Closing the Equity Gap: The Important Role of Community Colleges
Presenters:
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, Illinois State Representative, District 92
Jennifer K. Foster, Deputy Executive Director, Illinois Community College Board
Equity-Focused Employer Engagement Field Guide
Presenters:
Melissa MacGregor, Kassandra McGhee, Andrea Messing-Mathie, and Julia Delgado from Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Introducing the REACH (Racial Equity for Adult Credentials in Higher Ed) Collaborative to Illinois' Community Colleges
Presenter:
Gianina Baker, Ph.D., Associate Director for Evaluation, Learning, and Equitable Assessment, Office of Community College Research and Learning (OCCRL) at the University of Illinois.
Interventions Making a Difference
Presenters:
Cierra Morris, WEI Coordinator, Rock Valley College
Anita Barnett-Clemons, WEI Project Manager, South Suburban College
Will White, WEI Executive Director, Triton College
High-Demand Training Programs at WEI Colleges
Presenters:
David Girzadas, Dean of Advanced Manufacturing, Richard J. Daley College
Cheryl Boehne, Grant Lead, Kaskaskia College
WEI Employer Panel: Employer Partners Share Perspectives on DEIA Recruitment Strategies
Panel Facilitator: Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President, Illinois Central College
Panelists:
Mylas Copeland, Green Automotive Group
Kim Steward, Carle Health
Michelle Biggs, Carle Health
Jennifer Parrott, J.T. Fennell Company
Building on One Another: Collaboration Between WEI and PATH
Presenters:
Whitney Thompson, Deputy Director for Workforce Education, ICCB
Alicia Beck, Director of Support for Workforce Training, Parkland College
Candace Silas, Director, Open Door Mentorship Workforce Equity Initiative, Lincoln Land College
WEI’s Required Essential Employability Skills Training
Presenters:
Dr. Aime’e Julian, Director, Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support (ICSPS)
Heather Penczak, Director, Innovation and Implementation, Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
Rev. Courtney Carson, MDiv., Associate Vice President of External Affairs & Enrich, Richland Community College
Collaborative Partnerships Yielding Results
Presenters:
Onie Riley, Executive Director of WEI, Wright College
Tanya Watkins, Director of Student Development Project, Olive Harvey College
Michelle DeVore, Director – Workforce Projects & Grants, Illinois Central College
WEI Data Projects to Support Continuous Improvement
Presenters:
Dawn Koeltzow, Workforce Equity Project Director, Illinois Central College
Dr. Akemi Bailey-Haynie, WEI Coach, President of Global Educational Consultants
Community Colleges Leading with Equity
Presenter:
Scott Jenkins, Strategy Director for State Policy, Lumina Foundation
