Month: July 2020

South Suburban College COVID-19 Testing Tent Starts 8-4 Drive-Thru Hours – REVISED

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College’s COVID-19 testing drive-thru is making some minor modifications including relocated testing tents to the SSC Fitness Center’s east parking lot, and offering new hours from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. HR Support has taken over the ongoing testing responsibilities from the National Guard with continued oversight from the Governor’s Office and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). The changes are intended to improve traffic flow and overall testing accessibility.

With testing moved to the Fitness Center’s east lot, tents will be highly visible and cars may enter from either 159th Street or State Street to follow the signage. Testing will continue seven days a week, and a security detail will continue to be in place while testing is open.

More details about the testing process include:

  • Testing is available for anyone, not only Illinois residents
  • Testing is available for all ages (with parental consent)
  • State-issued identification is required
  • Testing will now be conducted via nasal swab which is painless, and a significant improvement over the more invasive nasopharyngeal test
  • Results are delivered by phone within 4-7 business days

Inquiries may be submitted to christopherbmurray@gmail.com. SSC is located at 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The drive-thru route will still be limited to south side of campus near the athletic fields. Employees, students and visitors will access the Main Campus through 158th Street, and north lots and entrances.

COVID-19 symptoms include but are not limited to fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.

South Suburban College Hosts Pinning Ceremony for Associate Degree Nurses, Program Sees Growth Ahead

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Dr. Aldridge-Brown appointed to UC Ingalls Memorial Community Advisory Council.

 
SOUTH HOLLAND-South Suburban College recently honored the 2020 graduates of the College’s Associated Degree Nursing (ADN) Program with a special socially distanced ceremony. The graduates received their nursing pins from Dr. Tasha Williams, Vice President of Academic Services, and Dr. Linda Brown-Aldridge, who completed her first full academic year as the Dean of Nursing at SSC.

This year, seven students successfully completed the ADN program. One of the graduates, Shautavia Meeks-Gill, has already passed National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RN). Her fellow graduates are awaiting their test dates. The students were given the opportunity to attend the mid-year conference of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) in October 2019. With their attendance included the membership in the NSNA, which inspired the students to establish a local chapter at SSC.

“The graduates’ dedication, hard work, and resilience is inspiring, especially with the challenge of COVID-19 during the spring semester,” said Dr. Brown-Aldridge. “The faculty and staff worked hard with the students to provide the needed support for their success during the pandemic.”

When she joined SSC in spring of 2019, Dr. Brown-Aldridge brought more than 30 years of experience working in hospitals and schools in many roles including nursing, teaching, administration and serving as the Chief Nursing Officer at Provident Hospital. She has worked hard with Dr. Williams and her team to position the revitalized program for significant growth. The program admitted 42 new first year Nursing students for the Fall 2020 Semester, the largest class in several years.

“I am dedicated to growing this nursing program to address the health disparities and nursing shortage for our community,” added Dr. Brown-Aldridge. “The decision to come to SSC was life changing for me. Working with the great administration, faculty, staff and students this past year has been very rewarding and fulfilling.”

Dr. Brown-Aldridge was also recently appointed to the University of Chicago Ingalls Memorial Community Advisory Council (CAC). UC Ingalls Memorial recently announced the creation of its first CAC to seek community input on health issues of importance to its primary service area and surrounding communities. Following a rigorous review process, Ingalls leadership selected 15 council members to serve.

The next admission cycle opens October 1st 2020 to March 1st 2021 for the class to begin Fall 2021. SSC’s ADN Program is a two-year Associate in Applied Science program that provides learning experiences directed by faculty in local hospitals and health agencies to focus on the direct nursing care of patients of all ages. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX.

Fall classes will be offered in virtual, online and blended instruction methods beginning August 17, 2020. For more information about the ADN program, please visit ssc.edu/success or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2260.

Forklift Operator Training Coming to Oak Forest Center

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College’s Business & Career Institute is offering Forklift Operator Training on three separate sessions in July and three sessions in August at the Oak Forest Center. This certification course covers the basic fork lift driving skills needed to obtain a Fork Lift Operator Certification. A Certification Card from the National Safety Council will be issued to the student upon successful completion of the program.

The cost for each course is $175.00 per person. The July sessions will be held from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, 2020. The August sessions will be held from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday, August 3, Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

The Forklift Operator Certification from the National Safety Council is available through these sessions at SSC for individuals who are looking for new career skills or for employers who are ensuring a safe and in compliant workplace. Illinois requires all forklift operators to obtain a license to avoid OSHA sanctions and possible penalties. Forklift driving is no simple matter; it causes more than 100 deaths each year.

For more information, please contact Gervaise Edwards at (708) 225-6032 or email gedwards@ssc.edu. SSC’s Oak Forest Center is located at 16333 S. Kilbourn, Oak Forest, Illinois, with convenient access from I-57, I-80, and I-294. Para Información En Español Llame: (708) 210-5740.

Opportunities & Pitfalls to Starting a Business during the Pandemic

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The Business & Career Institute (BCI) of South Suburban College presents a webinar entitled Opportunities & Pitfalls to Starting a Business during the Pandemic on Wednesday, August 5th from 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.

Do you have a great idea for a small business but aren’t sure if you should proceed? Is the post-pandemic economic climate conducive to even starting a business? Can you afford to wait? Join us and find out!! During this 75-minute open forum workshop, we’ll review the current employment scene and prospects for a start-up business, discuss advantages/disadvantages of starting a business in difficult economic times and outline a plan of action!

Our local expert is Tom Byelick owner of 3 small businesses; Ingenuity Small Business Collaborative, a consulting firm; Tomfoolery Fun Club, a comedy-based variety series and; Pretty Amazing!, which specializes in restoring and revitalizing driveways, patios, porches and decks.
We’ll also have a special guest appearance from Amy Todd, the owner of Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders who is opening a wine bar in Lansing, Illinois this fall called Pour on Roy.

Many thanks to our sponsors – ComEd, South Holland Business Association, Ingenuity Small Business Collaborative and South Suburban College!
The workshop will be held virtually and reservations are required. There is no cost to attend. To register, please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opportunities-pitfalls-to-starting-a-business-during-a-pandemic-tickets-109833775780. For additional information, please contact Alexandra Glumac at aglumac@ssc.edu.

South Suburban College President Dr. Lynette Stokes Appointed to Illinois Community College Board

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL—The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced last week the appointment of South Suburban College (SSC) President, Lynette D. Stokes, Ed.D. to its board. Dr. Stokes was one of just two new statewide appointments along with Dr. Larry Peterson, former President of Shawnee Community College, whom upon confirmation from the Senate will serve terms through June 30, 2021.

“It is truly an honor to be chosen by the Illinois Community College Board and a privilege to represent South Suburban College and my colleagues statewide during this critical time,” said Dr. Stokes. “I would like to thank the ICCB for the opportunity, as well as Governor J.B. Pritzker and Deputy Governor of Education Jesse Ruiz for their tireless efforts on behalf of education. They understand the critical role of community colleges, such as South Suburban College, in providing equitable opportunities to our community. I look forward to getting to work over the next year to address the challenges of the times and to advocate for our students.”

Having worked in public service for over 20 years, Dr. Stokes joined SSC in June 2013 as the Vice President of Academic Services and was named President on October 1, 2018. She has the distinction of being the first female President in the college’s 91-year rich history. Dr. Stokes has served as an advocate of youth in the child welfare system, taught elementary and community college education, and worked for equal rights organizations. Wanting to fulfill her desire to make a positive impact on the education of adult learners, Dr. Stokes earned her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Organizational Change at Roosevelt University in 2004. This academic credentialing, coupled with the skills she gained while working at the then Operation PUSH, Community Mental Health Council and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, provided the foundation to propel her career into higher education as Dean of Adult Education and Dean of Instruction at City Colleges of Chicago, where she served for nearly 12 years prior to moving to South Suburban. In addition to serving as a presenter for several professional development events in Higher Education and Child Welfare, Dr. Stokes is the 2005 recipient of Roosevelt University’s Most Outstanding Dissertation of the Year; the 2009 recipient of the Kathy Osterman Award for Outstanding Supervisor given to public service employees in the City of Chicago; and 2014 recipient of the Chicago Defender’s Women of Excellence Award. In 2018 she was honored with the Egretha Education Award for Excellence in Education and the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education (ICBCHE) Trailblazer Award. In 2020 Dr. Stokes was awarded the MLK Excellence in Education Award by the Southland Ministerial Health Network.

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.

Free Highway Construction Careers Training Program returns with outside instruction at SSC’s Oak Forest Center in September

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OAK FOREST, IL–South Suburban College is preparing for its next session of the popular free Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) this fall. Orientation and Assessment Testing will be August 18-20, 2020, at the college’s Oak Forest Center, with the program set to begin on September 14th incorporating an outdoor classroom, social distancing and personal protective equipment.

SSC has offered HCCTP since 2014 with hundreds of students completing the 12-week specialized training program at a 70% completion rate. HCCTP was originally implemented to increase the number of minorities, women, and disadvantaged individuals working on IDOT highway construction projects.

The training consists of an intensive 12-week program to learn the skills necessary for acceptance into the highway construction trades and gives the opportunity for a career with high wage potential. Construction will always be needed for new buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures. Some of the more skilled construction careers such as engineer require higher education while others such as cement masonry can be learned as an on-the-job apprentice.

Career opportunities for program completers include: Cement Mason, Electrician, Pipefitter, Carpenter, Laborer and Equipment Operator, and more. Requirements are a valid driver’s license, 18 years or older, High School diploma/GED, and passing a drug test (including THC).

Orientation and assessment testing will be held outside at the OFC–located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois 60452. All candidates must have a valid driver’s license with them to attend orientation. For more information please visit www.ssc.edu/hcctp, call (708) 596-2000, ext. 3219, or email hcctp@ssc.edu. Para información en Español llame (708) 210-5740.

South Suburban College to Introduce Becky Walters as New Paralegal Program Coordinator at Virtual Open House

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is pleased to announce Becky Walters, J.D., as its new Paralegal Program Coordinator. SSC will introduce Ms. Walters to current and prospective students through an upcoming Virtual Open House on Monday, July 20th at 6 p.m., accessible from ssc.edu/info. Ms. Walters has taught Criminal Law and Street Law as an Adjunct Professor at Prairie State College and has been a guest lecturer at DePaul University. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her law degree from DePaul University College of Law.

SSC has the only American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal program in the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana region, arming graduates with a significant advantage entering the workforce. As such, the College requires that all of its instructors be lawyers or judges to ensure the quality of instruction. Prior to joining the SSC team, Walters was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for nearly 12 years.

“I am thrilled to be joining the South Suburban College team, coordinating the only ABA approved Paralegal Program in the area and an esteemed Criminal Justice Program,” said Walters. “Years of working as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Alternative Prosecutions, working closely with law enforcement, and teaching college students will help me to bridge difficult gaps in these very critical times.”

As an ASA assigned to the Alternative Prosecution and Sentencing Unit, Walters led a team of ASAs screening Chicago felony cases for all of the Cook County Treatment Courts and Deferred Prosecution Programs and was also the assigned prosecutor to the Chicago Veteran’s Treatment Court. Last summer she was recognized by the Jesse Brown VA for her presentation on Veteran’s Treatment Court at their annual Mental Health Summit.

Virtual Open House attendees will access the ZOOM link through ssc.edu/info and be informed about an exciting career pathway with a significant occupational growth outlook. SSC’s Paralegal/Legal Assistant curriculum includes a 60-hour Associate Degree program and a 39-hour Certificate, both designed to prepare students to become highly trained paralegals and legal assistants. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills and credentials to work in a variety of legal environments.

Fall classes at SSC will be offered in flexible online and blended options beginning Monday, August 17th and class schedules and registration are available online from ssc.edu. Future SSC students can get started at admissions.ssc.edu.

South Suburban College to Host Virtual Program Open Houses to Assist Students with Fall Enrollment

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) recently announced the extension of its Virtual Classroom Model for the 2020 Fall Semester, including a selection of classroom instruction methods, limited on-campus activities and athletic programs training. Throughout the month of July, SSC will be hosting a series of Virtual Open Houses on ZOOM to help students navigate the process and make choices about enrollment. These 30-minute sessions will include presentations and/or demonstrations that will highlight specific programs. The ZOOM links for accessing each of the following sessions are available from ssc.edu/info:

  • July 7th at 12 noon NURSING & BNATP (CNA)
  • July 9th at 6:00 p.m. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
  • July 14th at 12 noon ALLIED HEALTH & CAREERS
  • July 16th at 6:00 p.m. ALLIED HEALTH & CAREERS
  • July 21st at 12 noon COURT REPORTING
  • July 23rd at 6:00 p.m. MUSIC & BUSINESS
  • July 28th at 12 noon BARBERING
  • July 30th at 6:00 p.m. CHILD DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN SERVICES

Fall classes begin Monday, August 17th and class schedules and registration are available online from ssc.edu.

Future SSC students can get started at admissions.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. Email registration&records@ssc.edu for additional assistance with registration, or email CounselingCenterQuestions@ssc.edu with questions for the SSC Counseling Office. Laptops are available on a limited basis for students enrolling in the fall. Students who are registered and in need of a laptop should send an email to StudentLife@ssc.edu to begin the process.

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 affordable academic programs.