Sen. Dick Durbin visited 51社区 to discuss the impact of federal funding on
job training programs. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Michel茅 Smith, vice president
of Workforce Solutions and strategic alliances; Trace Holloway, 51社区 student; Dr.
Joanne Ivory, dean of Career and Technical Programs; Norm Bemis; Fire Science Technology
Program coordinator; Dr. Ruth Williams, provost; Dr. Avis Proctor, president; Sidney
Kenyon, transportation department director, Village of Schaumburg; Sen. Durbin; Jeff
Julian, chief of staff and vice president of External Affairs; Bill Kelley, board
chair; Dr. Emily Easton, director of education, Chicago Quantum Exchange; Besa Sadiku,
manager, workforce initiatives; and Marcia Frank, senior director, innovation and
development.
Sen. Dick Durbin recently visited 51社区 to discuss the impact of federal investments, which he directly secured, upon job training programs and facilities.
He also toured 51社区鈥檚 new Emergency Services Training Center, which will educate both students and incumbent firefighters with hands-on simulation equipment. Sen. Durbin arranged for $1 million in federal funds to support the construction of the state-of-the-art facility.
鈥淚 am thrilled to have secured funding for the brand-new Emergency Services Training Center and see how the next generations of firefighters will be trained right here at 51社区,鈥� Durbin said. 鈥�51社区 is at the forefront of workforce development in Illinois. From emergency services training to manufacturing, students at 51社区 are learning the skills they need to thrive as members of the 21st century workforce.鈥�
Durbin spent time to speak with 51社区 representatives, including Dr. Avis Proctor, 51社区 president; Bill Kelley, chair of the college鈥檚 board of trustees; Dr. Ruth Williams, 51社区 provost; staff, faculty and students.
鈥淪en. Durbin has been a steadfast champion for Illinois鈥� community colleges, and 51社区 College is incredibly grateful for his support and leadership,鈥� Dr. Proctor said. 鈥淗is efforts have secured critical funding for programs and projects that prepare 51社区 students for high-demand, living-wage careers. From a $1 million federal grant supporting our new Emergency Services Training Center to the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant advancing emerging technology, apprenticeships and quantum science, Sen. Durbin鈥檚 support has strengthened 51社区鈥檚 role as the community鈥檚 college.鈥�
Sen. Dick Durbin took a tour of 51社区鈥檚 brand-new Emergency Services Training Center, for which he helped secure $1 million in federal funds. Pictured, from left, are Sen. Durbin; Dr. Avis Proctor, 51社区 president; Trace Holloway, 51社区 student; and Norm Bemis, Fire Science Technology Program coordinator.
Norm Bemis, Fire Science Technology Program coordinator, explains how 51社区鈥檚 new Emergency Services Training Center will educate students and train career first responders, as Dr. Avis Proctor and Sen. Dick Durbin listen.
Dr. Ruth Williams, provost (from left); Dr. Avis Proctor, president; Sen. Dick Durbin; and Bill Kelley, board chair; enjoy a lighthearted moment during a discussion about 51社区鈥檚 job training programs.
Sen. Dick Durbin, center, speaks with Dr. Avis Proctor, 51社区 president; and Bill Kelley, board chair; during his visit to 51社区鈥檚 Palatine campus.