Numerous achievements have marked our journey this past year at Waubonsee, all made possible by the collaborative effort of students, faculty, staff and the wider community.

Waubonsee Works is designed to help participants transition from where they are, to self-sufficiency with a high-wage, high-demand job.

When we do something for someone or give a gift, all the “good” brain chemicals are secreted, such as serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine, which counteracts cortisol, the primary stress hormone that makes us feel anxious and overwhelmed.

When speaking with enrolled members of different tribal groups during Native American Heritage Month or otherwise, a prevalent theme often emerges: First Nation peoples are not merely or only historical societies.

When students participate in campus or community activities, such as joining student organizations, attending social events and interacting with others, it positively affects their well-being, mental health and overall satisfaction.

Adult Education and the free basic skills education it provides is essential in helping newly arrived individuals acclimate to the community and gain access to the skills and training necessary to survive.

When used correctly, technology can assist educators in engaging students, customizing lessons and providing access to otherwise unavailable resources.

In 2019, Waubonsee modified its advising model, moving from a walk-in model to a proactive case management model to better meet the needs of its students.

Now more than ever, people often change jobs, switch careers and have diverse workforce experiences.

The Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEAC), an initiative to require Illinois public colleges and universities to prioritize mental health, was passed in Illinois in 2019 and went into effect in July 2020.

April is National Community College Month, a time when we celebrate the positive impact community colleges have on our community and economy.

This moment is a particularly exciting time to join the Waubonsee community. Higher education is being challenged to redefine its future to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving work force.

Rebecca Gant was a Black woman who came to Illinois from Laurel, Mississippi, with her family (mother, siblings, husband and children) in pursuit of a better life.

The arts have always figured prominently in everyday life, and their benefits for a society have long been recognized.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as President of Waubonsee Community College for 21 and a half years and to be a member of the Waubonsee family for nearly 34 years.

It is so important that we instructors help these students to overcome the barriers that they face.

We believe everyone should have access to higher education. And we believe that Waubonsee should be your first choice for education within our community.

Representation matters in higher education because it allows students to accomplish two things: encounter individuals who are different from them, many for the first time, and it allows them to discover their true authentic identity.

At Waubonsee, our diversity has been pivotal in understanding what makes us unique.

Here at Waubonsee, the TRIO/Student Support Services (SSS) team helps first-generation students and their families by assisting them in their educational journey.

It is essential for all people from all backgrounds-- children, students, teachers, employers, and employees-- to think about how to solve problems differently and in numerous ways.

Sharing knowledge opens doors for individuals to change their perspectives and embrace a new future. Every day our dedicated and talented faculty combine their love of teaching with a passion for sharing knowledge and contributing to student success.

Discovering new passion always has been part of Waubonsee’s purpose. Our vision statement shares that the college “welcomes the diverse abilities, goals, and experiences of individuals standing on the threshold of discovery.”

Education has the power to transform lives because it opens doors for individuals to step into new realities, new opportunities, and new identities, putting them in a position to reap exciting new rewards.

To every student who has successfully completed all their coursework or has graduated and is now moving on to the next chapter in their lives, I want to sincerely congratulate you on your accomplishment; mission accomplished, you did it!

The Class of 2022 is brave, resilient and bold. They have solved tomorrow’s problems with today’s technology and paved new paths to achieve their goals.

Mission statements serve as an institutional compass and drive purpose. They succinctly express an organization’s intent to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to meeting its stakeholder’s needs.

Over the years, data has shown that the demand for skilled workers in various industries is ever increasing.

Illinois, and Waubonsee, have had many notable female leaders throughout our history. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I am proud to recognize a few of Waubonsee’s outstanding female leaders.

I would never have predicted that I would spend more than 20 years helping others select a college major and start or change careers nor how valuable my early lack of direction would eventually be in that role.

The bottom line is that all of us are on a journey, and at different points along our journey, we must change our course and reset because the world around us has changed, or we have changed what we want to be in that world.

We have been impressed by the stories of our family, friends, and neighbors who have continued their education in fields like the various trades, fire science, manufacturing technology, healthcare, automotive technology, aviation, and law enforcement. We want to continue to support these students.

As Waubonsee’s Latinx Resource Center (LRC) Manager, I mold and shape young students into leaders with resources, knowledge, programs and events.

At Waubonsee Community College, there is excitement in the air to adapt new pathways for student success and equity. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated common barriers that have historically blocked success for many at-risk students.

Waubonsee Voices column