After receiving a generous $890,000 U.S Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant in December 2023, IVCC has successfully begun installment of nine distance learning classrooms for dual-credit students.
The purpose of this project is to involve high school students in IVCC’s curriculum without travel restrictions. Students are able to gain dual-credit for General Education courses without leaving their high school campus.
The total cost of the project is 1.023 million with a 15% match from each participating high school.
The local high schools involved in the distance learning process include:
- Mendota High School
- Ottawa Township High School
- Hall High School
- Putnam County High School
- Henry-Senachwine High School
- LaSalle-Peru Township High School
- Marquette Academy, Serena High School
- La Moille Junior/Senior High School
- The Regional Office of Education.
President Morris of IVCC says local schools “have shown a great amount of interest and were very involved overall.” Distance learning classrooms within each high school are already installed and ready to be put in use.
The General Education courses that will be offered are:
- PSY 1000 – General Psychology
- SPH 1001 – Fundamentals of Speech
- HIS 1000 – History of Western Civilization I
- BIO 1000 – The Global Environment
- FLM 2009 – The Art of The Film
These General Education courses are beneficial for various degrees and will allow high school students to get ahead in their college career.
Students will also have access to a virtual ‘huddle’ room in partnership with IVCC’s Counseling Center to prioritize mental health in a private environment.
“The ‘huddle’ room is very important because high school students and counselors face an increase for mental health needs,” says Dr. Tracy Morris, “It opens that door for more support.”
So far, IVCC has installed classrooms in the CTC building and in the J building (located by agriculture and automotive). Another distance learning classroom is planned to be available in the IVCC Ottawa Center this spring. The other six distance learning classrooms are planned to be completed on IVCC’s campus by October 2025.
IVCC has experienced setbacks in regard to the classroom construction process. “It has taken longer than expected, but we are still within the grant requirements,” President Morris adds, “That’s why this has to be a priority.”
Asbestos was identified in designated areas for classroom renovation and installation. Classrooms were identified to need new walls and ceilings in order to be able to hold the necessary technology.
Each classroom will have two screens to provide visual interaction, another screen dedicated to presentation needs, and an improved sound system. President Morris says, “Sound is probably one of the biggest issues we have with virtual meetings.”
Asbestos abatement will start in May as well as general renovations throughout campus.
“As we redo all of our classrooms, we definitely need to increase the technology, have better teacher stations, better lighting, and better furniture,” Dr. Morris states.
Renovations will be completed near the cafeteria, with a new microbiology classroom and lab by Summer 2025.
The Assessment Center is planned to be renovated as well with private testing rooms and recessed seating by October 2025.
In the future, IVCC also has plans to make all hallways and classrooms more visually appealing with more accessibility, improved lighting, branding colors, new carpet, and improved technology.
“There is definitely commitment to improving all of our classrooms over the next 3-5 years,” Morris promises, “I am very excited for what students are going to see!”