2019 - Southwestern Illinois College

Enrollment Express is one stop for SWIC Spring 2020 enrollment/registration

You don’t need to miss work or skip appointments to sign up for spring classes at Southwestern Illinois College! Enrollment Express allows you to complete the enrollment and registration process, and much more, in one easy visit.

Enrollment Express will take place at the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., the week of Jan. 6-11, 2020. Hours will be: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Spring 2020 Semester classes begin Jan. 11, 2020.

“We realize our students are busy with work, family and other commitments so we wanted to provide a convenient way for students to complete the enrollment and registration process with one visit to campus,” said Admissions Coordinator, Katie Dawson.

If you are just getting started in the enrollment process, you can:

  • Apply online to start the steps to enrollment
  • Learn about more than 150 degree and certificate options
  • Take a tour of campus
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
  • Ask questions about financial aid
  • Take the placement test to know where to begin

If you are already working on your steps to enrollment, you can:

  • Meet with an academic advisor to discuss course options
  • Get assistance registering for classes
  • Set up a payment plan or pay your tuition and fees
  • Find your classrooms and explore key locations on campus
  • Pick up your textbooks  
  • Activate your SWIC student email and other SWIC technology
  • Get your student ID, parking permit and Metro pass  

You can still apply, search the class schedule and register online at estorm.swic.edu anytime.

In addition, students or prospective students who have questions about the enrollment process can chat with Enrollment Services representatives via Facebook Messenger @ facebook.com/swic.edu.

For more information, call Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5455.

Explore immersive environments and pottery critters at The Schmidt Art Center this winter

Starting in January, two solo exhibitions at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center will offer art lovers a chance to escape into immersive environments with vibrant colors, reductive imagery and illustrated movements.

 “Flow Chart,” a series of installations by artist Joe Page, uses deceptively simple, derivatives of early video games, pinball machines, mass transit maps and schematic diagrams. Additionally, a pottery exhibit titled, “Repurpose, Reengineer and Relocate,” will showcase pottery critters outside their normal habitats, created from vintage objects by artist Angel Brame.

The exhibitions will be displayed from Jan. 16 through Feb. 20 at The Schmidt. An opening reception will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, with an artist talk at 6 p.m.,  at the art center on the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

“These exhibits provide the spectator a chance to escape the confines of daily reality and have fun while doing it,” said Schmidt Interim Curator Paula Haniszewski.

For more information about these exhibitions, The Schmidt, the art center’s calendar of events and arts education programs, visit swic.edu/theschmidt or call 618-222-5ART (5278).

SWIC Toy Drive Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters

Southwestern Illinois College’s Annual College Activities Toy Drive was a huge success this year. The toy drive kicked off at the college’s Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in November. All 156 toys, donated by SWIC students and employees, were given to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois for distribution to local families. From left, front row, Deneen Holmes and Criseona Moore, both of Cahokia, Lylee Scott of St. Libory, Ryan Watkins of Belleville, Dakotah Easley of O’Fallon; second row, SWIC President Nick J. Mance, Student Trustee Dajanae Thomas-Jackson of East St. Louis, Sergio Gomez of Cahokia, Noel Phillips of Swansea and Eli Gillum of O’Fallon.

Learn all that SWIC has to offer on High School Visit Day Jan. 24

If you’re a current high school student curious about Southwestern Illinois College, get all your questions answered on High School Visit Day Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon at the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

Explore academic programs, tour the campus, find out about SWIC clubs, sports and campus activities, get information on financial aid and scholarship options, as well as learn the many other benefits of choosing SWIC.

See presentations about SWIC academic areas, including:

  • Liberal Arts & Fine Arts – University Transfer programs related to careers in social or behavioral science, communications, language arts, business, education, art, music, etc.
  • Math and Sciences Division – University Transfer programs related to careers in science, technology, engineering, or math.
  • Technical Education – Career training programs related to industrial technology, construction, aviation, etc.
  • Health Science & Homeland Security – Career training programs related to health care, sign language, administration of justice, or fire science.
  • Business Division – Career training programs related to management, marketing or graphic communications, accounting, computer information systems or networking, office administration, culinary arts, etc.

Reserve your spot online or call 866-942-7942, ext. 5675.

SWIC to offer a technical writing course for STEM+M students Spring 2020

Being able to effectively communicate is a skill required in every profession and not only for liberal arts and English majors.

Southwestern Illinois College will begin offering a technical writing course starting in the spring 2020 semester. The course, English 203 Technical, Scientific and Professional Communication, will prepare students for writing skills needed for future study and employment in STEM+M, (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) fields. Students will acquire writing and technological skills and develop an understanding of how to use those skills to create communications which are suited to the appropriate audience, purpose, context, genre and modality.

The course will enable students to produce written and visual communications that express important concepts in STEM+M fields. Students will become aware of how to produce professional communications, critique digitally produced texts and how to become confident, prepared communicators within their STEM+M professional lives and careers.

Spring 2020 classes begin Saturday, Jan. 11. For more information on this class contact SWIC English Department Chair Steve Moiles at 618-222-5469 email steve.moiles@swic.edu, or to search for courses offered at SWIC,
visit swic.edu/courses.

Explore captivating Iceland or set sail on an island cruise with PSOP in 2020

Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! Plan to attend the Travelogue program on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville.

The meeting will highlight the following excursions:

Iceland Explorer – June 3-9, 2020

Discover picturesque landscapes created by volcanoes and glaciers, and learn about Viking heritage. The seven-day, six-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, motorcoach transportation, eight meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, five nights lodging, hotel transfers, travel insurance, baggage handling and a professional tour director. A valid passport is required.

Highlights of the adventure include visiting several museums such as Iceland’s National Museum, Skogar Folk Museum and the Viking Ship Museum. Also, view the Skogafoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country; swim in a geothermal pool in the center of a large lava field called the Blue Lagoon; explore Thingvellir National Park; view hot springs and mud pots; explore five original Viking ships from the 11th century and visit Bessastadir, an ancient site and home to Iceland’s president. Taste “Hot Spring Bread” which is cooked using the heat from geothermal activity; learn Viking history and culture; and much more.

The cost starts at $4,739 per person, based on double occupancy.

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands Cruise – Sept. 29 through Oct. 6, 2020

Have you been dreaming of tropical sands, coral reefs and island blue water?

Join PSOP for a journey to explore five islands and all the MV Galapagos Legend cruise ship has to offer. This unique excursion is jam-packed with things to do and features something for everyone. The eight-day, seven-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, round trip motorcoach transportation, 17 meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, roundtrip airport transfers, two excursions per-day, professional tour director, baggage handling and a travel protection plan. A valid passport is required.

Highlights of the activities include visiting the “middle of the world” in Quito, Ecuador; snorkeling; viewing land iguanas, giant tortoises, pelicans, sea lions, penguins and other sea and wildlife, plus the flightless cormorants, found only in Isabela Island;. Also, visit a pirates hideout; view stunning volcanic landscapes; visit Jesuit Church of the Society of Jesus, one of the most significant examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America; swim with sunfish and sea horses; visit a black volcanic beach and a red sand beach; and much more.

Also enjoy the naturalist MV Galapagos Legend cruise ship, a luxury vessel which offers all the amenities of a large cruise liner without sacrificing the intimacy of a small sailing craft. The luxurious Legend is equipped with five decks, mouth-watering dining options, a swimming pool, a library, exercise equipment, international phone/fax/internet, 24-hour pay medical service, the most technologically advanced safety system in the archipelago and much more.

The cost starts at $7,555 per person, based on double occupancy

For more information or to reserve a seat to the Travelogue program, contact Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020.

Tech Ed students win DOD competition

A team of Southwestern Illinois College students who captured gold medals at the national SkillsUSA competition earlier this year also won a Department of Defense Advanced Manufacturing contest in Danville, Virginia recently. From left, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Director A. Adele Ratliff, SWIC student Gavin Becherer of Troy, Precision Machining Technology Instructor Dave Berry, students Connor Braasch of Troy and Connor Barnard of Godfrey, and PMT Instructor Jerry Bonifield show off the $2,500 prize money they won. 

The competition, known as the Next Generation Manufacturing Challenge Series, was developed by Project MFG, the Department of Defense, HAAS CNC and NIMS. Project MFG, promotes the value of a career in the manufacturing trades and accelerates new employees into the workforce. It elevates the prestige of these careers. Also, it aligns industry and defense requirements, educational programs, and commercial capabilities and capacities through private-public partnerships. The two-day competition consisted of 5 Axis machining, programming, and scheduling and resource management.

For more information about the SWIC Precision Machining Technology program visit swic.edu/pmt.

SWIC Students attend annual cyber conference

A group of Southwestern Illinois College Cybersecurity and Networking students attended the fifth annual STLCyberCon held recently at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. From left, front row, students included Michael Agne of Belleville, Alan Winters of Granite City, and Marc Ellington of O’Fallon; back row, Roy Frazier of Belleville, Jason Gnann of Maryville, Jacob Cook of O’Fallon, Parker Wrobbel of Highland, Terrence Barrett II of Edwardsville, Shane Banks of Scott Air Force Base, Kristin Puls of Belleville, and Program Coordinator Matt Swinford of Collinsville.

The conference provided a forum for cybersecurity practitioners, academics, researchers and students to interact. Visitors also had the chance to listen to presentations from some of the leading voices in cybersecurity. In addition, the conference included a Career Expo with major employers seeking to fill cybersecurity and information technology positions. SWIC offers a Cybersecurity Specialist certificate and a Cybersecurity and Networking degree.

For details, visit: swic.edu/cybersecurity.

SWIC Industrial Electrical students put their skills to work at the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum

Pictured: Joseph Moslander of Granite City works on running a new branch circuit that will be used to eventually power a jet formerly owned by Howard Hughes.

Southwestern Illinois College students and instructors from the Industrial Electrician program volunteered to help complete some much-needed electrical work at the Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum in Cahokia, recently.     

The students from the Electrical Wiring Principles class, led by SWIC Instructor Brad Clarkson, installed a branch circuit to the museum display jet, formerly owned by Howard Hughes; installed a new display case; repaired and changed existing bulbs and case lights; and restored power to the stairway lights and to emergency floodlights. The museum President Mark Nankivil was so impressed with the students work, he sent several personal thank you emails to the SWIC leadership team.

“This field trip benefited everyone involved and the entire class displayed professionalism, enthusiasm and craftmanship.” said Clarkson. “ Students were broken up into groups and were given an issue to solve, while being supervised. Little to no prior troubleshooting was done and once the issue was found, a discussion followed to determine the most cost-effective way to solve the issue and bring it up to National Electrical Code.”

Other electrical work included: re-running wires for branch circuits; replacing the light at the building entrance and running a new branch circuit that will be used to eventually power the Boeing 707 simulator and other displays.

 The students provided their own tools and the museum purchased the parts needed. If other field trips are approved, future electrical classes may seek out additional ways to help the museum or other non-profits within the community says Clarkson.

To learn more about SWIC Electrical and Electronics Technical Degrees, visit swic.edu/electrical.

SWIC to feature British composers at a chamber music recital Nov. 7

Enjoy pieces by Alfred Moffat, John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius performed by Southwestern Illinois College Music faculty member Diana Umali and guest violinist Manuela Kaymakanova.

The recital will be Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Art Center on the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Umali is an assistant professor of Music. As a collaborative pianist, she has accompanied recitals with the St. Louis Flute Society and at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.           

Kaymakanova teaches at the Community Music School of Webster University and maintains a private studio. She is also an active chamber music and orchestral performer in the St. Louis area.

For more information on events offered by the SWIC Music department, visit swic.edu/music or contact Umali at diana.umali@swic.edu.

For more information on events offered by SWICarts, visit swic.edu or facebook.com/swicarts