In a bid to empower lifelong learners, Illinois Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center has expanded its offerings to include over 100 courses. Designed to cater to diverse interests and ages, the programs range from leisure activities and personal growth to professional development. This initiative not only enhances individual skills but also strengthens community bonds by bringing different people together. Whether you are looking to polish your professional skills or explore a new hobby, IVCC provides a plethora of opportunities to learn and grow within a supportive environment.
Each year, some 3,000 participants ranging in age from 5 to 95 sign up for dozens of short courses in leisure activities, youth summer camps, and personal or professional enrichment. The summer camps alone draw 400 children.
“These programs fill a niche, especially in small rural communities,” said Continuing Education and Business Services Director Jennifer Scheri. “Colleges can offer opportunities beyond traditional education programs, and continuing education programs are “a part of a trusted institution where you know you will get a good experience.”
“We aim to create an experience, something people might not find on their own,” Koehler said. This way, every travel destination has some new lesson or insight to reveal, and summer camp lessons are freed from typical classroom settings and pressures. “We want to be a leader,” Scheri said. “We try to be mindful about what’s coming in the future and try to introduce new opportunities.”
The fall edition catalog dropped into mailboxes and inboxes in early August. Spring editions will arrive in January, and the popular children’s summer camp catalog is released each spring. For more information, visit ivcc.edu/enroll or call to speak to an enrollment specialist at 815-224-0427.
