Building Partnerships Mini-Conference: 

On Friday, April 21, Prairie State hosted the Building Partnerships Mini-conference. This hybrid event pairs our English Department with English teachers from Bloom, Bloom Trail, Crete-Monee, Homewood-Flossmoor, and the Rich Township high schools. The keynote speaker, Sarah M. Zerwin, is a high school teacher from Boulder, Colorado, and the author of Point-less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading. This mini-conference builds bridges for students and strengthens our connections with our local high schools. 

One of the best things about attending PSC is the flexibility and cost efficiency. Attending a community college costs approximately 50% less than a university, and the concerns about student housing are eliminated by living at home. 

Students who want to save money, explore their options, and those who wish to improve their grade point average before going to a four-year institution have better opportunities at PSC. 

Also, community colleges offer more flexibility. It is easier to change majors and move into curriculum choices you enjoy at a community college versus a university.

Check your PSC email for other highlights shared throughout April. 

National Administrative Professionals' Day

National Administrative Professionals’ Day, held on the last Wednesday of April, recognized the professionals who keep our offices running smoothly. Thanks to all who serve in these roles at PSC. We appreciate you.

• Office hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Please note: departments that typically remain open after 4:30 p.m. and those with individual schedules may have exceptions to this schedule. Check with your supervisor for details.

• Closed on Fridays through August 11.

• Lunch breaks will be 30 minutes (this is unpaid).

• 15-minute breaks are eliminated.

• If you plan to use any leave (vacation, personal, holiday, floating, or sick) during the summer schedule, you must submit a leave request for 8.5 hours each day.

This year, three holidays fall amid the summer schedule, during which the College will be closed. 

• Memorial Day | (Monday, May 29) 

• Juneteenth |  (Monday, June 19) 

• Independence Day | (Tuesday, July 4) 

If you have any questions about summer hours, please speak first with your supervisor; then, if you need further clarification, contact Human Resources.

Thank you for your years of service to PSC and its students.

The Board of Trustees approved the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan at its January 31 meeting. To make this a tangible reality, it's every employee's responsibility to become familiar with the plan. Full-time employees who were unable to stop by the staff lounge last week are invited to pick up a copy of the strategic plan brochure, and a desktop reminder of our new mission and core values in Support Services. 

Connect with PSC Athletics on social media! 

• Twitter - @PSCPioneers

• Facebook - Prairie State College Athletics

• Instagram - @prairiestatecollegeathletics

Summer 2023 Scholarship Application

The summer scholarship application opened on Monday, April 17, and students have started to apply for assistance with summer tuition and books. Only students who plan to earn a degree or certificate from PSC qualify to receive scholarships. Any questions can be answered by emailing pscfoundation@prairiestate.edu.

Scholarship Classic Golf Outing – June 5, 2023

The Foundation’s 30th Annual Scholarship Classic Golf Outing will be held on Monday, June 5, at Idlewild Country Club. Get your foursome together now, or plan to join us on the patio after golf for refreshments and awards presentations. The Foundation will also feature the live helicopter ball drop—don’t miss it! Register now at https://give.classy.org/pscgolf23, call (708) 709-7918, or email dhavighorst@prairiestate.edu.

Special Funding Requests

The Foundation is pleased to support a number of special project requests from faculty this year, including:

One Book, One Community College – Maus I: In conjunction with the Americans and the Holocaust exhibit, the Foundation purchased 100 copies of Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History for students to participate in a community-wide book club event in conjunction with other district libraries including Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, and Richton Park. 

Amount funded: $1,990.00 

Art Institute of Chicago: University Partnership Program: In 2017, the Foundation enrolled Prairie State College into the University Partnership Program, which provides free admission to the Art Institute of Chicago for all employees and students for one year. Post-pandemic, the Foundation has shared these costs with Academic Affairs and Human Resources. 

Amount funded:  $834.00

Communication Day:  The Foundation has supported Communication Day since 2018, except for COVID years when the event was not held. The Foundation provides Barnes & Noble Bookstore gift cards that students can use for future textbook purchases.  

Amount funded:  $400.00   

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Memberships:  Phi Theta Kappa provides scholarship and leadership opportunities to help students succeed at PSC and beyond. Numerous students qualify for this prestigious program each year and are unable to afford the initiation fees of $80. The Foundation was asked to cover the cost of three student memberships. Eligible students will be determined by the faculty.

Amount funded:  $240.00 

Speech Team – Washington, D.C. Monument Night Tour:  Six students attending the Phi Rho Pi national forensics tournament learned the history of Washington, D.C., while visiting the monuments of our nation’s founders and heroes from our great military conflicts. The tour highlights our country's history and the architectural prowess that resulted in the monuments, landmarks, and other significant markers of our history. Since the students competed by day, it would have been challenging to visit these landmarks, but the tour would permit them to see most, if not all, quickly.  

Amount funded:  $559.92 

Monday, May 8 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Allied Health Job Fair

This event is open to PSC students and alumni. Organizations will be onsite to recruit for clinical and non-clinical positions including: CNA, LPN, RN, Surgical Technologist, Physical Therapist Assistant, and more. 

Monday, May 9 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Stress Relief Before Finals Event for Students

Oxygen bar, massage chairs and more! Encourage students to stop by the atrium and enjoy a little break during finals week. 

Wednesday, May 10 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Destress for Finals Event for Students

Barnes & Noble at PSC invites students to destress ahead of finals with games, free snacks, a motivation table, PAWS for finals, and raffle prizes! Encourage students to stop by the Bookstore and enjoy a little break during finals week. 

>>> More Events Listed Here.

The Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. To view information from the Board of Trustees, including meeting agendas, minutes and audio/video recordings, visit Board Meetings. 

Monica M. Gordon, Chair 

Camiella Williams, Vice Chair and ICCTA Representative 

Michelle Aldana, Secretary 

Dr. Theresa McCoy-Carpenter, Esq 

Jay S. Readey, PSC Foundation Representative 

John N. Stanfa, Ethics Commission 

Dr. Ronald White, ACCT Representative 

Fernanda Vazquez, Student Trustee

World’s tallest building designed by a female architect, Jeanne Gang

It may not be the tallest building in Chicago (that honor goes to the Willis Tower, at 110 stories) but the 82-story Aqua is the tallest structure in the world to be designed by a woman, architect Jeanne Gang. According to the architect, its outstretched balconies reference the limestone outcrop features commonly found in the great lakes region — and serve the practical purpose of creating excellent views for residents!

Fact submitted by William Beach. If you want to share a fun fact for upcoming newsletters, please complete the Employee News form below!