CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — On Wednesday, the Parkland College Board of Trustees approved two upcoming academic calendars among other items at their monthly meeting.
Trustees approved the proposed 2027-28 and 2028-29 academic calendars, which have been reviewed and accepted by the College’s Association Senate and College Council.
The board also heard President Dr. Pam Lau’s president report, which included the college having recently been awarded a two-year, $75,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to fund internships and apprenticeships connected with Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
She also shared the college’s executive leadership team recently welcomed U of I chancellor Charles Isbell Jr. to Parkland. The president’s report also mentioned Parkland’s new partnership with Champaign Unit 4 School District for the Early Transfer Academy (ETA).
Additionally, the board heard from college leadership, including PCA President Kevin Hastings and TRiO and Student Support Services Director Mark-Saint McDowell. Stephanie Stuart, the vice president for strategic partnerships and workforce innovation and chief communications officer, also presented a legislative update and outlined planning efforts around Parkland’s upcoming 60th anniversary.
In other business, Trustees approved:
- the replacement of carpet in the IDES portion of the Illinois workNet building, Neverman Floor Artisans, Tolono, Ill., $38,500
- retain Eaglewood Resort of Itasca, Ill., as the vendor to host the college’s annual Leadership Conference, $35,000
- the filing of grant applications:
- Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): Digital Instruction for Adult Education
- ICCB: ESL Expansion
- Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN): Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund (IEPA funding) – General Membership Award
- Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Business Program: Staffing Grant
- funds awarded to the College from external sources:
- ICCB: Adult Education & Family Literacy Activities (AEFLA)—FY26 Renewal—Federal Funding*
- Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): Adult Education and Literacy: Integrated English Language and Civics Education (IELCE)—FY26 Renewal
*This award has both State and Federal funding sources. State funding was awarded last month, and the Federal funding was awarded this month.
- appointments and modifications:
- Taylor Kenter, Dental Clinic Operations Assistant, Health Professions
- Raine Smith, Assistant Teacher, Child Development Center
- Yang Song, Instructor, Aviation
- Darin Weasel, Grounds Maintenance Technician, Physical Plant
