- Illinois College’s agribusiness program taught by major leaders in the industryIllinois College’s agribusiness program taught by major leaders in the industryemily.titsworthFri, 04/19/2024 - 10:33 4.19.2024 Jeff Galle has been involved in the agriculture industry his entire life, having grown up on a grain and livestock farm then continuing into the industry by teaching at colleges in Illinois. Kevin Klein, coordinator of online business programs, and Dr. Jeff Galle, professor of agribusiness Now, he is one of the professors in the agribusiness program at Illinois College and uses his experience and expertise to help students achieve their goals of working in the agriculture industry. The agribusiness program focuses exclusively on the business side of the agricultural industry as opposed to crop or animal production. This allows students to further develop their business skills, whether it be through economics, finance, marketing, and so on. Agribusiness majors are able to weave their courses with courses in the business program, giving them the best of both worlds. Courses are offered each year on a rotating schedule. Students are required to take general business courses such as economics, accounting, and statistics. The program also has agricultural-specific courses that are relevant to the changing landscape of the industry in the United States. The Emerging Issues in Agriculture course teaches students about ongoing and upcoming issues in the industry, giving them a glimpse into real-world issues in their field.
Being able to lay the foundations that were founded in the business department and in the agribusiness program prepares them for a strong, successful career in the agriculture community.
Dr. Jeff Galle Prior to joining the faculty at Illinois College, Galle built a foundation for himself in the swine industry, having taught at John Wood Community College in their swine management program. His expertise is not restricted to the classroom, however. Galle has been involved in all aspects of the Pork Producers organization at the local, state, and national levels, having served as the President of Pike County Pork Producer then moving up the ranks to become the President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Jeff served as a delegate for several years and eventually ran and was selected by the Pork Producer delegates, and then appointed to the National Pork Board by the United States Secretary of Agriculture in 2006 and served until 2009. Galle credits his connections to industry leaders with his 30+ years teaching and working in the industry and utilizes those connections to recruit students to join the agribusiness program at Illinois College. “My experience working in higher education gave me exposure to a tremendous amount of people in the FFA and 4H communities and the Dept of Agriculture,” Galle explains, “It gave me the contacts that are necessary to make this program visible.” The agribusiness program is currently in its sixth year and is a part of the well-established business department. Since the start of the program, course offerings have expanded to include an asynchronous online program, providing students the flexibility to fit coursework into their lives. “Online students are able to take one course every eight weeks,” Galle explains, “These students are given all the resources they need to complete the classes at their own pace.” The agribusiness program is an ideal fit for anyone looking to break into the agricultural industry, whether its accounting, finance, or management. IC made it even more accessible through an articulation agreement with community colleges in the state of Illinois. “This agreement is designed for students who graduate with an associates degree and are looking to continue their education,” Galle says, “These students have the opportunity to transfer to Illinois College and complete a bachelors on campus or online.” Galle emphasizes that agribusiness is not something that can only be achieved at the local-level, it’s an international market. His time in the swine industry has taken him all over the world. He was invited by the Illinois Director of Agriculture to visit Hungary on a trade mission with several other industry leaders. He’s spent time in Brazil and Argentina as a part of an Illinois Ag Leadership Program Class to evaluate their agriculture and the effect of hyperinflation. He was also a key evaluator of the success of Freedom Farms International’s potential for long-term livestock production in Ukraine. Most notably, however, Galle has established an international business in the southeast Asian country Laos with the creation of the brand Laos Fresh Meats under his company Global Pork Production Enterprises. “Our hope for our students is that we help prepare them to go out and be successful in the workplace, to be able to look for career opportunities that are going to be long term and enjoyable for them,” Galle notes, “The agribusiness program gives them the chance to see and do things that prepare them for being involved in the industry after graduation.” To learn more about the agribusiness program, click here. Learning - Illinois College and John A. Logan College Forge New 2+2 Partnership for Seamless Degree TransitionIllinois College and John A. Logan College Forge New 2+2 Partnership for Seamless Degree Transitionemily.titsworthThu, 04/18/2024 - 13:00 4.18.2024 In a new collaboration aimed at empowering students' educational journeys, Illinois College (IC) and John A. Logan College (JALC) have announced a 2+2 partnership. This initiative allows graduates of John A. Logan College to pursue bachelor's degrees in agribusiness management, accounting and behavioral health at Illinois College, both on campus and through online programs. The announcement of this partnership was made during a virtual event on Tuesday, March 26, featuring remarks from IC President Barbara A. Farley, John A. Logan College Provost Stephanie Chaney Hartford, as well as professors Jeff Galle and Wayne Griffith from IC and JALC, respectively. "This is truly a moment to celebrate a great partnership between our institutions and launch the 2 + 2 agreements for agribusiness, accounting and behavioral health pathways,” President Farley remarked, “Well-prepared students from John A. Logan College will have the opportunity to make a seamless transition to Illinois College to complete their undergraduate degrees." The partnership facilitates a smooth transfer process, enabling students to complete a bachelor's degree while benefiting from generous financial aid. JALC students will receive support from dedicated IC admissions counselors throughout the application and transfer process. “We are excited for this new partnership and opportunity for our students to continue their education in agribusiness, accounting and behavioral health,” said JALC Provost Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford. “The flexibility of this program will be beneficial to our students, and we are looking forward to continuing to grow this partnership with Illinois College.” The partnership offers both on-campus and online degree options for JALC students with associate degrees, ensuring flexibility in completing their studies. Students with applied associates degrees in accounting or agribusiness, as well as associates in arts in social work degrees, can seamlessly transfer to and complete their bachelor's degrees at Illinois College. On campus, students will have the opportunity to fully engage in campus life, access state-of-the-art facilities, and immerse themselves in the IC community. Additionally, online programs provide flexibility for students who require remote access to education, whether on a full- or part-time basis, with asynchronous courses. Jeff Galle, a professor of agribusiness, underscored the benefits of this partnership, emphasizing the flexibility of the program offerings. “Not only does this partnership provide us an opportunity to bring students to the campus but also to reach more students online. It’s important for us to be able to give JALC students the opportunity to grow and finish their career development.” At Illinois College, programs and degrees offer diverse learning opportunities, including internships, student-faculty research, participation in conferences, and engagement with industry speakers. Recent internships and post-graduation employment opportunities have included collaborations with leading regional and national companies. Wayne Griffith, an assistant professor of agriculture at JALC College, expressed excitement about the partnership. "We’re proud of the students that graduate from JALC and look forward to what they’ll achieve at Illinois College and in the ag industry in the decades going forward." JALC is the fourth college to sign an articulation agreement with Illinois College, along with Kaskaskia College, John Wood Community College, and Lincoln Land Community College. In addition to these articulation agreements, Illinois College works with several hundred transfer students each year from other 2-year and 4-year institutions. If you are considering transferring to Illinois College, please visit the Transfer Admissions page. To explore Illinois College's programs in agribusiness management, accounting, and behavioral health, visit ic.edu/majors-programs. For more information about John A. Logan College's programs, visit jalc.edu. Admission
- Unity Fest aims to bring the campus and the community together on April 20, 2024Unity Fest aims to bring the campus and the community together on April 20, 2024emily.titsworthFri, 04/05/2024 - 14:54 4.05.2024 Illinois College is hosting their first Unity Fest to promote inclusivity and connect the greater Jacksonville community with the Illinois College community on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The event will take place from 4 - 7 p.m. on the Upper Quad. This all-ages event is free and open to the public. Interested parties are encouraged to RSVP at the link, but it is not required. “Our goal for this event is to bridge the gap between Illinois College and local communities,” Student Senate president Paige Walker '25 explains, “This event aims to be both engaging and enlightening, offering insights into Greek Life, Identity Organizations, and the overall diversity illustrated both in the local community and at Illinois College.” Attendees are invited to participate in activities and engage in various cultures. Student organizations that will be present include the African Student Union, the Black Student Union, Disability Rights Education Advocacy and Mentoring, Koine (international students), Students for Sexual and Gender Equality, and the Women’s Advocacy and Communications Club. Joining in on the Fest's activities and representing the diversity of the Greek community are IC's historic Literary Societies and national service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. Activities include: Stress management activities and coloring sheets Rock, Mini canvas, & Cantaritos painting Cupcake Decorating Dance Lessons DIY Bracelets, Lanyards, and Tote Bags Build your own flower bouquet Yard Games Chalk Art Photo Walls International Candy/Snack Tasting "Petting Zoo" - Cats and Dogs Along with activities for all ages, participants are encouraged to speak with Divine 9 Greek organizations. The Divine Nine are nine internationally-recognized, historically black fraternities and sororities that were first founded in 1906. They differentiate from your typical Greek life in that you don’t have to be attending a college or university to join. It is a lifelong commitment. There will be local chapters from all 9 organizations attending this event from Springfield, Decatur, and Bloomington. To RSVP to the event, click here. On Campus
- Illinois College Prepares to Welcome Next Cohort of Golden Apple Accelerators Program Recipients for Fall EnrollmentIllinois College Prepares to Welcome Next Cohort of Golden Apple Accelerators Program Recipients for Fall Enrollmentemily.titsworthTue, 04/02/2024 - 16:02 4.03.2024 lllinois College proudly announces its anticipation in welcoming the upcoming cohort of students for the Golden Apple Accelerators Program this fall. Following a successful inaugural year, where recipients opted to enroll in Illinois College's online education licensure program, the institution remains committed to addressing Illinois’ critical teacher shortage. The innovative online education licensure program offers college graduates a streamlined pathway to obtain their teaching license. With a duration of approximately 12 months for secondary education and just over a year for elementary education, the program is tailored to equip aspiring educators with the necessary tools and expertise to thrive in today's educational landscape. It is especially well-suited for individuals already working in school districts as paraprofessionals or long-term substitute teachers. Jaime Klein, Chair of the education department at Illinois College, underscored the urgency of combating the teacher shortage crisis. "Amidst the myriad challenges facing the education field, the shortage of qualified teachers stands out as particularly critical," said Klein. "The Illinois College Teacher Preparation Program is steadfast in its commitment to addressing this challenge head-on through our innovative post-baccalaureate licensure program." Eligible candidates with majors in biology, English, history, math, or related fields can enroll in the secondary licensure program. Similarly, students from diverse academic backgrounds can enter the elementary licensure program, demonstrating Illinois College's commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the teaching profession. In collaboration with the Golden Apple Accelerators Program, Illinois College offers vital scholarships to participants in its licensure program, covering tuition expenses and providing stipends to alleviate additional financial burdens. This partnership aims to remove barriers to entry and expedite program completion, enabling aspiring educators to enter classrooms expeditiously. "We are thrilled to be a higher education partner with the Golden Apple Accelerators Program, a leader in working to end the teacher shortage in Illinois since 2020," noted Klein. "Together, we are poised to support and empower aspiring teachers, thereby transforming the lives of the next generation." Aspiring educators at Illinois College benefit from a range of resources, including the Teacher Preparation Program and state-of-the-art technology housed within the Joy French Becker '67 Center for Teacher Education. For more information about Illinois College's post-baccalaureate education licensure program and other online offerings, visit IC Online. Prospective applicants can learn more about scholarships and eligibility criteria by visiting the Golden Apple Accelerators Program website. IC Online
- Illinois College’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event raises awareness about sexual assaultIllinois College’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event raises awareness about sexual assaultemily.titsworthTue, 04/02/2024 - 13:18 4.02.2024 Illinois College will once again host its annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on April 10, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the Ware Family Track, and community members are encouraged to attend. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a nationally-recognized event where men walk a mile in high heels to raise awareness about sexual assault. “The act of encouraging men to walk the mile in women’s shoes has a dual purpose,” Rebecca Leatherwood, assistant director of student health and wellbeing explains, “One, it symbolizes the difficulty of walking through this world in another person's shoes, and two, it makes a statement on how gender norms are changing in the lives we live today.” Along with the actual walk, there will be activities for all participants including making signs to walk with, face painting, crafting, and other opportunities to engage in activities to increase awareness. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes was created in 2001, and Illinois College has regularly hosted an event throughout the years. Due to the pandemic, the event had been put on pause, but Leatherwood is enthusiastic about making this an inclusive event for the greater Jacksonville area, inviting community partners and student organizations to participate on the day. This year’s event is generously sponsored by the following community partners: Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault, Jacksonville Police Department, and the Fraternal Order of Police. On-campus sponsors include the Chesley Health and Wellness Center, P.A.T.H., Criminal Justice Club, and the Office of Student Development. This event is free and open to the public, with no pre-registration required, and allows community members the opportunity to engage with IC students and share in the common thread to stand up and speak out to end gender-based violence in the community. “This event and other events like this are important, because they bring awareness and remove the stigma about talking about these types of issues that affect us all that we don’t talk about,” Leatherwood notes. In the United States, every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. Women ages 18-21 (traditional college student age) are at a higher risk of sexual assault and male college age students are 78% more likely than non-students of the same age to be a victim of rape or sexual violence. To learn more about Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, visit the official website. On Campus
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