Janet Young is the new director of the Spoon River College Rushville Center following the retirement of Rob Kirkham, who held that position for the past 12 years.

While Young may be new to the director’s position, she’s no stranger to Spoon River College. She began working there in 2003 in the Adult Education department for the Teen Mother’s program, where she offered support and education to young mothers to better prepare them for parenting duties as they finished high school. Later she took a position as an advisor for the GED program in Macomb and Rushville.

“I enjoyed those positions, and found it rewarding to watch students grow and reach their goals. The Adult Education Department is a very supportive department and we worked closely together to support our GED students, always encouraging them to expand their goals and reach for the stars,” Young said.

“And like my students, it was a tough decision to break out of my comfort zone and try something new.  But with encouragement from co-workers and family, I decided to spread my wings.”

Young’s former supervisor and current director of the Adult Education program Chad Murphy was among those who encouraged her to try something different.

“Janet is a great fit for Rushville. She is passionate, driven, organized and above all, student centered. She puts her heart and soul into making sure that all students have the opportunity to succeed. She will be missed in Adult Ed., but we are happy she is still at SRC.”

Young is also not new to the Rushville community. She was employed at Schuyler Counseling and Health Services as a Birth to Three parent educator in 1986 after she received her bachelor’s degree.

“Rushville is a growing small town with a lot to offer families, and I am honored to be back here and excited about continuing the high quality educational support that Spoon River College has to offer the Rushville community. We have programs for all ages, everything from Summer Youth, dual credit classes at RIHS, associate degrees, certificate programs and community education programs.  I am committed to helping Rushville grow, assisting the community to meet any educational and training needs they may have, and building relationships with the local businesses. My door will always be open and I am eager to hear what anyone would like to learn more about.”

Young has also been previously employed as a Parent Educator for VIT Elementary and a Family Case Manager for the McDonough County Health Department. She has a BS degree from WIU in Family and Consumer Sciences and a MS in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband Steve have lived and farmed in Vermont for the past 36 years and enjoy spending time with daughters Cassandra Lancaster and Amanda Trone and their grandchildren.

Janet Young