INA, Ill. (June 27, 2024) — On June 11, 2024, Rend Lake College announced that Title III has developed and gained ICCB approval for new classes in industrial wiring and agricultural automation
In October 2023, RLC was awarded a five-year Title III grant for approximately $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program and the Higher Education Act. The focus of the grant will revitalize RLC’s academic programs to prepare students for emerging industries while updating its student support system to address needs that have been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Title III program helps eligible higher education institutions to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions (ed.gov).
Industrial Wiring
Equipment has been purchased and delivered for the new Industrial Wiring Courses. Classes will be held at RLC Marketplace (Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy) beginning Fall 2024 and will include:
- Industrial Wiring
- 3 courses developed and approved through ICCB.
- IST 1252 Industrial Electrical Systems (2hrs)
- IST 1255 industrial Wiring (3hrs)
- IST 1295 Electrical Power Distribution (3hrs)
Agricultural Automation Classes
With agriculture today is driven by data and automation, these classes will help to ensure that RLC students have the skills needed to be successful in their respective fields. Classes will be held in the AIC (Agronomy Innovation
Center) beginning in Fall 2024 and will include:
- Agricultural Automation
- 4 courses developed and approved by ICCB.
- AGAT 1200 Inro to Agricultural Engineering (4hrs)
- AGAT 1201 Agricultural Tech. Software Applications (4hrs)
- AGAT 1202 Circuit Fundamentals and Digital Logic (4hrs)
- AGAT 1203 Auto Application in Agriculture (4hrs)
Student Success System
Navigate360 has been purchased and is in the process of implementation and training for faculty and staff. This software will reinforce RLC's dedication to data-driven decision making and holistic student development. .
RLC Title III Internal Monitoring Team
The Internal Monitoring Team (IMT) will monitor data collection and analysis, review evaluation reports, and communicate progress to make recommendations regarding project initiatives. The IMT will hold meetings at least quarterly each year to assess progress
Team members include:
- Terry Wilkerson (President)
- Lori Ragland (Executive Vice President)
- Kim Wilkerson (Vice President of CTE & Student Support)
- Shari Carpenter (Dean of Applied Science & Technology)
- Vickie Schulte (Dean of Student Success and Development)
- Christi Rich (Business Office Accountant)
- Title III Staff: Megan Rounds (Title III Project Director), Heather Taaka (Administrative Assistant), Chris Sink (Title III Sustainable Manufacturing Specialist), Addison Page (Title III Sustainable Manufacturing Specialist) and Kelly Cunningham (Title III Student Success System Developer)
