The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees met Monday, May 21, 2018 at the KC Trenton Education Center for its regular monthly meeting. Board members include Bill Hawley (Odin), Linda Stover (Centralia), Dr. Dee Boswell, (Centralia), Jack Mays (Centralia), Bryan Holthaus (St. Rose), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc) and student trustee Alisse Koisher.
Trustees approved the employment of Dr. Ashley Becker of Springfield, Illinois as the college’s new Vice President of Instructional Services. Dr. Becker currently serves as the Senior Director of Academic Affairs for the Illinois Community College Board and has experience as both an instructor and administrator on the higher education level. KC Interim President George Evans says Dr. Becker brings a wealth of strategic planning, assessment and instructional experience to Kaskaskia College. “Dr. Becker is student oriented and comes highly recommended from staff at ICCB,” said Evans. “I believe she will be a great fit as the next leader of the instructional services team.” Dr. Becker will replace Dr. Greg Labyak, who is retiring.
Trustees also approved the employment of Nic Farley of Salem as the college’s new Dean of Career and Technical Education. Farley has been associated with the college for a number of years, serving as an adjunct faculty member, and as an active member of the South-Central Illinois Growth Alliance (SCIGA). Through his role as a member of the Salem City Council, and SCIGA Farley has worked with the college in developing a number of innovative partnerships to address the vocational skills gap that affects many employers. The college believes Farley will continue to cultivate these partnerships throughout the district. Farley replaces George Evans who has assumed the duties of President of KC.
In other personnel moves Monday evening, the board approved the employment of Megan Holtmann of Aviston as Assistant Professor of Nursing and Kathy Crain of Breese as Information Technical Services and Support Coordinator. The board accepted the resignations of Christopher Shaw as Network Support Specialist, Donna Matanane as Accountant, and Kristina Holland-Deadmond as Adult Education and Literacy Coordinator. A request to establish an Accounting Manager position for the college’s business office was also approved. The new position provides improved daily management of the business office. Trustees also approved a request to reinstate a full-time lead grounds technician position to oversee the care and maintenance of the college’s main campus.
In other action the board approved revisions to course fees for the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing Programs for the 2019 fiscal year. The move comes as the college changes vendors for student books and technology resources in those programs. Continued and repetitive performance issues from the current vendors, as well as poor customer service provided to students and faculty necessitated the change in vendors which was supported by the faculty and students. While the fees for these services will increase, it will be offset by a reduction in the cost of books and technology resources. Benefits to students include:
Reduced book costs which students normally have to pay for out of pocket
Better orientation for technology resources
Students required to repeat a course will not be charged an additional technology fee
The technology resources available are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Registration is underway for the summer and fall semester. Classes start June 4 for the summer and August 13 for the fall.
