Date: May 4, 2007
Contact: Lindsay Gladstone
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: l-gladstone@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, IL, May 4, 2007 - Counselors representing community colleges from across northern Illinois met at Governors State University recently. They learned about innovations in the education programs at GSU and spoke with president designate, Dr. Elaine Maimon.
"I was very happy to have the opportunity to meet with the community college counselors," said Dr. Maimon, who officially begins her tenure as president on July 1, 2007, after serving as Chancellor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. "Governors State University's partnership with the community colleges is very important. We want them to be informed about developments here so we can work together to provide a wide variety of educational opportunities."
Maimon also expressed her wish to meet with the presidents of each of the community colleges and to strengthen the partnership. "It is important for us to learn how we can be more responsive to the needs of their students and to develop the best plan possible for a seamless transfer from community college to GSU."
In addition to their discussion with Maimon, the counselors also heard from representatives of various GSU programs and student service providers. The counselors were very pleased to learn of a potential collaboration between their colleges and GSU to offer the university's Online Writing Center services at several of the region's community colleges. Students would then be able to email papers for revision recommendations to tutors at GSU and receive a response in 24 hours.
Some of the changes and innovations to GSU programs include a review of the recently established Information Security Certificate. This certificate provides specialized training in the security of digital information systems. The counselors also learned about changes in teacher certification guidelines and revisions in the communications and accounting programs GSU offers.
"With accurate, up-to-date information about GSU, counselors are able to better advise their students. Making the transition to GSU from a community college enables students to take advantage of continued educational opportunities," explained Lisa Hendrickson, curriculum coordinator/transfer coordinator at Governors State University. "We offer innovative programming, flexible scheduling, high academic quality, and affordable tuition."
The counselors present represented the city Colleges of Chicago (Harold Washington, Kennedy-King, and Olive-Harvey), Joliet Junior College, Kankakee Community College, Moraine Valley Community College, Prairie State College, South Suburban College, Triton College, and Waubonsee Community College.
