Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Utilizes PATH Grant for Expanded Medical Assistant Training
Spoon River College recently partnered with Graham Health System to provide currently employed medical assistants the opportunity to attend a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Bootcamp, facilitated by Melissa Miller, director of Allied Health at Spoon River College.
Following completion of the camp, twenty-six GHS employees were eligible to sit for the National HealthCareer Association’s CCMA Certification Exam.
“Currently, in the State of Illinois, medical assistants do not have to be nationally certified to work as a medical assistant,” said Miller. “However, many healthcare facilities pay certified medical assistants a higher wage than someone who is not certified.”
Graham Health System employees who took part received a weekly stipend to attend the seven weeks-long camp, and upon successful completion of the exam will also receive an hourly pay increase.
Miller said the CCMA Bootcamp was created for those already working in healthcare who are performing medical assistant type job duties in their current position. “Besides a pay increase, these employees benefit by strengthening their knowledge and clinical skills, and being prepared to sit for the national exam.”
Spoon River College funded the CCMA Bootcamp using a PATH Grant (Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce) they were awarded from the Illinois Community College Board with monies received from the State of Illinois for distribution to community colleges. The goal of the grant was to create, support, and expand opportunities of individuals within the healthcare pathway.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Commencement May 11 at Canton Campus
Spoon River College will hold their 62nd Commencement on Thursday, May 11 at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus, located at 23235 N County 22. Check-in time for graduates is 5:15 p.m. Sha Lyn Photography will be available from 4-5:15 to take individual graduation photos, and students will be provided with the proper order form for that service.
Cap and gown pickup will begin the week of May 1, and rehearsal for students participating in the ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 10 at 2 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. Caps and gowns purchased before April 10 will be $25. After April 10, the cost will increase as follows: April 10-14 – $30, April 17-21-$35, April 24-28-$40, and May 1-5, $45. No orders will be placed after May 5.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC to Host 8th Grade Reality Store April 14
After a pandemic generated break, Spoon River College will once again be hosting their annual 8th Grade Reality Store event at the Canton Campus on Friday, April 14. Approximately 600 8th graders from Astoria, Bushnell Prairie City, Canton Ingersoll, Cuba, Farmington, Havana, Lewistown, Spoon River Valley and Macomb will be attending.
This unique and popular event allows students to choose a career field they are interested in, and then attend a question and answer session with a professional from that field. Following the presentations, students receive a paycheck that reflects the monthly starting salary – minus taxes – for the particular occupation they chose. After that, the real learning begins.
“Once they get a paycheck, they must pay bills and live on what’s left for a month, just like in the real world,” said Brandi Ketcham, Spoon River College student advisor and coordinator for the event. “All of them must pay the basics – housing, transportation, insurance, and the like – but some students are randomly selected to also have families, which means extra costs, such as childcare.”
And just like real life, the unexpected pops up. In the case of the 8th Grade Reality Store, real life pops up via the Wheel of Chance, which can throw off even the most frugal budget with an expensive home repair or speeding ticket.
“Sometimes though, the Wheel of Chance can be a windfall, such as winning a radio contest or inheriting money,” said Ketcham. “That’s the thing about real life; you don’t know what might come up on any given day.”
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on 16th Annual Tractor Show and Car Cruise-In April 29 at Spoon River College
The 16th Annual Tractor Show and Car Cruise-In will be held Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Spoon River College Campus in Canton.
The event is hosted by Phi Mu Tau fraternity students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program. Anyone who has a classic car or tractor is invited to bring or drive them to the college and be part of the show. There is no entry fee.
“This is a free, fun, casual event,” said Todd Thompson, DPST instructor and Phi Mu Tau advisor. “Bring the family and come on out. There is always a nice variety of antique vehicles and tractors, plus some new and unique ones.”
Registration will be from 9-11 a.m. Awards for best car and best tractor will be determined by fan voting and announced at 3 p.m. Raffle and 50-50 drawing winners will also be announced at 3 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, it will be held inside the Votech building. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
For more information about the car show, contact Todd Thompson at (309) 649-6244. The Canton Campus of Spoon River College is located at 23235 N. County Hwy 22.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Brady Hanes: Born to Be A Farmer
Brady Hanes lived in a rural community near his grandfather’s farm north of Decatur until 2011 when his family moved to Canton. The second oldest of eight children—all homeschooled—Hanes is currently enrolled at Spoon River College working towards an Associate in Applied Science/Agricultural Business Management degree.
“Farming has been in my family for seven generations, and even though it skipped a generation, I guess you could say it’s in my blood,” said Hanes. “When I was a little guy, I used to ride for hours in the cab with my grandfather. I had to be peeled from the seat each time I was out there. In all sincerity, nothing has changed.”
Working full-time for local grain and cattle farmer Eugene Stufflebeam while attending classes has solidified his love for farming, and he would like nothing more than to own and operate his own farm someday. “My parents have taught me the value of work, integrity, and that the Lord has given me talents and passions which are to be used to serve him. My goal is to serve Jesus in whatever job I am in, but I am praying that it will be on the farm.”
Hanes said Spoon River was his college of choice for three reasons; SRC Ag teacher Allyson Smith shares a strong passion for agriculture, and it allowed him to live with his family and to continue working on the farm.
“It does not feel like work to me, and my heart has always yearned for this opportunity.”
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on February Student Shout-Out: Alanah Howarter
Alanah Howarter of Canton is the recipient of the Student Shout-Out for February at Spoon River College.
Howarter was nominated by SRC River Roast barista, Kaitlyn Tutt. “Alanah is a dedicated student, a hardworking employee at River Roast, and the stage manager for the Spoon River College theater program,” said Tutt. “Though she is involved in many things, she continues to be kind to every peer, coworker, customer, and cast mate. She is taxed with so much responsibility yet she does not complain, always pulls through. She is exactly what an SRC student should strive to be.”
Howarter is working towards an associate of art degree. While her transfer plans are still undecided, she is planning to major in social work.
The Student Shout-Out is an initiative that encourages any faculty or employee to nominate a student who deserves a special shout-out for exhibiting the core values of the college—caring, respect, integrity, fairness and responsibility—or going above and beyond to help others.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Mike Strauman Joins SRC as Chief Operations and Safety Officer
Spoon River College welcomes Mike Strauman as the Chief Operations and Safety Officer for all of their locations. This is a new position recently created by college officials, and Strauman will oversee facilities, construction, fleet vehicle maintenance, auxiliary services, and safety planning, training, and reporting.
“Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, we have to give more priority to the safety of our students and our employees,” said Curt Oldfield, President of Spoon River College. “This new position will create stronger safety and crisis response plans, allow us to implement more safety trainings to students and employees, and provide the leadership in that area to review any incidents that do occur, our response to an incident, and any improvements needed in our response.”
Oldfield also added that the position would be vital in overseeing the construction process at the Macomb East Campus in Macomb as the college moves forward into the construction phase of that facility.
Strauman is a 2003 graduate of WIU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with a minor in Business. Before accepting the position at Spoon River College, he was employed at Illini Central School in Mason City, first as an industrial arts teacher for grades 7-8, and then as the director of building and grounds.
In his free time, Strauman enjoys spending time with his wife Kaitlyn and daughters Emma and Ella, and pursuing his hobbies in woodworking and electronics.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Savannah Smith-Coulter is 2023-2024 Student Trustee for Spoon River College Board of Trustees.
Savannah Smith-Coulter of Canton will serve as the 2023-2024 student trustee on the Spoon River College Board of Trustees.
Smith-Coulter said a desire to improve resources for all students led her to run for the position, and with past experience in club government, she is confident in her ability to do a great job. “I love our school and look forward to being a positive influence and to get active in SRC campus life.”
A self-employed dog groomer for the past two years, Smith-Coulter is working towards an associate degree in science in preparation for transfer to continue her studies in veterinary science. She credits her father, Dave Smith, for where she is now in her life. “He was a business owner before me, always supported me, and inspired me to go to college.”
At Spoon River College, Smith-Coulter is a member of TRIO and the Gay Straight Alliance Club. When not grooming dogs and attending classes, you can find her on the playing field as a member of the Peoria Woman’s Rugby team, of which she also serves as the Social Chair and the Treasurer.
Originally from St. Louis, Smith-Coulter and her husband reside in Canton.
Student trustees at Spoon River College attend monthly board meetings and give updates about student life and events to trustees, further the interests and promote the welfare of SRC students, and represent the student body in the Student Government Association. Along with gaining leadership skills, trustees have opportunities to attend state trustee meetings and conferences. They serve one year, and receive a stipend towards their tuition and fees.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Jobapalooza Job Fair at Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb March 30
The McDonough County Jobapalooza job fair will be held Thursday, March 30, from 1-6 p.m. in the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb.
Multiple employers, including retailers, nonprofits, trades and industries, as well as many others, will be in attendance to answer questions, accept applications and resumes, and in some cases, to interview and possibly hire applicants on the spot. Full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions are available.
Individuals who need assistance with building or rebuilding their resume will have the opportunity to participate in two workshops prior to the March 30 event (dates TBD). In addition, there will be support stations on the day of the event to help job-seekers with various tasks, such as printing their resumes on quality paper.
Jobapalooza is being sponsored by the McDonough County Quality of Life Committee, Community News Brief, Lisa Ward (formerly of Magnolias), Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, Macomb Area Economic Development Corp., Macomb Park District, Spoon River College, Western Illinois Regional Council, Western Illinois University and Workforce Development.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Healthcare Students Visit Jump Simulation and Education Center in Peoria
Spoon River College students who are pursuing careers in healthcare traveled to the Jump Simulation and Education Center in Peoria on February 25. They were accompanied by Melissa Miller, director of the Allied Health Program, and Sarah Strode, nursing faculty.
The Jump Simulation & Education Center is one of the largest simulation and innovation centers in the world, and is a collaboration between OSF HealthCare and the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria.
“Our students spent three hours touring the Center and participating in planned activities,” said Miller. “They met physicians, engineers, nurses, and researchers who work at Jump, and were able to engage in several simulations and exercises within the anatomy lab, 3-D printing, EMT training lab, and manikin simulation lab.”
Jump applies the power of simulation to educate and test new methods, technologies and devices that allows healthcare professionals to create solutions for clinical training and delivery of healthcare, with a goal of improving outcomes and lowering costs.
“It is an amazing place, and I hope to make it an annual trip for our healthcare students,” Miller said.
Healthcare programs offered at Spoon River College include Nursing (Associate Degree in Nursing, Practical Nurse Certificate, and Nurse Assistant Certificate), as well as Medical Laboratory Technician, and Health Information Management, and Emergency Medical Technician.
