The 2020s have brought rapid change to communities, workplaces and classrooms across the country. For Southwestern Illinois College, the decade has been a time of adaptation, investment and new opportunities. As SWIC continues its 80th anniversary celebration, the 2020s stand out as a period when the college strengthened its role as a regional education and workforce leader while laying the foundation for what comes next.
Adapting to a Changing Decade
The 2020s began during an extraordinary period of change. The COVID-19 pandemic affected communities across the country and reshaped how people worked, learned and connected. Colleges and universities adapted to new challenges, including changes to classroom instruction and student services.
At SWIC, the decade continued the college’s longstanding commitment to providing accessible education while responding to changing needs. The experience reinforced the importance of flexibility, technology and strong connections between colleges and the communities they serve.
As the decade progressed, SWIC continued investing in programs, facilities and opportunities designed to prepare students for both further education and careers.
A New Home for Advanced Manufacturing
One of the decade’s most significant investments arrived in 2024 with the opening of SWIC’s Advanced Manufacturing Academy (AMA) on the Belleville Campus.
The 33,000-square-foot facility represented a major investment in the future of manufacturing education. Construction began in 2022, and the academy officially opened in fall 2024 following a July ribbon cutting attended by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other state, local and industry leaders.
Inside the AMA, students have access to advanced equipment and training designed around the evolving needs of modern manufacturing. The facility builds on SWIC’s established strengths in precision machining and career and technical education while expanding opportunities for students to develop high-demand technical skills.
The academy also reflects a broader trend of the 2020s: the growing importance of partnerships between education and industry. By connecting classroom learning with current manufacturing technology, SWIC continues to help students prepare for opportunities in the regional workforce.
Building Momentum Through Workforce Education
The AMA became more than a new building. It became a visible example of SWIC’s continued investment in workforce development.
The academy was created with support from state, federal and industry funding, including a $7.5 million state grant and contributions from SWIC and industry partners. Its programs and equipment are designed to support advanced manufacturing education and help strengthen the regional workforce.
That investment reflects a central part of SWIC’s mission throughout its history: providing students with affordable pathways to meaningful careers while helping meet the needs of southwestern Illinois communities.
The decade also brought continued expansion of career-focused education elsewhere across the district, including plans for a new Career Technology Education facility at the Red Bud Campus. Together, these investments demonstrate SWIC’s ongoing commitment to bringing education and workforce opportunities closer to the communities it serves.
A New Era for Blue Storm Athletics
The 2020s also marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for SWIC Athletics: football.
SWIC announced plans to launch its first-ever intercollegiate football program, with the inaugural season scheduled for Fall 2027. The Blue Storm will compete as an independent program in NJCAA Division I, creating a new opportunity for student-athletes to compete while pursuing an affordable college education.
The program represents a significant addition to campus life and SWIC’s athletic tradition. Football will also create new opportunities for students, families, alumni and community members to connect with the college through competition and shared school spirit.
With recruiting underway and preparations continuing, the new program is already helping shape the next chapter of Blue Storm Athletics.
Looking Toward the Future
The 2020s have continued a pattern that has defined SWIC for eight decades: change without losing sight of its mission. From navigating an unprecedented period of disruption to opening a state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Academy and preparing to welcome football to campus, SWIC has continued to grow alongside the communities it serves.
Today, the college remains focused on creating affordable educational opportunities, preparing students for careers and strengthening connections throughout southwestern Illinois. As SWIC celebrates 80 years of service, the story of the 2020s is still being written—but its newest chapters already point toward a college ready for whatever comes next.