SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College students traveled to Springfield on April 29, 2015, to participate in Student Advocacy Day. Student representatives from almost all 48 community colleges were in attendance for the event, organized respectively by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Student Advisory Committee (SAC), and the Illinois Adult & Continuing Education Association (IACEA). The SSC students discussed many issues with their elected officials, but primarily advocated to preserve funding for the college as a whole. The students also promoted the important role SSC plays for residents of College District 510 and the economy of the region.
The event began with a meeting of student leaders from across the state. Opening remarks were made by Dr. Karen Hunter-Anderson, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board, followed by a presentation on issues that affect community college students given by Representative Thaddeus Jones. Representative Jones serves as Chair of the Community College Access & Affordability Committee and is also an SSC alumnus. The SSC contingent also visited the Capitol Building and met with Senators Michael Hastings and Napoleon Harris, and Representatives Will Davis, Marcus Evans, and Al Riley. The Student Advocacy Day events for SSC culminated with the students being introduced in the gallery to the House of Representatives by Representative Jones.
“It was an amazing trip, one of the best experiences of my life, and I would like to thank all of our legislators for sharing their time with us,” said SSC Student Trustee Terry Harris. “I met so many interesting people, and being able to participate other lobbyists opened my eyes to how big the world is and how many important agendas there are.”
President Manning added, “I am so proud of our students for passionately playing a role in some very important issues and decisions that are being made right now in Springfield. I would also like to thank our south suburban legislators for taking the time to meet with our advocacy group and to help educate them on the process.”
SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois. For more information, please call (708) 596-2000 or visit www.ssc.edu.
Pictured: SSC students Travis Pich, Jaisyn Passmore, Terry Harris and De’Ondre Smith, SSC President Don Manning, SSC student Tony Walker, HCCTP Coordinator Rebecca Garcia, State Senator Napoleon Harris, and SSC students Ryann Williams and Loral Monson.