IVCC trustees grant approval for cybersecurity associate’s degree

OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College entered the world of cybersecurity Oct. 11.

Trustees approved a cybersecurity Associate in Applied Science degree and certificate to begin in fall 2019. Among eight new courses in the 60-credit AAS are digital forensics, cybersecurity scripting, computer ethics and ethical hacking.

A recent survey administered through district chambers revealed dozens of local business and industry managers desire employees with cybersecurity knowledge and skills.

The curriculum was crafted in collaboration with local information technology leaders and the college’s cybersecurity and computer networking advisory committees. The certificate is for IT professionals looking to strengthen their skillset in this area.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates there are more than 200,000 cybersecurity job openings nationally and predicts employment growth of 37 percent over the next decade.

In other business, trustees approved the $50,750 bid of S&K Excavating & Trucking of Newark to take down and remove the old dairy barn south of campus. S&K, the lowest of three bidders on the project, is expected to begin demolition this fall. The contractor will work on IVCC’s behalf to salvage any usable lumber that might be incorporated into the new facility.

Last month, the college announced it would receive nearly $165,000 in state funding for demolition of the barn and construction of an agriculture storage facility. The project, which would require at least $60,000 from the college, will replace the 1940s-era barn with a building to house ag program implements.

At the beginning of the meeting, state Sen. Sue Rezin received an “Outstanding Legislator Award” from Illinois Community College Trustees Association Executive Director Mike Monaghan for her continued support of IVCC and all Illinois community colleges. State Sen. Pat McGuire and state Reps. Kelly Burke and Chad Hayes also received the award in 2018.

The board approved:

• Seeking bids for patient simulators for the nursing program. The Laerdal Simulation Manikins, which will be paid for by a $50,000 donation from 1951 IVCC alumnus Ralph Scriba, allow students to practice core skills, problem-solve and experience highly-realistic patient encounters.

• High deductible health plan-health savings account contributions for full-time employees. On Jan. 1, 2019, IVCC will contribute $2,500 for individual coverage and $5,000 for “employee plus one” and family coverage.

• Adding computer networking to the dual credit agreement with Starved Rock Associates for Vocational & Technical Education (SRAVTE). The agreement already covers automotive, business/computers/keyboarding, computer-aided engineering and design, early childhood education, graphic design, nursing, manufacturing and welding. SRAVTE serves the Area Career Center and DePue, Hall, LaMoille, LaSalle-Peru, Mendota, Ottawa, Princeton, Putnam County, Seneca and Streator high schools.

• Purchase of Basic Rigger and Signal Person training classes for $17,000 for the Continuing Education Center. The cost will be recovered by fees charged to students in a Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau course.

• Preparation of the tentative 2018 tax levy to be presented at the Nov. 8 meeting and finalized at the Dec. 13 meeting.

• Continuation of the cash farm lease with Luke Holly for 149 acres of college farmland at $308 per acre or $45,929 a year.

• The annual $10,000 local match to support Project Success, the federally-funded program serving 160 low-income, first-generation and disabled students annually. Specifically, IVCC’s match helps low-income students offset tuition, books and supplies.

• An updated contract with the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) Local 176 for an AAS in electrical construction for individuals completing the electrician’s apprenticeship.

• A certificate in basic computer-aided design. The program’s advisory committee expressed a need for employees with basic CAD knowledge to supplement employees with CAD expertise. The 12-credit, two-semester certificate has four courses.

• Reimbursement of $368 in travel expenses for board chair Jane Goetz to attend an ICCTA meeting Sept. 14-15 in Peoria.

The board learned

• A free, mini food pantry cabinet has been placed off the main lobby to help low-income students get through the day. The initiative, which involves stocking the cabinet with snacks, began after a local newspaper highlighted hunger and homelessness among area college students. Illinois Valley Food Pantry provided the cabinet’s initial stock and numerous employees and students helped launch the project.

• IVCC’s interim accreditation report, due to the Higher Learning Commission Nov. 1, was submitted Oct. 4.

• Saturday’s Results University graduation at IVCC feted 32 graduates and included remarks by Streator Mayor Jimmie Lansford, IVCC President Jerry Corcoran and others. “The ceremony and everything leading up to it was a success because of our Continuing Education Center staff,” Corcoran said.

• The Oct. 23 Manufacturing Expo at IVCC is expected to draw 350 students from 16 high schools. Students begin the day touring one of 10 manufacturers before coming to IVCC to meet with program coordinators and industry leaders about IVCC training opportunities. “Our partnership with NCRBC (North Central Regional Betterment Coalition), the Area Career Center at LP and SRAVTE remains strong, and we’re excited to be part of the team,” said Corcoran.

• The Sept. 21 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 176 graduation in Joliet honored 10 graduates for earning AAS degrees in electronics technology on their way to becoming journeymen electricians. Corcoran credited IVCC electronics program coordinator Jim Gibson for helping to update the curriculum and said there are 40 students in the program “pipeline” working toward graduation.

• A total of 155 employees participated in September health screenings.

• Athletics’ fourth annual Trivia Night Sept. 29 raised $10,200 and attracted 27 tables of competitors.

• Director of Learning Resources Patrice Hess is working to create fully online degrees by summer and fall 2019. “This bodes well for students who cannot be here for many reasons, but also for the high schools where we’ve seen an uptick in enrollments,” said Corcoran. Fiscal 2018 online credits rose from 108 to 381 and high schools increased online offerings this year.

• Longtime Adult Education employee Mary Gross will retire from part-time work at the end of the fall semester. Assessment Center assistant Nicole LaVarier resigned Oct. 9 and custodian Lori Carey announced she will retire Dec. 31.

• IVCC’s Foundation awarded nearly $300,000 in scholarships to 269 students this fall, Director of Community Relations and Development Fran Brolley reported in a campus update. Foundation assets grew from $4.7 million in 2016 to $6.7 million in 2018.

• The Foundation was scheduled to posthumously honor Walter Durley and Hazel Marie Boyle for their bequest of more than $600,000 that helped finance new theatre seating, wall treatments, house lighting and improved disability access in the auditorium.