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Attending college can expand one's life opportunities and allow future generations to break negative cycles. While it may not be the sole solution for overcoming generational disadvantages, it enhances earning potential and opens doors to a better quality of life. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? This question is common and comes up many times as children grow up. In high school, seniors are asked if they plan to attend college and what they plan to major in. As the career world has become more fluid, dynamic, and constantly in flux, this question reverberates well into adulthood. Now more than ever, people often change jobs, switch careers, and have diverse workforce experiences. This developmental process that occurs throughout our entire life, from childhood to adulthood, involves the development of our vocational identity.

Our years in college tend to be one of the most exciting times in our lives. And yet, college years can be confusing moments when students are faced with making important career decisions, learning more about themselves, adjusting to a new learning environment, and managing relationships and family expectations. All these variables leave our students more vulnerable to experiencing stress and, in many cases, anxiety and depression. 

Mental health impacts virtually all factors that predict academic and personal success in college, including students' concentration, attention, critical thinking, motivation, and perseverance. 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, just as the state realized the pandemic wouldn't resolve soon. 

As we continue to celebrate Community College Month, now is an excellent time to spotlight how employers can find solutions to their workforce needs by partnering with community colleges. 

April is National Community College Month, a time when we celebrate the positive impact community colleges have on our community and economy. As an Instructor of Business at Waubonsee and having previously taught for over ten years at community colleges in Illinois, I often analyze community colleges' significant role in our community and economy. I am also grateful for how several community colleges have played a large part in my personal story and career. 

Women’s History Month is the perfect opportunity to honor women who work in the manufacturing field. Women make up 47% of the total workforce but they only represent 30% of the workforce in the manufacturing industry. Women in this field work hard and they are outnumbered, which can be challenging. However, for those who have the passion, the opportunities are endless and the payoff is worth it. 

How do we end up choosing our profession? Why does someone become a teacher or an auto mechanic? Oftentimes it is because, from an early age, they were exposed to someone in a specific profession, such as a parent, family friend, or relative. 

Imagine at 9 years old being denied access to check out a library book because of your skin color. What would you do? Would you leave? 

As we celebrate Black History Month, many influential Black leaders come to mind, such as Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Harriet Jacobs, Katherine Johnson, and Mamie Till. And though the list goes on and on of all the men and women in the Black community who have had a profound impact on society, there is one name that will always stand out to me above the rest: Rebecca Gant. Many may say, “Well, I’ve never heard of Rebecca Gant,” so let me introduce you to her.