Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on New Solar Lighting Installed on Student Walkway with Grant from Illinois Green Economy Network
This past fall, members of Students for Environmental Action (SEA) at Spoon River College worked with CFO Sarah Gray to secure a grant to install solar lighting on the walkway between the Multi-Purpose Building and the Snapper Villas housing unit on the Canton Campus. Thanks to the generous support from the Illinois Green Economy Network, that lighting is now installed.
Previously the walkway had little illumination at night, a time when many of the students were using it to return to the Villas following athletic events at the Multi-Purpose Building.
Spoon River College students have been active in providing education on environmental sustainability and participating in green events for the past decade. They have planted trees on Earth Day, and in the spring of 2023, planted 17 trees that were purchased by the SRC Foundation and that line the entrance to the college.
The students also successfully advocated for the college to implement a recycling service, sponsored a free Tai Chi workshop for both students and employees, and sold reusable coffee mugs and bags as a fundraiser.
The members continue to hold campus clean-up days in the spring, and three years ago they teamed up with agriculture students to clear paths in the Arboretum, an ongoing project with a goal of creating walking trails that connect to the existing trails behind Centers. They are also working with maintenance staff to build hammock stands for use on the back patio, and will be planting perennial flowers and building birdhouses, bird feeders, and squirrel feeders.
“Our goal is to encourage students to recycle and reuse what they can, and to spend more time outside and enjoy nature, with the hope they will treat it with greater care,” said Jim Sheff, math professor and SEA advisor. “If students—and staff—develop a greater appreciation for nature, they will be more likely to treat it with respect and teach future generations to do the same.”
The Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) was formed in 2008 through an intergovernmental agreement with support from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Governor’s Office, and the Illinois Community College Board. Funds are utilized to support the consortium of all 39 Illinois community college districts (35 active members). A Presidents’ Steering Committee governs IGEN.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Students Attend Spring Leadership Conference at WIU
Four TRIO and Phi Theta Kappa members from the Macomb Campus of Spoon River College attended the Spring Leadership Conference held at Western Illinois University on February 22. The annual one-day event aims to inspire campus leaders to connect with others and strengthen their leadership skills, and this year featured Chris Molina as the keynote speaker. SRC students attending were Jessica Fackrell, Matthew McDonald, Misty Peyer, and Samantha Sensor.
“There were so many things that I learned that will enhance my leadership skills going forward,” said Peyer, who plans to pursue a career in social work. “I really loved the theme, ‘Finding Your True North’ because I felt like we are all on own individual journey and finding out own unique path is vital to becoming the great leaders we aspire to be. He also advised not to let people that don’t uplift you hold power over your feelings or stifle your work ethic, which I can personally relate to.”
McDonald, who is already looking ahead to earning a PhD. with a goal of being a professor or filling an academic position at a museum, said he walked away with a better understanding of how to get things done, organize people, and set goals. “I can use the mindset and general tools I acquired in my future endeavors, most notably, grassroots organizing.”
During the first break-out session that Sensor attended, she said that Dr. Jamie Johnson stressed the importance of leaders as servants and that as a leader he wanted to see his team members names in light, not his own. “That sense of humility really left an impression on me, and his perspective helped me refine my definition of leadership. Going forward, I would like to carry with me the confidence in myself as a leader.” Although still unsure of her major, Sensor is interested in Psychology, Education, and English, and plans to transfer to WIU to continue her education.
Keynote speaker Chris Molina is an award-winning speaker and the best-selling author of I’m In a Leadership Role, Now What?
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Miller Named New Dean of Career and Workforce Education at Spoon River College
Melissa Miller of Canton has been named as the Dean of Career and Workforce Education at Spoon River College, a position previously held by Brad O’Brien, who has retired.
Miller began her career at SRC in January 2016 as an adjunct faculty member for the Allied Health program. She was then hired on full-time as the Coordinator of the Allied Health program in September of 2017, and became the director of the program in July of 2022.
Within her coordinator and director duties, Miller enhanced and updated the allied health courses, program offerings, internship opportunities with local healthcare facilities, and national certifications associated with the college’s healthcare career certificates and degrees. Her leadership was instrumental in creating, developing and launching a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate, and then a Medical Laboratory Technician, AAS Degree, which was rolled out in the fall of 2020.
During her time at SRC, Miller has gained valuable experience in teaching and working with students, and grant and budget management. She has fostered community relationships with local employer groups and curriculum and program development, while also actively promoting healthcare careers, career and workforce education, and the college as a whole. She continues to expand SRC’s outreach in local communities by attending student career fairs and events, and visiting with students in specific high school classes as a guest speaker. She holds a leading role in the planning and developing of the Canton Area Career Expo, which is held at Canton High School to expose students in grades 8, 10 and 11, to multiple different career paths. She serves on SRC’s Wellness Committee and has also participated in other college committees and sub-committees.
Miller spearheaded the Healthcare Enthusiasts and Leaders (HEAL) Student Association at the college, and Girls Unplugged, a community-led after school for 5th through 8th grade girls at Ingersoll Middle Schools. In 2022, she was the YWCA’s Salute to Women of Achievement honoree.
Miller resides in Canton with her husband Shaun. They are parents to Dalton (Cassidy) and Jocee, and grandparents to Waylon. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, baking, and watching movies.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Hosting Free Employability Skills Academy
Spoon River College will hold an Employability Skills Academy Thursday, March 27, from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Engle Conference Center on the Canton Campus. The free event is for anyone in the community, including high school students, who are interested in receiving tips and information on conducting a successful job search.
There will be a morning session and an afternoon session, and attendees can register for just one or both. Check-in and morning refreshments are from 8:30-9 a.m., with check-in for the afternoon session at 12:15-12:30 for those attending only that session. For those attending both sessions, lunch will be on their own.
Morning presentations are 9-9:45: Job Search Strategies (Mandi McRaven); 9:50-10:30: Employer Expectations in Today’s Workplace (Carla Bobell and Amanda Atchley); and 10:45-11:30: Customer Service and Business Etiquette (Carla Bobell). Afternoon sessions are 12:30-1:10: Interviewing, and 1:15-2:30: Resume and Cover Letter, with Michelle Howe presenting at both.
To register, visit www.src.edu/ESA. For more information, contact Brandi Ketcham at 309-649-6400.
The event is being funded by an Innovative Project Mini Grant that Ketcham applied for from the SRC Foundation.
The college will host their annual job fair on Friday, May 2, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. More information will be shared about the event at a later date.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Save the Date for SRC Foundation’s Mrs. Roper Romp in Havana
Channel the 70’s, find a caftan and a curly red wig, and mark your calendar for the first Mrs. Roper Romp in downtown Havana on May 10, starting at 10 a.m. The funds collected will go to support SRC scholarships for Havana students.
The event will feature a boutique and bar crawl, prizes, and a band. The cost of this event is $25, and tickets will allow participants to enjoy special coupons and experiences for the day.
Businesses that will be participating are Gisela’s Haus, Blue Butterfly Resale Shop, Market Street Boutique, Riverside Bar & Grill, Twisted Sisters, The Hang-Up Boutique, Manhattan Fields Boutique, Stag Tap, The Main Room, and Babes on Plum. The schedule is as follows:
*Boutique crawl: 10:00-12:00
*Lunch, watch for Roper lunch specials: 12:00-2:00
*Bingo and group photo: 2:00-4:00
*Bar crawl and band: 4:00-6:00
A costume contest to award the best-looking Mrs. Roper will also be held. Gather your besties and come enjoy a day of fun, food, and shopping.
The SRC Foundation and Spoon River College offer a wide variety of scholarships each year. Scholarships may be for academic excellence or for talent or skill. The SRC Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, and gifts to the SRC Foundation may be tax deductible.
Mrs. Roper Romps celebrate the characters from the 70’s sitcom Three’s Company, and started as a costumed event in New Orleans in 2013. It’s now become the latest fundraising trend across the country.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Phi Theta Kappa Members Creating Birthday Boxes for Food Pantries
Phi Theta Kappa members at Spoon River College believe everyone should have a birthday cake, and are hosting a community service project to build “birthday boxes” for local food pantries. They are encouraging the use of “soda cakes,” which eliminates the need for oil or eggs.
“If you’ve never tried baking a cake with just a cake mix and a can of soda, it may seem impossible, but I promise you that it works perfectly,” said Becca Werland, Phi Theta Kappa advisor. “We made a test cake with coke and chocolate cake mix, and it was very fluffy and moist—and best of all, it doesn’t require expensive eggs or oil, both of which are in low-supply at food pantries.”
They are also collecting cans of frosting, birthday candles and cards, and aluminum cake pans with lids. Items will be collected until March 19, and can be dropped off at the Canton Campus. Members will then build the birthday boxes and deliver them to the food pantries.
Werland noted that the most popular soda cake choices are for coke or cherry coke and chocolate cake mix, Sprite and yellow cake mix, cream soda and vanilla cake mix, and Mountain Dew and lemon cake mix. Diet sodas can also be substituted.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on March 28 Deadline for Fellheimer Scholarship Applications
Applications for the Spring 2025 Fellheimer Scholarship, offered through the Spoon River College Foundation, are available and due by Friday, March 28, 2025.
To be eligible, students must be a resident of McDonough County, live in the Spoon River College district 12 months of the year, and have a cumulative SRC GPA of 2.5. Preference will be given to non-traditional students 25 years of age or older or who have a dependent child. A current year’s FAFSA is required, but students do not need to be eligible for financial aid in order to be eligible for this award.
Full details and the application for the Fellheimer Scholarship, as well as information and applications for additional SRC scholarships, which are due March 14, 2025, are available at www.src.edu under the Foundation and Alumni tab.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Receives Mental Health Grant to Address Student Needs
Spoon River College was one of 32 community colleges in Illinois awarded a grant to support student mental health efforts, and will receive $105,600 in funding from the Illinois Community College Board.
“A recent U.S. News survey revealed nearly 70% of college students reported struggling with their mental health,” said ICCB executive director Brian Durham.
Spoon River College dean of student services Missy Wilkinson said the funds will be used to enhance mental health services already in place as well as to implement new services. “In the coming year, Spoon River College is dedicated to using these funds to support and grow its mental health services and address gaps to better meet the mental health needs of SRC students.”
On the list is the addition of an in-person mental health counselor to supplement TimelyCare, the free 24/7 existing telepath service that all SRC students currently have access to, which offers a TalkNow hotline, scheduled counseling, connections to low or reduced-cost community resources, a peer community/safe space where students can share anonymously with other students, and self-care content.
In addition, targeted workshops that incorporate mindfulness, exercise, resilience-building activities, and self-care strategies as well as a peer support program will also be added.
Massage chairs will be added to the wellness rooms, which were created during the fall semester at both the Canton and Macomb campuses. The rooms offer a comfortable, quiet, and private space for relaxing and emotional recharging, and are equipped with inspirational messages, eye masks, yoga mats, aromatherapy, white noise machine, foam roller, coloring books, neck massager, and comfortable chairs and blankets.
The funding will aid the college in addressing underserved student populations by offering culturally responsive care and addressing barriers to accessing mental health services in the SRC district. “By focusing on increasing student engagement with mental health resources, the goal is to enhance student well-being, retention, and overall academic success,” said Wilkinson.
“Our overall goal is to build a supportive campus culture where all students can access the tools and environment needed to thrive academically, socially, and personally.”
Besides the U.S. News survey, the Lumina Foundation State of Higher Education 2024 Report indicated that 64% of currently enrolled students who recently considered stepping out of their program say emotional stress or mental health concerns are significant reasons why.
The Illinois Community College Board is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System – the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state. They provided more than $3.6 million to the 32 colleges to support student mental health in 2025.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Career Education College Visit Day March 25 at Canton Campus
Spoon River College will host a College Visit Day Tuesday, March 25, from 9-11 a.m. at the Canton Campus, with a focus on the career and technical education programs offered at the college. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in simulations and talk with faculty.
This is open to people of all ages who are interested in learning more about the college’s programs, including the different degrees and short-term certificates each program offers. Associate degrees typically take two years to complete, while certificate programs can often be completed in a year or less. Those interested in transfer education are also welcome to attend.
Programs being featured include Agriculture, Commercial Driver Training/Logistics, Computer Information Systems, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Education, Healthcare Career programs, Medical Laboratory Technician, Nursing, Rail Transportation, and Welding.
In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with advisors and financial aid specialists, and will receive information about the application process, tuition costs, and financial aid options including scholarships, as well as student life activities, clubs, and organizations.
Tours of the campuses will be given, and will include the Snapper Villas student housing. All attendees will receive a free t-shirt.
RSVPs are encouraged, and can be made by visiting the Admissions page on the Spoon River College website or by calling 309-649-6400 (Canton). The Canton Campus is located at 23235 N. County Hwy. 22.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Theatre Presents The Runner Stumbles February 28-March 2
Spoon River College Theatre will present The Runner Stumbles on Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 2.
Set in 1911, the 1976 drama by American playwright Milan Still was inspired by real events. It’s the story of a young Catholic nun who has died under mysterious circumstances in a remote parish in northern Michigan. Her superior, Father Rivard, has been charged with her murder. The action of the play weaves together various parts of the priest’s timeline, alternating between the murder trial in the narrative present and scenes from the time before Sister Rita’s death.
Xander Fields will play Father Rivard and Brianna Morrill will play Sister Rita. Other cast members are Grace Havens, Jace Emery, Evalynn Roderick, Trygve Meade, Faith Angelo, Tiffany Carlin, and Damien Patino. Carlin and Patino will also be part of the backstage crew along with Ava Dunham, El Roderick, Annaliese Dowell, Ella Bass, Rachel Hickle, Amanda Koll, and Marissa Moore.
