South Suburban College Appoints New Trustee Vincent Lockett, Elects Trustee Vivian Payne as Vice-Chair

Posted on December 20, 2021January 4, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) recently held a special meeting before its Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on December 9 to appoint new Trustee Vincent E. Lockett to the board. Trustee Lockett will fill the vacancy created by the recent passing of longtime Trustee and Vice-Chair, John Daly. Lockett, of Country Club Hills, took his oath of office before participating in the regular meeting where Trustee Vivian Payne, of Lansing, was elected to serve as the new Vice-Chair to the board.

“I am looking forward to serving the Southland community in this new role and bringing attention to the all of the educational pathways this outstanding community college has to offer,” said Lockett. “I would like to thank Chairman Zuccarelli and the Board for providing me with this new opportunity to make a positive impact.”

Throughout his career, Lockett actively supported economic development, public safety, and education. In addition to being elected alderman of Country Club Hills Ward 2 for six consecutive terms since 2005, Lockett currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Insurance, Risk and Personnel Committee in his community. He has also served as Chairman of the Planning, Zoning and Development Committee while maintaining membership on the Parks and Recreation and Public Works committees, respectively.

For the past 12 years, Lockett has been the owner and CEO of GCS Cleaning and Environmental Services. He has also worked in the automotive finance and mortgage industries for over 25 years. Lockett has four children and is a strong advocate for mentoring the youth. He currently sponsors the Country Club Hills Cougars, Hazel Crest Mustangs, Midwest Hawks, Junior Olympics and Special Olympics.

South Suburban College is a community college located in South Holland, Illinois, and with an extension site in Oak Forest serving 21 communities including parts of the Chicago Southland and northwest Indiana. SSC provides a variety of support services to its students in addition to a wide range of affordable academic pathways. For more information about all of SSC’s programs, admissions and registration, please visit www.ssc.edu or contact the Admissions Office at (708) 210-5718. Spring classes begin Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

**PICTURED** – Vincent E. Lockett (pictured left) was sworn in as South Suburban College Trustee at a special meeting before the December 9 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Free SSC Highway Construction Careers Training Program to Begin in February

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Webmaster

OAK FOREST, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is preparing for the next round of its free Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP). Registration for 2022 spring training is currently open. Orientation and assessment testing will take place between January 11, 2022 and January 13, 2022. The program will begin on February 7, 2022 and will run daily, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

A goal of the SSC HCCTP is to increase the number of minorities, women and disadvantaged individuals working in Illinois highway construction. The HCCTP is funded through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), thus allowing the program to be free. While enrolled, students will be paid a stipend for each full hour of training completed.

SSC has offered the HCCTP since 2014. Those who finish the short-term, 12-week program are equipped with numerous skills that can lead to employment opportunities in the trades with high income potential. Career opportunities for program completers include but are not limited to: electrician, pipefitter, carpenter, laborer and equipment operator.

Applicants are required to provide a valid driver’s license. They must also be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED, an interest in working in the trades, and successfully pass a drug screening (including THC). The application process begins at the mandatory one-hour informational orientation followed directly by assessment testing.

For more information, or to register, visit www.ssc.edu/hcctp or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 3219. All orientation and assessment testing will be held at SSC’s Oak Forest Center, located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois. Temperature checks, masks and social distancing are required on campus. Para información en Español, llame (708) 210-5740.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the participating community colleges do not guarantee employment upon trainees’ graduation from the Highway Construction Careers Training Program.

A photo of a former student of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program — *A former student of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program finalizes work on a concrete project.*

Last Chance Registration in the New Year for Free High School Equivalency & English as a Second Language Courses at SSC

Posted on December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College’s Adult Education Department has extended the enrollment period for its free programs in the New Year on January 12-14, 2022. Many adults choose to further build on their skills and pursue a high school education through the High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) program. The HSE program will develop the skills required to pass the High School Equivalency exams. English as a Second Language (ESL) allows non-native students to improve their English skills from beginning to advanced levels. HSE for ESL is also available for students who plan to take the HSE/GED exam in English.

Most of the Adult Education programs are offered both full and part-time at the Main Campus in South Holland or the Oak Forest Center. All classes are free of charge. There are daytime, nighttime and online course options available. Registration by appointment only by calling (708) 596-2000, ext. 2475 (or 2408 for ESL) or online at ssc.edu/adult-continuing-education. The registration schedule for spring classes – beginning January 18, 2022 – is as follows:

LAST CHANCE High School Equivalency Registration Days
January 12, 13, 14, 2022
10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Main Campus Room L233

LAST CHANCE English as a Second Language Registration Days
January 12, 13, 14, 2022
10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Main Campus Room 1243

At the time of registration, all HSE and ESL students will take a Placement Test; please expect to stay at least three hours. A mask must be worn at all times during the testing/registration process. The following items are required at registration:

Current Illinois-Issued Photo ID
High School Withdrawal Letter (for students under 18)
Medical Card (If Applicable)
No Children Allowed

All courses are offered free of charge. For the purpose of compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment) Federal funds of $343,670 provides approximately 36% of the support of these programs. Indiana residents are not eligible to participate in the Adult Education programs.

Per the Governors order, all Students in the Adult Education program are required to be vaccinated Per the Governors order. All Students in the Adult Education program are required to be vaccinated or be tested a minimum of once per week for COVID-19 in order to attend classes.

South Suburban College Delays Start Date Until January 18 to Benefit Students

Posted on December 10, 2021December 13, 2021 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College (SSC) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to delay the Spring 2022 Semester start date until January 18, 2022. The move was presented by the college’s executive leadership team at their December 9 Board Meeting as a “student-centered” academic calendar adjustment. The proposal comes after “more than a month of planning, including dialogue with students and faculty,” according to Dr. Lynette Stokes, SSC President.

SSC’s goal for the eight-day delay is to provide current and prospective students with additional time for both in-person and remote registration, counseling, financial and student services between the on-campus return from holiday closure on January 4, and the short turnaround to the start of classes. Students may continue to navigate the college’s newer processes for applying for free laptops from www.ssc.edu/technology-relief-fund/ and the SSC Student Debt Relief Fund from www.ssc.edu/student-debt-relief-fund through the additional time frame.

Stokes noted an additional benefit as it relates to COVID-19: “Safety remains the college’s primary concern and with holiday travel we want to start the spring semester with an abundance of caution.”

In response to the board action, SSC has added three new dates for registration and counseling services to be available for students on previously closed days as follows:

December 28, 10:00am–2:00pm: Virtual Services
December 29, 10:00am–2:00pm: Virtual Services
January 15, 9:00am–2:00pm: In-Person Services

The semester will be extended with finals week now pushed back to May 16-21 and Commencement on Sunday, May 22, while all other scheduled activities including spring break week will remain unchanged.

To request help with enrollment, current and new students may access a LIVE CHAT button from ssc.edu, call (708) 210-5718 or email registration&records@ssc.edu.

Lady Bulldogs Experience National Tournament and All-American Recognition

Posted on December 2, 2021December 3, 2021 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College (SSC) Women’s Soccer Team experienced their most successful season to date with an appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament. Following this competition, one SSC student-athlete went on to be named First Team All-American by the NJCAA DII Women’s Soccer Committee.

After defeating the Sea Devils of Cape Fear Community College 4-2 in the national tournament on November 16, the Lady Bulldogs came full circle as they faced the Hawks of Heartland Community College (HCC). The SSC Women’s Soccer Team fell to the Hawks 4-2 in their first game of the regular season on August 20. Although the Lady Bulldogs put their best foot forward on the field, they came up short to HCC on November 17 with a 4-1 loss, thus eliminating them from further tournament play this season. The Hawks of Normal, IL pressed on to inevitably win the 2021 NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship.

“The first and last day of the season, I tell my student-athletes: God always gives you what you earn. Nothing less, nothing more,” said SSC Head Coach Tony González, who began coaching the Lady Bulldogs Soccer Team in the fall of 2017. “This year we received a bid to play in the national tournament and won our first match. When you reach the goal of having your school be seen at a national level, it brings credibility to the athletic program.”

The only other losses for the Lady Bulldogs during their 2021 season were to the Chiefs of Waubonsee Community College on October 23 (4-0) and November 6 (1-0). The SSC Women’s Soccer Team tacked 16 wins onto their record against all other opponents, including an exceptionally commendable 13-game winning streak during the regular season.

Coach González added, “A lot of the girls on our soccer team are first-generation students. The experience of going to college and playing soccer at a national level can be life-changing for the student-athlete and their families. I want to keep that momentum going.”

One of the leading forces behind the success of the Lady Bulldogs was Amaris González, who happens to be Coach González’ daughter. The freshman forward’s outstanding field play earned her recognition as First Team All-American. González scored four goals in two national tournament games, including a hat-trick against Cape Fear. She also led the division with 105 points, 118 shots and 29 assists on the season, and finished second in goals with 38.

“I am so thankful to be able to play alongside such a talented team,” said Amaris González of Lansing, IL. “They helped guide me to get to where I am now as a student-athlete. I would not have experienced any accomplishments this season had it not been for every single one of the girls on the soccer team at SSC.”

For more information about the SSC Women’s Soccer Team, contact Head Coach Tony González at jgonzalez@ssc.edu or Athletic Director Steve Ruzich at sruzich@ssc.edu. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

Photo of SSC Women's Soccer team at NJCAA Nationals in Wichita, Kansas — *The South Suburban College Women’s Soccer Team finish their 2021 season with a record of 16-4.*

In Memoriam: South Suburban College Trustee John A. Daly

Posted on December 1, 2021December 1, 2021 by Webmaster

HOMEWOOD, IL – In front of a socially distanced capacity crowd of family, friends and colleagues at Ravisloe Country Club, South Suburban College (SSC) Board Chairman Frank M. Zuccarelli emotionally read from a “Resolution in Memoriam” of longtime Trustee and Vice Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees John A. Daly, Sr. at his Celebration of Life on November 29, 2021.

“Whereas, Trustee Daly was a respected and popular Member of the College Board. His well-reasoned and insightful observations and proposals were warmly received by his fellow Trustees and served as the foundation of many undertakings which benefited the administration and the student body,” Zuccarelli remarked. “As testimony of the high regard in which he was held, he became Vice Chairman of the Board in 1994 and served in that capacity until he was called to contribute to a new constituency.”

Zuccarelli, along with sons Kevin and John Daly, Jr., sister Mary Louise Pisone and State Senator Michael Hastings shared heartfelt memories, stories and life lessons of a man who dedicated his life to public service. “John’s political fund was called ‘People for Daly,’ but we all knew it really was Daly for people,” said Kevin Daly.

In 1983, Daly was elected Alderman in the City of Oak Forest, serving the 4th Ward until 1989, when he became City Administrator. He became Administrator for the Village of Orland Hills in 1994. A past Chairman of the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and member of the Southwest Conference of Mayors, Daly also chaired the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association’s Management & Finance Committee from 1996 until he retired from the Village in 2015.

Daly served as a member of the SSC Board of Trustees since 1991. He passed away while still in office on November 11, 2021. A resident of both Oak Forest and Tinley Park, Daly was a strong advocate for local students and a champion of the college’s Oak Forest Center. He was also a generous supporter of the SSC Foundation where the Daly family has established the John A. Daly Memorial Fund to help future students in need. Donations may be made by check payable to “SSC Foundation” or online at: www.johndalyfund.givesmart.com

Daly would have turned 72 years old on this night of celebration. His obituary is available at: https://memorials.lawnfh.com/john-daly/4781609/index.php

Zuccarelli concluded, “Be it further resolved that this resolution be spread upon the records of South Suburban College for all to see and that a true copy hereof be delivered to the family of John A. Daly, Sr. as a sign of our respect and sympathy.” The resolution will be presented for passage at SSC’s December 9 Board Meeting, after which a complete transcript will be available at: www.ssc.edu