News

The Waubonsee Community College Foundation recently welcomed two new members to the board of directors, Yonas Hagos, of Yorkville, and Brian Schmidt, of Bolingbrook.

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. That is – within the American zeitgeist, we often conjure black and white images of native peoples, standing stern-faced, clad in eagle-feathered headdresses and wearing long-bone beads across bare chests. Such stereotypes not only over-generalize the incredibly rich and diverse 570+ tribes recognized in the U.S., but also paint a picture that First Nation peoples have more in common with the Ancient Sumerians or Romans, rather than the contemporary world.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Waubonsee Community College is hosting programs to educate and raise awareness about the heritage, culture, traditions, and customs of the First Nations people. Community members are invited to these free events to learn about Native American tribes; the unique challenges, past and present, that Native people have faced; and how tribal citizens have worked to overcome these challenges.

Kevin Pennington, a member of the Waubonsee Community College Foundation Board of Directors, knows firsthand the impact a scholarship can have on a student’s education and future.  

Waubonsee Community College announced the names of the student government for the current academic year.

As the Dean for Student Engagement, I am constantly reflecting on the significance of student engagement and its numerous benefits for personal and professional growth and the broader community. 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.

Waubonsee Community College welcomes Dr. Dan McDonnell, of Morris, to the position of Director of School District Partnerships. 

Waubonsee Community College Adult and Workforce Education Department has been awarded a grant of $29,508 by the Dunham Foundation to address the shortage of bilingual teachers in K-12 schools in the college's district area. This grant aims to provide free career training access to skilled and qualified non-English native speakers, helping them accelerate quickly into a paraprofessional career.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Waubonsee for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. 

In my role as Dean for Adult and Workforce Education at Waubonsee Community College, I am privileged to work with an amazing group of individuals that are dedicated to building strong connections in our community and promoting social equity. I am also the proud father of three children. Recently, I took my six-year-old son to our local public library, and he was immediately drawn to the Hispanic Heritage Month book display. He became interested in a book about the Pledge of Allegiance, which tells the story of a young girl's great-aunt who had lived in the U.S. for many years after immigrating from Mexico.