On September 27, community college leaders from across the state, along with representatives from the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Community College Trustee Association, gathered at Prairie State College to share best practices related to the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), learn about the BEP certification process, identify barriers, and strategize to enhance success in seeking and awarding contracts to BEP-certified vendors. Thanks to Cristina Lazard and the President's Office for coordinating a successful event.  

PSC President, Dr. Michael Anthony alongside Executive Director, PSC Foundation Deb Havighorst, Vice President of External Affairs Dr. Jeri Bingham, and Manager of Scholarships & Alumni Relations Susan Sebastian attended CASE Conference for Community College Advancement in Baltimore. This annual conference brings together community college professionals from across the US and Canada to share ideas, tackle common challenges, and strengthen our commitment to enhancing advancement efforts. 

Prairie State College welcomed representatives from Southern Illinois University for a collaborative meeting focused on partnership opportunities and potential future initiatives between senior leadership teams.

Voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, LLC donated 50 solar panels to the Industrial Electricity and Computer Electronics Technology Department on November 1. This donation will support the Solar Photovoltaic Technician AAS and certificate program. The number of panels also allows instructors to provide a better hands-on lab experience. The group size can now be reduced to two or three students where each student is a more active participant. BJ Schmidt facilitated the donation. In addition, Plumbing and Electric in Calumet City donated 20 bundles of electrical conduit to the conduit bending class (not pictured). This donation was facilitated by adjunct, Charlie Sheirdan. 

The Office of the President hosted a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Employee Lounge, showcasing a refreshed space with new furniture that enhances the atmosphere. The lounge was funded with bond money and curated for employees to relax and enjoy. Make sure to check out the bulletin board for upcoming campus events and snap a photo in front of the lounge grass wall! 

PSC employees enjoyed warm cocoa, cookies, and socializing during our annual Cocoa and Cheer! All attendees received PSC mugs and t-shirts. Congratulations to Sistina Taele and Carol Woody for participating in the scavenger hunt and winning a gift card. A special thanks to the Marketing Team for spreading holiday cheer! 

The Navigating Procurement Business Diversity Seminar took place on October 2 for business owners. All in attendance learned about the benefits of obtaining certification with the State of Illinois, explored contract bid opportunities, and gained an understanding of the challenges of supplier diversity. A diverse group of speakers came out to help in this effort to educate our community, including: 

• Sherell Fuller, Founder of SpotzCity Tech LLC

• Shondra Watson-Wilson, Supplier Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability Leader, CSAA Insurance Group

• Latonya Fourte’-Lyles, Supplier Diversity Assistant Director, Northwestern Mutual

• Irma Lopez and Ebonie S. Davis, Illinois Department of Human Rights

• Pat Hanes, President & CEO, Pat Hanes & Associates

• Charles Harrell II, President & CEO, The IT Architect Corporation

On September 30, students gathered for ice cream in the courtyard outside of the Financial Aid/Enrollment Services Offices. The event was organized by Student Engagement & FYE with the goal of providing students the opportunity to connect with their peers and campus stakeholders. With over 200 students in attendance, many shared their ideas for programming and events for the 2024-2025 academic year with staff from the Division of Student Affairs - Student Engagement Council. 

On October 16, the newly elected SGA officers invited students to enjoy a day of fun fall activities in the Atrium. The meet-and-greet featured pumpkin carving, painting, board games, and delicious treats. 

On November 14, PSC celebrated National First-Generation Day to recognize the achievements of first-generation students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The occasion featured a panel discussion with first-generation college graduates and current students. Attendees enjoyed boxed lunches, a photo booth, and activities in the atrium after the discussion.

PSC hosted a Transfer Fair on Tuesday, November 12 in the Atrium. Representatives from nearly 30 schools came to campus to share valuable insights about what each institution offers and to answer any questions—special thanks to Sarah Hein for her dedicated efforts in bringing this experience to our campus community. Sarah is available to students interested in transfer counseling at shein@prairiestate.edu and would be happy to assist them on their educational journey.

During the week of November 11, Career Services hosted interactive activities and workshops to help students develop a professional online presence, improve their resume writing, and experience virtual reality career simulations—special thanks to Mary Fitzpatrick and Terri Eakins for their work in providing these experiences for students. 

Prairie State College participated in the Village of Richton Park’s Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9. PSC student veterans and their families handed out treats to children. We appreciate the Village of Richton Park for hosting this significant event that honored our beloved veterans. Special thanks to Georges Sanon for his efforts in organizing our participation.

Military Student Affairs hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony, focusing this year on the 80th Anniversary of the GI Bill. Colonel (Retired) Nick Johnson delivered the keynote address, and the Village of Park Forest was honored as an Outstanding Supporter of the Office of Military Student Affairs at PSC. The event included a fellowship and lunch following the ceremony, and a Missing Man table was displayed in the Atrium.

Vote Early Day, celebrated on October 29, was founded by MTV as a civic holiday aimed at helping every voter understand how, where, and when to vote early. Launched during the pandemic, it became a vital resource so voters would not have to choose between their health and casting their ballots. At PSC, students from the Black Student Union hosted a fundraiser titled "In My Voting Era." For a $1 donation, students created bracelets and received a ticket for the Taco Food Truck. By showing their ballot receipt, they also received free VOTE crewneck sweatshirts and swag. Special thanks to Cristina Lazard, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement, and Juanita Wyatt, Senior Director of Student Engagement and First-Year Experience, for their commitment to making this event possible.

The PSC Halloween Family Fun Fest was a success! This year, the festivities took place in the Health Tech building, attracting a large number of attendees. Parker, along with special guest Bluey, welcomed trick-or-treaters from our community. Guests enjoyed coloring stations, games, a creepy science table, book giveaways, and sweet treats for both parents and children.

Special thanks to the planning committee: Crystal Alston-Nobles, Celeste Garcia, Cristina Lazard, Jennica Rodriguez, and Juanita Wyatt. We also appreciate the support of our student leaders and employee and faculty volunteers Dr. Christa Adam, Dr. Jeri Bingham, Dr. Angela Hung, and Helen Manley. Additionally, we want to acknowledge those who donated candy and giveaways for this special event, as well as Academic Affairs for allowing use of the space while classes were in session.

On Saturday, October 19, community members had the opportunity to explore Prairie State College's programs, clubs, financial resources, and more. Our dedicated faculty and staff engaged with attendees and led tours of classrooms and labs across the campus. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, especially Beth Wyack and Gabby Diestelmeier for coordinating and the PSC Marketing team for promoting the event and securing Lady Red from the 106.3 Chicago Street Team. Lady Red served as our emcee and provided raffles and giveaways, including concert tickets. 

PSC partnered with Meals in the Mealtime to host a pop-up food pantry on Saturday, November 2. 125 families received fresh produce, breakfast meats, bread, cereal, juice, cheese, and milk. Special thanks to Senior Director of Strategic Engagement Cristina Lazard for her efforts in bringing this community initiative to our campus, and to everyone who contributed to its success, including Vice President of External Affairs, Dr. Jeri Bingham, the PSC Police Officers, and student volunteers. 

On October 31, staff and faculty gathered in the lounge for festive fall treats and to participate in a pumpkin decorating contest. All in attendance enjoyed the soft pretzel tower and caramel apple dipping station. Thanks to all who contributed to the Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Winners are listed below. 

Winners:

• First Place: Jennifer Forbes, Pathway Advisor, Academic Advising

• Second Place: Andrea McCaskill, Senior Executive Assistant and Board Secretary, Office of the President

• Third Place: Arthur (Art) Kreykes, General Maintenance-2nd Shift, Facilities

PSC has a partnership with Franciscan Health Fitness Center! This partnership allows full-time employees to receive a 50% reimbursement on their dues by attending the Franciscan Health Fitness Center 24 times per quarter. That's right, 50% back into your wallets!! 

This is a great way to prioritize your health while saving on expenses. Every visit counts toward your goal, whether hitting the gym, attending a class, or taking a wellness walk. Don't miss out on this fantastic benefit—start earning your discount today! 

The Prairie State College Nursing Program has achieved an impressive 94 percent NCLEX (nursing licensure exam) pass rate.  Exceeding national and state averages, this is a truly remarkable accomplishment that reflects a lot of hard work, professional and academic expertise, and commitment on the part of the nursing faculty.

On Thursday, November 7, Opportunity Works graduates and community members gathered to celebrate Opportunity Works' 2024 successes. Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, attended the event. The presentation focused on our career-focused curriculum and outcomes for young adults within our community.  

The Dental Hygiene program holds an Enrichment Week each year to provide dental hygiene students with an opportunity to learn about the field of dentistry from industry partners. Heartland Dental and Align Technologies supported this year's enrichment. The companies generously offered their time and resources to provide the students with cutting-edge training on digital scanners through didactic and immersive hands-on learning. Align Technology brought five digital scanners and in-the-field training experts to expose the students to digital scanning for patient education, restorative, and surgical needs. 

In addition, Heartland Dental presented the use of AI-assisted technology in dentistry to enhance diagnosis, patient education, and the patient experience. This first-of-its-kind Enrichment Week event would not have been possible without the support of Align Technology & Heartland Dental. It is truly remarkable to see our industry partners invested in and supporting our students! 

Rhonda C. White, Associate Professor and Clinical Education Coordinator, took her second-year physical therapy assistant students to an augmented reality (AR) seminar at Governors State University. Strolll Neurotechnology introduced its Digital Therapeutics software for AR glasses, which helps with movement therapy for people with neurological disorders. The students got hands-on experience with this cutting-edge technology. Check out their experience!

In honor of National Fire Prevention Week, (Oct 6 - 12), we highlighted the program by chatting with first-year student Brandon Taylor. As one of the program's top students, Brandon shared valuable insights about his experience and future goals. We wished him the best of luck in his endeavors. The Fire Science program is led by Associate Professor and Coordinator Chad Vlietstra.

Prairie State College students, role-playing as Chinese diplomats, successfully built consensus while drafting a resolution. Their collaborative efforts resulted in the unanimous approval of this resolution, the only one passed during the simulation.

Hosted by Purdue University Northwest, the event saw participation from over 30 students from five colleges and universities: Valparaiso University, Dominican University, and Governors State University.

Representing:

China: Maggie Sterning and Isis Robinson

Costa Rica: Zach Agosto and Cameron Masset

Panama: Donovan Johnson

This simulation served as a preparatory exercise for the larger American Model United Nations, which took place in Chicago from November 23-26, where PSC represented the Dominican Republic.

Student Affairs hosted a Registration Rally during the week of October 21. Over the course of the 3-day event, students had the opportunity to enter a raffle, speak directly with advisors, complete self-registration, and receive a box lunch upon finishing. Academic Advising assisted 241 students in registering for the upcoming spring semester. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event!

During the week of October 14, Academic Advising provided students with the opportunity to walk-in and meet with the advising team. Students could ask questions about PSC programs, courses, adding or dropping classes, and the upcoming spring semester. The team reported that 142 students visited the booth throughout the week.

Mary Fitzpatrick and Terri Eakins from Career Services hosted a Spooky Open House for students to learn about the many services they provide. Attendees had the opportunity to spin a prize wheel, answer questions about Career Services, and more. This event was a fun way for students to learn about the resources that remain available to them even after graduation.

Crystal Alston-Nobles and Cristina Lazard attended the Inclusive Catwalk Fashion Show in Chicago on behalf of Prairie State College. This sponsorship supports iCan Dream Center NFP, helping to provide essential skills, resources, and opportunities that make a difference in the lives of neurodiverse youth.

For the second consecutive year, Marketing and Communications handed out custom PSC Jibbitz to those who wore their favorite Crocs in celebration of Croc Day on October 23. A special thanks to our Student Ambassadors for helping to distribute charms! 

Congratulations to Dr. Danielle Coleman on being inducted into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing (AADN). The AADN was established to recognize those individuals who model exemplary dedication to associate degree nursing education and practice and who have worked as change agents to advance health and education through associate degree nursing.

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Nursing Angela Simpson on receiving the DAISY Award! Angela was recognized at the September board meeting, where Dr. Marie Hansel praised her contributions:

“Angela is not just a nursing educator; she is a mentor, a role model, and a beacon of excellence. Her dedication to her students, exceptional organizational skills, and clinical expertise make her an ideal candidate for the DAISY Award. It has been an honor to work alongside Angela, and I wholeheartedly endorse her for this recognition.”

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Communication Dana Trunnell on receiving the Edith Marjorie Harrod Award! This honor recognizes her distinguished service to the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association and her outstanding achievements in the field. Well done, Dana!

Congratulations to Professor Ed O'Donnell, nursing faculty, on his nomination for Nurse of the Year at Advocate Christ Medical Center, the largest and busiest Level One Trauma Center in Illinois. This well-deserved recognition highlights Professor O'Donnell's exceptional contributions to surgical trauma intensive care, in addition to his role in shaping the next generation of nurses at Prairie State College. With over 2,300 nurses employed at Advocate Christ Medical Center, this honor is particularly significant. The PSC nursing program is fortunate to have such a talented professional as part of its faculty. 

On Wednesday, November 6, the PEACE Center hosted a roundtable discussion for staff and students to share their thoughts on the recent political election. This event did not focus on political ideology; instead, it aimed to explore how individuals and our institution can prepare to play meaningful roles and adapt to changes within our communities.

Men's and women's soccer hosted a "White Out" event featuring a soccer doubleheader against Harper College. Fans who came out to support our soccer teams received a free white t-shirt.

Men's soccer took down Harper 5-0 while women's soccer won 3-0 over the Hawks. Women's soccer finished the season 7-8-1 and made the postseason for the first time in recent memory while the men (13-4-3) lost to South Suburban in its opening playoff match.

Men's and women's basketball hosted Media Day, during which they took team and promotional photos to use throughout the season. Some shots are below, and you can check out more on the various PSC Athletics social media platforms. 

Local media were invited to the Pioneer Fieldhouse to meet this year's teams. Women's basketball is off to a strong 4-2 start, while the men are 2-3. 

For more information about our basketball teams, visit the roster pages below.

Women's Basketball

Men's Basketball

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Foundation’s second annual donor appreciation luncheon a great success! On Friday, November 8, Foundation donors who have contributed a minimum of $10,000 during their lifetime giving to the Foundation were named as the inaugural members of the 1973 Giving Society, named for the year of the Foundation’s incorporation.