Illinois Central College

Jack's story of discovery began with the ICC Dual Credit Welding program in high school, which allowed him to gain hands-on skills and jump-start his career. Now, he has earned a Welding Operator certificate, won a gold medal at a statewide competition, and secured multiple job offers-all before graduating high school!

At just 20, Al is a successful entrepreneur and ICC graduate with two self-founded companies. After feeling uncertain about his future, he chose ICC over a four-year university. Thanks to full scholarships and a newfound focus on political science, he's now aiming to become an international diplomat. Al attributes his growth and resilience to ICC and encourages others to consider community colleges as a valuable path to success.

Ana, who recently graduated high school, is already a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, thanks to the Dual-Degree program at ICC. She earned her high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously, and shared her story of overcoming challenges with support from the ICC community. Ana recommends the program for its networking opportunities and strong foundation for future success.

After dropping out of ICC, MJ discovered his passion for nursing while caring for his mother. He returned to ICC to pursue his LPN, balancing school, work, and fatherhood. MJ credits ICC with boosting his confidence and supporting his dreams of becoming a school nurse. He encourages others to explore opportunities at ICC and focus on their future goals.

NASA has selected ICC student Mark Cramer to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) onsite experience at the Johnson Space Center this semester.

The Diesel Powered Equipment Technology (DPET) Program at Illinois Central College annually presents its Outstanding Graduate Award based on technical scholastic achievement, community and college activities, work ethic, internship performance, communications ability, leadership, diagnostic skills, professionalism, and ability to work with others.

ICC Shawn Gore has been selected as one of 348 community college students from across the U.S. to travel to NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, this spring to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars project (NCAS).

Rodney Stewart and Wendy Streitmatter were voted as "best presenters" in the online section of COMM 212 Public Speaking. In the online section, students meet live via webcam in a virtual classroom to deliver presentations. According to Assistant Prof. Joe Chianakas, Rodney's presentation was full of energy, enthusiasm, and humor, and Wendy delivered passionate, inspiring, and unique messages. The two were voted best class presenters for the first speaking assignment. Congratulations!

Each semester, COMM 113 students participate in mock job interviews for their desired career. The class watches the interview and votes for the student they think did the best. Congratulations to Irina Riggenbach, of Peoria, Ill., who won the most votes to become the best interviewer in all COMM 113 sections! Thank you to her interview volunteer, Crystal Holley of Petersen Hotels.

Each semester, COMM 113 students participate in mock job interviews for their desired career. The class watches the interview and votes for the student they think did the best. Congratulations to Jack Fiddes and Shane Taylor, who won the "best interviewer" award and were finalists for the "best in the class" designation. Thank you to their interview volunteer, Kirk Wessler of the Peoria Journal Star.

Each semester, COMM 113 students participate in mock job interviews for their desired career. The class watches the interview and votes for the student they think did the best. Students selected Riley Bloom, of Marquette Heights, Ill., for a "best interviewer" award on his selected day and was a finalist for the best in the class.

COMM 212 students voted Samuel Lawrence, of Avilla, Ind., as "best presenter" for his "provocative idea exchange" presentation! For each speech assignment in COMM 212, students write about the classmate they most admired. Samuel received several compliments from his classmates who called him professional, enthusiastic, inspiring, and intelligent. Professor Joe Chianakas agrees that Samuel is a great public speaker and most-deserving of "best class presentation" for the assignment.

In COMM 212 Public Speaking, students vote on their most admired presenter for each assignment. For the first assignment-- a memorized performance of a famous speech-- there was a tie. Congratulations to Josiah "JZ" Ulrich and Jade Baillie. Students said Josiah had "incredible enthusiasm" and "delivered an amazing presentation." They also said "Jade's memorization and performance were unbelievable.So good!" Congrats to all Comm 212 students in your public speaking achievements, and congrats to Josiah and Jade for being the most admired speakers for the first presentation. Great work!

Several ICC students won First Place in "Best Film" for their team submission of the film "Future Mr. Shop 'n' Save" at the 48-Hour Filmmakers Fest 2016 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum on Oct. 15. ICC students, including Graphic Design, Multimedia and undeclared majors, as well as an alum, teamed up and competed on their own time and outside of any ICC curriculum or class. The 48-Hour Filmmakers Fest is a competition open to professionals and non-professionals alike and gives aspiring filmmakers of all ages the chance to create a 3-5-minute movie in just 48 hours. Each film, from writing and shooting to editing and sound design, had to be created during Fri., Oct. 7, and Sun., Oct. 9. On Sat., Oct. 15, all submissions were screened at the Giant Screen Theater at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and the winner and runner-up were announced. Here is a link to the student movie on YouTube. Congratulations!

ICC Mechanical Engineering Technology student Matthew Goodyear was recently selected to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program in Huntsville, Ala., October 25-28. There he will have the opportunity to experience NASA first-hand and complete a project. NCAS encourages STEM students to finish a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year university to pursue a NASA-related field or career. Congratulations, Matthew!

ICC Health Careers students recently volunteered their time at the Health Careers Expo 2016 hosted by Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center in Peoria, Ill.

Assistant Professor Joe Chianakas' COMM 212 Public Speaking class recently selected the student presentations they most admired.

COMM 212 Public Speaking students selected Allen Kim as their "most admired" classmate for his incredible sense of preparation, enthusiasm and creativity in his presentation.

Two of ICC's Comm 212 Public Speaking students recently went above and beyond in their speeches about their personal heroes.

ICC's COMM 112 Public Speaking class selected Whitney Brock as its "Most Admired" speaker for a memorized speech assignment. Fellow students commented that her speech on feminism was "commanding" and "passionate".

Illinois Central College is pleased to announce its Studio consultants for fall 2015. Consultants are chosen through a rigorous application and interview process, and successfully complete thorough job training. They assist ICC students of all majors with all forms of composition.

The ICC Livestock Judging Team recently returned from the 2015 National Barrow Show in Austin, Minn. with high honors.

The Diesel Powered Equipment Technology (DPET) Program at Illinois Central College annually presents its Outstanding Graduate Award based on technical scholastic achievement, community and college activities, work ethic, internship performance, communications ability, leadership, diagnostic skills, professionalism, and ability to work with others.

ICC announces the names of eight students competing as sophomores on the Livestock Judging Team for 2015-16.

Hjalte Nerdrum developed the website for the 2015 One Book, One College event, "Quest for the Hidden Egg." Hjalte began work on the website as part of an internship class in the fall of 2014 and continued to develop the website until it was successfully completed in the spring. ICC librarians noted his professionalism and creativity during the development process and his significant contributions to making the event a success. Congratulations!

Comm 212 students recently participated in a special public speaking and service-learning experience for Illinois Central College. Students from Joe Chianakas' Comm 212 class, in conjunction with Student Leadership and Engagement, created a special event entitled, "Mission: Possible," which included a series of team-building activities designed to promote leadership skills. The activities were presented in the student lounge to a variety of students, faculty and staff.

Illinois Central College's Comm 212 Public Speaking class students recently were recognized by their peers for excellence in public speaking.

ICC's Comm 212 Public Speaking class recently chose two peers they most admired, based on their enthusiasm, creativity and inspiration to others. 

Illinois Central College is pleased to announce its Studio consultants for fall 2014. Consultants are chosen through a rigorous application and interview process, and successfully complete thorough job training. They assist ICC students of all majors with all forms of composition.

Several students in ICC's Public Speaking course offered their own personal stories of inspiration recently at an inspirational event at Metamora High School.