South Suburban College Embarks on Spring 2024 Enrollment with Saturday Registration Events

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) is gearing up for the Spring 2024 Semester with registration events scheduled for Saturday, January 13th, and Saturday, January 20th, from 9 am to 2:00 pm at the main campus in South Holland, Illinois. The semester officially begins on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024.

In its dedication to providing affordable and flexible class options, SSC encourages prospective and current students to explore a variety of course delivery methods. The High Five modes of course delivery at SSC encompass in-person, online, virtual, simulcast, and blended options, granting students the flexibility to choose based on their preferences and schedules.

Early registration is recommended to secure preferred modes of instruction and class schedules. SSC has instituted a strategy enabling students to enroll in classes without the risk of being dropped for non-payment. The college offers various programs to eligible students, including special tuition rates, tuition-free course waivers, scholarship opportunities, and a plethora of pathway options.

Additionally, detailed course information, including a chat option with a representative, is available at www.ssc.edu. For enrollment information, please contact the College and Career Success Center at (708) 210-5718 or email admissions@ssc.edu. Para Información En Español Llame: (708) 210-5740. The South Suburban College Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. The college’s extension site, the Oak Forest Center, is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois.

PHOTO: The South Suburban College Main Campus in South Holland, Illinois.

Retired South Suburban College History Professor Art T. Burton to Shine Light on the Life of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL–Renowned retired South Suburban College (SSC) history professor, Art T. Burton, is slated to appear on “CBS Sunday Morning” on November 5, 2023. During this segment, Burton will explore the life and legacy of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, a subject in which he is widely regarded as the foremost authority and biographer. Burton’s commentary will provide fresh insights into Reeves’ law enforcement career and historical significance.

As an alumnus of Governors State University, Burton has devoted more than three decades to rigorous historical research, elevating the stature of Reeves and consolidating his position as the foremost expert on the subject. Burton’s influence extends with his participation in the highly anticipated series “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” created by visionary Taylor Sheridan, known for the popular Western show “Yellowstone.” Starring the acclaimed David Oyelowo, this series is set to premiere on November 5, 2023, at 7 p.m. (CT) on Paramount. CBS’s acknowledgment of Burton’s expertise underscores his profound grasp of Bass Reeves’ life and era. In February 2022, CBS-Tulsa, in collaboration with news anchor Craig Day, featured Burton in a news segment dedicated to Bass Reeves’ legacy.

For more information on Art T. Burton and his research on African-Americans in the Wild West, please reach out via email at art.t.burton@gmail.com or visit the official website at www.artburton.com. For further details about South Suburban College (SSC), please visit the official website at www.ssc.edu. The Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois, with its Oak Forest Center extension situated at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois.

PHOTO: Retired South Suburban College History Professor, Art T. Burton.

South Suburban College to Host Family Reading Night on November 16

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is gearing up for its annual Family Reading Night event, set to take place on Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at SSC’s Main Campus located at 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL. The public is invited to attend this free event, which aims to promote community literacy through engaging stories, youth activities, and live presentations. Attendees can look forward to a puppet show, face painting, balloon art, book readings by local authors, and a youth book giveaway. The event’s community partners are comprised of Burst into Books, Y.U.R.W.I. Youth Urban Reading and Writing Initiative, and Doughboy’s Catering.

David Stephens, SSC’s Adult Literacy Grant Manager and the coordinator for Family Reading Night, emphasized the importance of family literacy, stating, “When families prioritize literacy together, it improves the overall health and well-being. Family Literacy not only enriches each individual’s quality of life but also provides adult family members with positive outcomes in their careers and household income. Improvements can be seen in educational attainment, civic participation/voting activity, employment opportunities, and financial security. The best determinant in a child’s future academic success is the improved reading skill of the entire family.”

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating for both adults and children who never received the proper instruction. Adults who struggle with reading face difficulties in daily activities that others may take for granted and are at a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market. In addition to the Family Reading Night event, SSC’s Adult Education Department administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program, as well as programs in High School Equivalency (HSE/GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE).

For additional information regarding Family Reading Night or the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, please contact David Stephens, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email DStephens@ssc.edu. This event is sponsored in part by the SSC Foundation.

PICTURED: Theresa Hickman, founder and owner of Mother Doves Academy, welcomes a community member during Family Reading Night 2022.

South Suburban College Men’s Basketball Team Earns National Ranking in Pre-Season NJCAA Division II Poll

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College (SSC) Men’s Basketball Team has secured a notable fifth-place national ranking, as indicated by the Pre-Season Poll of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II. As they prepare for the 2023-24 season, the Bulldogs schedule will include seven teams ranked in the top 20.

The Bulldogs will kick off the upcoming season on Wednesday, November 1st, with a home game against Trinity Christian (JV) at 7:00 p.m. Under the guidance of Coach Pigatti, who enters his 18th season, the Bulldogs are steadfast in pursuing their 13th Region IV title. In 2022, the team made history as the sole undefeated team to win a National Championship. The 2023-24 roster features Jemel Jones, the nation’s leading returning scorer, alongside eight players hailing from the northwest Indiana and southern Chicago suburbs.

To learn more about SSC’s Athletic Program, please get in touch with Athletic Director Steve Ruzich at sruzich@ssc.edu or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 5843. SSC’s primary campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois, with its Oak Forest Center extension located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois.

PICTURED: The 2023-2024 South Suburban College Men’s Basketball Team.

South Suburban College and Pace Bus Partner to Offer Fifth Pre-hiring Event on November 6, 2023

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) and Pace Bus are pleased to announce a fifth 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, November 6, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 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 in the MB Financial Bank Room from December 4, 2023 through December 15, 2023. Classes will be held Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 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.

Free Learning Opportunities Available and Volunteers Needed for the South Suburban College Literacy Tutoring Program for Fall 2023

Posted on October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by Webmaster

South Holland, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is seeking participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for adults needing 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 for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who cannot 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 (AVL) 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 November training will occur at the South Suburban College Main Campus in South Holland, IL, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 2 through November 21, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 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.