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SWIC Receives $1.2 Million Workforce Equity Grant for 2022

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A $1.2 million Workforce Equity Initiative Grant from the Illinois Community College Board will enable Southwestern Illinois College to continue offering its one-year career training programs in East St. Louis.

“We are excited to have another year to work with this population of students and help them change their lives” said Leonard “Gary” Cruise, East St. Louis Higher Education Center Program Outreach Coordinator/Site Administrator. “This grant has provided a chance for those who want to take charge of the direction that will push their families into a new start. All of the students who have participated in our programs have been very thankful.”

SWIC received a $1.4 million WEI grant in 2020 and a $1.2 million grant in 2021 to develop employment training programs to assist minorities in underserved communities. Those programs include certificates in Welding, Nurse Assistant, Food Service, Forklift Training, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing. Since 2019, 130 students have received credentials.

A Web Design certificate will be offered starting in fall 2022.

“This is an amazing opportunity to continue to make an impact in our local communities through the implementation of our Workforce Equity programming,” said Scott Queener, Ph.D., Director of Enrollment Development and Campus Operations. “The additional funding allows us to continue to offer specialized educational training that targets the current employment gaps in our workforce. As a result of this grant, we are able to expand our educational programs this year.”

In addition to program development, grant funds have allowed SWIC to purchase a food truck to teach a food service class and a mobile technical education trailer to teach precision machining in that community.

To help students start their new careers, SWIC has earmarked funds from the 2021 grant to provide a stipend to students who complete a certificate program and secure employment.

The award to SWIC is part of an $22.8 million ICCB grant to 18 community colleges throughout the state that serve African American and other minority populations.

For the full WEI report visit:  http://www.illinoiswei.org/.

To find out how you can sign up for one of the WEI career training programs, contact Cruise at 618-874-6595 or leonard.cruise@swic.edu.

SWIC to hold tuition rate steady for fourth consecutive year

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Good news for Southwestern Illinois College students. The Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to keep the tuition rate at $113 per semester credit for the 2021 school year.

The college has not raised its tuition or $6 information technology fee   or $3 student services fee since 2017. SWIC students pay only $122 tuition and fees per semester credit for classes, the lowest tuition rate in the state.

“The pandemic has caused financial hardships for so many people in our community,” said SWIC President Nick Mance. “The Board felt it would be in our students’ best interest to keep the tuition at an affordable, steady rate. We want to ensure a college education is accessible to all.”

SWIC students pay a fraction of state and private university costs. The average cost for a full-time student to attend SWIC for two years is $7,808. The average tuition for two years at a public university is $19,374 and a private university is $70,174, according to usnews.com.

“Students can save money by earning their associate degree at SWIC, then transferring to a university to complete their bachelor’s degree,” Mance said. “Or they can train for a variety of well-paying jobs in two years or less. Graduates can enter the workforce without massive student loan debt.”

Residents of Missouri and other surrounding states can also attend SWIC for only $122 per semester credit.

“We have a number of academic programs that community colleges in other states don’t have, so last year we opened the door to out-of-state students,” Mance said. “Out-of-state tuition was previously cost prohibitive; we’ve removed that barrier.” 

Some of SWIC’s more popular programs include: Aviation Maintenance Technology, Commercial Maintenance Mechanics, Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, Massage Therapy and Welding Technology.

The college recently added new programs such as Brewing Operations and Fermentation Science, Cannabis Industry Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Medical Laboratory Assistant, and Practical Nursing.

For more information, visit swic.edu/tuition-fees.

SWIC Red Bud Campus To Host Annual Poetry Contest

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The Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus will host its annual poetry contest for area students and residents this spring.

Individuals of all ages are invited to showcase their creative abilities in the contest through poetry. Divisions for entries are as follows: adult, high school, eighth grade, seventh grade, sixth grade, fifth grade and fourth grade.

Each contestant is allowed to submit one poem and all entries must be turned in with a completed entry form by 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Entry forms can be found online at swic.edu/poetry-contest. Submissions can be mailed to Amy Brockman at 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221 or turned in to the SWIC Red Bud Campus Student Development Office, Room 175.

Contestants will be recognized for their poetic excellence at an award ceremony. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each division. For more details about the awards ceremony visit swic.edu/poetry-contest.

For more information, call Amy Brockman at 618-235-2700, ext. 5324.

George Portz and the Roots of Bluegrass Cancelled at SWIC

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The George Portz and the Roots of Bluegrass concert originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. The concert is not being rescheduled at this time.

For ticket refund information contact SWIC Student Life Director Amy Brockman at 618-222-5324 or email amy.brockman@swic.edu.

For more information, call College Activities at 618-235-2700, ext. 5205.

SWIC Red Bud Campus offers out-of-school youth FREE services

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Southwestern Illinois College is proud to offer the Youth Employment and Support Services Program, which is funded through the national Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Out of School Youth program. YESS provides St. Clair and Randolph County out-of-school youth, ages 16 to 24, with FREE comprehensive support and educational services to complete their High School Equivalency or secondary level of education. Work-site learning opportunities are also available to students in the career field of their choice.

Case managers design a formal, individualized agreement with each participant by assisting them in developing a plan of action to overcome barriers that may hinder them in fulfilling their education goals and/or obtaining employment that may lead to self-sufficiency.

     The following services are available through the program:

  • Tutoring and High School Equivalency instruction and testing
  • Employment opportunities linked to participants’ career interests
  • Work experience opportunities
  • Leadership development
  • Adult mentoring
  • Workplace readiness training
  • Follow-up services after exit (12 months)
  • Transportation assistance
  • Child care referral assistance
  • Comprehensive guidance and counseling, including referral to service partners for drug and alcohol counseling as needed

     To learn more about the YESS program or SWIC HSE classes contact SWIC Randolph County Youth Services Coordinator Karen Schaller at
618-210-8189.

Sloan’s Pub House

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Company: Bar and Grill

Wait time:

20 M

Price range:

$$

Time spent:

1 HR

$ – under $10 / $$ – $10 to $20 / $$$ – $21 or more

Location(s)

City Phone Address
Collinsville, IL 62234 (618) 855-9100 119 W Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234

Hours:

Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 1 AM
Friday 11 AM – 2 AM
Saturday 10 AM – 2 AM
Sunday 10 AM – 1 AM

Hours may change, please check the business page for updates.

Website

Services

Accepts

Cash, Card, Visa

Parking

Private lot

Noise Level

High level

Wi-Fi

Yes

Accessible

Wheelchair, blind, deaf

Pets

Service Animals Only

Attire

Casual

Restrooms 

Provided

Student Discounts

N/A

Entertainment

Yes

In-person visits

Yes

Open to All

Yes

In-Store Shopping

N/A

COVID-19 Measures

Masks Required

No

Outdoor Seating

Open

Curbside pickup

No

Social distancing

Required 6 ft

Temperature checks

No

Cleaning

Very clean

Sit-down Space

Open

Sanitizer

Bring your own

Staff wears masks

Yes

Sloan’s Pub House

By

Company: Bar and Grill

Wait time:

20 M

Price range:

$$

Time spent:

1 HR

$ – under $10 / $$ – $10 to $20 / $$$ – $21 or more

Location(s)

City Phone Address
Collinsville, IL 62234 (618) 855-9100 119 W Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234

Hours:

Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 1 AM
Friday 11 AM – 2 AM
Saturday 10 AM – 2 AM
Sunday 10 AM – 1 AM

Hours may change, please check the business page for updates.

Website

Services

Accepts

Cash, Card, Visa

Parking

Private lot

Noise Level

High level

Wi-Fi

Yes

Accessible

Wheelchair, blind, deaf

Pets

Service Animals Only

Attire

Casual

Restrooms 

Provided

Student Discounts

N/A

Entertainment

Yes

In-person visits

Yes

Open to All

Yes

In-Store Shopping

N/A

COVID-19 Measures

Masks Required

No

Outdoor Seating

Open

Curbside pickup

No

Social distancing

Required 6 ft

Temperature checks

No

Cleaning

Very clean

Sit-down Space

Open

Sanitizer

Bring your own

Staff wears masks

Yes

Verona Coffee

By

Company: Bar and Grill

Wait time:

20 M

Price range:

$$

Time spent:

1 HR

$ – under $10 / $$ – $10 to $20 / $$$ – $21 or more

Location(s)

City Phone Address
Collinsville, IL 62234 (618) 696-1522 Front, 101A, E Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234

Hours:

Monday – Thursday 7 AM – 2 PM
Friday 7 AM – 4 PM
Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM
Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM

Hours may change, please check the business page for updates.

Website

Services

Accepts

Cash, Card, Visa

Parking

Private lot

Noise Level

High level

Wi-Fi

Yes

Accessible

Wheelchair, blind, deaf

Pets

Service Animals Only

Attire

Casual

Restrooms 

Provided

Student Discounts

N/A

Entertainment

Yes

In-person visits

Yes

Open to All

Yes

In-Store Shopping

N/A

COVID-19 Measures

Masks Required

No

Outdoor Seating

Open

Curbside pickup

No

Social distancing

Required 6 ft

Temperature checks

No

Cleaning

Very clean

Sit-down Space

Open

Sanitizer

Bring your own

Staff wears masks

Yes

Di Carlo’s Pizza & Pasta

By

Cuisine : Italian

Wait time:

x

Price range:

x

Time spent:

x

$ – under $10 / $$ – $10 to $20 / $$$ – $21 or more

Location(s)

City Phone Address
 Red Bud, IL 62278 (618) 282-6696 1520 S Main St, Red Bud, IL 62278

Hours:

Tuesday – Thursday 11 AM – 2 PM/Re-Open: 4 PM – 8 PM
Friday 11 AM – 2 PM/Re-Open: 4 PM – 9 PM
Saturday 4 PM – 9 PM
Sunday  4 PM – 8 PM

Hours may change, please check the business page for updates.

Website

Services

Accepts

Cash, Card, Visa ,Debt

Parking

Private lot

Noise Level

Normal

Wi-Fi

Yes

Accessible

Wheelchair, blind, deaf

Pets

Service Animals Only

Attire

Casual

Restrooms 

Provided

Student Discounts

No

Entertainment

Yes

In-person visits

Yes

Open to All

Yes

COVID-19 Measures

Masks Required

Yes

Outdoor Seating

Open

Curbside pickup

No

Social distancing

Required 6 ft

Temperature checks

Yes

Cleaning

Very clean

Sit-down Space

Open

Sanitizer

Bring your own

Staff wears masks

Yes

Broadway Grille

By

Cuisine : Bar and Grill

Wait time:

5 M

Price range:

$$

Time spent:

10 M

$ – under $10 / $$ – $10 to $20 / $$$ – $21 or more

Location(s)

City Phone Address
Sparta, IL 62286 (618) 449-2091 160 W Broadway St, Sparta, IL 62286

Hours:

Monday 11 AM – 7 PM
Tuesday 11 AM – 7 PM
Wednesday 11 AM – 7 PM
Thursday 11 AM – 7 PM
Friday 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturday 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday CLOSED

Hours may change, please check the business page for updates.

Services

Accepts

Cash / Card / Visa

Parking

Private lot

Noise Level

High level

Wi-Fi

Yes

Accessible

Wheelchair / blind / deaf

Service animals / Pets

Service Animals Only

Attire

Casual

Restrooms 

Provided

Student Discounts

No

Entertainment

no

In-person visits

Yes

Open to All

Yes

COVID-19 Measures

Masks Required

Yes

Outdoor Seating

Open

Curbside pickup

Yes

Social distancing

Required 6 ft

Temperature checks

Yes

Cleaning

Very clean

Sit-down Space

Open

Sanitizer

Bring your own

Staff wears masks

Yes