IVCC’s new Agriculture Center has received $1.5 million in donations, reaching 62% of its overall fundraising goal.
As part of the fundraising effort, the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees approved on Jan. 20 the naming rights for designated spaces in the agriculture building to commemorate the donors, including the Midland Bank Courtyard, First State Bank Faculty Office, Jerry and Katherine Corcoran Faculty Office, and Norbert and Elizabeth Dudek Solar Table.
Construction on the new Agriculture Center began in August 2025. The center, which is located just south of the campus, is expected to be completed in 2027.
To expand access to mental health support, the Board authorized a $43,000 year-long contract for a virtual counseling service to further assist students’ mental health needs.
In her monthly report, President Dr. Tracy Morris reported that Transformative Growth Counseling provided 468 counseling sessions over the past year, averaging approximately seven hours per student. The services saved participating students an estimated $21,000 in out-of-pocket therapy costs. Transformative Growth Counseling services became available at IVCC in 2022 and have seen increased use each year since.
Morris also recognized McKinzie Tarbox as the newly hired peer mentor with TGC and acknowledged Doris Burke for securing donations and supporting Bhawna Fnu, the program’s original peer mentor, during her transition to Iowa State University.
The Board learned about updates on enrollment and student service usage. Spring enrollment increased by 3.93% in headcount, representing 101 additional students, and 1.55% in credit hours, totaling 365 additional credit hours, compared to Spring 2025. Eagles Peak, the college’s food pantry, recorded 818 student visits during the past semester.
A purchase of technology equipment for the Microbiology Lab was approved by the board, including classroom audio-visual equipment and digital signage for campus common areas from Intech Innovations, totaling $72,600.
The Board acknowledged the appointments of Katharine Sweger as marketing and communications administrative assistant and information desk receptionist and Kara Kozlowski Eisert as adult education specialist.
In addition, Morris reminded the Board to remain attentive to federal-level legislative developments that could impact TRIO programs, including Project Success.
The next board meeting will take place at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17.