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SIUC & SWIC ink agreement to improve access for students

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale strengthened its commitment to students in the city and Metro East this week with agreements to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified community college students by providing the option to earn their bachelor’s degrees remotely and at a lower cost in six academic programs.

SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane today (March 4) signed an agreement with St. Louis Community  College and on Wednesday (March 2) with Southwestern Illinois College to participate in the Saluki Step Ahead program, which covers the accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, health care management, psychology and radiologic sciences programs.

“Our agreements with SWIC and STLCC fit well with our Imagine 2030 strategic plan, which includes pillars for student success and partnerships,” Lane said. “We are proud of our beautiful campus and the first-rate education and unique opportunities we provide. But we understand not all students can move to Carbondale to complete their education, so we will bring SIU Carbondale to them. We are excited to welcome these students to the Saluki family.”

The signings now make 11 community colleges participating with SIU in the Saluki Step Ahead program, with more anticipated this spring. The pact with St. Louis Community College is the first Saluki Step Ahead agreement outside of Illinois.

St. Louis Community College Chancellor Jeff L. Pittman said the Saluki Step Ahead program is a “great opportunity” for its students.

“We are pleased that SIU is partnering with us to help more students advance their education, and especially being able to earn a degree online to meet the realities of the times. The SIU Saluki Step Ahead program is a great opportunity for STLCC graduates to earn a bachelor’s degree at an affordable cost, making it a win for all students,” Pittman said.

Nick Mance, Southwestern Illinois College president said SWIC is excited about the agreement.

“This program, allowing our students to transfer seamlessly to SIU’s online accounting, business and administration, criminology and criminal justice, psychology, health care management and radiologic sciences programs, is a fantastic opportunity for our students and the community.” Mance said. “It has long been our goal to prepare students to enter the workforce as highly qualified members of their chosen professions, and this program helps further our objectives.”

Following graduation with an associate degree from St. Louis Community College or Southwestern Illinois College, students can go on to complete their SIU bachelor’s degrees online without leaving their hometowns. Students in the program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In the third and fourth years, they receive an annual $4,000 scholarship. The goal is to allow students to earn their degrees for $25,000 or less.

For more information, contact SWIC Dean of Business, Health Sciences, and Homeland Security Ashley Becker, Ph.D., at ashley.becker@swic.edu or SWIC Associate Director of Student Services Annjanee Jones at annjanee.Jones@swic.edu. 

SWIC Releases Fall Semester 2021 Dean’s List

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The following is a list of full- and part-time students on the Southwestern Illinois College Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 Semester.

This list includes full-time students who completed 12 or more semester credits during the semester and part-time students who completed six or more semester credits during the semester while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown:

SWIC Fall 2021 Deans List

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5455 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

SWIC Releases Fall 2021 Semester Graduate List

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The following is a list of Southwestern Illinois College students who graduated at the conclusion of the Fall 2021 Semester. The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown.

The list also denotes students who graduated with honors (a 3.5 grade point average or higher) and with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

SWIC Fall 2021 Graduate List.

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700,
ext. 5455 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

SWIC Assistant Professor Shows Art in Solo Exhibit in St. Louis Gallery

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Southwestern Illinois College Assistant Professor of Art Cory Sellers is letting the world see his immediate family and their development – at least in a symbolic way – through his paintings on display at the Houska Gallery in St. Louis now through Feb. 25.

An opening reception for the show, titled “Foundation Jump,” has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 11 from 5-8 p.m. at the gallery, 4728 McPherson Ave., in St. Louis’ Central West End.

Sellers has taught painting, printmaking, drawing and art history at SWIC since 2012. Also, he has taught as an adjunct instructor at many other St. Louis area colleges and universities.

He has exhibited his work throughout southern Illinois, St. Louis, Chicago, and New York City. His works are in private and public collections nationally and internationally.

Sellers earned his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting and Drawing from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 2011 and his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois in 2007.

In “Foundation Jump,” Sellers says he has been thinking about his immediate family and their development. The painted forms are symbolic in their placement, color, and usage. Certain features get manipulated or exaggerated using a variety of preliminary drawings both digital and traditional. This process continues until Sellers feels the composition has developed its own characteristics, reminding him that the finished product does not have to look like the initial intention.

The Houska Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A virtual tour of the show will be available soon. Visit houskagallery.com for details.

For more information about the SWIC Art program, visit swic.edu/art.

SWIC offers Respiratory Care degree – profession ranked 16th in the nation

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Southwestern Illinois College Respiratory Care Program Coordinator Diane Dodd could have told you what a great profession Respiratory Care is even before U.S. News and World Report named it the 6th Best Health Care Job and the 16th Best Job in the country for 2022.

“Respiratory Therapists are essential frontline workers who help patients with a variety of respiratory and cardiac issues get better and get back to their healthy lifestyle,” Dodd said. “They play a vital role in hospitals and patient care.”

The magazine ranked the profession high on its list based on the combination of factors such as salary, job market, job satisfaction and stress level.

SWIC offers a two-year, 71-semester-credit Associate in Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care. The program prepares students for entry-level practitioner positions in the profession. Respiratory therapists have a high level of patient contact.

RTs, under the supervision of a physician, see patients of all ages to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of pulmonary problems. The practice of respiratory care entails: monitoring, evaluating and reporting patients’ cardiopulmonary status, providing treatments and ventilatory support to keep the airway open. In addition, RT’s perform sleep studies, metabolic studies, patient, community and family education, home care, discharge planning and follow up, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation.

Applications for the SWIC program are accepted Sept. 1 through May 1 for the following fall semester.

Averaged over a three-year period, 98 percent of SWIC graduates passed the national certification examination required for licensure.

SWIC graduate survey results, also averaged over a three-year period, indicate 94.7 percent of graduates are employed in the profession within 12 months after completing the program.

“RTs are in high demand,” Dodd said. “There is a nationwide shortage and hospitals are looking for new graduates.”

According to the U.S. News and World Report article, the profession is expected to grow by 23 percent between 2020 and 2030, with an estimated 31,100 jobs opening in that time.

In addition, the median salary for Respiratory Therapists in the nation was $62,810 in 2020.

“The program is very hands on,” Dodd said. “Our students work in clinical facilities as part of their education and most students receive multiple job offers from their clinical sites before they even graduate.” 

For more information about the SWIC Respiratory Care program, visit swic.edu/respiratory-care or contact Dodd at 618-235-2700, ext. 5907 or diane.dodd@swic.edu.

SWIC recently graduated largest Police Academy class with Session 145

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The Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy recently celebrated the graduation of Session 145. The SWIC Police Academy is an intensive academic and physical training program designed to prepare recruits to enter a career in law enforcement. It is one of only seven police academies in Illinois.

Graduates in alphabetical order include:
 

  • Benjamin M. Abney of the Johnston City Police Department
  • Sarah A. Alvarez of the Fairview Heights Police Department
  • Joshua T. Anderson of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Johnathan W. Ashlock of the Sandoval Police Department, winner of the Jeremy Chambers Top Gun Firearms Award
  • Allen J. Averbeck of the Alton Police Department
  • Blake M. Bachmann of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, winner of the Academic Award
  • Justin D. Benton of the Edwardsville Police Department
  • Paul M. Blankley of the Granite City Police Department
  • Andrew C. Bode of the Edwardsville Police Department
  • Marshal T. Brooks of the SWIC Public Safety Department
  • Tyler E. Bucco of the Creve Coeur Police Department
  • Aleksandr M. Budnik of the Hebron Police Department
  • Chase J. Burk of the Winchester Police Department
  • Brandon L. Burkett of the Flora Police Department
  • James N. Capeheart of the Shawneetown Police Department, class president and winner of the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association Most Outstanding Officer Award.
  • Christian M. Cepeda of the Metropolis Police Department
  • Corey R. Cline of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, winner of the Defense Tactics Award
  • Tyler R. Coffey of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
  • Allen J. Cooley of the Chenoa Police Department
  • Allie E. Cooper of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Police Department
  • Caren L. Cyvas of the McKendree Public Safety Department
  • Joshua L. DeHeve of the University of Illinois Springfield Police Department
  • Jordan A. Felax of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Mark S. Fenske III of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Kelly M. Fischer of the Edwardsville Police Department
  • Zachary D. Fitzgerald of the Mount Vernon Police Department
  • Jake R. Freeman of the Greenville Police Department
  • Trenton S. Gonzalez of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office
  • Chase E. Harrison of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Kaylan M. Hendrickson of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, winner of the Most Improved Over All in Physical Fitness Award
  • Jordan E. Hernandez of the Sesser Police Department
  • Leonardo M. Hernandez of the Nokomis Police Department, winner of the Best Over All in Physical Fitness Award
  • Evan M. Hillier of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office
  • Joseph M. Howell of the Venice Police Department
  • Joshua M. Hyman of the Collinsville Police Department
  • Samuel A. Jackson of the Coles County Sheriff’s Office
  • Dylan D. Jeffords of the West Frankfort Police Department
  • Anthony R. Jellison of the North Pekin Police Department
  • Jay L. Joiner of the Metropolis Police Department
  • Taylor G. Kalous of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department
  • Kurtis L. Kimbro of the SWIC Public Safety Department
  • Taylor L. Kirchhofer of the Waverly Police Department
  • Matthew W. Long of the Carmi Police Department
  • Ryan M. Lutes of the Spring Valley Police Department
  • Anthony E. Matthews of the Alton Police Department
  • Adam T. Miller of the Alton Police Department
  • James L. Minton Jr. of the Washington Police Department
  • Austin L. Mulkey of the Albion Police Department
  • Logan T. Murray of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
  • Tyler D. Norris of the Mount Vernon Police Department
  • Chralene A. O’Dell of the SWIC Public Safety Department
  • Remington G. Paris of the Mount Vernon Police Department
  • Christopher A. Parks of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Hunter S. Parks of the South Jacksonville Police Department
  • Brennan C. Poland of the Effingham Police Department
  • Gavin D. Prater of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Dreyton Z. Ruholl of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
  • Isaac J. Smith of the Vandalia Police Department
  • Bobby L. Smith Jr. of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Blake M. Starkweather of the Herrin Police Department 
  • Jason J. Stimeling of the North Pekin Police Department
  • Lucas J. Tobin of the Carbondale Police Department
  • Corey A. Waide of the McLeansboro Police Department
  • Mack W. Waldman of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Donald W. Watkins Jr. of the Grayville Police Department
  • Taylor D. White of the Tuscola Police Department
  • Joshua R. Whitecotton of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Thomas M. Wicker of the White County Sheriff’s Office

SWIC Art student displaying work in Art Saint Louis invitational show

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Congratulations to Southwestern Illinois College Art student Madeline Field, 24, of Highland, who will exhibit one of her paintings in the Varsity Art XXVI Exhibition at Art Saint Louis March 4-31.

Field, who is seeking her Associate in Fine Arts – Art at SWIC, will be among 44 students from 23 regional colleges and universities in Missouri and Illinois in the 26th annual invitational exhibition.   

Art Saint Louis is a nonprofit community art organization and gallery dedicated to enriching lives through the creative activity of the region’s contemporary visual artists. Varsity Art XXVI is a multi-media exhibit including ceramics, digital media, drawing, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

The gallery, located at 1223 Pine St. in St. Louis, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to presenting this exhibition in-person in the Art Saint Louis Gallery, the show will be presented as a virtual gallery online. Visit artstlouis.org for details.

A closing reception for the exhibition is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 5-7 p.m.

The Art Saint Louis Gallery is free & open to the public. No appointment required. Masks are required.

One artist’s work from the exhibit will be selected for an Award of Excellence as an Outstanding artwork. The award-winning artist will be eligible to submit work for Art Saint Louis’ Honor Awards 2024 curated exhibit, a special 10-artist show only open to the Award-winning artists who receive Awards of Excellence in our 2022 exhibits.

For more information about the SWIC Art program, visit swic.edu/art.

SWIC PMT Program receives national accreditation renewal

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Once again, Southwestern Illinois College Industrial Training programs have shown their mettle in metal.

The SWIC Precision Machining Technology program received reaccreditation from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills recently. This accreditation signifies that the SWIC programs maintain industry standards for machinist training.

It is the third consecutive time SWIC has received the accreditation since the standard was established by NIMS in 2009. Accreditation will last through 2026.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure our students receive the state-of-the-art training needed to work in industry,” said Industrial Technology Program Coordinator Mark Bosworth. “We’re proud to continue to work with NIMS to maintain our accreditation.”

SWIC offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology, plus certificates in CNC Machining, Mastercam software, SolidWorks software and Advanced CNC Programming, Precision Machining Technology.

SWIC is rated highly in all eight evaluation criteria: Program Purpose; Facilities; Equipment, Tooling, and Measuring Devices; Program Features; Administration and Management; Instructional Staff; Student Credentials; and Program Advisory Committee.

SWIC programs will maintain their NIMS Machining Level I National Standard rating. Additionally, students can use their training at SWIC to earn NIMS machining credentials.

For more information on SWIC Industrial Technology programs, call 618-931-0600, ext. 7475.

Explore the Western Frontiers or the American Riviera with PSOP in 2022

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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 Tuesday, Feb.15 at 10 a.m. at PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Masks/face covering will be required for the travelogue program.

The meeting will highlight the following excursions:

Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Western Frontiers – Aug. 3-11, 2022

Discover picturesque landmarks of north Wyoming and the western part of South Dakota. The nine-day, eight-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, motorcoach transportation, 12 meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, eight nights lodging, hotel transfers, travel insurance, baggage handling and a professional tour director.

Highlights of the adventure include visiting several national parks such as Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone. Also, view the Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountainside sculpture of the famous Oglala chief; travel to Deadwood and visit the haunted Devil’s Tower National Monument. Explore the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and much more during the PSOP Travelogue trip.

The cost starts at $4,349 per person, based on double occupancy.

The American Riviera – Nov. 6-12, 2022

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

Join PSOP for a journey to explore sunny Santa Barbara & The American Riviera. 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, nine meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, roundtrip airport transfers, two excursions per-day, professional tour director, baggage handling and a travel protection plan.

Highlights of the activities include visiting the Reagan Library, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Santa Ynez Valley Winery. Discover the history behind El Camino by traveling to the Old Mission Santa Barbra. While touring the town, individuals will be immersed in the seaside festivities and culture. Moving on to Santa Monica, experience a fascinating walking tour of the Queen Mary with local experts. Overall, the Santa Barbara and The American Riviera PSOP Travelodge trip will be one full of picturesque views and magical memories.

The cost starts at $3,999 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, or email at nancy.bauer@swic.edu.

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.