SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) and Pace Bus are pleased to announce a third 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 Thursday, May 11th, 2023, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, SSC will host a pre-hiring event for job seekers to meet with Pace staff. During the 3-hour event, which begins at 6 pm, applicants will complete a screening process in the MB Financial Bank Room located on the first floor of the 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.

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.

Qualified candidates who complete the two-week course will transition to a 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.

* Candidates are responsible for the cost of the MVR, which is $12.
 

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) has not increased tuition for community college students since 2018. SSC has strategically implemented initiatives that remove economic barriers by allowing students to sign up for classes without being dropped for non-payment. The college also offers several programs for eligible students, including special tuition rates, tuition-free course waivers, and scholarship opportunities.
 
“As a college, we understand that a tuition increase could greatly impact the students we serve. Freezing tuition and removing barriers to registering for a class for new and current students will aid in affordable education. Our goal includes removing economic hardships to education and allowing our students to have a smooth path towards earning an SSC degree,” noted SSC Board Chairman Terry Wells.
 
The pandemic’s consequences also added hardships for students, so the tuition freeze and other initiatives will continue encouraging new enrollees. “SSC celebrated having the Spring 2023 term be the first semester that enrollment was higher than pre-covid enrollment numbers. The continued efforts by President Stokes, the executive leadership team, the faculty, staff, and the SSC Board of Trustees have ensured a continued path for student success”, stated SSC Board of Trustee Vincent Lockett. SSC continues its efforts to provide affordable and flexible class options for college degree seekers with a wide range of course delivery selections. For Fall 2023, new and currently enrolled students can choose from SSC’s High Five modes of course delivery, including in-person, online, virtual, flex, and blended delivery methods. SSC also offers scholarships through the SSC Foundation to ensure students have additional financial resources for affordable education. Since 1989, the SSC Foundation has issued over $2.6 million in scholarship awards.
 
Registration is currently in progress for the Summer 2023 semester. SSC’s online application, registration services, and class schedule are easily accessible at ssc.edu.
 
Call the Office of Admissions at (708) 210-5718 or email admissions@ssc.edu for information about SSC’s enrollment process. 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.
 

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – The South Suburban College’s (SSC) Criminal Justice Program recently presented a program entitled “Dogs & Drones” for National Criminal Justice Month. The event, held on March 9th at the college, included a drone demonstration by the Burr Ridge Police Department and Federal Aviation Administration Drone Pro Keenan Newton. In addition, the program on “Dogs” featured police dog Louie from the Worth Illinois Police Department and police dog Hatty from the Cook County State Attorney’s Office. The area high schools were invited to bring up to 12 students plus a chaperone.

The United States Congress established National Criminal Justice Month in 2006; March is National Criminal Justice Month. Its purpose is to promote societal awareness around the causes and consequences of crime and strategies for preventing and responding to crime. The American Academy for Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) also recognizes March as National Criminal Justice Month. 

For more information on SSC’s Criminal Justice Program, please contact Becky Walters, Program Coordinator, at bwalters@ssc.edu. South Suburban College’s Main Campus is located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, IL 60473.
 

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) launched classes for the Spring 2023 Semester on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. SSC continues its efforts to provide affordable and flexible class options for college degree seekers with a wide range of course delivery selections. In early 2023, the college launched marketing efforts for the newly established Hospitality Management Program. The Hospitality Management Program through SSC prepares students for entry-level employment or other skills advancement in the hospitality industry based on the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-Conference for Food Protection (CFP)standards. The hospitality sector includes accommodation and food services establishments as part of the service industry. Students will gain specific knowledge and skillsets related to hotel operations, event planning, and safe handling of food products for preparation and consumption. Students taking the first course in the degree/certification program ‘BUS 102: Introduction to Hospitality’ will also take the ServSafe Food Handler exam to become employed in the field in as little as eight weeks. In addition, students can add stackable certifications toward achieving the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree within two years. 

During the late start 2023 registration period, SSC will offer an Introduction to Event Planning course on March 20 for students interested in starting the program. In addition, incoming students who do not live in-district may qualify for in-district tuition rates.

New and currently enrolled students can choose from SSC’s High Five modes of course delivery, including in-person, online, virtual, simulcast, and blended delivery methods. Students are encouraged to register early to secure their preferred mode of instruction and schedule. SSC has established a plan to allow students to sign up for classes without being dropped for non-payment. The college offers several programs for eligible students, including special tuition rates, tuition-free course waivers, scholarship opportunities, and more than a hundred pathway options. Classes for the Spring 2023 Semester have begun, with course and registration available through Monday, March 20, 2023. SSC’s online application, registration services, and class schedule are easily accessible at ssc.edu. 

For information about SSC’s Hospitality Management Program, please contact Dr. Ona Johnson at (708) 596-2000 x2357 or via email at ojohnson@ssc.edu. To inquire about SSC’s enrollment process, please call the Office of Admissions 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.
 

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL –South Suburban College wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for initial accreditation of its associate nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Associate Degree.

You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled for 3:30p on Wednesday, February 22, in MB conference room of South Suburban College located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted directly to:

 
All written comments should be received by the ACEN by Monday before, February 20, 2023.

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) will host a welcome back celebration on February 1st, 12 pm – 2 pm, for SSC students and the new eatery Rucker Cafe. The Welcome Back event is an extension of the Spring 2023 Registration Campaign, which encouraged early registration through swag bag items and raffle prizes for students who enrolled before December 31, 2022, and remained registered through the February 1, 2023 deadline. The Welcome Back celebration will announce the student winners of the swag bag items and raffle prizes while inviting the public to enjoy Rucker Cafe. The event will take place in the SSC cafeteria of the main campus in South Holland, with brief commentary from De’Andre Rucker – Rucker Cafe Owner, Dr. Lynette Stokes – President of SSC, and Terry Wells – SSC Board Chairman. Following brief remarks, there will be a short ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rucker Cafe and a general social hour for attendees. To celebrate the official opening of the Rucker Cafe, attendees will receive a complimentary dessert for every meal purchased from 12 pm – 2 pm. In addition, Rucker Cafe will sign up qualifying SSC students to receive a free tablet if they are Pell grant recipients. 

Rucker Cafe opened on January 18 at the SSC main campus in South Holland, Illinois. The cafe offers various menu options, including salads, smoothies, and lunch items. “We are honored and elated to be a part of such a great organization as South Suburban College! Rucker Cafe is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and quality food daily. Thank you again for believing in us and allowing us to serve you daily”, stated De’Andre Rucker.

The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, please contact Zanetta Miller, Executive Director of Public Relations and Resource Development, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 5846, or email zmiller@ssc.edu.
 

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) and Pace Bus are pleased to announce their partnership to provide a free CDL Class B commercial driver’s license permit course for the next generation of professional bus operators in the Chicago Southland region. The college and transportation agency have teamed up to offer a customized two-week period 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, in partnership with Pace, SSC’s Work Equity Initiative will provide additional support and resources to students completing the Pace training.

On January 17, 2023, South Suburban College will host a pre-hire event for job seekers to meet with Pace staff. During the 3-hour event, which begins at 6 pm, applicants will complete a screening process which includes 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.

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 will cover the cost of these screenings. Candidates who pass these screenings will be enrolled in a training course that will take place in February at South Suburban College.

In a meeting on Tuesday, November 22, SSC President Dr. Lynette D. Stokes, SSC Vice President of Academic Services Dr. Tasha Williams, Pace Safety and Training Manager Sharri Pappas, and Pace Chief Operating Officer Lindsey Umek, celebrated the successful partnership between the two entities as it will be the first for the South Suburbs. “I am excited to have SSC be the first in this area to launch an opportunity of this magnitude. At SSC, we are dedicated to providing high-quality education, training, and services for all individuals who can benefit from our programs. In addition, we want to provide accessible and affordable programs to a diverse community of learners in collaboration with local businesses. Our partnership with Pace Bus embodies all of these key tenets,” stated SSC President Dr. Stokes.

“Pace offers rewarding careers and a path to success for people who are passionate about public service. We are thrilled to partner with South Suburban College on this effort,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. “Offering this free course creates a win-win for everyone. Those looking for a new career get access to the free instruction they need, and Pace gets the operators it needs to keep providing the essential service our region relies on.”

The program will run through SSC’s Continuing Education Program, with classes being offered at its main campus. Dr. Matt Beasland, Executive Director of the Oak Forest Center, stated, “The program is a first in this region, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to the local community. The opportunity will provide jobs and livable wages with minimum pay starting at $20.00”.

Qualified candidates who complete the two-week will transition to a six-week on-the-job training with Pace. For more information about the CDL Class B licensure program with SSC and Pace Bus, please get in touch with SSC’s Continuing Education Program at 708-596-2000 ext. 5723.

* Candidates are responsible for the cost of the MVR, which is $12.

About South Suburban College
South Suburban College (SSC) is a public community college in South Holland, Illinois with a second campus located in Oak Forest, Illinois. The College offers over 100 program options from a wide selection of career education and college transfer credit programs. Additionally, SSC offers non-credit customized training, short-term instruction for business, and dozens of special interest classes. The College has a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center. A variety of cultural events are sponsored by the College, including plays, comedy acts, special lectures, and concerts, adding to the richness of the performing arts in the south suburbs.

About Pace Suburban Bus
Pace Suburban Bus safely and efficiently moves people to work, school, and other regional destinations with its family of public transportation services. Pace offers affordable and environmentally responsible transit options
for the residents of 272 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties. The backbone of Chicago’s suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders. One of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area nearly the size of the state of Connecticut and about 15 times the size of the City of Chicago. Pace’s innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) has established various registration incentives for the Spring 2023 Semester. Every student registered on or before Saturday, December 31, 2022, and enrolled by Wednesday, February 1, 2023 will receive a branded SSC bag, t-shirt, lanyard, and a $5 gift certificate to the new vendor in the cafeteria on the Main Campus in South Holland. These students will also be entered to win one of ten prizes, including a free course waiver to be used during the Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 Semester. Other items consist of $300 and $100 vouchers to the SSC Bookstore, also located on the college’s Main Campus. All incentives are only available for credit and adult education students.

Registration is currently in progress for the Spring 2023 Semester. SSC has established a plan to allow students to sign up for classes without being dropped for non-payment. The college offers several programs for eligible students, including special tuition rates, tuition-free course waivers, scholarship opportunities, and more than one hundred educational pathways to success.

Students are encouraged to register early to secure their preferred mode of instruction and schedule. SSC continues its efforts to provide affordable and flexible class options for college degree seekers with a wide range of course delivery selections. New and currently enrolled students can choose from SSC’s High Five modes of course delivery, including in-person, online, virtual, simulcast and blended delivery methods.

Classes for the Spring 2023 Semester at SSC begin the week of Monday, January 17, 2022. Preferred registration ends on Monday, January 30, 2023, with course options available through Monday, March 20, 2023. SSC’s online application, registration services, and class schedule are easily accessible at ssc.edu.

Call the Office of Admissions at (708) 210-5718 or email admissions@ssc.edu for information about SSC’s enrollment process. 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.
 

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–The South Suburban College (SSC) Department of Continuing, Corporate, and Community (C3) Education and the Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) have partnered to offer a free Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp. This 2-week accelerated boot camp program is especially helpful for those who have been in the workforce before, but are currently or were recently unemployed, and are looking to kickstart a career in the growing manufacturing sector.

Nancy Burrows, a CAIC program coordinator stated, “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.”

Students who complete the Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp earn the National Safety Council forklift certification. They will also receive safety training. Participants will go on a plant tour, interview with potential employers and have the opportunity to connect with college representatives as well.

“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,” Burrows remarked.

The Manufacturing Skills and Training Bootcamp begins on Monday, September 12, 2022 and ends on Friday, September 23, 2022. It runs weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program will take place at the South Suburban College Oak Forest Center, located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, Illinois 60452. Seating is limited and registration is required.

More information is available at: calumetareaindustrial.com/bridge-program. Contact Nancy Burrows at (773) 517-3708 or email nancy@calumetareaindustrial.com for additional details or to register. Gervaise Edwards, Manager of C3 at SSC, can also be reached at (708) 210-5723 or via email at gedwards@ssc.edu.

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

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) was recently recognized by The Conservation Foundation, one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of the environment of northeastern Illinois.

The acknowledgement came due in part to the college’s long-standing rain garden, bird feeder, community garden, and being home to indigenous trees planted throughout campus for the last 30 years. These plantings are already part of an annual gathering which serves to additionally maintain certification with the National Arbor Day Foundation.

“Students have helped a lot with planting of trees, campus cleanup, and trying to attract wildlife,” said Environmental Science and Biology Instructor, Eric Myers, Ph.D., who applied for the recognition earlier in the year as head of the SSC Sustainability Committee. After the application was submitted, representatives from The Conservation Foundation evaluated the campus grounds on two separate occasions before the distinction was made official. “I wanted the organization to be aware of our campus initiatives so we can get some recognition for the sustainable work that’s been going on here long before I arrived,” stated Myers.

Official recognition signage can be found at the college’s rain garden, which is often inhabited by butterflies, dragonflies and bees flying throughout the area. “A lot of insects and birds in North America are in decline,” Myers added, “and that’s mostly because of a lack of habitat.” Due to the team effort of the SSC community, the college is now home to many sand pipers, blue wing teals, American toads and green frogs. Myers concluded, “I hope that local residents will follow in SSC’s footsteps, taking the opportunity to grow native plants, using a minimal amount of chemicals, and reusing rain water on their home properties when possible.”

Details about SSC’s recognition by The Conservation Foundation and the Sustainability Committee can be directed to Eric Myers, Ph.D. at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2318 or via email at emyers@ssc.edu. The community at large is welcome to visit the SSC rain garden, located on the southern side of the Physical Fitness and Athletic Center on the South Suburban College Main Campus, located at 15800 S. State St. South Holland, IL.

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) was awarded a $847,867.68 grant by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). SSC is working with colleges across the State of Illinois under the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act to provide support for new students in the field of early childhood education while assisting incumbent workers to enroll in and complete degree or certificate programs.

SSC offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Early Childhood Education in addition to Level II and Level III certificate options. The program is geared toward those interested in a career working with children from birth to 8 years old. “We are very excited to receive this grant at SSC,” said Anna Helwig, Ph.D., Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “We have hired an early childhood education coach who will be the conduit between the institution and navigators who work directly with regional early childhood centers.” This coach will begin employment at South Suburban College on August 1, 2022.

In addition to hiring support staff, the grant will also be utilized to update classroom technology and provide students studying early childhood education with laptops to borrow to enhance their learning experience. These SSC students will also have access to apply for special emergency funds, a debt relief program and stipend to be administered once they achieve their academic goal of attaining a degree or certificate with a concentration in early childhood education.

A key goal of the 3-year grant will be to streamline, coordinate, and improve the accessibility of degree completion pathways to benefit those working in and served by the industry in addition to employers of early childhood educators. A virtual open house highlighting the early childhood education concentration at SSC will take place on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Details about program requirements, pathway agreements with four-year institutions, scholarship information and more will be addressed. Those looking to begin a career in early childhood education or advance their current profession are required to register for the open house at: https://bit.ly/3OmJYwx.

For additional information about the grant, please contact Anna Helwig, Ph.D., at (708) 596-2000, ext. 5706, or email ahelwig@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.

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.

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.
 

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.
 

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:

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.