IVCC Board recognizes women’s tennis team, approves nursing program grant 

The nationals-bound women’s tennis team was recognized Tuesday by the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees. 

The team emerged from an undefeated regional season to earn a berth at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament in South Carolina in 2026. The team – comprising Makenzie Eichelkraut, Ellie Taylor, Mina James, Joyce Walkling, Phoebe Shetterly, Raleigh Leininger, Izzy Pecchio, Grace Pecchio, Eva Cervantes, and Alex Mahan – is coached by Julie Milota, an IVCC alumna. 

The Board approved a $75,000 grant through the Illinois Board of Higher Education which will be used to furnish IVCC’s nursing labs, including updating the simulation labs, for the associate’s degree nursing program. 

In her monthly report, President Dr. Tracy Morris noted spring enrollment looks to be on the upswing, after reviewing early numbers. A rising enrollment trend is reflected statewide, as figures show fall enrollment rose at community colleges across Illinois. 

In other action, the Board: 

• Approved a tentative 2025 tax levy totaling $16.5 million, before the addition of bonds that brings the levy to $18.1 million. This is a decrease from the 2024 actual tax extension before the addition of bonds and will not change the College tax rate or increase taxes for the average $100,000 home. 
• Approved Protection, Health and Safety (PHS) projects for the tax year 2025 that include: renovations to the Academic Support Center area, interior lighting replacement in the Community Technology Center, and renovations related to the relocation of the Information Technology Department.  A total of $1.5 million of the total project costs will be paid through the Protection, Health and Safety fund levy for qualified expenses.  
• Authorized the purchase of 40 desktop computers for the newly constructed Assessment Center to support testing operations. 
• Learned of the retirement of history instructor Jeffrey Spanbauer at the end of this year and the appointments of Allison Schweickert-Smith as financial aid and veterans benefits advisor and Elizabeth Bulthuis as administrative assistant for East Campus and Truck Driver Training.