions are paired with real world calamity. Violence against beauty. Innocence of the ‘what’s within the picket fence versus awareness of what’s outside?’ TV news versus the fluffy filling between the segments. Delicate technique versus very loud noise. The process is tiring, painstaking, frustrating, meditative. It makes silence. The OK is felt in the room. Somewhere in it, in certain moments.”

The public is welcome to visit the art exhibition and reception at no charge. The Dulgar Gallery is on the 1st Floor of SSC’s Main Campus. SSC Galleries are open at minimum Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2300, visit www.ssc.edu/art, or email etucker@ssc.edu. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

Pictured: Mike Benedetto, Bird Song, 2019, ink on paper, 9 x 12 inches.

Open Auditions for Cinderella Coming to SSC Stage

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The Children’s Theatre Company of South Suburban College announces auditions for its annual play for young audiences. This year’s offering will be Michele L. Vacca’s “Cinderella.” Auditions are open to all students and community members aged 18 and up.

Readings will be held on October 3rd and on October 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the Kindig Performing Arts Center at the college’s Main Campus.

This delightful, fast moving and humorous play is directed by Ellie Shunko, manager of the Kindig Performing Arts Center and Lansing resident. Shunko is looking for 10 actors to fill the cast. “This Cinderella story is not the Disney version or a musical,” says Shunko. “The story contains a lot of humor. The Fairy Godmother has a sidekick and is quite the wise cracker. It should be loads of fun.”

Most rehearsals will take place three or four evenings a week. Cast members are required to attend all dress rehearsals and performances.

Performances are scheduled for January 11, and 18, 2020, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., January 14-17, 2020, at 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. each day. For more information, email ssctheatre@ssc.edu or visit the Kindig Performing Arts Center website at http://learn.ssc.edu/theatre/. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street in South Holland, Illinois.