South Holland Resident Fatima Serrato Sworn in as Student Trustee at South Suburban College

Posted on May 27, 2022May 27, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) student Fatima Serrato was sworn in as Student Trustee at the college’s May meeting of the Board of Trustees. She was welcomed to her new role by Chairman Terry R. Wells.

Feeling a bit too comfortable with her life earlier in the school year, Serrato decided to run for the Student Trustee position for a change of pace. “I wanted to branch out and try something new that would be considered out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Normally I would not choose to be given the spotlight, but I’m looking forward to this role.” As a result of her victory, Serrato will vote on behalf of the student community at monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Consistent communication was credited most by Serrato in her appointment as Student Trustee, noting that she was determined to obtain the 50 student signatures needed for her nomination, in spite of any obstacles created by the pandemic. “I informed students of my intentions for running for Student Trustee, how I want to be an advocate for them and implement some new ideas,” Serrato added. “My overall goal is to fulfill the needs of SSC students throughout my term.”

This South Holland resident has the desire to be an advocate for not only the student population at SSC, but also in her eventual career, working as an OBGYN in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Serrato remarked, “I’ve always wanted to positively impact the lives of others. I’m excited to begin serving the student population, similar to how I will advocate for my patients one day.”

In addition to her new role as Student Trustee, Serrato is active in the SSC Green Club, where she serves as Vice President. She also works as a student assistant alongside Dean Devon Powell in Student Services. Serrato has additionally earned a Summer School Scholarship as well as the SSC Student Trustee Scholarship, resulting from her recent election. She concluded, “I’m looking forward to making my mark and a positive impact at SSC.”

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved as an SSC student. Registration for the Summer Semester is underway with a start date of June 6. For more information or for assistance with registration, access the live chat button online at ssc.edu or call (708) 210-5718. The mission of South Suburban College is to Serve our Students and the Community through lifelong learning.

A photo of Vice President of Administration Martin Lareau, Student Trustee Fatima Serrato and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Terry R. Wells. — **PICTURED:** Vice President of Administration, Martin Lareau (left) shakes hand of newly elected Student Trustee, Fatima Serrato (center), alongside Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Terry R. Wells (right) at the South Suburban College May Board Meeting.

South Suburban College Celebrates First Class of Barber College Graduates

Posted on May 23, 2022May 24, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) celebrated the first graduating class from its Barber College on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Called, the “Final Punch Out,” the ceremony was attended by students, faculty, administrators, SSC President, Dr. Lynette D. Stokes, members of the Board of Trustees, including Chairman Terry R. Wells, as well as Illinois State Representatives Thaddeus Jones (29th District) and William “Will” Davis (30th District). Attendees observed special remarks, various student awards and each of the nine cohort completers log their last punch card, noting 1,500 hours of successful completion. It was a bittersweet moment for everyone involved in pioneering the program.

“It was both an overwhelming and terrific experience,” said Lucas Gunby, SSC Barber College Program Coordinator. Once an award-winning barber for television shows like “Empire” and “Chicago Fire,” Gunby now teaches the next generation of barbers at SSC. “One of the things that makes SSC’s program so unique is that you can earn a Barber Technician Certificate or an Associate in Applied Science in barbering degree,” he stated, noting that students may transfer in credits from traditional barbering institutions. “Not only that, but if you’ve never attended classes on a college campus, you can enter this program and get the full student experience.”

Eight students were recently awarded certificates from the SSC Barbering Program, many of which have made connections in the field that led to employment opportunities. One student, Shuntai Robinson, earned an AAS degree in barbering. Similar to Gunby, Robinson has an interest in training new students. “I’m looking to expand the knowledge I already received in order to teach others properly. I’m really eager to learn,” she stated. Robinson spoke as the SSC Barber College class valedictorian. She tipped her cap to Gunby and remarked, “He is very knowledgeable about cutting techniques. He can use a comb and clippers without guards. It takes years of experience to get to that level.”

Students complete both clinical and theoretical education in the SSC Barber College. This program is expected to grow tremendously in the near future, according to Gunby, with plans to incorporate a mobile barbering bus to serve the community at various events. He added, “In 2023, there are plans to add a cosmetology program [and] instructors’ program, so you can come to SSC and we can teach you how to teach these classes. We are doing our best to lead students and give them the key to success.”

For more information about the SSC Barber College, please call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2266. South Suburban College is located at 15800 S. State St. South Holland, IL 60473. Our mission is to Serve our Students and the Community through life-long learning.

A photo of the nine graduates of the first SSC Barber College cohort gather to celebrate their achievement. — **PICTURED:** Nine graduates of the first SSC Barber College cohort gather to celebrate their achievement.

South Suburban College Baseball Wins 14th Division I Regional Championship

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College Baseball Team captured their 14th Regional Championship on Saturday, May 14th following a hard fought 12-inning victory over Region-IV Tournament host Triton College by a score of 9-8. The Bulldogs improved their season record of 41-17 – the 13th time they have reached the 40-win mark in school history.

Freshman RHP Garrett Kenyon (Coronado High School, Las Vegas, NV) was the winning pitcher and freshman RHP Dalton Alford (Calhoun High School, Port Lavaca, TX) closed it out with a scoreless 12th inning. Freshman RHP James Burke (Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park, IL) earned Region-IV Tournament MVP after throwing 7 2/3 innings in Friday’s 7-5 win vs. Triton.

“It took 21 total innings on Saturday to get it done and I could not be any prouder of our team for finding a way to win it,” said Head Coach Steve Ruzich, who was named Region-IV Coach of the Year. “We have given ourselves an opportunity to get back to Nationals and look forward to heading to Wabash Valley this week.”

SSC will open with John Logan College at the District Tournament on Wednesday, May 18 at 12 noon at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Wabash Valley will take on Iowa Western at 3 p.m. The winner of the four-team tournament will advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I World Series, located in Grand Junction, Colorado.

For more information, visit www.ssc.edu/athletics or contact Coach Ruzich at sruzich@ssc.edu. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

A photo of SSC Bulldogs baseball team with Region IV Trophy — **PICTURED:** The South Suburban College Bulldogs Baseball Team earned the Regional Championship after a 12-inning victory over host Triton College on Saturday, May 14.

South Suburban College to Offer College for Kids Summer Program

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– The Office of Continuing, Corporate and Community Education (C3) at South Suburban College (SSC) will offer the College for Kids program this summer. Children in grades 1-12 are invited to participate. This program will explore reading, study skills, grammar and writing, math, Spanish, and game creation.

“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.”

College for Kids will begin on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 and conclude on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Classes will not be offered on Monday, July 4, 2022, as campus will be closed for the holiday.

This program will be offered on SSC’s Main Campus, located at 15800 S. State St. South Holland, IL 60473. Contact the C3 department at (708) 596-2000 ext. 2231 for more information or to enroll a child in College for Kids. Visit ssc.edu for a complete listing of non-credit classes for the youth and adults alike.

SSCMainCampus-north — **PICTURED:** The South Suburban College Main Campus in South Holland, Illinois.

South Suburban College to Host Cook County Career Connect Free Hiring & Resource Fair on May 24

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) will host the Cook County Career Connector Hiring & Resource Fair on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kindig Performing Arts Center. This event marks the kickoff of the Cook County Career Connector program sponsored by Cook County and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) with support from Employment & Employer Services (E&ES) and the South Suburban American Job Center (AJC).

The Cook County Career Connector promotes a more inclusive and equitable economy as Cook County emerges from the pandemic by connecting County residents to quality jobs and connecting County employers to a skilled and diverse talent pool.

“The County is committed to utilizing American Rescue Plan Act dollars to provide opportunities to address the needs of both businesses and job seekers as we continue to recover from the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Businesses today face historic challenges finding the talent they need and we also know that there are many people seeking new or better jobs. We launched the Career Connector program to make the critical connection between employer and job seeker.”

More than 20 ready-to-hire employers will be on hand in fields that include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) and other sectors. Employers include National Tube Supply, Symphony Care Network, Walgreens, Illinois Tollway Call Center, Amazon, PACE Suburban Bus and more who will offer competitive wages and benefits.

Job seekers should bring at least 15 copies of their resume, dress appropriately and be prepared to interview during the Career Connector Hiring & Resource Fair. Job seekers can register at ChiCookWorks.org/CCFair.

Masks and temperature checks are required for admittance on the college campus. The SSC Main Campus is located at 15800 S. State St. South Holland, IL 60473. The mission of South Suburban College is to Serve our Students and the Community though lifelong learning.

South Suburban College Partners to Offer Free Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) and the Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) have partnered to offer a free Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp. This 80-hour, 5-week program prepares individuals for college-level manufacturing programs and rewarding careers.

Students who complete the program earn the National Safety Council forklift certification, the OSHA 10 safety standards certification and an SSC certificate of participation. They will also receive plant tours, interviews with potential employers and the opportunity to connect with college representatives. Participants may even be eligible to earn a stipend while taking part in the bootcamp.

Nancy Burrows, a CAIC program coordinator remarked, “When people think about manufacturing, they think you need to be good with your hands, but it’s more important to be good with your mind as problem-solving is one of the most vital tools for success in the field.”

Participants of the Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp will gain a well-rounded understanding of the field while adding mathematical techniques to their skillset. Resume building and interviewing strategies will also be explored.

“Many people who work in manufacturing are retiring. Companies are seeking people with a myriad of skills who are eager to advance. We are hopeful that this partnership between the CAIC and SSC will help address the needs of our communities,” Burrows added. “The Chicago Southland is rich with manufacturing companies. It’s a great boost for the economy of the area to have people who can live and work in the same vicinity.”

The Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp begins on Monday, June 6, 2022. Classes will take place at the Thornton Fractional High School Center for Academics and Technology at 1605 Wentworth Ave. Calumet City, IL 60409. The bootcamp is open to graduates of the Thornton Fractional Class of 2022 and all adults over the age of 18. Seating is limited and registration is required. More information is available at: calumetareaindustrial.com/bridge-program. Call Nancy Burrows at (773) 517-3708 or e-mail nancy@calumetareaindustrial.com for additional details or to register.

Funding for the Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp is provided by an H-1B US Department of Labor One Workforce Grant.

Former student adjusts a hydraulic instrumentation module. — **PICTURED:** Former South Suburban College student adjusts a hydraulic instrumentation module.

South Suburban College Recognizes High School Students at Annual Video Competition

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC), with the assistance of Career Development Systems (CDS), hosted the 15th annual High School Video Competition on Thursday, April 28, 2022, in the Kindig Performing Arts Center. The competition showcases talent from high schools as well as provides tours of the college’s facilities, including the television studio, audio studio and new multimedia lab, built Spring 2022.

Graphic Design & Visual Communications coordinator, professor Pamela Planera, and other SSC staff welcomed high school students and their families to the event. “This year’s competition meant the world to me as it was my first in-person event since the pandemic,” said Planera. “I really enjoyed it and received a lot of great feedback to make this event even bigger and better for the future. It was great to meet students who plan on enrolling in my graphic design and visual communication courses this Fall of ‘22. The new visual communication program goes hand-in-hand with the graphic design degrees and certificates that we offer. I hope they continue to choose SSC for their college education.”

Six high schools submitted entries into the competition: Bremen, Hillcrest, Oak Forest, Richards, Shepard and Thornton Fractional South. Students entered work in nine different categories: Commercial/Promo, Creative Mobile Project, Live Multi-Camera, News Program, News Story or Feature, Podcast, PSA, Short Subject-Comedy and Short Subject-Drama. The forty entries were judged on aesthetic quality, technical quality, program design and overall effectiveness.

In addition to the student awards, high schools competed for the Regional Award of Distinction, which is determined by the highest average score per entry. Jodi Pelini, a professor at Shepard High School, accepted this award. “The SSC awards ceremony was the highlight of the 2021-2022 school year. After two years of virtual ceremonies, it was wonderful to be back in-person with the students to honor all their achievements. The competition was unbelievably fierce this year which made it all the more meaningful to take home the Regional Award of Distinction. I couldn’t be prouder of our students for their creative talent and their endless dedication to telling memorable stories,” said Pelini.

The student awards for each category are as follows:

Commercial/Promo: First Place, “School’s Out” – Shepard; Second Place, “Cologne Commercial” – Richards; Third Place, “Gatorade Commercial” – Richards.

Creative Mobile Project: First Place, “Mi Familia” – Shepard.

News Program: First Place, “Bulldog Dispatch” – Richards; Second Place, “Bravescast” – Bremen; Third Place, “Astro TV Newscast” – Shepard.

News Story or Feature: First Place, “Richards Pre-School” – Richards; Second Place, “Richards Male Mental Wellness Club” – Richards; Third Place, “2021 Bremen Braves Soccer Mid-Season Report” – Bremen.

Podcast: First Place, “The Story of Headless Canyon” – Bremen; Second Place, “The History and Future of Gaming” – Bremen; Third Place, “Be Kind to Your Mind” – Shepard.

PSA: First Place, “Drive Safe, Not Stupid” – Shepard; Second Place, “Donate. Save a Life” – Shepard.

Short Subject – Comedy: First Place, “Kyle” – Bremen; Second Place, “A VLOG to Remember” – Shepard; Third Place, “Mask Up” – Hillcrest.

Short Subject – Drama: First Place, “The Mirror in Me” – Shepard; Second Place, “Agent 228” – Oak Forest; Third Place, “Borderline” – Shepard.

Live Multi-Camera: First Place, “March Choir Concert” – Shepard; Second Place, “Pizza Wars” – Oak Forest; Third Place, “Bake Off” – Hillcrest.

Contact Pamela Planera at pplanera@ssc.edu or (708) 596-2000 ext. 2211 for information about Graphic Design & Visual Communications at South Suburban College. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.