Jan./Feb. 2023 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
34th Annual Jazz Fest
Join us for the 34th Annual Jazz Fest, held tonight in the Barnes and Noble College Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Free Admission
Americans and the Holocaust
The Americans and the Holocaust exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be held March 22 - April 27 in the Prairie State College Library. PSC is one of only two organizations in Illinois to host the exhibit, and is the only institution of higher education. Alongside this exhibition, we will host several lectures and events including Violins of Hope, a concert with the private collection of violins, violas and cellos collected since the end of World War II on 4/17 at 7 p.m.
Book Club: The Light We Carry
The Library and Equity and Inclusion Office is reading Michelle Obama's The Light We Carry and will discuss the book in person and online on Tuesday, February 21, at noon.
Location: in a library classroom and online at the link below.
https://meet.google.com/tvn-dmtp-kpa.
This event is free and open to all.
Please email Valerie Moore with any questions at vmoore@prairiestate.edu.
The Evolution of the Black Physical Therapist
Please join a panel discussion of renowned physical therapists and physical therapist assistants regarding the history of physical therapy and how they migrated into the field.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6-7:30 pm
Google Meet:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rkq-jkww-koo
Or dial: (US) +1 405-459-8259 PIN: 675 127 324#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/rkq-jkww-koo?pin=3246152958345
This virtual discussion will be moderated by Professor Rhonda C. White, BS, MSPT.
Try Group Fitness at the Fitness Center!
From now through March 9, free 30-minute classes are being offered so you can sample various sessions.
To learn more about the PSC fitness center, please visit prairiestate.edu/fitnesscenter.
Flyers created by PSC students as part of their assignment. Both events will be held in 4280 on the main campus
Message from Dr. Michael D. Anthony
During February, and as a descendant of African slaves, I typically take great pleasure in celebrating and honoring my ancestors during Black History Month. With great pride, I attend and support events and continue to be inspired by the accomplishments of those who’ve paved the way for me. Along with that comes the responsibility of introducing Black history to my 13-year-old daughter in the way my parents and family poured it into me. There is, however, a stark contrast between my experience as a 13-year-old, and my daughter's. My Black history was about Carter G. Woodson, Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. Dubois, Sojourner Truth, and others - pillars of strength, trailblazers, and pioneers on whose shoulders I stand. My daughter’s Black history, partly due to the ubiquity of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, is different. Her lens and context are often clouded with the kind of history that no one should be proud of – one that includes the murders of unarmed Black men, often at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect them.
Tyre Nichols, the young Black man murdered just over a month ago in Memphis, TN, is now a part of our history, and his story will be added to the numerous stories of others who have suffered the same plight. It keeps me up at night as I think about the fear and shock he must have felt in a situation he probably never thought would occur. I also wonder what may have happened to me in a similar situation, or my nephews, or my students. I recognize that I, as a college president, have a tremendous amount of privilege that many do not, and with that privilege, comes an equally tremendous amount of responsibility.
At our recent Board of Trustees meeting, I stated aloud my intention to see us, as a college community, be a part of stemming the violence that plagues our nation and our very own community. I challenged us to talk about violence in all its forms, and by all its perpetrators. We are uniquely positioned to do that. Our community is incredibly diverse by race, socio-economic status, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. We are a community of scholars and change agents. Who better to lead conversations and change around this topic? We also have a Police Department made up of sworn law enforcement officers, consistently ranked high in student and employee satisfaction -- officers who I have had the overwhelming pleasure of getting to know and who understand how to do community policing. These men and women know our students and care deeply about this community. We have something special at PSC, and we should teach others how to do that!
Thinking about our past and looking toward the future, I realize that with every tragedy we experience, near or far, we also experience joy: with our families, friends, and also, for me, in the workplace. As long as we live, we’ll have both joy and pain. It is a part of my history and part of yours. I am so thankful to be a part of this community that has and will continue to face the challenges of the day with open minds, hearts, and a pioneering spirit.
Take care of yourself, and each other.
#WeArePSC
Regional meeting of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association
President Anthony joined members of the Prairie State Board of Trustees at a regional meeting of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) at South Suburban College. We toured the campus' Maker's Lab and also heard from speakers about workforce development practices around the region.
PSC Receives $119K Donation From CAIC
Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) President/CEO Ted Stalnos and Immediate Past Board Chair Michael Batilaran presented a check for more than $119,000 to PSC President Michael D. Anthony and Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Jeri Bingham over lunch at Flossmoor Station on February 1. Stalnos and Batilaran presented the check to cover tuition for students studying Manufacturing from the past semester, and also to discuss future potential opportunities.
Prairie State College is one of CAIC's partner schools for the One Workforce Grant which provides financial assistance to obtain industry-recognized credentials and job opportunities in the manufacturing sector by paying for tuition, books, and fees.
Human Resources
College Closures for Spring 2023
President's Day: Monday, February 20
Spring Break Holiday: Friday, March 17
Spring Holiday: Friday, April 7
Memorial Day: Monday, May 29
New Employees
Lorena Diaz
Lead Academic Advisor, Educational Talent Search
Ext. 3771 - LAC Office D
Benard Little, Ph.D
Vice President, Student Affairs
Ext. 3501 - Office 2126
Jennifer Forbes
Pathway Advisor
Ext. 3522 - Office 1206
Cassandra Turner
Manager, Accounting Services
Ext. 3571 - Office 2288
Charrise Greer
Executive Assistant, Marketing and Communications
Ext. 2942 - Office 2105
Elijah Leake
Pioneer Services Specialist
Ext. 3686 - Office 1260
James Brodnick
Police Officer
Ext. 7777 - Office 1100
Title Change/Promotion
Erin Craven
Workforce Solutions Coordinator - Workforce Trades
Marquita Gill
First Year Experience Navigator
Departing Employees
Thomas Saban, Ph.D.
Vice President, Finance and Administration
Brittany Jackson
Police Officer
Deanna Burghardt
Executive Assistant/Procurement Coordinator
Sylvia Adams
Lab Assistant, Nursing
DeShawn Nolan
Electronic Security Technician
Renee Bickett
Workforce Solutions Coordinator-Workforce Trades
Employee News
Dr. Morales meets Phylicia Rashad
Dr. Jermaine Morales, Sr. Director of TRIO Programs, had the pleasure of meeting Phylicia Rashad, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University. Some may remember her as Claire Huxtable in The Cosby Show, but Rashad has worked hard to make her mark in higher education. The photo was taken in Washington, D.C. while meeting with Bringing Adults Back to College funders.
Beth Shadur Solo Exhibit in Evanston
Beth Shadur has new works from her National Park Project series on display at Space 900 Gallery located at 816 Dempster in Evanston which will be open for weekend hours and by appointment. The show is open through Feb. 25, with a closing reception scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26, from 5-8 pm.
Shadur’s works reflect her concern for pristine landscapes considered sacred by various cultures for their beauty and symbolic importance. Shadur not only portrays the beauty of various parklands but also visually narrates the original Native cultural history of the lands, as well as park development and current threats at the hand of humans to these exquisite environments. The show includes accompanying text.
Gallery hours:
12-4 p.m. - Feb. 17-19; and Feb. 24-25 | Or by appointment (847) 530-2558
Fun with Officer Cansino
Meet Finn Kunce, a future PSC Campus Police Pioneer! A special note of thanks to Officer Martin Cansino and Corporal Marcello Rivera for taking a moment to show Finn around. He loved sitting in the police car, switching on the siren, and giving fist bumps. #WeArePSC
The Christopher Art Gallery hosted an Artist’s Reception on February 14 for its new exhibit Transcending, which features works by Deanna Krueger, Yvette Kaiser Smith, and Toby Zallman. The exhibit will run through March 9. For more information on the Christopher Art Gallery please visit https://prairiestate.edu/christopher-art-gallery/.
Snacks in the Stacks Event
The Snacks in the Stacks event was hosted at PSC on Wednesday, February 8 in the Atrium. The event gave students a chance to learn about The Male Success Initiative, Latinx Student Outreach, Transfer Counseling services, and the Library.
Office of Institutional Advancement and PSC Foundation
Spring 2023 Scholarship Update
The spring scholarship application opened on Monday, November 14, and as of January 24, 319 applications have been attempted, 236 have been submitted, and 190 applications have been reviewed. Of the applications reviewed, 96 applicants were offered tuition and/or textbook awards, 58 applicants were not eligible for awards (funded / high EFC), and 36 applications are pending student action (update essays, textbook info). Of the reviewed applications, $40,503.67 has been offered in tuition/textbook awards, and 72 textbooks have been loaned as part of the BookSHARE program at a value of $10,537.45.
For the 190 applications reviewed:
3.21 is the average GPA of qualified applicants
51% of submitted applicants have a $0 EFC or no EFC reported (no EFC could be DACA, international, reporting issues)
72% of submitted applicants are first-generation college students
73% of submitted applicants were female, and 27% of applicants were male
55% Black, 18% Hispanic, 15% White, 11% unidentified, 1% Asian (.4), and American Native (.6)
Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Series
On December 6, I attended a breakfast at Governors State University featuring a presentation by Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. Chamber 57, Monee Area Chamber, Crete Area Chamber, and Peotone Chamber were co-sponsors of the event. Executive Bertino-Tarrant discussed how Will County supports regional economic development, local infrastructure and community projects, and innovative opportunities to support a post-COVID economic recovery.
Will County Annual Report to Investors
On December 9, I attended the Will County Center for Economic Development’s annual report presentation in Joliet. Topics discussed included an update about the new Will County Renewable Gas Plant in Wilmington and the new 900,000 square-foot headquarters and operational hub for Ryerson/Central Steel & Wire coming to University Park.
University Partners Program, Art Institute of Chicago (AIC)
Representatives for the Art Institute of Chicago’s University Partner Program met for a reception to discuss the upcoming University Partner Festival on Saturday, February 25.
The College’s affiliation with the AIC was reinstated after the pandemic, and the Foundation, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources are funding the membership. All PSC students and the entire College community enjoy free admission to the AIC for one year. The College is also entitled to one Prairie State College Day at the AIC.
Other participating colleges and universities include the American Academy of Art, Aurora University, Beloit College, City Colleges of Chicago, College of DuPage, Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest College, Loyola University Chicago, Morton College, National Louis University, Northwestern University, University of Chicago and Wheaton College.
Economic Forecast Breakfast
The 2023 Economic Forecast Breakfast will be held at Olympia Fields Country Club on Friday, March 24, at 7:30 a.m. This year’s guest speaker is Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist & Head of Multi-Asset Strategy for Great Lakes Advisors, a Wintrust Wealth Management Company. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee, authors market and economic commentary, regularly presents in the media and at professional conferences, and works with client portfolio managers to support institutional and private clients. More information to follow.
Alumni News
Congratulations to Prairie State College Foundation Director Maria Desmond and her husband Steve, both alumni of Prairie State College. Their son, also named Steve Desmond, co-wrote the draft for the screenplay for M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin, an apocalyptic, psychological horror film that was theatrically released in the United States on February 3, 2023, by Universal Pictures. Please see this link for an interview with Mr. Desmond on ABC 7 News Chicago.
According to Deadline Hollywood, the film "made $5.4 million on its first day, including $1.5 million from Thursday night previews. It debuted at $14.2 million, displacing Avatar: The Way of Water from atop the box office."
Amazon Smile
Amazon gives! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Prairie State College Foundation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. To support the Foundation while shopping at Amazon, click below!
Marketing and Communications
The Marketing and Communications offices (Marketing, Communications and Digital Media, and Support Services) will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15 for professional development.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. To view information from the Board of Trustees, including meeting agendas, minutes and audio/video recordings, visit Board Meetings.
Pioneer Award: Dean Jaime Miller
Dean of Enrollment Management, Enrollment Services Jaime Miller was recognized for her time as Interim Vice President, Student Affairs, and her dedication and commitment to the institution. #WeArePSC
Trustee Williams' Trip to Ghana
PSC Trustee Camiella Williams joined members of Good Kids Mad City on a trip to Ghana, a chance for African American youth to reconnect with their roots.
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.