Month: July 2021

South Suburban College Seeking Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutors

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Adult Literacy Program to provide tutor training classes in September.

 
SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is seeking tutors and participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for adults in need of basic literacy skills. Instruction in basic literacy includes the development of phonetic reading skills combined with communication skills. SSC is encouraging area residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of the free program.

New tutor training sessions will take place at the Main Campus in South Holland on August 31st and September 2nd from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., and September 7th and 9th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. SSC is seeking new volunteers to join its Literacy Program to assist students during the Fall Semester. The tutor training is a 12-hour program that culminates with literacy training certification. We also offer online training as well. Once certified, the tutors will go out to visit their adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods. Tutoring sites have already been established at the following locations: Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Glenwood-Lynwood Library; Harvey Public Library; Phoenix Library; Calumet City Public Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; Homewood Public Library; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Library, Main Campus; Oak Forest Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; Riverdale Public Library; Markham Public Library and Midlothian Public Library. Tutoring is scheduled by the availability of the tutors and the learners, and the availability of space and hours of the tutoring sites.

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults 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 Office of Adult Education administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program in addition to High School Equivalency (HSE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE).

Tutors will receive free professional development services throughout this program. Successful tutors are also eligible for letters of support or recommendation for jobs, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more. These opportunities are made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.
To register for the upcoming volunteer tutor training or to inquire about adult literacy services, please contact Dianne Needles, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email dneedles@ssc.edu. South Suburban College is located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, Illinois.

South Suburban College to Host Virtual Open House for Paralegal and Criminal Justice Programs

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is hosting a Virtual Open House on Monday, August 2nd at 6 p.m. for its Paralegal and Criminal Justice System. All of SSC’s Virtual Open House links are accessible from ssc.edu/info. Attendees can access the Open House via Zoom or call in to participate and become informed about exciting career pathways with significant expected employment growth.

SSC’s Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program provides a 60-hour Associate Degree track and a 39-hour Certificate – 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. 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. Paralegal job opportunities are expected to grow more than 10% and the median annual salary is $53,000.

The College’s Criminal Justice System Program is designed for individuals seeking employment with, or upgrading skills for police agencies, correctional facilities, or security companies. The field of law enforcement and criminal justice is an exciting and rewarding career choice with the 2020 annual median salary over $67,000 in the field.

For more information about the Paralegal or CJS Programs, please contact Becky Walters, J.D., Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice Program Coordinator at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2579 or email bwalters@ssc.edu.

Fall classes begin Monday, August 16, 2021, and class schedules, registration services and a new “live chat” with staff are all available online from ssc.edu. Future SSC students should 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. In addition to the live chat function at ssc.edu, prospective students may call (708) 210-5718.

South Suburban College Students Received Over $3,400,000 in New Aid

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–It’s not too late to get registered and take advantage of a significant range of free resources at South Suburban College (SSC) this fall. In fact, returning to school or pursing one’s college dream for the first time is a “no-brainer,” according to college promotions.

“This is truly a unique time in our College history when most students literally are debt free, and in many cases plus direct financial assistance, and plus free laptops,” said Dr. Lynette Stokes, SSC President. “SSC has long provided comprehensive scholarship and tuition waiver packages to students, but this is much more and we want residents of our community to know they have an opportunity. We have worked really hard to secure and thoughtfully distribute multiple sources of funding to help our students manage this difficult year and be successful.”

Those additional funding sources available to students include CARES Act stimulus, several new grant initiatives, and Foundation-sponsored COVID-19 Impact Awards among others. In total, SSC has provided over $3,400,000 in tuition relief, personal checks and technology grants to students last fiscal year, and more is available.

Shanika Mack is a South Suburban College student who has made the best out of the challenges of the past year. “Losing my job forced me to step away and think about what’s important, like pursuing my bigger dreams,” said Mack, a 31-year old returning adult student who previously attended SSC immediately after graduating from Thornton High School. “The pandemic can take away my job but it can’t take away my education.”

Mack received a free laptop, free books, and will have her entire tuition balance waived at the end of the 2021 Summer Semester if she stays on track to receive a “C” or better. She is already enrolled for fall classes with plans to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies next spring. Mack hopes to pursue a Business Degree at Governor’s State University upon graduation.

According to SSC’s Business Office, 1,219 students have received $1,283,556 in tuition balances waived to date, and another 3,415 students received direct payments of $2,124,600 through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). An additional 141 students received $145,579 in debt relief and 415 students received $133,836 in technology – primarily laptops – through the CARES Act for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEERF). The SSC Foundation awarded $66,221.17 in COVID-19 funding for tuition, books, technology, and living expenses in addition to its traditional annual scholarship awards. Most recently, SSC initiated a new Student Emergency Aid Program through the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) to provide financial support up to $500 per student for short-term, nonrecurring emergencies.

New South Suburban College Student Trustee, Dion Rubin, wants to encourage more students to come back to school. Rubin received a free laptop, hotspot and $950 in direct aid to date. “I have complete confidence in South Suburban College – the faculty have done an amazing job and I have felt extremely safe returning to campus.”

Rubin received his High School Equivalency (HSE) before pursuing his college education in the Fall 2020 Semester during the height of the pandemic. “My goal is to make the student experience the best it can be and to promote a positive educational culture. Positivity can do great things.”

Other opportunities for career program funding at SSC include the Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) Grant, and the One Workforce Grant through the Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC). The WEI grant provides wrap-around services including comprehensive financial assistance and academic support to participating students within a variety of program areas providing stackable credentials. Funding for the H-1B One Workforce Grant is provided by the US Department of Labor for tuition, fees and books in short-term advanced manufacturing programs with industry recognized credentials.

All of the funding, grant and programmatic information is available from ssc.edu. Fall classes will begin Monday, August 16, 2021, with the safety and flexibility of five modes of class delivery at SSC. Class schedules, registration services and a new “live chat” with staff are available at ssc.edu. Prospective students may also call (708) 210-5718 or email admissions@ssc.edu to get questions answered.

South Suburban College Announces 11 Academic All-Americans

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The South Suburban College (SSC) Athletic Program announces 11 student athletes placing on the Academic All-American Teams as recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA):

4.0 GPA, First Team:

  • Terry Busse, Baseball, Valparaiso (IN) High School
  • Hailey Heffron, Softball, Joliet West High School
  • Alyssa Rosales, Women’s Soccer, Homewood Flossmoor
  • Janica Van Ghunt, Women’s Soccer, Munster (IN) High School

3.8 – 3.99 GPA, Second Team:

  • Joe Tor, Baseball
  • Cayla Turner, Women’s Basketball, Oak Forest High School
  • Taylor VanDommelen, Volleyball, Highland (IN) High School
  • Edgar Vargas, Men’s Soccer, Thornwood High School

3.6 – 3.79 GPA, Third Team:

  • Noah Gulley, Baseball, Bishop Gorman High School (NV)
  • Jacob Mucha (Baseball): Providence Catholic High School
  • Bruno Ortiz-Trochi (Men’s Soccer): Bremen High School

“I am so very proud of our Academic All-Americans this year,” said Steve Ruzich, SSC Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach. “At South Suburban College, we pride ourselves on fostering student success both on and off the field. I would like to congratulate these student athletes on this great accomplishment.”

SSC offers women’s team sports of Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, and Softball and men’s team sports of Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball. Countless Bulldog student-athletes have transferred to play their respective sports at hundreds of different NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III schools, in addition to NAIA institutions. More than 50 former Bulldogs have further advanced on to play professional and semi-pro sports.

For more information, visit www.ssc.edu/athletics. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

South Suburban College to Host Virtual Open Houses for Student Resources and Workforce Equity Initiative Programs July 27th and 28th

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–It’s not too late to get registered and take advantage of a variety of free resources at South Suburban College (SSC) this fall. To help future students get started, the College is hosting a Student Resources Virtual Open House on July 28th at 6 p.m. and a Workforce Equity Initiative Virtual Open House on July 29th at 6 p.m.

SSC has provided over $3,000,000 in stimulus, tuition relief, and technology grants to students last fiscal year, and more is available. Additionally, the College continues its participation in the Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) Grant. The WEI project is designed to create, support and expand short-term workforce training opportunities in high need areas within SSC District #510. Through new programs, expanded access, opportunity, and support services, the project is anticipated to yield impactful outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and local businesses. The WEI grant provides wrap-around services including comprehensive financial assistance and academic support to participating students within a variety of program areas providing stackable credentials. These programs will be highlighted at the July 29th Open House including Nursing, Patient Care Technician (PCT), Basic Nursing Assistance Training Program (BNATP), Community Healthcare Worker (CHW), Certified Production Technician (CPT), Solar Photovoltaic Installer, Forklift Operator, and the brand-new Barber College at the college’s Main Campus.

SSC is hosting these Virtual Open Houses to provide information to students who could benefit from funding, programs and services in the Fall 2021 Semester and beyond. All of the College’s open house links are accessible from www.ssc.edu/info.

Fall classes begin Monday, August 16, 2021, and class schedules, registration services and a new “live chat” with staff are all available online from ssc.edu. Future SSC students should 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. In addition to the live chat function at ssc.edu, prospective students may call (708) 210-5718. For more information about the WEI programs at SSC, please call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2413, or email workforceequity@ssc.edu.

South Suburban College Offering Cannabis Dispensary Operations Certificate Program this Fall

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College will be offering a Cannabis Dispensary Operations Certificate Program starting in the Fall 2021 Semester. Illinois and many other states have made changes on the legality of Cannabis use. These changes have allowed for a developing industry of legal Cannabis companies to operate in Illinois, which allows for new jobs and business opportunities. This economic development is expected to continue to grow for many years.
The new program will assist people to successfully enter this new economic niche. The 18-credit hour (two-semester Certificate) will allow graduates to create new businesses and market themselves to existing businesses.

The first class, Introduction to Cannabis 101, is an 8-week online class that does not require a textbook. The course begins with the biology of the Cannabis plant and continues to cultural, historical, and medical uses of Cannabis. You don’t need to be in the program to take this fun and informative class.

First Semester Credits include: CNB 101 Introduction to Cannabis, CNB 102 Dispensary Operations, BUS 108 Introduction to Business, MIS 101 Computer Literacy & Applications, and CNB 103 Cannabis Law.

Semester Two Credits include: ACC 130 Computerized Accounting and CNB 110 Science of Cannabis (Biology and Pharmacology).

For questions, please call (708) 210-5706 or email ahelwig@ssc.edu. Fall Classes begin Monday, August 16, 2021, and class schedules, registration services and a new “live chat” with staff are all available online from ssc.edu. Future SSC students should get started at admissions.ssc.edu.

Auditions Extended for Bleacher Bums through South Suburban College PAC Rats Theatre Company

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The PAC Rats Theatre Company of South Suburban College will extend open auditions for the comedy Bleacher Bums. Additional auditions will take place on July 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2021, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Readings will be held in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on the main campus at 15800 S. State Street in South Holland, Illinois.

In the bleachers at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, die-hard Cub fans root for their team. Members of the group include a sun-worshipper, a blind man who follows the game by transistor radio, a professional gambler, a husband and wife, a nerd, and a little kid.

Director Paul Braun of Highland, IN, will cast 7 men and 2 women, of all colors and types, ranging in age from 16 to 70 plus. Braun is planning evening rehearsals. The show, collaboratively written by members of the Chicago’s Organic Theater Company from an idea by actor Joe Mantegna, is set to perform during the last two weekends of September.

Auditions are open to all community members as well as SSC students. Appointments and prepared audition materials are not necessary. Auditioners will read from scenes, which will be available at the time of auditions. Be prepared to list all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule.

“South Suburban College is still concerned for the safety of our students, staff and community members,” said Ellie Shunko, the manager of the Kindig Performing Arts Center. “As such, auditionees will need to enter the building at the Atrium entrance for a temperature check. Masks will be required when not on stage.”

Signs will be posted pointing the way from the Atrium entrance, which is a short walk away.

In addition to acting talent, the PAC Rats are also seeking volunteers who want to try their hands backstage. “Putting on a play takes a lot of hands,” said Shunko. “We hope that those who aren’t ready to step on stage will enjoy working backstage on sets and props.”

For character descriptions, rehearsal schedule and more information, visit the Kindig Performing Arts Center’s website at http://learn.ssc.edu/theatre/ or email ssctheatre@ssc.edu.

Open Auditions on July 14th and 15th for Bleacher Bums through South Suburban College PAC Rats Theatre Company

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The PAC Rats Theatre Company of South Suburban College will hold open auditions for the comedy Bleacher Bums on July 14th and 15th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Readings will be held in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on the main campus at 15800 S. State Street in South Holland, Illinois.

In the bleachers at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, die-hard Cub fans root for their team. Members of the group include a sun-worshipper, a blind man who follows the game by transistor radio, a professional gambler, a husband and wife, a nerd, and a little kid.

Director Paul Braun of Highland, IN, will cast seven men and two women, of all colors and types, ranging in age from 16 to 70 plus. Braun is planning evening rehearsals. The show, collaboratively written by members of the Chicago’s Organic Theater Company from an idea by actor Joe Mantegna, is set to perform during the last two weekends of September.

Auditions are open to all community members as well as SSC students. Appointments and prepared audition materials are not necessary. Auditioners will read from scenes, which will be available at the time of auditions. Be prepared to list all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule.

“South Suburban College is still concerned for the safety of our students, staff and community members.” said Ellie Shunko, the manager of the Kindig Performing Arts Center. “As such, auditionees will need to enter the building at the Atrium entrance for a temperature check. Masks will be required when not on stage.” Signs will be posted pointing the way from the Atrium entrance, which is a short walk away.

In addition to acting talent, the PAC Rats are also seeking volunteers who want to try their hands backstage. “Putting on a play takes a lot of hands,” said Shunko. “We hope that those who aren’t ready to step on stage will enjoy working backstage on sets and props.”

For character descriptions, rehearsal schedule and more information, visit the Kindig Performing Arts Center’s website at http://learn.ssc.edu/theatre/ or email ssctheatre@ssc.edu.