The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce

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KASKASKIA COLLEGE HOSTS TOURS OF CAMPUS RENOVATIONS

Kaskaskia College hosted representatives of the Illinois Community College Board last Thursday, February 8, providing informative tours of its main campus renovations and Harold L. Crisp Technology Center.

Led by KC President, George Evans, and Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Career Service, Joy Fitts, the tour started at 2:15 p.m. at the Crisp Center, where members of the ICCB got a firsthand look at the off-campus location.

Evans said the ongoing renovations to the main campus have been ongoing since April 2022.

“I was very pleased with the tour, and very thankful for our guests that participated,” said Evans. “We had people come from as far north as Chicago and as far south as Carterville. Dr. Bryan Durham, who is the executive director of the ICCB, was very complimentary of our facilities.”

The walkthrough began in the industrial technology department, where Fitts said the college had made the most improvements within the last year. New additions include the Aspirations in Manufacturing program for high school students, which received equipment courtesy of the ICCB, and advancements to the center’s labs.

Other stops included the HVAC, carpentry, and welding departments, where the staff of experienced instructors informed their visitors of their classes’ function, class size, career opportunity and progress.

The tour relocated to KC’s main campus, beginning in the automotive technology department, where the ICCP reps were introduced to the college’s program for electronic vehicles.

Evans led the tour throughout the campus, where its visitors were shown heavily updated workspaces, meeting rooms, classrooms, lounge areas and lecture halls.

The school’s reception area and library were also toured, with Evans explaining the latter had enjoyed significant advancement through a three-year old partnership with Barnes & Noble.

The college president said he was pleased with last week’s tour, stating the response from the ICCB was more than positive.

In a statement issued by the ICCB, Durham said, “It is clear from the Board’s tour of Kaskaskia College’s facilities and recent renovations that the College is a leader in workforce development in the region. Kaskaskia College is continuing to expand access and opportunities to dozens of good paying careers.”

The ICCB’s tours were in accordance with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, meant to provide awareness of the technical fields and how they prepare students for future employment opportunities.

Kaskaskia College

27210 College Road, Centralia, IlL

618-545-3000

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