The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees recognized outstanding achievements by student journalists during its December meeting.
The 2024-25 student newspaper, IV Leader, was named Best Student Media and earned first-place general excellence recognition during the Illinois Community College Journalism Association annual conference in November.
Individual honors also went to: Sonja Penney and Abigail Beckcom, news story; Ashton Watkins and Makade Rios, news and sports photography; Sam Bima, sports coverage and columns, and Emma Coss, page design, and editorial writing. The staff received numerous second- and third-place awards and honorable mentions as well.
In her report to the Board, President Dr. Tracy Morris:
- Recognized students in Professor Nora Villarreal’s English class who volunteered or raised funds to support the campus food pantry, a local homeless shelter, an animal shelter, and a church program providing for those in need. The class involves students in the community through service-learning opportunities.
- Reported that IVCC collected more than 2,600 food and basic needs items during the statewide community college Feed the Need drive, which ended Dec. 1.
In other action, the Board:
- Adopted the 2025 tax levy.
- Approved the purchase of updated faculty laptops at a cost of $93,000.
- Approved the purchase of Transfr Trek career exploration system for use in the Workforce Development Division for a total of $98,000 over five years. It offers career assessments, virtual simulations, and guided coaching to help students and adult learners explore job pathways and develop career plans
- Approved the appointment of Juhelia Thompson, psychology instructor.
Happy Holidays!
The College will be closed for winter break after Friday, December 19, through Thursday, January 1. Campus will reopen Friday, January 2. Spring classes begin Friday, January 9, 2026.
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