Dr. Jeri Bingham, Vice President of External Affairs, and Cristina Lazard, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement, attended the Will County Center for Economic Development’s Eye-Opener Breakfast on June 26 in Mokena. The program highlighted key regional developments and national economic trends shaping the future of Will County. Pictured with Dr. Bingham and Cristina are leaders from Silver Cross Hospital and D’Arcy Chevrolet. 

On behalf of Local 1600 and Local 3816, Presidents Cheron Ricks and Andy Schott invited employees to enjoy cookies and fruit in celebration of May Day – International Workers’ Rights Day. Recognized globally on May 1, May Day commemorates the long history of labor’s struggle to secure humane working conditions, fair wages, and power through collective action. The day honors the historic fight for the eight-hour workday, including the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, and serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to advance workers’ rights around the world. Pictured are Andy Schott and Dr. Danielle Coleman, Professor of Nursing.

The Student Engagement & First Year Experience team, in collaboration with the Marketing Department, hosted a Wellness Wednesday event on May 7, inviting students and employees to designated campus locations for a thoughtfully curated day of wellness-focused activities. Highlights included an essential oil bar, smudge stick bar, fresh juices, massages, plant potting, guided meditation, and yoga. To help raise awareness about mental health, students and staff were encouraged to wear green.

Special thanks to Juanita Wyatt, Senior Director of Student Engagement & First Year Experience, and Cristina Lazard, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement, for their leadership in coordinating this impactful initiative.

Over the summer, high school students volunteered to clean and organize the nursing lab, helping to refresh and improve the space for future use. Organized by Antigone Kokalias, this initiative allowed students to earn service hours toward their National Honor Society requirements. The effort will continue throughout the year. 

During the week of June 13, TRIO Student Support Services took 15 students to Florida for the Pathways & Perspectives: A Summer College and Culture Tour. Students attended activities such as a Disney Theme Park Design workshop, Daytona Beach Speedway, Kennedy Space Center, and several college visits. This tour aimed to increase students' knowledge with a focus on STEM and Artificial Intelligence (AI) fields, while also encouraging career awareness, technical skills, and engagement in emerging industries.

This summer, Prairie State College hosted the 2025 TRIO Upward Bound Summer Academy at Alabama State University - a six-week academic and leadership program supporting first-generation and income-eligible high school students. Under the leadership of Dr. Isaiah R. Allen, II, the program blended rigorous academics with college exposure and personal development, serving over 60 students from local partner schools.

Participants engaged in math, science, literature, and personal growth classes led by qualified instructors, along with workshops on financial literacy, emotional wellness, and identity development. The academy emphasized leadership through seminars, mentorship, and community service, culminating in a Closing Ceremony celebrating student achievements.

On Thursday, May 1, the PEACE Center hosted its End-of-Year Celebration, welcoming about 40 students for an afternoon of fun and reflection. The event featured a quick slideshow highlighting key moments from the year, followed by a lively trivia game with questions on pop culture, college life, and One Million Degrees' Scholar Development Session topics. The event drew both familiar faces and newcomers interested in learning more about the PEACE Center. It was a great way to celebrate the year and build excitement for what’s next!

On Saturday, May 3, the PEACE Center hosted two events. From 9–11 a.m., the Ayuda Para Llenar la FAFSA workshop helped local high school seniors with their FAFSA applications, offering Spanish-language assistance and personalized guidance for future PSC students. Later, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., PEACE Center staff hosted a table at the St. Kieran Cinco de Mayo celebration, where community members learned about PSC programs.

On Thursday, May 15, the All-Latin Alliance (ALA), in collaboration with Student Engagement, hosted an End-of-Year Dance for PSC students. Held at the Bradford Barn in Olympia Fields, the event featured a live DJ, photo area, and light snacks. Tickets were sold in advance for $20, and the evening offered a fun and festive way for students to celebrate the close of the academic year.

On Monday, May 19, the PEACE Center hosted 27 PSC graduates and their guests for the annual Cultural Graduation Celebration. This special event, open to all graduating students, honored the diverse heritage, experiences, and accomplishments of our students alongside the traditional commencement ceremony. Faculty and staff also attended. The keynote speaker was Tolu Odueyungbo, a proud PSC alumna and current practicing attorney. She shared reflections on her journey and celebrated her Nigerian American heritage.

On Thursday, June 19, student officers of the All-Latin Alliance Club (ALA) celebrated a year of leadership and achievement with a special outing to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. The trip also served as a mentorship opportunity, as current leaders shared valuable insight and advice with club members who are strong candidates for officer roles in the upcoming 2025–26 school year. 

Throughout May, all were invited to recharge their minds and bodies during Wellness Tea Tuesdays in the Employee Lounge. This weekly event offered a calming space to enjoy a variety of herbal teas while taking a much-needed break from the workday. It was a refreshing way to promote self-care, relaxation, and connection among colleagues. 

In celebration of Mother’s Day, HR launched a heartfelt initiative to honor the incredible mothers within the PSC community. This included birth moms, adoptive moms, grandmothers, godmothers, aunties, and all who embody the spirit of motherhood. All were invited to stop by the HR office to receive a small token of appreciation. 

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 PSC community is growing on Instagram, and we recently reached 2,000 followers! 

If you haven’t joined us yet, now’s the perfect time to follow @prairiestatecollege. We highlight campus events, celebrate student and staff achievements, and keep you in the loop on everything happening at PSC - all in real time. Stay connected, show your PSC pride, and help us grow even more.

Congratulations to Assistant Controller Denise Edwards, Senior Director of Online Learning Joanna Kourtidis, and Senior Director for Strategic Engagement Cristina Lazard on their selection to the 2025 cohort of the Illinois Community College Leadership Institute! This prestigious program—led by the Illinois Community College Board and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s OCCRL—supports mid-career professionals preparing to step into senior leadership roles at community colleges. We’re proud to see PSC talent recognized at the state level!

Anton “A.J.” Brooks, Jr., a graduate of Prairie State College’s Liberal Arts program, delivered a moving address as the 2025 student commencement speaker. A Glenwood native, Brooks spoke passionately about perseverance and community, sharing lessons from his journey at PSC.

“PSC graduates, as we leave this chapter behind and look toward the future, what I hope we all take with us the most is the knowledge that it’s not the challenges we faced that defined us, it is how we rose above them all one by one,” he said.

Brooks, whose favorite classes included African American Literature and Philosophy, overcame numerous challenges on his path to graduation. He will attend Columbia College Chicago this fall to major in Music Theory.

Prairie State College recently held its annual Board Retreat to address key institutional priorities. Discussions focused on the College’s mission and vision, goal setting, budget planning, financial health, and strategies to enhance board effectiveness. Attendees included members of the PSC Board of Trustees, Cabinet, Cristina Lazard, and President Dr. Michael Anthony. 

Kick off the semester with the Fall Student Exhibition, opening Monday, August 18, at the Christopher Art Gallery. Join us for a public reception on Wednesday, August 20, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., and enjoy outstanding works by PSC students on display through September 11. The gallery is open Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.