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Message from The President
Message from The President
Colleagues,
I am pleased to write to you at this important time reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy of peaceful service was reflected in a New York Times article this week highlighting the March on Washington in 1963. “Everybody can be great,” Dr. King once said, “because anybody can serve.” At Prairie State College, we serve a wonderfully diverse district, and we are steadfast in our mission and values. More than ever, we must heed and implement the words of Dr. King and continue to serve our community, and provide the tools and support that is crucial to the success of our students.
I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Despite all that is going on in the world, I am hopeful and optimistic about 2021 and confident that the courage and integrity of our elected officials, including our distinguished Prairie State College Trustees, will guide our path.
I, along with the cabinet and key administrators, have been working on the college budget as well as revisioning areas of the college to better serve our students. I understand that there are concerns, and I assure you that an update is forthcoming. I want to personally thank each and every one of you who continue to go above and beyond during these challenging times. Your commitment and dedication to PSC and our students are truly appreciated.
The 16-week and first eight-week session began on Monday, Jan. 11. With 14-12- and second eight-week classes still available, we are actively recruiting and marketing for spring enrollment.
Below you'll find updates, announcements, and more. I hope you enjoy the January 2021 newsletter.
Thomas D. Saban, Ph.D., Interim President
Updates:
Updates:
Transitional Instruction Innovation Grant:
Transitional Instruction Innovation Grant:
Prairie State College has received the Transitional Instruction Innovation Grant for FY 2021 in the amount of $18,189.57. The grant period will run from January 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. Professor Jason Evans worked with the Grants office to apply for the grant. This is excellent news and will allow Jason and other English department faculty to work with three district high schools to develop a curriculum for Transitional English to be taught in the participating schools.
Calling Campaign Update:
Calling Campaign Update:
A calling campaign led by Jaime Miller, Dean of Enrollment Management, was indeed a collective effort with nearly sixty faculty, staff, managers, administrators, and foundation directors participating.
The efforts of all, including advising and grant coordinators, institutional programs, academic affairs ensuring course availability to meet student demand, website enhancements, and marketing efforts, as well as other institutional support offices working together, delivered a 16.2% increase in enrollment over the course of two weeks.
Heartwarming Update:
Heartwarming Update:
Dean Hughes shared a very touching story that shows what PSC is all about. One of our students is going through a very tough time. She lost all her belongings and those of her kids because the ceiling of her apartment fell in. When her professors, Alanna Cotch and Terra Stamps, heard about her situation, they took it upon themselves to raise money from their friends and family to help her. They managed to raise enough to give her $1000 in gift cards, $300 in cash, and even bought a Christmas present for her son. Professor Justin Pariseau donated toys, Pat Trost donated a tree and ornaments, and Debrah Havighorst has been helping her access Foundation funds.
I know none of these people did these acts of kindness for any recognition, but we want to share this story because I think it illustrates the heart of PSC and how we all come together to help each other.
Tuition Relief Program:
Tuition Relief Program:
The College has approved funding to assist eligible students impacted by the pandemic. There are currently over 500 students with outstanding balances totaling more than $400,000 from the spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters. The Tuition Relief Program allows students impacted by the pandemic an opportunity to receive funds to clear their financial encumbrance. The program will enable students to regain good financial standing and avoid future collection or garnishment actions.
Congratulations to the following on their retirement from the college:
Congratulations to the following on their retirement from the college:
Patrice Eberhardt
Pamela Hambrick
April Madden
Elizabeth Logan
Karla Boyd
Alvin Thompson
Karen Clifford
Mary Cabello
Velma McWilliams
Candace Capolillo
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will hold it's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 5 p.m. To view information from the Board of Trustees, including meeting agendas, minutes and audio recordings, visit Board Meetings.
Request a post for social media.
Request a post for social media.
Employees are encouraged to submit ideas and request posts for the college’s main social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Whether you have an upcoming event, want to promote a program, or have something you think would be good to post, you can share it through the Social Media Request Form. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Alston-Nobles at calston@prairiestate.edu.
Have an Announcement?
Have an Announcement?
We love good news, especially in these trying times. If you have an announcement you want to share, submit the form below, and we'll publish it in the upcoming Newsletter.
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Sign up for PSC Alert!
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Tips for working from home: PSC Employee Edition
Tips for working from home: PSC Employee Edition
Make a “Happy List” every day — three things that make you happy. From tiny to huge.
Kristin Carrera | Manager, Marketing
Get dressed for work - they don't have to be work clothes, but they need to be different then your jammies. Also, wear pants.
Lee Helbert | Manager, First Year Experience
Take on one responsibility at a time - one email, one student issue, one task at a time. Take time to breathe, stretch, walk to the corner and back and dance between tasks - gets the blood flowing and the brain fired up for another task!
Oshunda Williams | Manager, Advising
Set a time each night to unplug, set your devices to "do not disturb" in your off hours to maintain healthy boundaries and some division between home and work.
Tiffany Brewer | Dean, Equity and Inclusion
Pretend you're actually at work. That means TV off, as well as other distractions removed (if possible). Don't go locking your kids in the basement! It also means making sure your work space is just that - work space. Maybe that's a small corner of a room, or your dining room/basement/playroom. Just try to create some separation between "work" space and "home" space.
Michael Anthony | Vice President, Student Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness
Coffee is great, but water is better! Staying hydrated supports vital brain functions, allowing you to think faster and more clearly, so keep your water bottle next to you while working.
Crystal Alston-Nobles | Manager, Communications and Digital Media
Embrace your family's suggestions on how to handle working and/or schooling from home together. Above is the picture Sarah Hein's daughters drew for her to let everyone know when she is in a meeting. :)
Sarah Hein | Associate Professor / Counselor / Transfer Coordinator
In order to re-energize yourself or to reduce stress, make sure that you take a break and walk away from your home office. You can use your break to take a brief walk or to do a physical activity in the home as exercise and physical activity has a positive impact on our mood and overall health.
Shannon Word, | Personal Counselor
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