Oct./Nov. 2021 Newsletter
Message from The President
Hello Colleagues:
Over the past four weeks as PSC President, I have had the privilege of meeting with various groups on and off-campus, including the Humanities, Communication, Fine Arts, Music, and World Languages faculty, members of the Board of Trustees, and members of the staff as part of my listening tour. I also hosted my first Lunch with the President, where a diverse group of students joined me to chat about their academic goals and provided feedback about PSC -- more on this below.
I want to thank everyone for allowing me the opportunity to listen and learn about challenges facing PSC. I look forward to collaborating with the college community to implement some of the changes that will help move PSC forward.
Please take time to read below. The newsletter is full of great information, including college updates, events, photos, and more!
Have a great weekend.
Dr. Michael D. Anthony
Lunch with the President:
The first Lunch with the President went exceptionally well. Students enjoyed pizza and the opportunity to chat with President Anthony about their thoughts about PSC, their hopes for the future, and offer suggestions for making the college as great as it can be. Please encourage students to sign up for future opportunities at Lunch with the President. The next lunch will be held on Nov. 17.
The first Lunch with the President went exceptionally well. Students enjoyed pizza and the opportunity to chat with President Anthony about their thoughts about PSC, their hopes for the future, and offer suggestions for making the college as great as it can be. Please encourage students to sign up for future opportunities at Lunch with the President. The next lunch will be held on Nov. 17.
Student Spotlight:
Thank you to the Workforce Equity Initiative Grant for financially supporting our adult education student co-enroll into the Medical Billing and Coding program at Prairie State College.
Jenna was super motivated to earn her High School Equivalency certificate to become eligible for the Medical Billing and Coding program. During her time as an adult education student, she was pregnant, gave birth, got married, and successfully passed all four of her GED exams. Her hard work and determination paid off because she is now scheduled to take the State License exam later this month.
We wish Jenna the best of luck with her career goals and with her beautiful family!
College Updates:
Ruffalo Noel Levitz Employee Survey:
The College has partnered with Ruffalo Noel Levitz to administer an employee survey this month. Benefited employees should have received an email directly from Ruffalo Noel Levitz with the survey link. The email came from Research Toolkit noreply@RNLresearch.com. Your participation and honest feedback is needed to make this survey meaningful. The survey asks for input on how important various workplace-related items are to you, and how satisfied you are with the campus culture, policies and work environment at Prairie State College. We will use the results of the survey to make improvements and to inform our strategic planning and re-accreditation efforts. Please take the survey as soon as possible if you haven't done so already.
Website Redesign Committee:
The website redesign committee held its kickoff meeting on Nov. 4. This is a shared governance workgroup that is charged with designing a new website to be launched in summer 2022. This team will run testing with students and members of the PSC community in the spring. The committee is chaired by the manager of Communications and Digital Media, and co-chaired by the manager of Printing and Support, Institutional Support Services.
World Kindness Day:
Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day. Sometimes the simplest things make the most significant difference. Stop by Support Services today, Friday, Nov. 12, for a kindness card to keep or pass along, and look for opportunities while you go through your day to infuse kindness into someone else’s day.
Professional Development for Instructors:
Online Learning has launched a professional development course for PSC instructors called Orientation to Online Teaching. The four-week course teaches instructors about strategies for online teaching and instructional design. Currently, 13 instructors are participating in the October session, and another 20 have registered for the November session. This course helps instructors prepare to teach future online courses at PSC.
Off Campus Meeting Feedback Form:
Support Services would like to thank everyone who participated in Thinking of You Week. Due to the positive response, we will leave supplies on the counter for those who wish to continue sending notes to family, friends, and community members, especially as we near the holiday season. If you would like to write to veterans or active duty servicemen and women, Georges Sanon will help facilitate delivery to Manteno, Prince Home, or the local guard/reserve units.
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.
Spring Registration Now Open:
Spring registration is now open at Prairie State College, with in-person, on-campus, hybrid, and online classes available. The college also offers professional development classes and certificate programs. Please encourage students to register!
Speech Team Earns Awards at Recent Tournaments:
The Speech Team has earned several awards in recent tournaments, including first place in Novice Persuasive Speaking. On Saturday, October 16, the team competed at the McHenry County College Crystal Clear Tournament and earned fourth place in the Individual Event Sweepstakes. PSC student Suzanne Parker of Thornton, placed second in Persuasive Speaking. On October 30, the team competed in the Moraine Valley Community College Tournament, where Suzanne Parker placed first, and teammate Oluwasemilore Bamidele of Homewood, placed second in Novice Persuasive Speaking. The team will compete in the Highland Community College Tournament on Saturday, November 13.
Human Resources:
2022 Benefits Open Enrollment:
Open Enrollment is underway at PSC. Employees can begin the process of signing up or modifying your insurance plans.
If you have any questions, please contact Susie Perez at sperez@prairiestate.edu. Open enrollment closes on Nov. 19.
Flu Shot Clinic, Wednesday 17:
PSC has partnered with Walgreens to offer a flu shot clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 17. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Susie Perez at sperez@prairiestate.edu with a preferred time.
Location: Conference Room 2112
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 17
Cost: Free if enrolled in a PPO plan or $42.49
(Current insurance card or payment (cash/check) will be required)
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.
Communications and Marketing:
Enrollment Guide
Enrollment Guide:
The 2022 Spring Enrollment Guide is available online and will be mailed to every household and business in the PSC district. The Enrollment Guides also will be available in the designated racks around campus.
Hot Cocoa and Cram:
The Communications and Marketing Department and Institutional Support Services will set up a table in the Atrium during finals week to give out mugs with hot chocolate to encourage students to finish strong.
Selfie Station:
Lights, camera, selfie! Our pop-up selfie station made its debut at the first Lunch with the President on Wednesday, Nov. 10. The station will be appear around campus for special events.
Kindness Letters and Gift Cards:
For World Kindness Day on Nov 13, the Communications and Marketing Department and Institutional Support Services will be sending out notes of encouragement along with Meijer gift cards to students.
Picture Day at PSC
Faculty and staff are encouraged to have their headshots taken for use at the college. Our goal is to have uniformity in the photos shared on our various platforms, particularly on the college website.
To make an appointment, contact PSC Photographer Kim Pedersen at kpedersen@prairiestate.edu or call ext. 3563.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion:
Red Tails Showings:
On Nov. 9, the Military Student Affairs Center hosted two showings of Red Tails, a fictional account of the real-life experiences of the First African American fighter pilots.
Almost Sunrise Showings:
On Nov. 10, PSC Military Student Affairs Center hosted two showings of Almost Sunrise, a docuseries chronicling the experiences of two combat veterans and their battles with depression and PTSD.
The Missing Man Ceremony took place on Nov. 6. The table will be on display until Nov. 22.
The Military Student Affairs Center and automotive program participated in the Richton Park Vet Parade.
The PSC Tesla, driven by Dr. Tiffany Brewer, was showcased at the event.
Veterans Day Ceremony, Nov. 11, 2021:
Prairie State College hosted a 10th Anniversary Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Barnes & Noble College Auditorium. Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Howard Robinson, President of the Olympia Fields Library Board of Trustees, delivered the keynote address. Full story here.
Office of Institutional Advancement and PSC Foundation:
The Prairie State College Foundation partnered with Anne Colton Video to develop a number of engagement pieces to showcase the college and the efforts made through the Foundation.
PSC Alumna Marisela Zambrano shared her story of how PSC helped her achieve her academic goals by offering the support she needed.
Spring 2022 Scholarship Update:
Scholarship applications for the spring semester will open on Monday, November 15. Applications are reviewed, and scholarships are awarded in the order the applications are received. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they are registered for classes.
Giving Tuesday:
The Foundation is kicking off its end-of-year giving campaign with Giving Tuesday on November 30. The Foundation directors, college administrators, and the Board of Trustees are asked to promote the day of giving by asking their business associates, friends, and family to support student scholarships at Prairie State College. The international Giving Tuesday theme for 2021 is Together We Give, and the Foundation focuses on the power of many small gifts and how they can add up to make a big difference for our students.
Donate Used Books to BookSHARE:
The Foundation is featuring an incentive for students to donate textbooks to the BookSHARE program at the end of the semester. This is geared primarily toward students who purchased their textbooks using vouchers; the Foundation will give a special donor t-shirt to all who participate.
Return of Jeans Days:
The Foundation has officially reinstated Employee Giving Jeans Days for 2021. For a $1 a Jeans Day donation, employees can wear work-appropriate jeans while helping students in need. 100% of the donation goes directly to fund PSC student scholarships. Employees have the option of enrolling in the payroll deduction program or dropping off a donation in the Foundation office. Employees can choose which specific scholarship fund to which they would like to donate.
Upcoming Dates:
January 27 Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
February 2 Full Board Meeting, 5 p.m., Board Room, PSC
April 13 Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
April 21 Full Board Meeting, 5 p.m., location TBD
June 6 Scholarship Classic Golf Outing, Idlewild Country Club, Flossmoor
June 14 Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
June 21 Full Board Meeting, 5 p.m., location TBD
September 13 Executive Committee Meeting, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom
September 20 Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., location TBD
Save the Date:
Sustainability Committee Guest Speaker
On November 15 at 2 p.m. via Google Meet the Sustainability Committee will be hosting a guest speaker. Ann Baskerville of the Illinois Sierra Club will join us for a discussion of the environmental legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Pritzker.
Monday, November 15 · 2 – 3 p.m.
Click the link below to join the Google Meet or dial: (US) +1 571-409-7702 PIN: 646 651 742#
Employee Updates:
New Employee!
Patriana White, Dental Hygiene Clinic Assistant
Contact Information:
pwhite5@prairiestate.edu
(708) 709-3708
Allan Scarabello:
Congratulations to Allan Scarabello on his promotion to Communications Specialist. Allan has served as the Sports Information/Athletic Assistant at PSC since 2019. He is now part of the Public Relations and Marketing Team and will play an essential role in promoting the college and building on our internal and external communication efforts.
Contact Information:
ascarabello@prairiestate.edu
(708) 709-2942
Office: 2105
Mike Saldana
Mike Saldana
Mike Saldana, website content specialist, will be working in office 2280. If you would like to make an appointment with him, please email msaldana4@prairiestate.edu, or for website updates, complete the Website Request Form.
International Student Meet and Greet:
On October 14, 2021 the Prairie State College (PSC) International Committee hosted international students for a “Meet and Greet” event. Fifteen students participated in activities and were given the opportunity to meet members of the International Committee, other international students, and those enrolled in the fall 2021 Intercultural Communication course. President Dr. Michael Anthony and Dean of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Tiffany Brewer welcomed students and Dr. Anthony spoke to the students before they played games and sampled various international treats.
Craig Mulling, Chair of the International Committee said, “International students enrolled at PSC add a special type of diversity to the learning experience for all of our students and the entire PSC community. We enjoy working with them and supporting their educational goals. They in turn help all of us to appreciate the wonderful cultural diversity that exists around the world."
The International Committee hosts the Meet and Greet event each fall semester to help students feel like PSC is a home away from home. The Committee also hosts an International Tea event each spring that features a presentation highlighting one country or culture.
Board of Trustees:
The Board of Trustees held it's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. To view information from the Board of Trustees, including meeting agendas, minutes and audio/video recordings, visit Board Meetings. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m.
Reminder: There will be no meeting held in November.
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 Crystal Alston-Nobles at calston@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 or calston@prairiestate.edu.