Veterans Day – College Closed
Southwestern Illinois College Announces New Career Technology Education Building on Red Bud Campus
Belleville, IL – Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) is pleased to announce the expansion of Career Technology Education (CTE) programming to the Red Bud campus and the construction of a new seven thousand eight hundred (7,800) square foot facility.
The expansion of the CTE program to the Red Bud Campus will significantly enhance educational opportunities at the campus and the region, providing modern facilities beneficial for workforce training. The project aligns with SWIC’s strategic objectives to enhance educational facilities and meet the growing demand for career-focused education in the region. Proposed programs will provide learning and skill development in vocational and technical fields. The location of the future academy on campus grounds is strategically placed with building and programming additions in mind for the future, and ensures Illinois to be a change agent in the manufacturing sector. Construction of the new facility equipped with the latest CTE training equipment will support student enrollment across the southern Illinois region and boost the confidence of industrial partners—and the community—by illustrating SWIC’s dedication to and investment in these industries.
The Board of Trustees has previously approved a contract with Farnsworth Group for architectural services and with Holland Construction for preconstruction work for the project. SWIC is making a financial commitment that would amount to approximately $5.5M, with funding stemming from Series 2023 Bond proceeds sold in December 2023. Construction completion is expected by Spring 2026, weather permitting. SWIC anticipates serving students through the facility Fall 2026.
SWIC Board member, Tracy Vallett, Sub-District 1 – Red Bud, is excited for the new opportunities this facility will afford to students in the southern-most school districts in the region. She says, “I am thrilled to see the growth on Red Bud’s campus and am proud of SWIC’s commitment to accessibility and transportation. The opening of this new facility will provide a local option for quality education in trades and transfer programs. With the expansion of previously established programming to our southern district students, we will now be able to serve traditional and non-traditional students with training and education that helps them enter the workforce faster.”
Planned programming for the new facility will include the expansion of previously established programming such as Allied Health, welding, plumbing, and construction management while also offering a facility that is adaptable to new and transfer programs.
Governor JB Pritzker Attended Ribbon Cutting at New Advanced Manufacturing Academy
Watch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Belleville, IL – In preparation for the official fall 2024 opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Academy on its Belleville campus, Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) held an official ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 11, 2024. SWIC would like to thank Governor Pritzker, Senator Christopher Belt, General Assembly Leader Jay Hoffman, Representative Katie Stuart and former Representative Latoya Greenwood, Mayor Patty Gregory, and numerous industry partners for attending.
Through the leadership of Governor Pritzker and SWIC President Nick Mance, coupled with the generous DCEO and other source funding, the new Advanced Manufacturing Academy will reinvigorate the regional manufacturing industry with a sustainable, high-skilled workforce to further reestablish Illinois and the U.S. as a center of global manufacturing. SWIC is utilizing State funding to launch a multi-phase plan to create an academy that focuses on the needs of local manufacturing partners and builds the relationships necessary to solidify southern Illinois as a hub for manufacturing education and industry. By reinforcing the strong manufacturing opportunities available to the community and highlighting the success of SWIC’s manufacturing students, the college will continue to improve the overall image of U.S. manufacturing in the region.
Sustainable manufacturing is becoming increasingly important in the changing landscape of the industry. SWIC will be at the forefront of manufacturing innovation with its state-of-the-art equipment and program offerings and will spur modernization throughout the regional industry. Planned programming for the new facility will include revision of previously established programming as well as the addition of new and innovative manufacturing programming.
Governor Pritzker commented, “I chose to come to SWIC because of your successes, to demonstrate my own intent to put community colleges at the forefront of our economic revitalization of the state. SWIC and other community colleges are the dynamic institutions that are capable of building the workforce of the future, creating opportunities for hardworking Illinoisans, and maximizing economic growth potential for the entire state and particularly for this region.”
Women’s History Month
During the month of March, we observe Women’s History Month to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women, today and throughout history. At SWIC, we not only recognize the contributions of women who help lead the way and inspire, but also acknowledge their diverse interests and passions. Thank you to all the women, past and present, at SWIC, whose dedication and hard work has helped make Southwestern Illinois College your first choice!
Student Services Coordinator
Associate Director of Recruitment & Outreach
College Inclusion & Outreach Coordinator
Adjunct Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator
Chief Student Services Officer
Director of Financial Aid, Veteran Services & Student Employment
Director of Marketing
Career and Employment Specialist
Admissions Coordinator
RN Program Coordinator
Administrative Assistant – Athletics
Director of Advising, Enrollment, & Records
Director of the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center
Events Specialist
Director of Student Success Programs
Myki Rhodes
Director of Student Finance
Associate Director – Foundation
Internal Communications Specialist
Librarian
Associate Director of Marketing
Jill Baudendistel, Student Services Coordinator – Reading a captivating book is my favorite way to relax.
Laura Vahlkamp, Associate Director of Recruitment & Outreach – My top hobbies are: Physical Fitness (boxing, strength training), Food (love to bake and eat snacks), going on adventures with my teenagers, traveling, coffee, wine.
Brandi Brown-Harris, College Inclusion & Outreach Coordinator – I enjoy roller skating. I also spending time with my Bichon Frise, Penny Lane and watching my favorite shows on TLC and The Food Network channel.
Melissa Epps – MPH, RPh, Adjunct Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator – Wreath making has been a cherished hobby of mine for quite some time, I love it!
Danielle Chambers, Chief Student Services Officer – My hobbies include helping others, cherishing moments with family, and eating!
Katie Dawson, Director of Financial Aid, Veteran Services & Student Employment – I love being involved in the Belleville community! My family and I shop and eat local as much as possible and never miss a parade or festival on Main Street.
Kourtny Shaw, Director of Marketing – My primary focus and passion outside of work is being a mom.
Alicia Johnson, Career and Employment Specialist – Besides spending time with my beloved service dog, my favorite way to pass time is to read.
Bethanie Garcia, Admissions Coordinator – Collecting and decorating my office with plants. Being surrounded by plants brings me a sense of joy and enhances my productivity.
Elizabeth Alvarez, RN Program Coordinator – Puzzles are my favorite way to relax but I also love reading and camping!
Vicki Channer, Administrative Assistant – Athletics – I love maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise.
Annjanee Jones, Director of Advising, Enrollment, & Records – I enjoy spending my free time gardening.
Paula Haniszewski, Director of the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center – I love hanging with my husband and two girls, art, real estate, and reading.
Mindy Schubert, Events Specialist – In my spare time I enjoy making quilts for my kids.
Jami Houston, Director of Student Success Programs – Getting my Ed.D from the University of Illinois and Illini basketball!
Myki Rhodes, Director of Student Finance – In my free time, I’m all about roller skating!
Liz Jennings, Associate Director – Foundation – I’ve been getting into tennis lately. It’s been really fun picking up a new hobby!
Casey Robacker, Internal Communications Specialist – I love collecting figurines and decorating my office with them. It’s awesome to see them around every day, brings a little extra joy to my space!
Samantha Rogers, Librarian – I like to travel and explore. 2022 took me to the Island of Hvar. 2023 the Isle of Skye. This summer I will be looking for wild ponies along the coast of Exmoor.
Sarah Samples, Associate Director of Marketing – Hiking is the best! The fact that my entire family enjoys it adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience.
SWIC Adult Ed YESS Program offers FREE help with earning your high school equivalency, finding a job and more
Did you leave high school without earning a diploma, want help preparing for college or need assistance finding a job? The Southwestern Illinois College Youth Employment and Support Services Program can get you back on track for free.
The YESS Program offers comprehensive support and educational services to people between the ages of 16 and 24, who are out of school and who reside within St. Clair and Randolph counties.
The program assists individuals with the resources to complete their high school equivalency certificate, information on how to attend college, give participants employment opportunities within their career choice and much more.
Case managers develop a formal agreement and plan of action with each participant, which includes listing barriers that may hinder them from fulfilling their educational or career goals. This ensures the participant will be better prepared for anything that happens that may get in their way of becoming self-sufficient and being successful.
The following services are available through the YESS Program:
- Tutoring
- High School Equivalency instruction and testing
- Employment opportunities
- Leadership development
- Adult mentoring
- Workplace Readiness training
- Follow-Up services after 12 months
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling
- Drug and alcohol counseling referrals
- Transportation assistance
- Child Care referrals assistance
The YESS Program is a part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,. WIOA is federally funded and was created to strengthen and improve our nation’s public workforce system by assisting Americans, including youths and those with significant barriers to employment, transition into high-quality jobs and careers. To learn more about the SWIC YESS Program, contact Karen Schaller at the Red Bud Campus at 618-210-8189.
Register Red Bud weekly events make it easy to enroll for degree program
Sign up now at Register Red Bud to complete an associate degree in two years by taking classes just two days per week at the Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St.
Stop by RBC Tuesdays Oct. 29 or Wednesday Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enroll.
“Register Red Bud makes it easier for students to sign up for the Associate in Arts degree,” said Director of High School Partnerships and Recruitment Kelly Bione. “In this degree program, required courses are grouped together two days per week to help students with busy personal and work schedules.”
During Register Red Bud, students can:
- Complete an application and get a student ID number.
- Take the SWIC Placement Test for English and Math.
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss Red Bud class scheduling.
- Set up and eSTORM and student email account.
- Register for classes.
- Ask financial aid and payment arrangement questions.
Check-in at the Student Development Office, Room 175. Please bring a photo ID. Students taking the SWIC Placement Test must check in by 11 a.m.
For questions, contact admissions@swic.edu or 618-235-2700, ext. 5675.
Save lives, donate blood at SWIC Belleville & Red Bud Campuses Sept. 10
Save the lives of up to three people by donating blood during the upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southwestern Illinois Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., in the Main Complex Varsity Gym or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SWIC Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., in the Performing Arts Room.
“We need every donation we can get in order to maintain the supply in our region,” said College Activities and Student Life Director Amy Brockman. “Your donation truly will make a difference. We hope to see you!”
All types of blood are needed, especially O Positive. If you do not know your blood type, you can find out when you donate.
To donate you must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. If you are 16 years old and wish to donate in Illinois, you need a permission form signed by your parent or guardian. New donors should bring proper identification, such as a driver’s license or a state ID.
Individuals are encouraged to set an appointment time, but walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as quickly as possible.
All presenting donors will receive light refreshments and a place to rest briefly following their donation.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 618-235-2700, ext. 5561, or toll free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5561.
SWIC Precision Machining courses at Red Bud High School open to the public
Learn the basic principles of precision machining from safety and set up to drilling and cutting in Southwestern Illinois College courses offered at Red Bud High School this fall.
SWIC will offer two Precision Machining Technology courses, PMT 101 Intro to the Machine Trades and PMT 102 Intermediate Machining at the high school, 815 Locust St., in Red Bud. The courses are open to the public as well as to Red Bud High School students.
Both four-semester-credit courses count toward the SWIC Precision Machining Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree and Certificate. They will be offered Monday and Wednesday nights: PMT 101 – Aug. 19 to Oct. 14, 5:15-9:35 p.m., and PMT 102 – Oct. 16 to Dec. 11, 5:15-9:50 p.m.
“SWIC wanted to offer the residents of Randolph County the opportunity to experience these career-building courses in the local area,” said SWIC Dean of Technical Education Brad Sparks. “If they discover their interest in Precision Machining, they can purse the college’s other degree and certificates courses and start working toward a career.”
In PMT 101, students will learn basic hand tools, measuring tools, and layout procedures, then transitions into basic machine principals including safety, operation, and part set-ups for primary and secondary machining. In PMT 102, students will learn
four machine operations (drilling, turning, milling, grinding). Thread cutting, advanced milling operations and the introduction of the surface grinder will be covered.
Graduates of the PMT program are prepared to work as toolmakers, CNC programmers and operators, general machinists and maintenance machinist in manufacturing as well as the steel, chemical, oil, food and beverage industries.
For more information about the PMT courses offered at Red Bud High School or other PMT courses, visit swic.edu/pmt. For registration information, visit swic.edu/admissions.