Community Colleges
The Illinois Community College System is one of the state’s hidden gems. Consisting of 39 community college districts, with forty-eight individual colleges and one consortium, the state’s many community colleges ensure that quality education is available to Illinoisans throughout the state. In fact, more students are enrolled in the state’s community colleges than are enrolled in the state's many four-year institutions. The Community College System performs many functions beyond its well known role as preparatory schools for traditional four-year institutions. These include worker retraining, adult education, and certification programs. They are a point of pride for communities across the state.
Campus Photos
Interviews
Allen, Gary
Teacher at Southeastern Illinois College talks about the school's history
Anderson, Dr. Karen
Director of the IL Community College Board discusses its history
Anderson, Dr. Richard
College of Lake County Board of Trustees member
Arnold, Wayne
A career teacher discusses the history of Rend Lake College
Bartlett, David
Teacher and historian for South Suburban Community College discusses the school's history
Beck, Dorothy
The first fifty years of Blackhawk Community College
Bickford, George
City Colleges of Chicago's unique military education programs
Bishop, Dale
History of Shawnee Community College
Black, Timuel
He talks about civil rights and Chicago City Colleges
Bruce, Terry
CEO for the Illinois Eastern Community College System for 17 years
Bryan, Iris
History of McHenry County College from several perspectives
Burdick, Norman
History of Carl Sandburg College from 1980 to 2013
Cavallini, Don
Archivist at Heartland Community College discusses school's history
Chapman, Dr. Dale
History of Lewis and Clark Community College in southwestern Illinois
Clevidence, Darrell
History of Carl Sandburg College from 1969 to 2010
Community Colleges
Costello, Dr. Georgia
President of Southwestern College discusses the school's history
Cottingham, Carl
History of John Logan Community College since its creation in 1968
Crone, Dr. Clifford
Administrator in the Freeport School District Which Operated Freeport Junior College Eventually Highland Community College
Diaz, Dr. Amy
Vice President of Student Development at Rock Valley College
Dixon, Jeri
Dean of Adult Education at Waubonsee Community College discusses several initiatives
Duffy, John
History of Elgin Community College
Erwin, John
President of Illinois Central College discusses the school's recent history
Howard, Dorothy "Kris"
William Rainey Harper College trustee discusses history of the school
Jakobsson, Representative Naomi
Relationship with Parkland College both as a student and as Chair of the IL House Higher Education Committee
Jenkins, Sylvia
President of Moraine Valley Community College discussing current initiatives
Johnson, Robert "Bob"
Kishwaukee College trustee discusses the history of Kishwaukee College
Kloss, Cathy
History of Prairie State College (1967) and its forerunner, Bloom Township Junior College
Krolak, Edward L
A career teacher discusses the early history of Illinois Valley Community College
Landrus, Matthew
English teacher at Lake Land College discusses the Community College's history
Langston, Kay
History of Triton College in River Grove, Illinois
Lee, Dr. Margaret
President of Oakton Community College traces the school's history
Lehner, Dr. Margaret
History of Moraine Valley Community College
Maher, Robert
Legislative Assistant to Governor Otto Kerner when the Jr. College Act of 1965 was passed
Martin, Terry
Long-time instructor discusses history of Kishwaukee College
Mihel, George
History of Sauk Valley Community College and IL Community Colleges in general
Monaghan, Mike
Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association
Nevlin, Linda
History of Monticello College, a two-year school for women
O'Connell, James Paul
Morton College administrator discusses the school's long history
Paul, Dr. James
Dr. Jim Paul taught at Kankakee Community College from 1972-2006 and discusses the school's history
Perley, Dr. Leon
Former president of Illinois Central Colleges discusses the school's history during his tenure
Pernot, Laurent
Vice Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago discusses the city's community colleges
Pierce, David
A career as a senior administrator in American community colleges
Pillard, Henry
Joliet Junior College administrator discusses the school's early history
Poorman, Dr. Robert
President of Lincoln Land Community College discusses the school's history
Rapp, James "Jim"
John Wood Community College's attorney discusses the institution's history
Satterwhite, Marilyn
History of Danville Area Community College from 1966 to 2013
Saunders, Gayle Dr.
President of Richland Community College discusses the school's history
Scheider, Delbert
History of Highland Community College from perspective of College trustee
Schroeder, Rachel
One of Parkland College's first employees shares the school's history
Sevener, Donald
Illinois's community college system history and development
Sobek, Dr. Christine
Educator and administrator at two Illinois community colleges
Sundberg, Dr. Lori
Carl Sandburg College history and its relationship with Galesburg, IL
Thompson, Steven
Archivist at Rock Valley College reviews the college
Underwood, Dr. James
Career educator discusses his experiences with Community colleges in three states
Vasen, Virginia
History of Spoon River College as told by a long-time staff member
Visel, Frederick
History of Carl Sandburg College from 1971 to 2013
Wagner, Dr. Richard "Dick"
Former IL Bd of Higher Education Executive Director on state's Community Colleges
Warfel, Linden 'Lin'
History at Parkland College from 1991-2013 through the eyes of a trustee
Watson, Robert
College trustee discusses the history of Lewis and Clark Community College
Whisenhunt, Dr. Ben
History professor discusses the history of the College of DuPage
Whitaker, Ronald
Early years of Joliet Junior College
Zaida, Walter
Teacher and administrator on the history of Joliet Community College
Resources
Illinois Public Community College Act