Jan./Feb. 2022 Newsletter
Reflection from The President
"I do not know the power of my hand, I do not know the power of my black hand."
~ Lance Jeffers
Prior to starting at NC State University (NCSU), I was invited to attend the "African American Symposium," an extended orientation experience designed for African American students. The three-day program was less about academics (we had all been accepted and were arguably capable), but more about making critical connections, understanding our history, affirming our assets, realizing our fullest potential, and understanding our power. But I didn't need that. I was a smart, talented, and ambitious adult. I passed on the invitation. Two years later I would realize the gravity of my mistake as my confidence in class faltered, and I struggled to feel like I belonged. Needless to say, I learned from my folly, and in my senior year, served as a Symposium Counselor for incoming students, and it was one of the most transformative experiences of my undergraduate career.
The poem "When I Know the Power of My Black Hand" by Lance Jeffers was passionately recited to each incoming cohort of symposium students by a legend at NC State, Dr. Lawrence Clark. Dr. Clark was a professor and a man of many firsts at NCSU. As we celebrate Black History Month, the magnitude of my appointment as the first Black President of Prairie State is not lost on me. We serve a predominately Black student population. Our district is so racially and ethnically diverse. This is significant for many of us, and a celebration for all of us. I am here because I was reminded of my own power at a very young age, and repeatedly by faculty, staff, and peers.
Each of you have an important role in making students who come to PSC feel powerful. Even the most prepared students, like I thought I was, do not know their own value, potential, or power. We have to remind them, hold them to high expectations, and then support each of them to meet those high expectations. That is the equity work ahead of us, and the way we are going to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement within our student population. This means that our resources, attention, words, and actions will have to align to that end. It is one of the most important things we can do, not only for the students and their families, but for our community, and for our very livelihood as a college. I am thankful to have colleagues who see our students, each and every student, as unique learners with unique needs; and who go on to meet those needs, be they academic, biological, emotional, psychological, or social.
Have a wonderful weekend, and a great Black History Month!
Save
the
Date!
the
Date!
All College Meeting
Friday, March 4
10-11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 4
10-11:30 a.m.
Join with Google Meet
Join by phone
(US) +1 619-738-1110 (PIN: 610053198)
Lunch with the President:
Lunch with the President will resume this month. The activity was a tremendous success in the fall allowing students the opportunity to grab a bite to eat while chatting with the President about their own needs and the happenings of PSC. Encourage your students to sign up for a session.
Lunch with the President will resume this month. The activity was a tremendous success in the fall allowing students the opportunity to grab a bite to eat while chatting with the President about their own needs and the happenings of PSC. Encourage your students to sign up for a session.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Now Available:
Every household in the United States is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. A link to order is below. Also, please remember to check prairiestate.edu/covid19 for all the latest updates for the College.
Every household in the United States is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. A link to order is below. Also, please remember to check prairiestate.edu/covid19 for all the latest updates for the College.
Student Spotlight:
Ana Diaz was an English as a Second Language student who completed Advanced Levels 5 and 6 and then transitioned into the Adult Education College Reading and Writing class. She is currently taking college classes to pursue a nursing degree. We wish her well and can’t wait to hear all about her future accomplishments!
“I’m a mother, a wife, an immigrant, and always working for my family’s welfare. Growing academically is a desire of mine, so I took a step and gave me the opportunity to start my studies back again," Diaz said. "Now, as an adult, it has been challenging, but I don’t regret it because it fills me with such a proud and satisfying outcome. I’m still a student in progress, allowing myself to learn everyday and making my goals come to life.”
#WeArePSC #StartNearGoFar
Faculty Spotlight:
Bill Condon, Instruction and Reference Librarian, has recently been accepted to a course entitled, "Privacy and Library Learning Analytics." He is one of 50 academic librarians nationwide who will participate.
This course is an offering of Prioritizing Privacy, a multi-faceted continuing education program that will train academic library practitioners to comprehensively address privacy and other related ethical implications of learning analytics projects. Prioritizing Privacy is funded by an IMLS National Leadership Grant.
"Privacy and Library Learning Analytics" will guide participants in exploring learning analytics, privacy theory, privacy-by-design principles, and research ethics. Bill will use this experience to continue to inform the work in our Learning Resources and Assessment division.
Congratulations, Bill!
#WeArePSC #StartNearGoFar
Faculty Spotlight:
Dr. Justin Pariseau is in his 14th year at Prairie State College. He is currently an Associate Professor of History and the Social Sciences Department Chair. On top of those duties, he serves as the Coordinator of African & African American Studies.
Pariseau is currently teaching an African American Studies course and has done extensive research into the field including his most recent publication, "Enslaved Fisherman and Mariners in Virginia" in the Encyclopedia Virginia. It took Pariseau around three months of research to obtain the information to complete the piece.
Pariseau is also hosting the Virtual Learning at Lunch - Black History Month Edition where he will share his research on African-American fishermen, watermen, and oystermen in early Virginia and several other topics. This Virtual Learning at Lunch will be held on Monday, Feb. 14. More information on the virtual lunch session is below.
He's had pieces published in Historic Nantucket Magazine, The Early Republic and Antebellum America: An Encyclopedia of Social, Political, Cultural and Economic History, Encyclopedia of African American History 1619-1895 and Yorktown: A Teacher's Guide with Historical Background and Lesson Plans.
College Updates:
Please Take the Employee Survey On PSC's Mission:
Under President Anthony's leadership, we are reviewing our mission documents, including our mission statement, core values and vision statement. These documents haven't been reviewed since 2013. We developed a short survey to get everyone's initial feedback on possible changes. You received an email from Dr. Anthony on Feb. 8 with a link to the survey. You can also access the survey by clicking here. Please take the time to give us your input by February 16!
Vouchers for Spring 2022:
Vouchers for Spring 2022:
Prairie State College will continue its free textbook voucher program for the spring 2022 semester. Students who register for spring classes will receive up to $200 towards their textbooks. This initiative was funded through the CARES act grant and has been well received by the students. These, and other initiatives, such as the BookSHARE program through the PSC Foundation and the Technology Loaner initiative, provide students with the resources they need to succeed.
Planning, Quality and Improvement (PQI) Needs Your Input:
Planning, Quality and Improvement (PQI) Needs Your Input:
In support of strategic goal number three, Cultivate Community Engagement, the Planning, Quality and Improvement (PQI) Committee is requesting your input. Please tell us which community organizations we should consider engaging with to promote Prairie State College. Also, tell us which organizations you are currently affiliated with, as a representative of Prairie State College. Use this form to provide your information.
Additionally, if you have been attending community organization meetings within the current fiscal year (starting July 1, 2021), please complete this form in order for the Committee to track PSC's outreach efforts.
Spring Registration Continues:
Spring Registration Continues:
Spring registration continues at Prairie State College, with in-person, on-campus, hybrid, and online classes available. Two late-start sessions remain with classes starting on Feb. 11 and Mar. 21. The college also offers professional development classes and certificate programs. Please encourage students to register!
Grant Money Available:
Do you work in Academic or Student Affairs and have an idea for a potential project? Or can you identify a funding need that falls in your area? Prairie State College was recently allocated a grant for $257,284 through the ICCB Learning Renewal Initiative. If you are interested, please contact your dean for additional information and/or to submit an application for funding.
Bringing Adults Back Project:
In late 2021, PSC was awarded a $30,000 grant by New America to implement a pilot project to develop innovative approaches for attracting PSC adult students back who have found it necessary to stop their educational journey since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Mrs. Oshunda Carpenter Williams, currently serving as Manager of Advising, Dr. Jermaine Morales, who directs the TRIO Upward Bound Program, and Elijah Ward in Grants Services form the core team that is responsible for leading the Bringing Adults Back project. The project involves a total of six institutions across three states and launched in January 2022. If you have an idea for a new grant or an idea for renewing a current grant, you are encouraged to contact Elijah Ward at ewardiii@prairiestate.edu.
Prairie State College Fitness Center Reopening:
The PSC Fitness Center is back and bigger! Now located in T-130, the center will be open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Locker rooms, showers, and towels are available, and certified personal trainers will be on hand to help guide you towards your fitness goals. Hours will be extended in March, and new equipment will be added throughout the next few semesters as well. Email Devon Lindsay (dlindsay@prairiestate.edu) your ideas for fitness classes, class times, and maybe any equipment you would love to see added to the facility.
Transfer Events Schedule:
Transfer Events Schedule:
Feb. 15 Tuesday Admissions and Scholarship Essays, 2:30 p.m. Google Meet Link
Feb. 23 Wednesday HBCU Special Event, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., PSC Conference Center and Barnes & Noble Auditorium
Feb. 23 Wednesday Transfer Fair 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Atrium
Feb. 24 Thursday Golden Apple Scholarship Program, 1:00 p.m., Google Meet Link
Mar. 29 Tuesday Transfer 101, 2:30 p.m., Google Meet Link
Apr. 5 Tuesday Special University Programs, 2:30 p.m. Google Meet Link
PSC Alert:
Make sure you receive the most up-to-date information about urgent college-related matters by signing up for or renewing your account with PSC Alert! It takes less than five minutes. Sign up here.
Make sure you receive the most up-to-date information about urgent college-related matters by signing up for or renewing your account with PSC Alert! It takes less than five minutes. Sign up here.
In Celebration of Black History Month
Black History Month (Full calendar):
Please check out the graphic to the right to see all the great events PSC is hosting in celebration of Black History Month. Please see below for a few more details about some of those events.
Please check out the graphic to the right to see all the great events PSC is hosting in celebration of Black History Month. Please see below for a few more details about some of those events.
African American Read-In:
The African American Read-In is an annual event held all over the United States in the month of February. Members of the PSC community are invited to listen, or read works they have chosen by African American authors. This event is sponsored by the PSC Library and African & African American Studies and will be held Wednesday, February 23 from 1– 2 p.m.
The African American Read-In is an annual event held all over the United States in the month of February. Members of the PSC community are invited to listen, or read works they have chosen by African American authors. This event is sponsored by the PSC Library and African & African American Studies and will be held Wednesday, February 23 from 1– 2 p.m.
The event's Google Meet can be accessed by clicking on the following link: https://meet.google.com/bbw-vedo-hnk Or dial: (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 815 424 265 6125#
Library to Host Book Club Meeting:
The library will be hosting its book club online on Feb. 28. The book is The Hate You Give, and copies are available at the library in print and e-book format. The meeting is open to all in the PSC community. Please reach out to Valerie Moore (vmoore@prairiestate.edu). Meeting information is below.
The library will be hosting its book club online on Feb. 28. The book is The Hate You Give, and copies are available at the library in print and e-book format. The meeting is open to all in the PSC community. Please reach out to Valerie Moore (vmoore@prairiestate.edu). Meeting information is below.
Book Club Meeting, The Hate U Give
Monday, February 28 from 12– 1 p .m.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cyu-meyp-ctu
Or dial: (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 283 007 218 4202#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/cyu-meyp-ctu?pin=2830072184202
Virtual Learning At Lunch (Black History Month Edition):
Join our very own Dr. Justin Pariseau (History) for a conversation about his recent research on African- American fishermen, watermen, and oystermen in early Virginia, black naval service during the American Revolution, and the fight for freedom on the water during and after the American Civil War.
Join our very own Dr. Justin Pariseau (History) for a conversation about his recent research on African- American fishermen, watermen, and oystermen in early Virginia, black naval service during the American Revolution, and the fight for freedom on the water during and after the American Civil War.
Feel free to bring your lunch to this virtual program!
Program is at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. Meeting info is below.
Google Meet joining info
Or dial: (US) +1 435-359-2071 PIN: 167 345 025#
The Pantry Project is in
Full Swing!
Full Swing!
What a joy for the students to return back to in-person classes onto a campus that now has pantry carts stocked for them with food!
The Pitstop pantry carts have now been relocated to their new homes. Those who requested the Pitstops have them located somewhat nearby their offices and they
will serve as the hosts by monitoring the upkeep.
Locations:
In the College’s Main Campus Building:
Four Pitstops are located on the first floor near the following areas:
Student Life (hosted by Helen Manley), TRIO Student Support Services
(hosted by Todd Byrd), the Academic Advising Center (hosted by
Oshunda Williams, Lee Helbert and Mary Fitzpatrick) and Financial Aid (hosted by William Berkley and Marie Pearson).Three Pitstops are located on the second floor by the Math department
(hosted by David Torres), the English department (hosted by Alanna Cotch)
and by the Student Success Center (hosted by Beatriz Romero and
Janice Kaushal).A Pitstop is located on the third floor in the Science department
(hosted by Angela Hung and Christa Adams).
Health Tech Building and ATOC:
One Pitstop is located in the Health Tech Building
(housed by Gail Szewczyk, Carol Brawn and Dawn Piper)
and one is also located in the ATOC (housed by Kim Kunce).
Employees have the autonomy to choose any pantry cart to submit donations. Financial donations can also be submitted to the Foundation who in turn will purchase the food. A list of suggested food donations can be found below. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Word at sword@prairiestate.edu and/or Deborah Havighorst at dhavighorst@prairestate.edu.
Human Resources:
COVID-19 Testing for Employees:
Prairie State College has partnered with Shield Illinois for COVID-19 testing for employees ONLY.
Weekly testing is available Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8 to 11 a.m. More information here.
Testing has resumed as of Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. If you are an employee who is testing weekly, you must continue to test and upload your information to remain in compliance for the return to work.
Communications and Marketing:
Commercial on Comcast:
Communications and Marketing released a commercial encouraging the community to register for classes this spring The commercial is currently running in English and Spanish, airing on 22 networks, including NBA games on ESPN and TNT, a Monday Night Football game on ESPN, NCAA Basketball games on ESPN, the NCAA Football National Championship game, and 100,000 Effectv Streaming impressions reaching both the South Suburban zone as well as the South Lake IN zone which is from Dyer to Merrillville and from Munster to Lowell. Gala and ESPN Deportes are also part of the campaign.
Faculty in Focus Videos:
The Communications and Marketing team created a series of Faculty in Focus videos that showcase programs and faculty at the College.
If you are interested in promoting your program by way of Faculty in Focus, please reach out to Kristin Carrera, Marketing Manager at kcarrera@prairiestate.edu. Click the link below for All Communications and Marketing request forms.
PSC Radio Commercials
Our spring radio commercial is currently airing on WGCI & WKSC, WBMX (104.3 Jams), WBBM-FM (B96).
The radio ad will reach Audacy OTA Listenership in the PSC District & Lake County, IN.
Equity & Inclusion
The Office of Military Student Affairs is hosting the 484th Army band on Feb. 19. Please see the flier below for more information.
PSC will welcome the 484th Army Band which will put on a free concert on Sat. Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium.
Office of Institutional Advancement and PSC Foundation:
Featured Student:
Asked on her scholarship application why she chose to pay out of district tuition rates to attend PSC, Katelyn said:
'Getting my classes set up at Prairie State was one of the best experiences I have had. The
instructors are excellent, helpful and all-around amazing to each and every one of their students.'
Well done, PSC!
Thank You for Jeans Days:
Many of our college employees participate enthusiastically in Jeans Days by paying a minimum of $1 for each designated day. To give you an idea as to how your jeans dollars make a difference, please see the following three thank you letters the Foundation has received from student scholarship recipients this semester:
Thank you very much for your generosity. Your scholarship has financially helped me on my
journey through Prairie State’s Dental Hygiene Program. I aspire to be a dental hygienist and
have a career where I can help people and their oral health. Without this scholarship, I would
not be able to afford school and follow this career path. I appreciate your help and hope that
someday I can help students get the same financial opportunity in the future.
Thank you,
Brianna
I want to offer my appreciation for your award. This is coming at a very complex time for me, and
I cannot be more grateful. I’m finishing my last semester of dental hygiene school, and with that
comes much responsibility and consequentially, stress. I am also pursuing dental school. This
means I am additionally taking required science classes for my application that will be submitted
sometime next year. I’ve been greatly struggling with finances, and sometimes feel as if I’m doing
so alone. I have been dealing with the passing of my dad, and today is the first anniversary of that.
I believe in “as above, so below” and I think that today is a good representation of that.
Sometimes when caught up in the dark, it seems there is no possibility for light. However, with
the same amount of darkness comes the equal potential for light. Thank you for being that for
me.
Blessings,
Leah
I am writing to thank you for your generous financial support towards my goal. I was so
speechless and happy when I found out about my scholarship. I am a business major who plans to
continue her career path as an accountant at Governors State University. This is my last semester
at Prairie State [and] I will be graduating May 2022. I am so proud of myself that I have made it
this far. Your generosity has made my career goal and dreams into reality. I really do hope I can
help other students like myself and reach their goals. I inspire to be a very successful accountant. I
want to help my dad with his dream of having his very own company. As he gets older that pushes
me to do better and reach my goal. This award is helping me by reaching my career path and my
goals in life. By awarding me you have helped me reach my goal and I will always be very
thankful. Once again thank you very much for your donation.
Sincerely,
Maria
Economic Forecast Breakfast – Mark your Calendars!
The Foundation is holding its annual Economic Forecast Breakfast in person this year on Friday, April 1 at Olympia Fields Country Club. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. and our speaker will once again be Mr. Charles L. Evans, President & CEO, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
29th Annual Scholarship Classic Golf Outing – Save the Date!
The Foundation will hold its annual golf outing on Monday, June 6 at Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor. Details coming soon!
Upcoming Dates:
Apr. 1 Friday Economic Forecast Breakfast featuring Mr. Charles L. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Olympia Fields Country Club, 7:30 a.m.
Apr. 13 Wednesday Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
Apr. 21 Thursday Full Board Meeting, 5 p.m., location TBD
June 6 Monday 29th Annual Scholarship Classic Golf Outing, Idlewild Country Club, Flossmoor
June 14 Tuesday Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
June 21 Tuesday Full Board Meeting, 5 p.m., location TBD
Sept. 1 Thursday Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
Sept. 8 Thursday Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., location TBD
Sept. 16 Friday Reach for the Stars Gala in Celebration of the Presidential Investiture, 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner, Tinley Park Convention Center
34th Annual Jazz Fest Concert
Prairie State College will hold its 34th annual Jazz Fest Concert on Friday, Feb. 18. at 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium. Admission is free, but seating will be limited. The concert will feature Ernie Adams (Drums), Chris Davis (Trumpet), Larry Gray (Bass), Rajiv Halim (Saxophones), Valerie Nicholson (Piano) and the SJE Big Band! For more information, please call (708) 709-3631 or visit prairiestate.edu/jazzfest.
Save the Date:
Annual Golf Outing Date Set
The Foundation will hold its annual golf outing on Monday, June 6 at Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor. Details coming soon!
Employee Updates:
New Employees!
CJ Raich, Dean, Library Technical Education
Contact Information:
(708) 709-3557
Paul Murtagh, Covid-19 Coordinator
Contact Information:
pmurtagh@prairiestate.edu
(708) 709-7919
Roger Fisher, Manager, Workforce and Community/Workforce Trades
Contact Information:
rfisher6@prairiestate.edu
(708) 709-7711
Earl Powell, Manager, Enterprise Applications
Contact Information:
epowell@prairiestate.edu
(708) 709-3785
Jason Jeske, Support Services Specialist
Contact Information:
jjeske@prairiestate.edu
(708) 709-3739
Tiffany Brewer, Dean, Equity and Inclusion had her last day on Jan. 21. We wish her the best!
Below is information related to the departure of Dr. Brewer, and the reassignment of roles while the college conducts a search for the position:
Felix Simpkins, Dean of Student Development will manage and facilitate the college's necessary action and response to student complaints.
Dr. Jermaine Morales, Senior Director of TRiO Support Programs will provide leadership and direction to all TRiO programs, WEI program, and the Bringing Students Back Grant. He will also serve as Title IX Coordinator and represent the College with respect to the One Million Degrees Program.
Oshunda Williams, Manager of Advising will provide leadership and direction to our special population coordinators: Disability Services, Military Service Affairs, Latinx Student Outreach and the Male Success Initiative.
Board of Trustees:
The Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. To view information from the Board of Trustees, including meeting agendas, minutes and audio/video recordings, visit Board Meetings.
Request Intranet updates
Please take a look at your page(s) on the intranet and complete the Intranet Request Form below. Once received, the communications team will review your request and follow-up.
If you have any questions, please contact
Allan Scarabello at ascarabello@prairiestate.edu.
Have an Announcement?
We love good news! If you have an announcement you want to share, submit the form below, and we'll publish it in the upcoming Newsletter.
Request Website Updates
The college intranet and website fall under the Communications and Marketing Department. Please complete the Website Request Form below for updates, changes, or to request a new page on the PSC website.
Once submitted, Mike Saldaña, content/website specialist, will review your request and follow up. Small changes, such as grammatical errors, can be sent directly to msaldana4@prairiestate.edu.