April is annually recognized as Community College Month as a way to bring awareness and understanding of the value of community colleges. This year’s theme is “Best Decision Ever.”
“Community colleges were created to serve the needs of their communities, and they do it exceptionally well,” said Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield.
Besides providing access to affordable, high-quality higher education for all people, community colleges are the primary educators of nursing and other healthcare professionals, serve as an onramp to higher-level degrees, prepare people for the workforce, provide adult literacy programs, community classes that enhance personal and professional development, and lifelong learning opportunities.
“We do all of that here at Spoon River College, and every day, our dedicated faculty and staff create an environment where students thrive, and when students succeed, our communities grow stronger,” Oldfield said. “Community colleges are a good value, whether the goal of the student is workforce training or transfer to a four-year university.”
To ensure the college is meeting the needs of students and the communities in their district, Spoon River College fosters partnerships with both local and regional employers, economic development organizations, and with four-year universities to ensure success for transfer students. Career and workforce education programs utilize advisory boards that offer insight and advice on their specific employment area.
Support systems within the college, such as TRIO, the Student Needs Pantry, and Student Success Coaches, provide direct support to students, and TimelyCare, a free 24/7 telehealth service available to all SRC students, offers mental health support.
“We recognize that every student’s journey is unique, and we are committed to providing the guidance and support they need to achieve their goals,” said Oldfield. “Community colleges are first-class institutions that are vital to our local and state economies, and this month allows us the opportunity to celebrate that importance and value.”
Spoon River College District 534—which encompasses the counties of Fulton, Mason, McDonough, and portions of Schuyler with campuses in Canton and Macomb and Centers in Havana and Rushville—is part of the Illinois Community College System, the third largest in the nation.