South Suburban College Honors Outgoing Board of Trustee Members and Welcomes New Student Trustee

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – On Thursday, April 20, 2023 South Suburban College (SSC) honored outgoing Board of Trustee members Joseph Whittington, Vincent Lockett, and Prince Reed. The SSC Board of Trustees also swore in a new student trustee, Jamesina Collier, who replaced Fatima Serrato, the previous SSC student trustee.

The collective experiences of the outgoing trustees were recognized with a small ceremony that featured plaques to honor each member’s service to the SSC Board. Trustee Joseph Whittington remarked, “I am so honored to have had the opportunity to serve the SSC Board. I was mentored by awesome leaders such as our previous SSC Chairman Frank Zuccarelli, and previous Trustee Katie Jackson-Booker.” Trustee Vincent Lockett expressed similar sentiments and discussed his admiration for the incoming trustees. “I now have new friends at SSC, and I am a Bulldog for life,” stated Lockett. In addition, Trustee Prince Reed expressed gratitude to the board for the opportunity to serve and wished them continued success.

Jamesina Collier, the new SSC student trustee, was sworn in by Board Secretary Janet M. Rogers. The SSC student trustee is voted in through an annual student election process. This individual also receives a scholarship from the South Suburban College Foundation. Collier replaced outgoing student trustee Fatima Serrato, who is projected to graduate in May 2023.

Incoming South Suburban College trustees will be welcomed at a special Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 8 p.m. in the Board Room on the second floor of the College’s Main Campus. Visit the Board of Trustees webpage to learn about the seven-member team and upcoming meetings: https://www.ssc.edu/about-ssc/board-of-trustees/.

For media inquiries, contact Zanetta Miller at (708) 596-2000, ext. 5846, or email zmiller@ssc.edu. The South Suburban College Main Campus is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. Our mission is to Serve our Students and the Community through lifelong learning.

A photo of South Suburban College Outgoing Board of Trustee — **PICTURED:** (from left to right) Trustee Joseph Whittington, Trustee Anthony DeFilippo, Trustee Prince Reed, College President Lynette D. Stokes, Chairman Terry R. Wells, outgoing Student Trustee Fatima Serrato, incoming Student Trustee Jamesina Collier, Secretary Janet M. Rogers, Vice Chair Vivian Payne, and Trustee Vincent Lockett at the monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

South Suburban College’s Student Organization for Latino Empowerment and Success (SOLES) Attends Illinois LAtino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE) Conference

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – On Friday, April 14, South Suburban College’s (SSC) Student Organization for Latino Empowerment & Success (SOLES) attended the Illinois LAtino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE) Conference hosted at Malcolm X College. SSC students participated in various workshops, including Pilsen’s Festival de Mujeres 1979: Using a new digital exhibit to explore la riqueza of 1970s; Cafecito sin Azucar: Undocumented Professional Collective Wisdom at Work; Crotchet and Sustainability: What I learned from my mother; and Self-Advocacy in Higher Education.

“My favorite workshop was self-advocacy advocating for yourself as a Latina/o/e. It was very informative on how to advocate for your well-being,” said Ana Ezparza, SSC Student and Latino Center Office Assistant. SOLES President Gloria Ruiz added, “I learned how to set healthy boundaries.” In addition, Lizbeth Atenco, SOLES Secretary, stated the My Skin, My Weapon workshop was her favorite as it provided tips on surviving graduate school as a Latina.

The ILACHE Conference hosted two speakers for the morning and afternoon plenary during breakfast and lunch. Dr. Nancy “Rusty” Barcelo, nationally recognized for her work in diversity and inclusion and former President of Northern New Mexico College, spoke about her journey in higher education in the late 60s as a Chicana during the morning plenary. SSC Barber College student Miguel Ramos mentioned he “really enjoyed the morning speaker, Rusty.”

Author and Latinx Activist Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez presented a portion of her book, For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts, during the afternoon plenary. “It was great to hear their amazing stories and learn from Dr. Barcelo and Prica Mojica Rodriguez,” stated Lizbeth Atenco, SOLES Secretary.

SSC Students also attended the research symposium with topics such as Medically Assisted Therapy during Pregnancy and the Impact of Commercialized American food in Mexico. “It was exciting meeting new people and seeing all the research,” said SSC student and SOLES member Gabriela “Gaby” Chaparro.

Overall, the ILACHE Conference provided SSC students professional and personal growth opportunities. Kimberly Rodriguez, an SSC student, stated, “There was trust between all of us as a community without inequalities,” referencing the Latinx community. The conference concluded with a networking event in which various undergraduate, graduate, and higher education professionals participated. Miguel Ramos concluded, “It was inspiring to be around people from all walks of life who want to make a positive impact for all Latino communities.”

The South Suburban College Main Campus is located at 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL. For more information on SSC’s Latino Center, please call (708) 210-5740 or email latino@ssc.edu.

A photo of SSC students of the SOLES Group Attended the ILACHE Conference. — **PICTURED:** Students of the South Suburban College SOLES Group Attended the Illinois LAtino Council on Higher Education Conference.

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

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) is seeking participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy (AVL) Tutoring Program to educate adults who are unable to read and experience difficulty with daily activities, including competing in today’s job market. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for instruction in basic literacy skills, including the development of phonetic reading and whole language experiences, combined with effective communication skills.

Community members are welcome to volunteer as tutors and encourage others to take advantage of this free professional development opportunity. Once certified, the SSC 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.

Established tutoring sites currently include 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.

The SSC Office of Adult Education administers the 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.

Training will take place at the South Suburban College Main Campus in South Holland, IL on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 2 through May 18, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 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 recommendations 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.

A photo of a tutor and a student as part of the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. — ***PICTURED:*** *Mary Gercken (right) tutors a student as part of the South Suburban College Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program.*

Cook County and South Suburban College Announce New Recycling Center and Household Hazardous Waste Event

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Webmaster

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – Cook County has partnered with South Suburban College (SSC) to establish the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), a permanent recycling drop-off facility located on the Main Campus for all Cook County residents. A grand opening will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at this new location in South Holland.

CHaRM will accept clothing, computers, e-waste, furniture, glass, metal, paper, plastic, small appliances, Styrofoam, and textiles on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional information and other accepted materials may be verified at www.cookcountyil.gov/CHaRMCenter.

During the grand opening, SSC will additionally host a one-day household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event on the north side of the Main Campus in the overflow parking lot. Participants interested in dropping off household hazardous waste are encouraged to register at cookgov.me/HHWsignup and may enter at the traffic signal on State Street.

Acceptable waste that can be collected during the HHW event includes acids, aerosol paints, antifreeze, cleaning products, corrosives, drain cleaners, fluorescent lamp bulbs, herbicides, hobby chemicals, household batteries, insecticides, lawn chemicals, mercury, oil-based paints, old gasoline, paint thinners, pesticides, pool chemicals, solvents, and used motor oil.

Unacceptable waste that will not be collected during the HHW event includes agricultural wastes, biohazard waste, business/commercial wastes, controlled substances, explosives/ammunition, farm machinery oil, fire extinguishers, fireworks, institutional waste, lead acid batteries, propane tanks, and smoke detectors. Note that latex paint should be discarded with regular trash pickup.

The South Suburban College Main Campus is located at 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL. For more information, please call (312) 603-8212, option 2, or email wasteandrecycling@cookcountyil.gov.