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SWIC PMT Program receives national accreditation renewal

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Once again, Southwestern Illinois College Industrial Training programs have shown their mettle in metal.

The SWIC Precision Machining Technology program received reaccreditation from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills recently. This accreditation signifies that the SWIC programs maintain industry standards for machinist training.

It is the third consecutive time SWIC has received the accreditation since the standard was established by NIMS in 2009. Accreditation will last through 2026.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure our students receive the state-of-the-art training needed to work in industry,” said Industrial Technology Program Coordinator Mark Bosworth. “We’re proud to continue to work with NIMS to maintain our accreditation.”

SWIC offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology, plus certificates in CNC Machining, Mastercam software, SolidWorks software and Advanced CNC Programming, Precision Machining Technology.

SWIC is rated highly in all eight evaluation criteria: Program Purpose; Facilities; Equipment, Tooling, and Measuring Devices; Program Features; Administration and Management; Instructional Staff; Student Credentials; and Program Advisory Committee.

SWIC programs will maintain their NIMS Machining Level I National Standard rating. Additionally, students can use their training at SWIC to earn NIMS machining credentials.

For more information on SWIC Industrial Technology programs, call 618-931-0600, ext. 7475.

Explore the Western Frontiers or the American Riviera with PSOP in 2022

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Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! Plan to attend the Travelogue program on Tuesday, Feb.15 at 10 a.m. at PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Masks/face covering will be required for the travelogue program.

The meeting will highlight the following excursions:

Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Western Frontiers – Aug. 3-11, 2022

Discover picturesque landmarks of north Wyoming and the western part of South Dakota. The nine-day, eight-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, motorcoach transportation, 12 meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, eight nights lodging, hotel transfers, travel insurance, baggage handling and a professional tour director.

Highlights of the adventure include visiting several national parks such as Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone. Also, view the Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountainside sculpture of the famous Oglala chief; travel to Deadwood and visit the haunted Devil’s Tower National Monument. Explore the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and much more during the PSOP Travelogue trip.

The cost starts at $4,349 per person, based on double occupancy.

The American Riviera – Nov. 6-12, 2022

Have you been dreaming of tropical sands, coral reefs, and island blue water?

Join PSOP for a journey to explore sunny Santa Barbara & The American Riviera. This unique excursion is jam-packed with things to do and features something for everyone. The eight-day, seven-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, round trip motorcoach transportation, nine meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, roundtrip airport transfers, two excursions per-day, professional tour director, baggage handling and a travel protection plan.

Highlights of the activities include visiting the Reagan Library, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Santa Ynez Valley Winery. Discover the history behind El Camino by traveling to the Old Mission Santa Barbra. While touring the town, individuals will be immersed in the seaside festivities and culture. Moving on to Santa Monica, experience a fascinating walking tour of the Queen Mary with local experts. Overall, the Santa Barbara and The American Riviera PSOP Travelodge trip will be one full of picturesque views and magical memories.

The cost starts at $3,999 per person, based on double occupancy

For more information or to reserve a seat to the Travelogue program, contact Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020, or email at nancy.bauer@swic.edu.

SWIC Receives $1.2 Million Workforce Equity Grant for 2022

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A $1.2 million Workforce Equity Initiative Grant from the Illinois Community College Board will enable Southwestern Illinois College to continue offering its one-year career training programs in East St. Louis.

“We are excited to have another year to work with this population of students and help them change their lives” said Leonard “Gary” Cruise, East St. Louis Higher Education Center Program Outreach Coordinator/Site Administrator. “This grant has provided a chance for those who want to take charge of the direction that will push their families into a new start. All of the students who have participated in our programs have been very thankful.”

SWIC received a $1.4 million WEI grant in 2020 and a $1.2 million grant in 2021 to develop employment training programs to assist minorities in underserved communities. Those programs include certificates in Welding, Nurse Assistant, Food Service, Forklift Training, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing. Since 2019, 130 students have received credentials.

A Web Design certificate will be offered starting in fall 2022.

“This is an amazing opportunity to continue to make an impact in our local communities through the implementation of our Workforce Equity programming,” said Scott Queener, Ph.D., Director of Enrollment Development and Campus Operations. “The additional funding allows us to continue to offer specialized educational training that targets the current employment gaps in our workforce. As a result of this grant, we are able to expand our educational programs this year.”

In addition to program development, grant funds have allowed SWIC to purchase a food truck to teach a food service class and a mobile technical education trailer to teach precision machining in that community.

To help students start their new careers, SWIC has earmarked funds from the 2021 grant to provide a stipend to students who complete a certificate program and secure employment.

The award to SWIC is part of an $22.8 million ICCB grant to 18 community colleges throughout the state that serve African American and other minority populations.

For the full WEI report visit:  http://www.illinoiswei.org/.

To find out how you can sign up for one of the WEI career training programs, contact Cruise at 618-874-6595 or leonard.cruise@swic.edu.

SWIC Aviation programs win Spirit of Flight award

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Southwestern Illinois College recently won the 2020/2021 Spirit of Flight Award from the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame, the first two-year college to receive the award. Pictured from left, Dean of Technical Education and Workforce Development Bradley Sparks, Aviation Pilot Training Coordinator Keith Mueller and Aviation Maintenance Technology Coordinator Matthew Harter in the AVMT Hangar. The Spirit of Flight award annually goes to the organization that has made a substantial contribution to aviation in Illinois, with Illinois-based activities over a long period of time. The winning organization’s members must go above and beyond the call of duty and exhibit a high degree of excellence in their accomplishments. The award was presented at the annual Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame banquet in St. Charles, Illinois in October. SWIC offers associate in applied science degrees and certificates in Aviation Pilot Training and Aviation Maintenance Technology. The college’s Aviation programs were established more than 50 years ago. For more information about SWIC Aviation programs, visit swic.edu/aviation.

SWIC announces apprenticeship initiative designed to pair classroom learning with on-the-job training

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Just in time for National Apprenticeship Week 2021, Nov. 15-19, Southwestern Illinois College has earned its certificate of registration in the U. S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Program. As a registered apprenticeship sponsor, SWIC will be able to help employers in the region develop apprenticeship programs to serve their hiring needs with a minimum of red tape.

A registered apprenticeship is the gold standard of workforce development, combining on-the-job training with related classroom instruction and attention to “soft” skills such as leadership, cooperation, teamwork, and work ethic.  

“Apprenticeship really has something for everyone, and that’s what makes it such an attractive workforce strategy,” said Mike Conley, SWIC’s director of workforce development and career pathways. “Employers improve recruitment and retention, and boost productivity. Employees have opportunities for high-wage careers, and educational institutions help reinforce the imperative of high-quality training.”

The commitment from employers helps build greater loyalty, job satisfaction, and a sense of accountability. Employees have access to proven training methods in both the technical skills of a career and the specific requirements of an individual company.

The college’s role in the process, Conley explained, is both as a training provider and a facilitator for apprenticeship programs, especially for small companies that may not have the resources to build their own programs. 

SWIC will coordinate apprenticeship programs in the occupations of General Machinist, Shipping and Receiving Clerk, Dock Worker (warehousing), Welder, Pharmacist Assistant, and Aircraft Maintenance Technician. Conley emphasized that the college will likely expand that list significantly in the future, based on demand from employers. Being a registered sponsor means the college also has access to the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Management Data System and its resources.

 “Statistically, 94 percent of apprentices continue to work for the same company after the apprenticeship has ended,” Conley said. “More than 90 percent of companies who have tried apprenticeship would recommend it to their peers.”

Successful apprenticeship programs are being launched throughout the nation in fields as varied as manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, insurance and financial services, hospitality, and retail trade, among others.

“U.S. businesses are enjoying record demand for their services and products, but they can’t maintain enough supply to satisfy it, and a big reason for that is a lack of human capital,” Conley said. “Apprenticeship is simply the most effective way to meet the workforce needs as well as the demand for services and products.”

A list of resources and events for the week is available at ApprenticeshipIllinois.com.

For more information about SWIC apprenticeship programs, contact Conley at 618-235-2700, ext. 5139, or michael.conely@swic.edu.

Conqueror’s Christian Center honored as major donor to the SWIC Soup Program

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The Southwestern Illinois College Foundation recently recognized the Conqueror’s Christian Center as a major donor to the SWIC Soup Program that helps feed students in need. From left, SWIC Foundation Executive Director Rena Thoele, Conqueror’s Christian Center Financial Secretary Alice Jackson and SWIC English Professor Tami Hughes. Conqueror’s Christian Center has been a major donor of ramen for the program for the last two years. The Soup Program, which provides meals and snacks such as ramen, crackers and raisins to students in need, no questions asked, was started by Arts and Humanities faculty Hughes and Barb Hunter, Ph.D. The food has been distributed through the Success Center since 2015. Prior to COVID, approximately 220 meals were given away to students each week. For information on donating to the Soup Program, call Hughes at 618-301-6721 or 618-641-5174 or email tami.hughes@swic.edu.

SWIC to stage The Laramie Project Nov. 5-7

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Experience the captivating play, “The Laramie Project,” presented by Southwestern Illinois College Division of Arts and Sciences, as it reveals the reaction to the 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming.

Co-directed by SWIC Communication Arts Professors Emily Kelly-Padden and Julie Willis, the 2000 play by Moisés Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theater Project, focuses on the community reaction to the violent crime. The production will run Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the SWIC Belleville Main Complex Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

“The Laramie Project” centers around a hate crime that attracted worldwide attention, bringing sexual discrimination and violence to the forefront of public discussion. “The play shocks, challenges, and moves all who watch it as it reveals the lowest depths of hatred and greatest heights of compassion that lies within all human beings in any seemingly average community,” as stated on brownpapertickets.com.

Tickets are $5 with a student ID, $10 for general admission and can be purchased at the door, cash-only.

The play deals with themes of an adult nature and is intended for mature audiences.

Funding and resources provided by the SWIC Division of Arts and Sciences, the SWIC Foundation and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

For more information, call Kelly-Padden at 618-235-2700, ext. 5419.

Banker Jeanne Dalman of O’Fallon named to the SWIC Foundation Board

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Jeanne M. Dalman, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking and Operations for the First National Bank of Waterloo, has been named to the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation Board. As a board member, she will support the Foundation’s efforts to secure gifts for special educational and cultural activities that are not part of the college budget.

Dalman brings decades of experience in financial management to the Foundation Board. As an graduate of SWIC, then named Belleville Area College, with an Associate Degree in Business Administration, Dalman is thrilled to be able to serve on the board and support the college that provided her with a great education that prepared her for so many opportunities as she began her career. With many years of banking experience and several years of serving in the public sector as St. Clair County Deputy Clerk, she is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to the SWIC Foundation Board.

Jeanne M Dalman Foundation Board Member

She will serve through 2030.

For more information about the Foundation, visit swic.edu/foundation.

Senior Companion Program looking for seniors or caregivers

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Are you a senior who is feeling lonely, or are you a caregiver to a senior and in need of a little break? Senior Companions can help!

The Senior Companion Program pairs healthy, active people 55 and older with other seniors who otherwise would not be able to live independently. Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons sponsors the program.

“The companions provide supportive, individualized services to help clients maintain their dignity and independence,” said Carla Boswell, director of the Senior Companion Program at PSOP. “The goal is to foster their independence and keep them in their own homes. The program also serves as a support system for caregivers of homebound seniors.”

At no cost to the client, Senior Companions provide companionship and assistance to older adults who are homebound and want to remain in their home or may be socially isolated. They visit four hours per day, one or more days per week and can assist with daily tasks, as well as give support and a much-needed break to full-time caregivers. All Senior Companions must go through a background check and training before they are placed with a senior. Companions earn a nontaxable stipend, paid holidays, meal and travel reimbursement and other benefits.

For more information regarding the Senior Companion Program, contact Deena Duvall in Monroe or Randolph counties at 618-282-6682, ext. 8135; Deirdre Evans in the East St. Louis area at 618-874-8779; Carla Boswell in Madison County at 618-797-7369; or Judy Foret in St. Clair County at 618-234-4410, ext. 7095.

Early Childhood Education instructors Beal and Day earn SWIC Faculty Member of the Year Awards

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A dedication to students, a passion for teaching, and a wealth of experience are what made Early Childhood Education instructors Carolyn Beal and Jessica Day the obvious choices for the Southwestern Illinois College full- and part-time Faculty Members of the Year Awards, respectively.

Beal, of Belleville, is an ECE professor and the ECE and Education program coordinator, who has been with the program for 30 years. Not only does Beal care about her college students, but she cares deeply about improving the profession.

“Watching the enthusiasm when a student realizes they have found their calling in this profession is amazing,” Beal said. “Graduation is one of my favorite things about teaching at SWIC. Witnessing students and their families celebrate either persistence in finally completing a degree or being the first in the family with a college degree.”   

Beal has led the initiative for SWIC to become a Gateways Entitled Institution, which provides community college students opportunities to earn credentials while completing coursework. She also co-authored and was awarded a $25,000 ICCB Competency-Based Education Grant. As a result, Beal and her ECE adjunct instructors created modules with avatars in classroom simulations. They also created self-paced, competency-based modules for those who are currently working in ECE centers. 

In addition to her duties as program coordinator, she teaches Intro to Early Childhood Education, Child Growth and Development, Child Health Maintenance, Early Childhood Practicum, and Child Family and Community.

“Carolyn Beal is the ideal educator. She is a known commodity state wide with her ECE colleagues,” said Chief Academic Officer Gina Segobiano, Ed.D. “She is someone who is not only well educated herself but is also compassionate and understanding, and elevates everyone around her through her commitment to the program. Her representation of SWIC and advocacy for the ECE program is commended.”

Beal earned her Associate in Arts in Psychology from SWIC, then known as Belleville Area College, in 1984, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McKendree University in 1986, and Master of Science in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1993.

Previously she worked with the Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative as a school psychologist and at My Friend’s House, child care center in Mascoutah as a teacher/director.

She and her husband, Jim, have one son, Elijah, and one daughter, Annika.

Day, of Trenton, has been with SWIC since 2012, first with the Culinary Arts and Food Management program, then as an adjunct ECE instructor, and served as a dual credit instructor since 2016, first at O’Fallon Township High School from 2009 to 2020, then at Triad High School from 2020 to the present. After changing school districts, she developed additional dual credit opportunities at her new school.

She, along with Beal, participated in the $25,000 ICCB grant project which created online, self-paced modules and virtual reality scenarios, plus an institutional grant for increased technology in assessment.

“Education is what remains after students have left the classroom, which is why every class needs to be informational, relevant, and impactful,” Day said. “My job as a teacher is to connect students to content so that they can focus on its implementation in their own unique way.”

At SWIC, Day teaches Growth and Development of Children, Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Intro to Educational Technology, Child Health Maintenance, and Safety and Sanitation.

Day also incorporates service learning into her dual credit courses. While teaching at OTHS, Day sponsored the OTHS Interact Club, which was also sponsored by the local Rotary Club. The student group conducted research to learn more about the needs of those in Malawi, Africa. Day’s students collected and sent more than 3,500 books to Mawali and raised more than $500 for shipping and other costs associated with the project.

“By keeping the students engaged in course content, they are more likely to experience success,” said SWIC Dean of Arts and Sciences Mary Ruettgers, Ed.D. “She is very approachable, well liked, and respected by the dual credit students. These qualities enhance student achievement.”

Day earned her Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2008 and her Master of Public Administration and Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 2019. She would love to pursue a doctorate in organizational leadership in the future and use that knowledge to help continue program growth not only at the collegiate level but also within our local schools.

In addition, she works as a corporate trainer at the Corporate Training Center since 2012 and previously worked as an assistant teacher at the Southern Illinois University Child Development Laboratory from 2006 to 2008.

Day and her husband, Michael, have three daughters, Maddie, Makenna and Hallie, and one son, Beau.

Beal and Day were also nominated by the college for the Illinois Community College Trustee Association’s Outstanding Full-time and Part-time Faculty Member of the Year honors.

For more information about SWIC, visit swic.edu/ece.