MT. VERNON, Ill. (October 21, 2026) — Rend Lake College welcomed ICCTA staff and community college administrative professionals from across Illinois as host of the 2026 Professional Administrative Assistants Conference (PAAC).
The conference, held October 1–2 at the Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy (SIMA) in Mt. Vernon, brought together almost 20 of the professionals who assist and support community college presidents and boards of trustees for networking, professional development and campus insights.
The conference included a tour of SIMA as well as the RL Confections chocolate-making operation featuring RLC staff and faculty, a presentation from Brent Davis of the Illinois State Board of Elections regarding the process for electing community college trustees, and a presentation on Rend Lake College's RL-CARES referral service.
Attendees of the 2026 Professional Administrative Assistants Conference gather outside the Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy (SIMA) at Rend Lake College's MarketPlace Campus in Mt. Vernon
