Month: April 2022

South Suburban College to Host Legal Studies Open Houses in May

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is hosting Open Houses for its Legal Studies Programs in May including Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Criminal Justice System, and Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology. All of the relevant information about SSC’s Open Houses can be found online at ssc.edu/info.

SSC’s Paralegal Program prepares 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 curriculum in the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana region, equipping graduates with a significant advantage entering the workforce. Learn about the benefits of the college’s Associate Degree and Certificate tracks as well as its new fully online Paralegal degree option at a virtual open house on Monday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. Register in advance and access the Zoom link from ssc.edu/info.

SSC’s Criminal Justice System (CJS) Program is hosting an in-person Open House at the SSC Fieldhouse on May 26 at 6:00 p.m. It will take place in conjunction with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department as part of their Stop the Bleed campaign. Registration is required at ssc.edu/info. CJS 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 in-demand career pathway with high earning potential.

SSC’s Court Reporting Program provides students with the opportunity to learn a unique and highly valuable hands-on skill. New students can also take advantage of a free Court Reporting A-Z 6-week summer program. SSC student Caleb MacKenzie of Downers Grove, IL, initially became interested in the field of court reporting as a high school student when he job-shadowed his aunt. He stated, “Being able to have a front row seat to the legal profession as a court reporter is really interesting to me. Adding a flexible schedule and excellent income potential is definitely a bonus.” For more information about the rewarding court reporting profession and the option to take part in a free 6-week summer program at SSC, stop by an in-person open house on Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 5250 at SSC’s Oak Forest Center – 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452.

For more information about the Paralegal and Criminal Justice 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. For more information about the Court Reporting Program, contact LaTherese Cooke, Court Reporting Coordinator at (708) 596-2000 ext. 3217 or email LCooke@ssc.edu.

Summer classes begin Monday, June 6, 2022, and class schedules, registration services and a “live chat” with staff are all available online from ssc.edu.

South Suburban College to Host Forklift Operator Training Courses at Oak Forest Center

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College’s Business & Career Institute is offering Forklift Operator Training in May at the Oak Forest Center (OFC). This certification course covers the basic forklift driving skills needed to obtain a Forklift Operator Certification. The course is FREE for qualified applicants, or the cost will be $179.00 per person.

The spring Forklift Operator Training sessions will be held at the OFC as follows:

  • May 7 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • May 18 and 19 from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
  • May 20 from 8:30am – 4:30 p.m.
  • May 21 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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 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. A Certification Card from the National Safety Council will be issued to the student upon successful completion of the program. The course will enforce social distancing and use of PPEs.

For more information, please contact Gervaise Edwards at (708) 596-2000, ext. 5723 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.

WEI Sponsored Program: The Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) project is funded through ICCB to support qualified participants through the completion of short-term educational opportunities leading to employment. Benefits of the grant include free tuition and technology assistance, tutoring, academic and employment advising, and more. Email workforceequity@ssc.edu or visit ssc.edu/wei for more information.

Join South Suburban College for Tuesday Talks – Virtual Q&As for Summer Enrollment

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) is hosting Zoom sessions throughout May called Tuesday Talks to assist prospective students with all of their questions regarding reverse transfer and enrollment for the 2022 Summer Semester. Tuesday Talks will be hosted by the SSC Enrollment Services Department every Tuesday during the month of May at 12 noon, with Zoom access available from www.ssc.edu/info. The Tuesday Talks are designed for any students who are considering attending college for the first time, reverse transferring from a four-year school, or who simply have general questions about the enrollment and registration process.

SSC continues its efforts to provide flexibility to college degree seekers interrupted by the pandemic with flexible class delivery options. Summer registration is now in progress and class schedules, registration services and a new “live chat” with staff are all available online from ssc.edu. Summer classes begin June 6, 2022.

In addition to the upcoming Tuesday Talks, prospective students may access a separate live chat function from ssc.edu, call (708) 210-5718 or email AdmissionsQuestions@ssc.edu for ongoing assistance.

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.

Adult Literacy at South Suburban College: Free Learning Opportunities are Available and Volunteer Tutors are Needed

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– 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. South Suburban College is currently 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 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 Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 3rd through May 19th and from June 7th through June 23rd from 4:00 –5:30 p.m. The tutor training is a 12-hour program that culminates with literacy training certification. Online training is also provided. Tutors will continue to 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.

Once certified, SSC’s volunteer literacy tutors visit their adult learners at locations within 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 Public 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; Blue Island Public Library; Dixmoor Public Library; Tinley Park Public Library; Markham Public Library and Midlothian Public Library. Tutoring is flexibly scheduled based on the availability of the tutors, learners and tutoring sites. 

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). 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.

For more information or to register, please contact David Stephens, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email DStephens@ssc.edu.

South Suburban College National Champion Basketball Team Earns Coach and Player of the Year Honors

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The South Suburban College (SSC) Men’s Basketball Team won the college’s first-ever National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championship on March 19, 2022. They also earned the distinction as the first team in NJCAA DII history to go undefeated. Head Coach John Pigatti and the team visited the Regular Meeting of the South Suburban College Board of Trustees on April 14 to present their trophies and announce their newest national accolades including National Coach and Player of the Year awards.

“It’s always a pleasure to come before our college’s Board of Trustees under these circumstances,” said John Pigatti, NJCAA DII National Coach of the Year. “I’m so pleased that the Board is recognizing this team for what they did for the Bulldogs Athletic Program and for representing the college in a first-class manor throughout the entire season. But we want to thank the Board for all of their support, as well.”

Coach Pigatti adds his first National Championship to 12 Regional Championships he has won during his 16-year tenure as Head Coach of the SSC Men’s Basketball Team.

Freshman Guard, Demarco Minor, a local Thornton High School alumnus, earned National Player of the Year honors, among several other recognitions. “It felt great to represent my community at a national level,” said Minor. “All of the work – the sweat, blood and tears – we invested in the game to represent our community at the national level, was amazing. It feels good to see that all of our hard work paid off.”

In total, the individual accolades the 2022 National Champion Bulldogs earned include:

  • John Pigatti: NJCAA DII Coach of the Year
  • Damarco Minor: NJCAA Division II National Player-of-the-Year, Region IV-A Player-of-the-Year, MVP National Championship Tournament & Regional Tournament, 1st Team All American, National Player of the Week
  • Camron Donatlan: 3rd Team All-American, 1st Team All Region IV-A, All Tournament Team: National Championship and Regional Tournaments, National Player of the Week
  • Damontae Taylor: 2nd Team All Region IV-A, All Tournament Team: National Championship and Regional Tournament
  • Nmesomachi Nnebedum: All Tournament Team: National Championship Tournament

Chairman Terry R. Wells, who attended all but one game at the national tournament in Danville, IL, stated: “We could not be prouder of Coach Pigatti and the coaching staff, and especially our student-athletes not only for bringing SSC our first national championship, but also for the way they conducted themselves during the national tournament and throughout the extensive media coverage following their historic season. Congratulations on a job well done.”

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.
 

a photo of the SSC Men’s Basketball Team presented its accolades to the Board of Trustees
Pictured: The South Suburban College National Champion Men’s Basketball Team presented its accolades to Chairman Terry R. Wells and the Board of Trustees in South Holland on April 14.

South Suburban College to Host Virtual Trades Thursday Event

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The Office of Enrollment Services at South Suburban College (SSC) welcomes the community to “Trades Thursday” on April 21, 2022 from 2 to 3 p.m. This virtual open house will be accessible via Zoom.

SSC offers options to learn various aspects of the trades. Eugene Damiani, Engineering and Technology Instructor, will show equipment offered at SSC and explain the hands-on experience in the Building Construction Technology Program and Welding Program.

Desmond Campbell, Manager of the SouthWorks Maker Lab, and instructor in the Electronic Engineering Technology Program and Computer-Aided Design Program, will discuss how electronics are tied to the trades and the advantages of having access to equipment in the Maker Lab. “Our program is a heavy hands-on approach to engineering. We give students the experience and fundamentals to complete projects,” said Campbell. “At SSC, you won’t be a number. Instructors and staff will teach you how and why you use certain methods of problem solving.”

For more information about “Trades Thursday,” call Christina Gutierrez, Manager of Onboarding and Outreach, at (708) 596-2000 ext. 2023. The Main Campus of South Suburban College is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

Summer registration is open at SSC with convenient classes beginning on Monday, June 6, 2022. Future SSC students can take their first step toward success by accessing the following link: https://www.ssc.edu/admissions-registration/.

A photo of EET and CADD instructor Desmond Campbell..
Pictured – Desmond Campbell, SSC Electronic Engineering Technology and Computer-Aided Design instructor, explains the use of a digital logic trainer.

South Suburban College Now Providing On-Campus COVID-19 Testing through SHIELD Illinois

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The IDPH drive-thru COVID-19 test and vax site at SSC’s Main Campus has officially closed. Testing will now be conducted by SHIELD three days per week.

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College is now providing COVID-19 testing services in South Holland through SHIELD Illinois three days per week: Mondays from 12 – 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Thursdays from 12 – 4 p.m. This announcement follows the Illinois Department of Public Health’s closure of most of its testing locations, including the drive-thru site that had benefited SSC’s community for more than a year.

SHIELD provides results quickly and is accessible in the Mi-Jack Room on the first floor of the college’s Main Campus at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. While no appointment is necessary, Patients must create an account on Portal.shieldillinois.com using agency code df5brbrj to receive test results. Individuals needing a test may show up during testing hours or preschedule an appointment during those hours.

Ongoing COVID-19 information, testing changes and other updates are posted online regularly at ssc.edu/covid19.

#CCMonth: The Community College Advantage

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Photo of Terry Wells

-Terry R. Wells, Chairman, South Suburban College Board of Trustees

More than 100 years ago, community colleges were created as publicly funded institutions of higher education at community-based facilities. They began a policy of welcoming all who wished to learn, regardless of age, race, gender, wealth or previous academic experience. The foundation of diversity, equity and inclusion. Community colleges have championed these ideals since inception.

Today there are more than 1,100 community colleges in the United States sharing common goals of accessibility with a commitment to high quality lifelong learning. Community colleges allow students to positively impact their lives, their families and their communities.

Everyone knows someone who is the product of the community college system. For some, it may have been a stepping stone toward an advanced degree, for others it may have been the last beacon of hope that inspired a newfound career path. A child, relative, friend, neighbor, or colleague who became a nurse, attained a specialized skill to return to work, earned a GED, was a first-generation graduate, transferred on scholarship to the University of Illinois, or even became a basketball national champion. No matter the goal, the success stories are all around us.

In spite of – at times – misconceptions, naysayers or even critics, the positive evidence is overwhelming when brought to light. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the significant impact community colleges have on student outcomes, on training a skilled workforce, and on the local economy. In fact, a 2021 economic impact study by Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies revealed the Illinois Community College system accounts for $3.5 billion in economic output and more than 43,000 jobs throughout the State.

Now in 2022, community colleges have emerged from an ongoing pandemic stronger than ever. New educational platforms, class delivery methods and student service models provide various opportunities for students to choose their own destiny. All while remaining a fraction of the tuition cost at the nearest university. And let us not forget the free community health role many of our institutions have played, most recently.

So, as we take a moment to recognize national Community College Month, let’s make sure we celebrate our shared reinvestment in an old core value: accessibility. Afterall, it’s what we’ve done better than anyone since 1901.

Share your community college stories on social media by tagging posts with #CCMonth.

Art Exhibition by Erin Smego on Display at South Suburban College

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The South Suburban College (SSC) Art & Design Department is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Erin Smego entitled, “Secondhand Aesthetics”. This art exhibit is currently on display in the Dorothea Thiel Gallery through the closing artist reception on Wednesday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m.

“I always LOVE making art,” the Chicago artist remarked about her installation at SSC. “It’s honestly a blessing and a curse sometimes, but today was a nice reminder of how sometimes it’s fun to just enjoy the art for what it is.” Smego’s abstract sculptures examine and deconstruct gender expectations through off-the-shelf fashions, textiles, and construction materials.

Smego received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2011) and was an artist-in-residence at HATCH Projects, Chicago Artists’ Coalition (2018). She has exhibited in numerous group exhibitions in the United States including 65Grand, THE SUB-MISSION, baby blue gallery, The Fulton Street Collective, The Art Center Highland Park and Bloomsburg University.

Smego has also exhibited solo installations at The Hermosa Walls, Ignition Projects, Stumble Chicago, and Boundary, as well as internationally at the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art Museum in Gyenggi-do, South Korea. She was awarded the Edna L. Cushing Annual Memorial Prize in a juried show Elements of Abstraction (2015) at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild as well as the Working Artist Organization Grant (2018).

The public is welcome to visit the art exhibition at no charge. The Dorothea Thiel Gallery is located on the fourth floor of SSC’s Main Campus. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays. All SSC galleries are supported in part by the SSC Foundation.

For more information, please email jtassin@ssc.edu or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2316. Temperature checks, masks and social distancing are required on campus. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.
 

"Untitled" - sculpture
PICTURED: Art by Erin Smego from the “Secondhand Aesthetics” series.

South Suburban College to Offer New Summer Bridge Program to First-Year, First-Time Students

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SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is providing an opportunity for 30 first-year, first-time students to earn seven free college credit hours in eight short weeks. The new First Year Experience (FYE) Summer Bridge Program will provide free tuition, books and fees, one-on-one tutoring, mentoring activities and leadership development.

Dr. Charles Collins is the SSC Summer Bridge Student Success Strategist. “The FYE Summer Bridge Program will help students begin their college experience in a focused environment, strengthen their academic skills, meet new friends while developing a peer support network, and become more familiar with the SSC campus and its resources,” he remarked.

Those interested in applying for the Summer Bridge Program are welcome to attend an informational session on April 14. Two options will be available via Zoom at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. A confirmation email will be sent with details to access either session after registration is complete. Visit the following link to register: www.ssc.edu/summer-bridge.

An English, reading and math placement test are required prior to admittance into the Summer Bridge Program. The application deadline for this program is May 25. Options for orientation are available on either June 1 or June 2. The program will run Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. from June 6 through August 1, 2022.

Questions about the Summer Bridge Program can be directed to Anissa Jones, Dean of Student Development, at (708) 596-2000 ext. 5708. This program will be offered on SSC’s Main Campus, located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

SSC is a community college 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.
 

The South Suburban College Main Campus building exterior.
PICTURED: The South Suburban College Main Campus building exterior.