April 2021 Board Report

Illinois Valley Community College is partnering with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing on an RN-to-bachelor’s program, IVCC trustees learned Thursday.

The “Pathway RN/BS Program” allows seamless transfer of IVCC credit to SIUE for completion of the nursing baccalaureate. Students complete the AAS and majority of general education requirements prior to attending SIUE.

Students may enroll in two of the university’s nursing courses prior to earning an RN.

SIUE’s accelerated program is offered in an 8-week, online format to accommodate working RNs and it can be completed in one year (three semesters).

IVCC Director of Nursing Programs Jennifer Grobe said, “Much like our program, SIUE’s School of Nursing is an excellent value, is well-respected and affordable.

“Nursing students often have to keep up with demanding courses while also juggling family and work responsibilities,” Grobe said. “This partnership is a way to earn a BSN with minimal expense and travel.”

For information, contact Grobe at (815) 224-0485 or jennifer_grobe@ivcc.edu.

In other business, the board honored outgoing student trustee Naomi Ochuba of Peru and welcomed successor Madison Miranda of DePue.

The board also approved:

  • A 12-credit, one semester Help Desk certificate to address employer demand for entry-level staff to fill IT positions. The cybersecurity and computer networking advisory committee provided input on the certificate.
  • The retirement of nursing lab instructor Laura Hodgson effective May 31. In a letter to Human Resources, Hodgson said, “I am excited about my upcoming retirement but also wanted to thank IVCC for the tremendous support and a wonderful career. I feel blessed that I have been a part of this great institution and will continue to be IVCC’s biggest cheerleader.”
  • Transfer of $55,400 in additional funding for a Capitol Development Board (CDB) perimeter road and parking lot repaving project. CDB will cover $675,000 of the project, IVCC $280,400. The work involving lots 2 and 6 is expected this fall. 
  • Release of closed session minutes from March 11.

Trustees also learned:

  • A leave of absence request from Assessment Center coordinator Sarah Trager was approved.
  • Custodian Karol Baker resigned March 30.
  • Part-time faculty hired in March were Steven Goodbread, EMS; Ryan Emm, Learning Resources tutor; Jorie Swingel, nursing; and Natalie Hulstrom, music.
  • The administration reduced the credit-hour threshold for associate degrees from 64 to 60 – a move “strongly encouraged” by the Illinois Community College Board. 
  • English instructor Dr. Kimberly Radek-Hall of LaSalle won the Stephen Charry Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence and part-time nursing instructor Christina Boughton of Princeton the Outstanding Part-time Faculty Award. Both were also nominated for Illinois Community College Trustees Association statewide awards.
  • IVCC will continue leasing Oglesby’s Gandolfi Field at Dickinson Field for men’s baseball. IVCC has leased the field since 2015 and will pay the city $2,900 this spring.
  • The administration received a “notice to bargain” from the American Federation of Teachers Local 1810 representing 79 faculty members. The current three-year contract expires June 30.
  • Longtime financial aid employee Ida Brown was awarded the Life Time Achievement award at the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators virtual conference April 8.
  • IVCC President Jerry Corcoran credited custodial, maintenance and grounds staff for how beautiful campus looks this spring.
  • The Foundation’s fifth annual Giving Day on April 1 raised over $31,600, an increase of more than $7,000 from the previous year. There were 108 donors, up from 76 one year ago. Corcoran recognized Janice Corrigan for coordinating the campaign and trustees for contributing generously.
  • IVCC is one of 19 colleges participating in a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday virtual career fair. More than 250 employers representing advertising, agriculture, automotive, engineering, banking, construction, insurance, manufacturing, retail, transportation and logistics, utilities and renewable energy are expected to participate, said Lisa Witalka, career services specialist.
  • Corcoran met recently with Oglesby Mayor Dom Rivara and commissioner Jason Curran to continue discussions regarding Oglesby’s interest in building a solar energy facility on college ground. “This demonstrates Oglesby’s commitment to renewable energy and long-term interest in providing electricity to our campus,” Corcoran noted.