Final Week to Register for Summer Classes at South Suburban College

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) Attention Attention! This week is the last week to register for summer classes at SSC. Summer classes start on Monday, June 3rd, and spacing is limited. Don’t wait; classes fill quickly. The summer session allows students to begin or continue their college experience with SSC, or to come home from their four-year institution to take additional credits conveniently and at a more affordable rate. Secure your class today before they’re filled.

For more information, visit us online at ssc.edu, in-person, or contact the Office of Admissions at (708) 210-5718 for enrollment information.

PHOTO: South Suburban College Main Campus: Student Entrance

South Suburban College Welcomes Back “College for Kids” Summer Program

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL – The Office of Continuing, Corporate, and Community Education (C3) at South Suburban College (SSC) is excited to announce the return of the College for Kids program. This enriching summer program will be held at the main campus in South Holland and will run from Monday, June 24, 2024, through Thursday, July 25, 2024. Please note that classes will not be held on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in observance of Independence Day.

Children entering grades 2 through 12 are invited to join this exciting program. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects, including reading, study skills, grammar and writing, math, Spanish, arts & crafts, and game creation. Each session is designed to enhance your child’s learning by reviewing and introducing new course materials.

All instructors are certified teachers dedicated to contributing to your child’s academic and personal growth. To ensure quality education, most classes require a minimum enrollment of five students and have a maximum limit. Enrollment is on a “first-come, first-served” basis, and students are encouraged to register at least one week before the start of classes.

“Children in this program have the opportunity to learn in a variety of academic arenas. It will help keep their educational tools sharp during the summer months when school is not in session,” said Gervaise Edwards, Manager of C3. “This experience can lead participants to have better, brighter futures.”

The College for Kids program will be held at SSC’s Main Campus located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, IL 60473. For more information or to enroll a child in the College for Kids program, please contact the C3 department at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2231, or ext. 5723. Check us out online at College for Kids.

PHOTO: South Suburban College: College for Kids Outdoor Fun.

South Suburban College Launches “College & Career Success Center Enhancements” Campaign

Posted on May 28, 2024May 28, 2024 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL — South Suburban College (SSC) is excited to announce the launch of our “College & Career Success Center Enhancements” campaign. This initiative is designed to significantly improve services for our current and prospective students, ensuring a more seamless and comprehensive enrollment experience.

Enhancing Student Support
With a renewed focus on enrollment, retention, and completion, SSC has made strategic investments to support student success. The “College & Career Success Center Enhancements” (CCSC) campaign is a pivotal step in SSC’s commitment to providing exceptional support to students at every stage of their academic and career journeys. The following services will now transition from a nine month to a 12-month service delivery model, ensuring that students receive continuous support throughout their academic journey. The campaign will focus on the following key areas:

Streamlined Enrollment Process: Introducing new technologies and resources making enrollment more efficient and user-friendly for prospective students.
Career Services Expansion: Enhancing career advising and career preparedness opportunities to better serve the students.
Academic Advising Improvements: Strengthening academic advising to offer more personalized guidance and support, helping students to navigate their educational paths effectively and offering additional hours to meet with Academic & Career Advisors.
Resource Accessibility: Increasing awareness and access to educational resources, including tutoring, mentoring programs, and workshops that address the needs of a diverse student body.

We invite everyone to join us at these events to learn more about the benefits of these exciting new improvements.

Campaign Event Schedule:

May 29, 2024 – Welcome to the College & Career Success Center (CCSC)
Join us for an open house at the CCSC. This event will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about the various resources and services available, as well as meet our dedicated Academic & Career Advisors.

June/July – New Student Orientations
Our Academic & Career Advisors will facilitate these orientations to support Fall enrollment, ensuring new students have all the information and guidance they need to succeed at SSC.

September 25, 2024 – Meet and Greet
Students will have the chance to meet their assigned Academic & Career Advisors, gain insights into the services and resources available, and build connections within the SSC community.

“Academic advising is the critical anchor to student success and educational equity. We are extremely excited about the redesign of our Academic & Career Advising model that takes a year-round approach to delivering a holistic and integrated suite of support services designed to better address students’ diverse needs,” stated Dr. Lynette D. Stokes, President of South Suburban College.

The “College & Career Success Center Enhancements” campaign represents SSC’s ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and professionally. Our goal is to provide student-centered services and resources by focusing on personalized support and comprehensive advising services. SSC aims to improve student outcomes and help more individuals achieve their educational and career goals.

For more information about the “College & Career Success Center Enhancements” campaign, please contact: Dr. Jones, Dean of Student Development via email at ajones@ssc.edu or call Ext. 5708.

About South Suburban College:
South Suburban College is dedicated to providing high-quality education and support to our diverse student body. With a wide range of programs and services, we aim to empower students to achieve their educational and career goals.

PHOTO: South Suburban College Fall Aerial View.

Pace Bus is Hiring at South Suburban College on June 17, 2024

Posted on May 28, 2024May 28, 2024 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) and Pace Bus are pleased to announce another pre-hiring event to provide a free Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) permit course for the next generation of professional bus operators in the Chicago Southland region. The college and transportation agency will offer a customized two-week course to assist qualified applicants in obtaining their CDL permit. To remove financial barriers for students to pursue and complete the program actively, Pace will cover the costs of tuition, training, books, fees, and other expenses associated with the program. In addition, SSC, in partnership with the Workforce Equity Initiative Grant, will provide a completion incentive for participants who complete the two-week course.

On Monday, June 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., SSC will host a pre-hiring event for job seekers to meet with Pace staff. During the 3-hour event, applicants will complete a screening process in the MB Financial Bank Room on SSC’s Main Campus, including application completion, an assessment questionnaire, and a background check. All candidates must bring a valid Illinois driver’s license and a DMV or Secretary of State Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) (also called Driving Record Abstracts in Illinois) with no more than two infractions or tickets in the last five years. Candidates are responsible for the cost of the MVR, which is $20.

Assessment results will be available 2-4 days after the event when candidates must complete an Illinois Department of Transportation physical and drug screening. Pace Bus will cover the cost of these screenings. Candidates who pass these screenings will be enrolled in a training course that will take place at SSC’s Main Campus. Qualified candidates who complete the two-week course will transition to six-week on-the-job training with Pace.

For more information or to register for the CDL Class B licensure program with SSC and Pace, please contact SSC’s Continuing Education Program at (708) 596-2000, ext. 5723.

PHOTO: Pace Bus Hiring Photo

South Suburban College Wins 3rd Place in The Times “Best of the Region 2024” for Best Adult Educational Institution

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL – May 20, 2024 – South Suburban College (SSC) is thrilled to announce that we have won 3rd place in The Times “Best of the Region 2024” for Best Adult Educational Institution! A ginormous thank you to everyone who voted for SSC. We are honored to be chosen as one of the top winners in this category.

Winning this award validates our continuous endeavors in being committed to providing exceptional support and resources to our students. At SSC, we strive to create an enriching learning environment that caters to the needs of adult learners, helping them achieve their educational and career goals.

Once again, thank you to all who supported us. We look forward to continuing our mission of delivering high-quality education and making a positive impact in our community.
For more information, please contact Dr. Kellie Martin, Executive Director of Public Relations via email at kmartin@ssc.edu or call Ext. 5846

Thank you once again to everyone who voted for us. We are proud to be recognized as one of the best adult educational institutions in the region!

PHOTO: Best of the Region Star won by South Suburban College for “Best Adult Educational Institution”

Free Learning Opportunities Available and Volunteers Needed for the South Suburban College Literacy Tutoring Program

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is seeking participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy (AVL) 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, whole language experience, combined with effective communication skills. Residents are welcome to volunteer as tutors and encourage others to take advantage of this free professional development opportunity.

Once certified, SSC’s volunteer literacy tutors visit adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods. Tutoring is flexibly scheduled based on the availability of tutors, learners, and tutoring sites. The following locations have been established as tutoring sites: 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 Main Campus Library, South Holland; South Suburban College 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; Midlothian Public Library; and Thornton Public Library.

Illiteracy can be debilitating in many ways for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read experience difficulty completing many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a 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). These opportunities are made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.

The June training will take place at the South Suburban College Oak Forest Campus in Oak Forest, IL on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4 through June 20, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This 12-hour program culminates with literacy training certification. 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. For additional information, or to register, please contact David Stephens, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email DStephens@ssc.edu.

PHOTO: South Suburban College Aerial View.

Law Day at South Suburban College: A Resounding Success!

Posted on May 7, 2024May 7, 2024 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL — South Suburban College (SSC) celebrated Law Day on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, marking a significant milestone in fostering legal education and awareness within the community. The event drew an impressive turnout, with state and local law enforcement agencies, high school students from Bremen, Hillcrest, and Oak Forest, SSC legal studies students, and last but not least, SSC staff converging to partake in a day filled with immersive experiences and insightful discussions.

One of the highlights of the day was the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, First Division hearing oral arguments on a criminal case, presenting attendees with a rare opportunity to witness legal proceedings firsthand. The case was argued by representatives from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Office of the State Appellate Defender, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the experience.

ASA Andrew Yassan and AAD John Breffeilh graciously engaged in a stimulating Q&A session following the oral arguments, providing attendees with valuable insights into the legal profession. Justices Lavin, Pucinski, Coghlan, and Cobbs also remained for a Q&A session, offering further enlightenment on the intricacies of the judicial process.

The event featured a diverse range of activities designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of law enforcement and the legal system. A mock crime scene, meticulously arranged by the Illinois State Police, allowed students to immerse themselves in the investigative process and gain practical insights into forensic analysis. A training Forensic Investigator provided detailed explanations, ensuring that attendees could correlate their observations with real-world forensic practices.

“Master Sergeant, December Melville highlights the Illinois State Police’s ongoing commitment to educating and inspiring future generations through the immersive mock crime scene experience. Now in its second year, this initiative provides invaluable insight into the crucial work of Crime Scene Investigators (CSI), offering attendees a firsthand glimpse into the challenges and responsibilities faced in the field. By fostering understanding and appreciation for the complexities of forensic investigation, the Illinois State Police continues to shape the next generation of law enforcement professionals.”

Throughout Law Day at SSC, participants were not only equipped with knowledge but also inspired by the dedication and expertise demonstrated by legal professionals and law enforcement agencies. The event served as a testament to SSC’s pivotal role in promoting legal literacy and fostering community engagement. The inclusion of a night session focusing on the seamless transition to four-year institutions underscored SSC’s commitment to facilitating academic and professional advancement.

As SSC looks forward to future endeavors in legal education and community outreach, Law Day stands as a shining example of the institution’s unwavering commitment to excellence and inclusivity.

For more information about SSC’s Legal Programs and its upcoming events, please contact, Becky Walters, Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice Program Coordinator via email at bwalters@ssc.edu.

PHOTO: South Suburban College Law Day. Pictured left to right: Justice M. Coghlan, Justice T. Lavin, Justice A. Pucinski, and Justice C. Cobbs

Lending Library Open

Posted on May 6, 2024May 6, 2024 by Webmaster

The SSC Lending Library is open and conveniently situated near the SSC bus stop on State Street. This community hub for literary exchange has been revitalized. With a diverse selection of titles spanning various genres and subjects, there’s something for everyone to discover.

Book donations are important to ensure the SSC Lending Library can consistently evolve to enrich the reading experience for all with fresh titles. If you have books gathering dust on your shelves, consider giving them a new lease on life by putting them in the Lending Library. The shelves can hold as many as 30 books.

Born out of a service-learning initiative, this updated location has become a cherished space for book enthusiasts and knowledge seekers alike. Spread the word and foster a love for learning within the community today!

IMAGE: Lending Library on the Main Campus.