Frontier Community College continues to empower students through innovative programs, diverse opportunities, and a commitment to academic excellence. Our 2023-24 Annual Report highlights achievements, community impact, and our ongoing dedication to shaping future leaders.
FRONTIER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2023-24 ANNUAL REPORT
Overview of the pole yard for the Electrical Distribution Systems program. Photo taken the day of the annual Lineman Rodeo.
FCC President Jay Edgren giving a presentation on the upcoming addition to campus, an athletic facility to host Bobcat volleyball games.
FCC athletics continue to improve. The volleyball team showed promise as the season went on, and look forward to their new venue in the future.
Phi Theta Kappa hosts a taco bar, raising money for an FCC student’s family who tragically lost their home in a fire.
Academic Advisors are critical in creating a positive college experience. Our advisors go above and beyond to help students achieve their academic goals.
Phi Theta Kappa sold refreshments the day of the eclipse, as a large crowd gathered on campus, from students and faculty, to travellers from states away.
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Frontier Community College
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STUDENT COLLECTION EFFORT
CTE MONTH
TRUCK DRIVING PROGRAM
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18
16
FCC STUDENT PANELIST
FCC AMONG TOP COLLEGES
FCC STUDENT RECOGNIZED
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25
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BOBCATS SUCCESSFUL SEASON
LEARNING COMMONS CHANGE
ATHLETIC FACILITY LAYOUT
05 06 07 08 09 22 28 30
Welcome
From the President
From the VCs
From the Foundation By the Numbers FCC Hosts Activities
Academic Success Across FCC
From Our Leaders
Forward Together 3
IECC Board of Trustees
Gary Carter, Chairman
Brenda Culver, Vice-Chair
Barbara Shimer, Secretary Pro Tempore
Dr. Susan Batchelor, Trustee
Jan Ridgely, Trustee
Jorri VanDyke, Student Trustee
John Brooks, Trustee
Roger Browning, Trustee
Our Mission Our Vision
To deliver exceptional education and services to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our communities.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is an institution that engages, challenges and supports faculty and students as they pursue excellence in teaching and learning. We place the needs of our students at the center of our decision-making, and will continue to be an organization committed to excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.
Our Values
These values, which are the foundation of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, have defined the District since its inception, and are affirmed by the faculty, students, staff, and administration. At IECC, we believe in and seek to embody these values: Stewardship : Accepting our responsibility to be good stewards of the public trust, we will sensibly use our financial, human, and physical resources to achieve our mission. Responsibility : Encouraging personal growth and learning through leadership, citizenship, and accountability. Integrity : Providing an environment where people are encouraged and empowered to do the right thing in their work and interactions with others. Respect : Recognizing and appreciating our similarities and our differences, we demonstrate mutual regard for others through our words and actions. Accessibility : Providing access to a high-quality college education for everyone who seeks one while providing the support needed to facilitate attainment of academic and professional goals.
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W elcome to the inaugural edition of Forward Together , the district-wide publication of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC). Here, we take pride in spotlighting the achievements of our alumni and the work happening at our four campuses: Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College.
We invite you to explore the work happen- ing across our District and discover ways you can help us advance the teaching and learn- ing mission of our Colleges.
Forward Together,
Ryan Gower, Ph.D. Chancellor
At IECC, our purpose is clear: to empower students to reach their personal, academic, and professional aspirations. Through the hard work of our faculty and staff, we’ve garnered recognition for excellence at regional, state, and national levels. LTC and WVC were recognized among the top 25 colleges in the country, while OCC is once again an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College. FCC was recognized as the number two community college in Illinois. Our colleges are widely recognized as among the best in the state and nation, a testament to our unwavering dedication to student success. As we look to build on this tradition of excellence, we want to express our appreciation for the pivotal role played by our alumni and local businesses. Your support, whether through financial contributions, providing clinical or work experiences for our students, or helping us ensure our curricula meets industry demands, is crucial in our efforts to enhance the qual- ity of life in our communities.
To shape and secure the future of our organization, each of us must find the courage to embrace change today. It will be through our collective efforts, not the work of one or two people, that we will move IECC forward together.
Foward Together 5
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connects these buildings, as opposed to walk- ing on Industrial Drive. We are in the initial stages of a collaboration with the Fairfield Park District to enhance the experience of our Bobcat Softball Team by adding a concrete surface adjacent to the field. This will allow participants and fans to walk from the concession area to the home dugout and bleachers on a solid surface.
rontier Community College has had a very productive year with respect to changes to the campus environ- ment during 2023. With the use of “Beautification Monies’ provided by the District Office, we accom- plished the following improvements: •
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Completed the renovation of Bob Boyles Hall, creating an up-to-date, professional environ- ment for campus and community use. Improved the landscaping around build- ings and created new beds for annuals and perennials. Enhanced campus aesthetics with new carpet- ing and baseboard (Mason Hall), area rugs, canvas prints for walls, and outside waste containers. Renovated the Emergency Preparedness Building by removing old wall air condition- ers and a drop box, installing new siding, and repainting the exterior (to be completed soon).
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The most exciting change for the campus will be the renovation of Rotary Plaza and creation of a pavilion. The planning of this project began early in 2023 and is just now coming to fruition. It will retain the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Fairfield Rotary Club as well as honoring the one-room schoolhouses of Wayne County. Demolition has already begun, and the building should be completed this summer. We are anticipating students, classes, campus groups, employees and community organi- zations will utilize this new outside venue. My role as Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs began on July 1, 2024, though I really did not anticipate the challenges that came with the title. I have never been averse to change, especially when it can create a more efficient process that results in a win-win for stakeholders. Though the pace of change is slower than anticipated, I do enjoy the opportunity and hope to create improvements that result in IECC better accom- plishing its mission.
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One of the most satisfying aspects of my role as president is to collaborate on a project. More specif- ically, I appreciate working with community entities. In the last year, we were able to combine efforts on two projects: • We recently completed a partnership with the City of Fairfield whereby a sidewalk was built that connects Bobcat Crossing (student housing adjacent to campus), the north side of Cox Hall, and the Bobcat Den. This allevi- ates a safety issue whereby our students now have a dedicated, solid surface to walk on that
Dr. Jay Edgren President and
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
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Serving Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) as the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Outreach, while fulfill- ing the responsibilities as the Lincoln Trail College (LTC) President, has proven to be a meaningful and advan- tageous element within the new IECC organizational leadership structure. As the LTC President, I can focus on working together with our dedicated faculty and staff to fulfill the IECC mission on our campus, while also simultaneously investing in the success of our institutional outreach efforts
The Business Operations Division consists of the Vice Chancellor of Business Operations (VCBO), the busi- ness officer on each campus and his/ her staff, and the auxiliary units on each campus made up of campus bookstores and food service staff. As part of the IECC Strategic Engagement Plan, there are three prior- ity topics that the Business Operations Division will address. The first prior- ity is to simplify the IECC tuition and fee structure. Some of this work has already been accomplished as certain
across the district. The Institutional Outreach Division includes Adult Education, Dual Credit, Enrollment Management, Marketing, TRIO Upward Bound, and Community Education. Furthermore, with the IECC District being one of only two community college districts in Illinois comprised of a multi-campus system, we are fortunate in that we have four colleges within our “family” to look to for collaboration and we are uniquely positioned to leverage our collective strengths, best practices, and resources in these institutional outreach areas. This intentional intercampus structure now ensures better efficiencies, natural connections, and a shared vision across the district. Aligning this organizational structure with the IECC Strategic Engagement Plan is challenging, yet rewarding, and we are poised to achieve even greater success in fulfilling our mission, advancing our strategic initiatives, and moving Forward Together .
student fees have been eliminated and adjustments have been made to clarify what the fees are used for. A second priority is to conduct an in-depth review of the auxiliary units on each campus. The two primary auxiliary units are bookstores and food service. Both of these auxiliary units provide a valuable service to students, but they need to become more efficient in their operations so that they can continue to serve students’ needs. A third priority is to develop a uniform textbook adoption process. As the IECC moves into its new organizational structure and there is an increased sharing of resources among the four campuses, it is important that certain procedures become more consistent. The method by which textbooks are adopted and then distributed to students is a prime example. The end goal is for the Business Operations Division to increase efficiency, strengthen auxiliary units, and support the IECC mission to deliver exceptional education and services to improve the lives of our students and strengthen our communities. Chris Simpson Meta-Majors and Guided Pathway s: Five meta-majors and 18 departments were identified to arrange and cate- gorize our career and technical and transfer pathways. To help our students have clear direction when planning their academic plans, academic advi- sors have developed individual transfer pathways and are in the process of finalizing their recommendations for further vetting and approval. Scheduling : IECC has transitioned from campus-based scheduling to a District-based scheduling model. This involves a collaborative effort by the meta-major deans to look at course needs, scheduling efficiencies, delivery modalities, and class assignments which will all improve access to classes and the overall student experience. Major Equipment Rotation : Dr. Edgren and I met with CTE faculty and toured programs on all four campuses this spring. As a result of these visits, we are in the process of developing a major equipment needs list and a rotation plan for replacing existing equipment. New Offering: In the summer of 2025, IECC will launch a new certif- icate program: Gas Utility Construction and Service. This program will prepare students to install, maintain, and operate natural gas distribution systems used to supply residential, commercial, and industrial companies – stay tuned! Dr. Paul Bruinsma I am very excited to serve as the Chief Academic Officer of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. Since starting my role on July 1, 2023, my team has worked on a number of exciting initia- tives projects:
Tona Ambrose
The Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) was formed over the course of the 2023-24 academic year. Dr. Gower set forth a year for people to meet throughout the IECC District and begin the process of forming divisions. The process of determining which depart- ments and individuals were part of the Student Affairs Division underwent several iterations during the first six months of this fiscal year. There were many white board exercises at each college trying to figure out how our structure could best serve students.
The Student Affairs Division understands the call to provide “wrap- around” services that help transform the lives of our students. We are excited about the opportunity we have each day to impact the lives of our students and to build a robust student experience. It takes a team to build this experience for our students and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Student Affairs Leadership Team. Matt Fowler currently serves as the President and Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs. Amber Malone currently serves as the Associate Dean of Admissions and Records. Libby McVicker currently serves as the Program Director of Grants and Compliance. Cassandra Goldman currently serves as the Dean of Students at IECC. Chad Groves serves as the Director of Learning Commons at Olney Central College. Wain Davis currently serves as the Director of the TRIO Student Support Services program. Dr. Matt Fowler
Forward Together 7
2023-24 FCC Foundation Committees Executives Sarah Rush, President David Savage, Vice President
Julie Aman, Secretary Kent Reeves, Treasurer Executive Board Member s Sarah Rush David Savage Julie Aman Kent Reeves Terri Carter Richard Mason Investment Committee Sarah Rush Sharmila Kakac Luke Harl Diane Robinson Doug Anderson Capital Campaign Committee Tyler Lampley Luke Harl Chris Conard Chris Conard Bruce Dickey
Sharmila Kakac Doug Anderson David Savage Sarah Rush
T he Frontier Community College Foundation, estab- lished in 1976, continues to serve its mission to augment the facilities and services of Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Illinois. As we look forward to our 50-year milestone in two short years, it is with pride that we can say we are an important part of the mission at Frontier. Over this past year, Frontier has continued to fund many scholarships for students totaling over $42,000. These scholarship dollars are given in the form of tuition, books and fees. Jerry Cox, an impor- tant Foundation partner, donates monies each fall and spring semester for second-year nursing students. Each year his donation increases to allow for more students to participate in the Clemence Elizabeth Cox Scholarship program and has even begun a scholar- ship program for first year nursing students with the intention of seeking employment at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.
with the IECC district to launch a capital campaign for the purposes of raising funds for a new athletic facility and gymnasium on the campus of Frontier. This is a first, as Bobcats Volleyball has played off-site since the program launched in 2016. This project will be a game changer for the campus of Frontier. In addi- tion to housing the volleyball team this venue offers an opportunity for social engagement for students through programs such as New Student Orientation, intramural sports as well as game and movie nights. This venue will also allow for the expansion of athletic offerings and physical education course offerings as well as club sports programs for both students and the community at large. The new athletic center will include a new workout facility equipped with state-of- the-art exercise equipment and weight room. As with the new athletic facility, many of the build- ings on campus are a result of partnerships between Frontier Foundation, the community of Fairfield and the IECC district. The City of Fairfield, as well as many businesses in the greater Fairfield area have been so generous over the past 48 years. We look forward to continuing to celebrate all of these relationships in 2024.
The Foundation continues their annual Fran Carter Memorial Scholarship Fashion Show with Carnaby Square, Fairfield’s fashion leader. This scholarship was established in partnership with the Carter Family, the FCC Foundation and the IECC district to honor long time foundation member, Frances Carter, who passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic in November of 2020. Fran was the Foundation’s special events special- ist. Her creative touch and desire to serve students at Frontier is missed not only by her family and the foun- dation, but the Fairfield Community as well. In November, the Frontier Foundation partnered
ABOVE LEFT: Rotary Plaza, established in 2005. A commemorative tribute to Rotary International and a century of educatiion in Wayne County. ABOVE RIGHT: Proposed layout of new athletic venue coming to FCC’s campus. Funds for the venue partially raised by FCC’s Foundation. BELOW : The inaugural FCC Foundation breaking ground.
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By the numbers
29% FEMALE
75% 16% OVER 25 UNDER 25
71% MALE
1019.23 FTE 14,619 HEAD COUNT
16 6 STATES COUNTRIES
COST OF ATTENDANCE ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR TUITION & FEES FOR A FULL-TIME, IECC IN-DISTRICT STUDENT BASED ON 2023-24 EXPENSES FROM COLLEGE NAVIGATOR
FONTIER COMMUNITY COLLEGE $4,390
$8,104
LAKE LAND COLLEGE
$7,770
KASKASKIA COLLEGE
$7,800
REND LAKE COLLEGE
241 DEGREES & CERTIFICATES AWARDED IN 2023
JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE
$5,920
$6,300
SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE
$16,289
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
$9,465
IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
GRADUATION RATES
FULL-TIME RETENTION
FRONTIER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 54% LAKE LAND COLLEGE 47% KASKASKIA COLLEGE 37% REND LAKE COLLEGE 56% JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE 31% SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE 42% VINCENNES UNIVERSITY 33% IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE 31%
FUNDING SOURCES BY PERCENTAGE (IECC)
FRONTIER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 67% LAKE LAND COLLEGE 73% KASKASKIA COLLEGE 64% REND LAKE COLLEGE 65% JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE 63% SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE 74% VINCENNES UNIVERSITY 67% IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE 59%
STATE GOVERTNMENTAL SOURCES 31.04%
TUITION & FEES 18.77%
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES 16.64%
LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES 15.49%
OTHER REVENUES 9.77%
SALES & SERVICE FEES 4.41%
GIFTS, GRANTS, AND BEQUESTS 2.44%
INVESTMENT REVENUE 1.37%
FACILITIES REVENUE 0.06%
Forward Together 9
Truck Driving Program Underway at FCC
I n 2023, Frontier Community College introduced the Truck Driver Training that would be available on campus for anyone with a Commercial Learner’s Permit. Students who complete the practical train - ing are prepared to pass the skills test of the State of Illinois Class A CDL exam. A major component of the IECC mission is to meet the educational needs of our immediate communities, and this was certainly demonstrated throughout the implementation of this program. Early on, community leaders Doug Anderson of the Illinois Farm Bureau, CEO of Frey Farms Sarah Frey, and local ag leader Matt Rush, approached FCC with concerns about meeting the local dearth of truck drivers. This was the impe - tus to convene an advisory committee that comprised of business leaders, trucking companies, marketing professionals, and government officials, to ascertain if there is truly a need for local training. The overwhelm - ing response at this meeting was a resounding YES! Members of the advisory committee even went as far as to pledge both monetary support and equipment to get the program started.
Noble, IL. This has recently recreated a backlog, and students were concerned about being able to graduate on time. Again, these students concerns “bubbled to the surface” and were another factor in offering this training at the FCC campus. One of the biggest hurdles to starting the program at FCC was finding the funds to procure a semi-truck to fit the needs of the program. Through an Innovative Bridge and Transitions (IBT) grant, made available through the Illinois Community College Board, FCC was able to secure funding to make this large purchase. Josh Vaughan of Vaughan Equipment of Fairfield, IL, submitted the winning bid for a 2019 International LT semi-truck with four air-ride chairs; the truck was delivered to campus on February 28th. Jeremy Carter, advisory committee member and owner of Carter Trucking, generously donated a 53’ box trailer to the program. The trailer will soon be wrapped with Truck Driver Training marketing and informational material. An enclosed area to perform backing maneuvers was secured at the north park- ing lot of the buildings that formerly housed Airtex Products. This area was striped, allowing the students to simulate different backing and driving situations. A program without instructors is not possible. Three experienced part-time instructors answered the call
ABOVE: President Edgren and Chief Academic Officer Paul Bruinsma with Josh Vaughan and the Vaughan Equipment crew after the purchase of the semi-truck for the CDL Program.
In addition, obtaining a Class A CDL is a graduation requirement for the Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) students. In order to meet this stipulation, many enroll in the spring sections of TRK 1201, which is taught at the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center in
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“We are excited to offer this new training and extremely thankful to everyone who helped bring this to fruition” - President Edgren
to provide local instruction and were hired to bring this program to life:
Creating a dedicated, on-campus training space for trailer back up drills, as well as storage, is the next (and probably last) major component that will be addressed for the program. FCC Administration is diligently researching grant opportunities as well as other means to raise capital for this last phase of the project. Bringing Truck Driver Training to Frontier Community College to meet an identified local need was a collaborative effort between community businesses and organizations, the State of Illinois, and the college.
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Doug Collins: A former Airtex manager with over 40 years’ experience driving tractor-trail - ers for companies such as Hoosier Wheel and Stamping, Grainergy Farms, Aydt Farms, and Airtex Products. Ed Foley: Owner of Foley and Son Trucking with 37 years of experience behind the wheel. Robert Reed: Driver and trainer for JB Hunt with seven years of experience.
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The first Truck Driver Training classes were offered at FCC during the spring of last year. The initial class schedule was tailored to fit the needs of students in the EDS program. The students were split and drove two or three days a week, depending on sections, and all EDS students completed Class A CDL train - ing prior to graduating. As the program settled in, classes began to be offered for local business, municipalities, current students, and the public. At this time, a search for a flat-bed trailer was underway, to use for additional training opportunities: safe loading and unloading of cargo, proper tie-down techniques to secure loads, back - ing and maneuvering a semi with a secured load,etc.
ABOVE LEFT: Two of the first CDL students at FCC with Instructor Robert Reed. ABOVE RIGHT: Flatbed trailer utilized in the Truck Driving Program. Purchased from Vauhan Equipment.
Forward Together 11
FCC Programs Acknowledged During CTE Month
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ABOVE: Two Automotive Technology students making repairs to an engine block. BELOW: Electrical Distribution Systems students climbing in the pole yard.
Frontier Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program is one of the newer CTE programs on campus but has shown quick success with the number of student enroll - ments rapidly increasing year-to-year. A collection of MLT students competed in the 2023 National Cell Bowl and FCC’s team finished ahead of all other Illinois MLT programs, trailing only two Illinois institutions, both of which are four-year Medical Laboratory Science Programs.
ebruary is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and FCC along with other community colleges celebrated by recogniz- ing the CTE programs. IECC Chief Academic Officer Paul Bruinsma shared that the CTE programs often offer unique flexibility that is not provided by most other programs. “These programs allow students to gain the knowledge and experience necessary in a short amount of time to be able to begin their career. They can continue their education, of course, but these programs prepare them to meet all the qualifications necessary to be employed after completion,” said Bruinsma. As CTE programs thrive, state funding continues to help sustain and build upon that success, as over $50 million in Perkins Grant Award money was provided to Illinois CTE programs in FY23, according to the Association for Career and Technical Education.
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A strength of CTE programs, such as MLT, is the flexibility for students to enter the workforce, continue their education, or both. “After successful completion of the program, students may also further their education from our two-year MLT program to a four-year program using online curriculum, often which may be partially or completely paid for by an employer. The MLT program is helping alleviate current staffing shortages in our health care system and promotes future education endeavors for laboratory professions," said Health Sciences Specialist Julie Dehart. The Department of Education reported that eight years after their expected graduation date, students who focused on CTE courses had higher median annual earnings than students who did not. According to the National Skills Coalition, two-thirds of jobs in the U.S. economy are middle- skill jobs that require education beyond high school but not a four-year college degree. Many of these jobs are in CTE fields such as health care, advanced manu- facturing, and IT, which are among the fastest growing occupations. "The CTE programs are the backbone of the system to fill job vacancies and place graduates in good,
high-paying jobs. Most graduates have little issue finding employment and it's fair to say the FCC CTE programs are the beginning of what could be a reward- ing and in-demand career for many students," said Automotive Technology Lead Instructor Rodney Maxey. Additionally, FCC's CTE programs provide a diverse range of skills to help them continue their success following graduation. "FCC's CTE instructors have years of experience in their respective fields and teach their students what it takes to be successful in those industries. Through their teaching and their time in the well-equipped labs, the students get the hands-on experience but also gain skills in the classroom such as how to effectively communicate with customers, patients, employers, etc.," said FCC Academic Advisor Kara Blanton. CTE programs at Illinois community colleges offer a cost- effective way for individuals to pursue their career goals by costing a fraction of the tuition at four- year institutions, making it a more accessible option for many students.
ABOVE: A first-year Medical Lab Technician student during one of the last lab days of the semester.
Forward Together 13
Student-led Collection Efforts
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good with them to the event.
he IECC annual food drive includes all four IECC colleges and took place from November 1st through November 30th. The drive is always a friendly competition between campuses as they look to collect as many donations as possible to benefit our campuses and local communities. One Love Christian Club has sponsored the food drive on Frontier’s campus for the last three years. During the first year, 945 items were collected, followed by 1,065 items the second year and around 900 this year. Students, faculty, and staff have consis - tently participated, bringing in donations to help in the collective district-wide effort. The donations are first utilized to fill the food cabinet located on campus in West Hall. After it’s full, the remaining items are sent to the food pantries in the commu- nity and to Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen in Fairfield. This year, the FCC Foundation played a vital role in spreading the word of the drive to community members as they asked those who attended the Fran Carter Memorial Scholarship Fashion Show to bring canned
ABOVE LEFT: Total collection of donations from FCC campus during food drive ABOVE RIGHT: Cultural Diversity class members working to raise money for class trip
One Love Christian Club Advisor Catherine Singleton spoke about what it means to participate in the collection every year. “The food collection is a great way to remember there are ways we can personally support the needs of our community, both on campus and in town. The friendly competition between schools is another added component that challenges you even further,” said Singleton.
PTK Hosts Fundraiser
In March, Phi Theta Kappa hosted a taco bar/fundraiser to raise money for the family of an FCC student’s family who tragically lost their home in a fire. La Fuente Mexican Restaurant in Fairfield generously donated food to assist PTK with the fundraiser. PTK raised approximately $1,000 for the family, and the participation of the FCC students, faculty & staff, and community members is another example of the continuous support and camaraderie between the college and community. PTK Advisor Linda Monge spoke
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ABOVE: PTK students set up at bake sale to raise money for St. Louis Children’s Hospital BELOW: PTK taco bar to raise money for local family
PTK/One Love Fundraiser During the solar eclipse, Phi Theta Kappa and One Love Christian Club partnered to sell baked goods and drinks to those on campus, which included travellers from all over the nation. All proceeds from the event were donated to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital toy fund. Phi Theta Kappa and One Love were at the center of multi- ple fundraising efforts on campus throughout the year and made a huge difference on and off campus.
about the collective effort it took to make the fund - raiser successful. “We have such a great group of students who are always more than willing to lend a hand to help others, but also a community full of businesses and people who truly care about one another, and this was yet another example of that,” said Monge. Cultural Diversity Fundraiser The Cultural Diversity class sold Chicago-style hot dogs in the Workforce Development Center, in a fundraising effort last fall. In yet another success, the group sold out of hot dogs and had raised approximately $1,100 through three separate fund- raising events during the academic year up to that point, with all proceeds going toward the class trip to Chicago. Additionally, the class hosted a ‘Cultural Cookie Extravaganza’ on Wednesday, December 6th, in Mason Hall. The class handed out Christmas cookies from around the world for anyone that stopped by, free of charge.
Forward Together 15
FCC Student Receives Multiple Awards
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CC graduate Bob Ellis was recently named to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) 2023-2024 Illinois all-state academic team. Members of this team are selected from many applicants and selection is based on college GPA, student leadership and involvement in campus and community activities, and recommen- dations. Ellis applied for the honor in the fall of 2023, then was nominated by PTK Chapter Advisor Linda Monge. He served as chapter president for two years, was very active in Student Senate, and served as a student ambassador at FCC. In addi- tion to his on campus duties, he also worked as an announcer for Bobcat Nation, broadcasting local sporting events including FCC volleyball, softball, and baseball games. The members selected to this prestigious all-state team each received a certificate and medal at a banquet and ceremony held on Thursday, April 25th at the President Abraham Lincoln Doubletree Hotel in Springfield, Illinois.
ABOVE: Ellis receiving a certificate and medal at the PTK Illinois all-state academic team ceremony. LEFT: Ellis and PTK Advisor Linda Monge
PTK advisor Linda Monge spoke about Ellis
and all he has accomplished in his time at FCC.
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Ellis served as a student ambassador in his time at FCC, in addition to being a member of the Student Senate and Phi Theta Kappa. Ellis stated he encour - ages all future students to get involved and be a part of PTK, student senate, and any other opportunities on campus.
“Bob has been a pleasure to teach and advise. He is always doing whatever he can to get involved on campus and help other students out in the process. His effort in the classroom matches his effort outside of the classroom and he is an outstanding student. Eastern Illinois University will be gaining an excep- tional student and young man and I can’t wait to see what all he is able to accomplish,” said Monge. In addition to being named to the PTK Illinois all-state academic team, Ellis was also the President's Award recipient for the academic year, and was acknowledged for this achievement during graduation. President’s Award The President’s Award recipient is selected year- to-year based on many criteria including campus and community involvement, quality of character, academic rigor, and community service.
ABOVE: President’s Award recipient Robert Ellis
Forward Together 17
FCC Recognized as one of the Best in State
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ABOVE: FCC faculty and staff BELOW: Intelligent. com Award Badge
ducation research website Intelligent.com ranked Frontier Community College second on their list of best community colleges in the state of Illinois. The rankings are based on an evaluation of a school’s academic quality, graduation rate, tuition costs, and student resources. Intelligent.com’s institutional rankings, which are set apart from other conventional ratings, are deemed the benchmark of academic evaluations for online and hybrid programs. An exclusive meth - odology is used to rank each institution on a scale of 0 to 100 across six categories. The top picks are recognized for their exceptional reputation, affordability, and ability to provide students with the tools and resources nec- essary to succeed in the classroom and successfully graduate. FCC President and IECC Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Jay Edgren believes the small class sizes and ability for faculty to easily connect with students is part of what makes Frontier and it’s students so successful. “We are fortunate at Frontier to be a smaller college with a hometown,
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Intelligent.com provides hundreds of program rankings on its website as well as information about financial aid, internships, and even study strategies. A complete list of rankings is available on the site.
family feel and I believe that is appealing to students. With smaller faculty/student and advisor/student ratios, we are able to provide students the time needed to answer their questions, and overall help meet their needs. We strive to keep students engaged in and out of the classroom and help them have a positive experience on campus. These aspects of FCC certainly contribute to our excellent retention and completion metrics and have contributed significantly to our ability to consistently receive national recognition such as this,” said Edgren. Illinois, a nexus of Midwestern values and urban innovation, boasts com- munity colleges that embody what it takes as a college to prepare students to successfully graduate and excel in their respective fields. Receiving recognition such as this is an indicator of the hard work that FCC students, faculty, and staff continue to put forth to make Frontier Community College one of the most successful and desirable community colleges in the state.
ABOVE: Professor Linda Monge leading a statistics class
Forward Together 19
Student Named Forum Panelist
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The PATH program provided Gregory with encour - agement and practical academic skills to support her during this difficult time in her life. She met with College and Career Center Specialist Jordie Higgason to develop a student schedule, as her goal was to identify times to study both old and new ma- terials as she prepared to eventually take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The study schedule that was implemented prioritized a work-life balance and allowed Gregory to meet her academic goals while still focusing on her priorities outside of the class- room, like spending time with her husband and other family members. Her long-term goal is to work as an oncology nurse to help others battling cancer. As much as her devotion has paid off in achieving her academic gaols, she stressed how import - ant it is to allow yourself to enjoy life outside of the classroom. “Always allow personal time to yourself, every day. Don’t drown yourself in homework and studying,” Gregory said. She has since passed the NCLEX, obtained her Asso - ciate Degree in Nursing and holds a registered nursing license. Gregory has begun attendance at SIUE School of Nursing to obtain her BSN.
n Thursday September 21st and Friday, September 22nd, 2023, the Forum for Excellence was hosted in East Peoria, Illinois. The event is sponsored by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and is Illinois’ premier professional development event. The conference highlighted the continuing partnership of Career, Technical, and Adult Education in Illinois. The ICCB chose FCC Nursing student Taylor Gregory to serve as a student panelist after reviewing her story of success that was submit- ted for the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce Program (PATH) Grant. Gregory wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother who were nurses, so she chose to enroll in the nursing program at FCC after hearing great reviews from family and friends who attended the college. Prior to graduating from the program, Taylor was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the pelvis and metastasis to the brain. The life changing event occurred just four months before graduation.
ABOVE: Chief Academic Officer Paul Bruinsma with Taylor Gregory and family
20 FCC Annual Report
Continued Green Energy Initiative
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The table’s installation is an example of the continued commitment to green energy at FCC along with the solar panels on the north-side of campus, which have been fully operational since May 2022, and the new hybrid vehicle purchased for the Automotive Program.
he effort to increase the amount of energy efficient improvements continued as a solar-powered picnic table was placed on campus. The table, concrete slab, and sidewalks leading up were all purchased through the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) Grant. 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. Their mission is to provide a platform for collaboration among all Illinois community colleges and their partners to drive the growth of the clean energy economy and workforce. This eco-friendly table will provide students with another place on campus to sit and study, socialize, or relax while being able to charge their devices. Wired and wireless charging is one of many features, including an LED lighting system, surge protection for devices, and an adjustable umbrella to maximize the sun’s exposure on the panels for peak seasonal efficiency.
CAO Bruinsma spoke about how the installation
is a benefit in more ways than one.
“We are always looking for ways to make additions to campus that will benefit students - being able to do so while being environmentally conscious is even better,” said Bruinsma.
ABOVE: Solar- powered picnic table outside of the Adult Education building
Forward Together
21
FCC Hosts Variety of Activities
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ummer kids classes began on Wednesday, May 29th and continue until Thursday, July 18th on FCC’s campus. There are a variety of classes for students to choose from includng junior paleontology, sign language, intro to robotics, cooking 101, and many more. There were over 250 enrollments in the classes this summer, as the number continues to steadily increase year- to-year. Kids classes help keep the kids engaged with fun and entertaining activities, while providing many of them with their first look at the FCC campus. “With such a variety of kids classes available, there is something to offer those with a lot of different interests. The classes are a great opportunity for the kids to engage in hands-on, educational activities and have fun while doing it,” said CAO Paul Bruinsma.
ABOVE: Health Sciences Specialist Julie Dehart demonstrating for students during Camp CSI BELOW: A robot being
pieced together for competition during Intro to Robotics
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he Wayne County Scholastic Bowl took place earlier in the year, as the championship round was played in West Hall at FCC. Teams participated from Cisne, Geff, Wayne City, Jasper, Center Street School, and New Hope School.
After a very competitive day, Jasper edged out
a win against New Hope to earn first place.
College Admission Representative Carrie Halbert said having the scholastic bowl here on campus is a good way for the kids to get exposure to FCC, some for the first time. “The Wayne County Scholastic Bowl is an opportunity for middle school students to visit a college campus possibly for the first time. It’s important to create a college-minded attitude in middle school especially in students who excel in their grade level. These scholastic bowl stuents are just that, and we are excited to have them at FCC for the day. We at FCC, encourage any age to visit campus and see what Frontier has to offer,” said Halbert. From hosting scholastic bowl, to kids classes, and more, FCC is always looking to make community involvement a priority.
ABOVE: First-place winning Jasper team
BELOW: Second- place New Hope
Athletic Facility Coming to FCC
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dation members Tyler Lampley and Luke Harl, FCC President Dr. Jay Edgren, FCC Softball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Jeremy Ellis, and IECC Board Chairman Gary Carter. President Edgren spoke and presented a promotional video regarding the importance of a larger facility on campus and Coach Ellis also emphasized the impact the facility would have on athletics. The dinner would not have been possible without the effort from members of the FCC family, including the student-athletes. The athletes decorated, served the meal, and interacted with those attending the event and left an impres- sion on those they conversed with. “Talking with the athletes was the best part of the night. They were polite and very accommodating,” said Jim Rush. Not long after the kick-off dinner, the Wayne County Farm Bureau presented the Foundation with a $10,000 check to go towards the project. Other generous donations have and will likely continue to come in from local businesses and members. FCC continues to see unwavering support from community.
he IECC Board of Trustees recognized the need for an athletic facility on campus for FCC students, and in particular the volleyball team. After some initial discussions and plans, the Foundation recognized a need to raise additional funds to expand the size of the future facility to be able to place volleyball courts side-by-side. This would allow FCC to host tournaments or host additional teams on campus for sanctioned competitions. The increased square footage would also increase the capability of adding additional athletic programs to campus, such as basketball in the future. The Foundation also hopes that local junior high and high school teams can benefit from the additional space as well and will utilize the gym to host tournaments or events throughout the year. The estimated increase in capital funds to make the proposed expansion possible is around $700,000, to be raised by the Foundation. FCC Foundation President Sarah Rush spoke about the significance of what will be accomplished with the additional funds and space. “While this amount is immense, we feel the economic impact to the college and the community will pay big dividends,” said Rush. A Foundation capital kick-off dinner was held in late fall of 2o23. Speakers at the event included IECC Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower, Foun -
ABOVE: Proposed layout of future athletic facility on campus at FCC
22 FCC Annual Report
Changes in the Learning Commons
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ABOVE: New signage above entrance to Learning Commons BELOW: Private study rooms installed in Learning Commons
n the Fall 0f 2023, IECC designated the ‘Learning Commons’, as a space to provide a supportive environment that empowers students to overcome challenges, achieve their academic goals, and develop the skills necessary in both their educational and professional endeavors. Learning Commons components consist of library resources, tutoring, testing services, and disability services. The new signage was installed in Clemence Elizabeth Cox Hall to indicate the change.
Director of Learning Commons Lori Noe explained the
reason for the name change.
“The name Learning Commons was chosen because we see this as an academic hub. Tutoring, testing, library services, and accommodations all fall under this umbrella, so the name Learning Commons represents this conglomeration,” said Noe. In addition to new signage outside the entrance, there have been upgrades in the Learning Commons as well, such as private study rooms, a quiet environment for a student, or a group up to 6-8 to comfortably gather. There is also an individual pod for any student to retreat to for peace and quiet to study, or just escape the noise for a moment. Most recently, a massage chair was placed in the Learning Commons as well, and more changes are likely to still be ahead.
Forward Together 23
Bobcats Claw Their Way to Success
ABOVE: Chloe Ledendecker setting up a spike Below: Record- setting softball player Karlie Bean waiting on a pitch
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CC athletics have added to their list of accomplishments with a very successful 2023 and 2024, both on and off the court/field .
Softball player Karlie Bean excelled as both a pitcher
and hitter and set numerous program career and season records.
Some of those records include: Most strikeouts in game (13), career home runs (23), RBI (110), and she lead the region in multiple statistics this season, including home runs, RBI, and grand slams. Bean will continue her education, attending Parkland College next, after maintaining a 4.0 GPA while being dominant on the field. Student-Athletes, Student First
The dominance of athletes at FCC does not only take
place on the field or court, but also in the classroom.
Over the last year, 15 FCC athletes were named to the First-Team All-Academic by the NJCAA. Eight were named second-team, and seven to third-team. All three teams (softball, baseball, and volleyball) finished 21st or higher nationally in team GPA in their respective sports.
24 FCC Annual Report
Bobcat Sightings in the Community
Bobcat Baseball Setting New Standard
Community involvement is always an importance at Frontier Community College, and the athletes are no exception. Throughout the year, our student-athletes are seen all over Fairfield, from participating in ‘high-five Fridays’ by greeting students at local elementary schools, to participat- ing in parades or hosting fundraising events and welcoming the public. Attendance at Bobcat softball, baseball, and volleyball games has and will continue to get stronger as the athletes and the college at large continue to strengthen the relationship with the community.
The Bobcats finished with 30+ wins for only the second time in program history and made the Region 24 Tournament for the fourth time in program history. Although the season is over, things are hardly slowing down for the baseball team. The program has received multiple commitments and is excited to welcome a new wave of talent to come in and contribute next year. In late June, the team holds a kid’s camp for children age 6-13. The camp offers the partici- pants to refine and improve some of their skills as well as get to know some of the players and coaches they cheer on at FNB Field. Lastly, the program holds a prospect camp in June for high-school students in upcoming grad - uating classes. Multiple area colleges are in attend- ances, as the camp features pro-style workouts with time and velocity measurements. The camp offers a great opportunity for local ball players to show- case their skills and work towards competing at the next level.
ABOVE: Sophomore baseball players were all smiles after a very successful two years at FCC
Forward Together 25
Academic Success Across FCC
ABOVE: Nursing students taking turns as nurse and patient during a lab BELOW: Student utilizing the practice dummy in the lab
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he Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations have released the 2023 national and state pass rates for the candidates who completed the NCLEX-RN and LPN examina - tions the last five years. Below are the list of the district improvements in comparison to the numbers from the previous year. District wide improvements from 2022-2023 include: • An RN pass rate of 88%, a 24% increase • A PN pass rate of an impressive 98%, up 9% • A completion rate of 61%, a 10% increase • An employment rate up to an encouraging 93%, up 22% One improvement that stood out over the rest, is the PN pass rate of 98%, which is more than 10% higher than state and national average. The data marked a significant improvement in numbers district wide and illustrated the amount of hard-work and dedi- cation made by the students, faculty, and staff of the nursing program(s) in and across IECC.
26 FCC Annual Report
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