About Us

The John A. Logan College district consists of one central campus and extension centers in the towns of DuQuoin and West Frankfort. Many courses in baccalaureate transfer, career education, continuing education and adult literacy are taught in high schools and public facilities throughout the five-county district. The College takes pride in providing high-quality, affordable education to its citizens. JALC is in very close proximity to a four-year educational institution, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C). Please see a district map in the supplemental materials section at the end of this document. The College district serves the following high school districts in Illinois: Marion, Johnston City, Herrin, Crab Orchard, Carterville, Carbondale, Tri-Co, Elverado, Murphysboro, West Frankfort, and DuQuoin. The area has a long history of manufacturing and coal-mining. With closures of many mines and manufacturing plants, the College has successfully worked with state and local agencies to provide transition services and training programs to help these workers obtain degrees and training to obtain employment.

• Type of College: Public two-year comprehensive community college
• Founded: 1967                                                             
• Location: 700 Logan College Drive Carterville, Illinois 62918, 618-985-2828 or (800) 851-4720
• Extension Centers:
  • Alongi Du Quoin Extension Center, located at 72 Southtowne Shopping Center Du Quoin, IL. 62832, 618-542-9210
  • West Frankfort Extension Center, located at 19 West Frankfort Plaza West Frankfort, IL. 62896, 618-932-6639
  • SICCM – Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market, located at 3213 S Park Avenue, Herrin, IL 62948, 618-942-6902.
• Academic Calendars:  Academic calendars are located on the MyJALC website, and a yearly calendar is printed in the catalog.
• College District: #530 Jackson, Williamson Counties; portions of Franklin, Perry and Randolph Counties
• Current Budget: $32,369,718 – Budgeted Operating Expenditures
• Annual Enrollment: Approximately 10,213 full and part-time students
• Tuition: In-district $145.00 per credit hour
• Library:
  • 47,856 physical collections
  • 33,596 number of books
  • 88 magazines and journals
  • 12,359 government documents
  • 673 DVD
  • 147 VHS
  • 3,992 Pro Quest Central E-Books
  • 70,475 EBSCO E-Book Collection
  • 50,000 + Cloud Library E-Books and Audio
  • 10,000 + miscellaneous E-Resources
  • Streaming Videos – 8 databases – over 20,000 titles.
  • Journals, Magazines, Newspaper Articles, Articles from books, Miscellaneous – 40+ databases including thousands of full text titles.
• Programs of Study:
  • Associate of Arts (AA)
  • Associate in Science (AS)
  • Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)
  • Associate in Engineering (AES)
  • Associate in General Studies (AGS)
  • Associate in Applied Science (33)
  • Certificates of Achievement (31)
  • View a comprehensive list of programs.
• In-district population: 143,000
• School Districts: 11 public, 2 private
• Current President: Kirk Overstreet, PhD – January, 2021 to present
• Past Presidents:
  • Dr. Nathan Ivey – 1968 to 1973
  • Dr. Thomas E. Deem – 1973 to 1974
  • Dr. Robert E. Tarvin – 1974 to 1982
  • Dr. Harold R. O’Neil – 1982 to 1989
  • Dr. Ray Hancock – 1989 to 2000
  • Dr. Robert L. Mees – 2000 to 2012
  • Dr. Mike Dreith – 2012 to 2015
  • Dr. Ron House – 2015 to 2020

History of John A. Logan College

Since 1967, John A. Logan College has been a beacon of opportunity and growth in southern Illinois. Located in Carterville, Illinois, with extension sites in Du Quoin and West Frankfort, JALC serves over 60,000 residents across five counties, providing accessible, high-quality education that opens doors to brighter futures.

John A. Logan College offers associate degrees and certificates in a diverse range of programs, including Nursing and Cyber Security, Welding, and Hospitality Management; our programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their chosen fields. Our commitment to students goes beyond the classroom, with a dynamic campus life that includes athletics, competitive teams, and a variety of clubs and organizations to keep students engaged and connected.

Affordability is central to our mission. We have one of the lowest tuition rates in the state. We believe financial barriers shouldn’t hinder a student’s college dreams. Over 70% of our students receive financial aid, including scholarships funded by the John A. Logan College Foundation through generous donors and annual fundraisers. These resources ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their financial situation.

John A. Logan College is more than a college; it’s a vital part of the community. With nearly 400 full—and part-time employees, we’re one of the area’s top employers. Our community education programs, cultural arts events, and workforce education programs are all vital to our mission of Enriching Lives Through Learning and Community Engagement.

OUR STORY

John A. Logan College was named after John A. Logan, a prominent Civil War general, U.S. Congressman, and U.S. Senator from Illinois. The college was established as part of a more significant movement in the United States during the 1960s to provide greater access to post-secondary education for people in rural and underserved areas. The goal was to provide opportunities for students to earn two-year associate degrees and vocational certificates and to transfer to four-year universities. In its early years, JALC offered programs in the liberal arts, business, health sciences, and vocational training designed to meet the region’s academic and workforce needs.

Over the decades, the college expanded its campus and programs to accommodate the growing demand for higher education in the region. As enrollment increased, new buildings, laboratories, and facilities were added, reflecting the growing need for skilled workers and college-educated individuals in the labor market.

One notable development area has been in technical programs, particularly those in health care and technology, in response to the evolving job market. JALC has offered specialized programs in healthcare and applied technologies.

JALC plays a significant role in the southern Illinois economy, offering affordable educational opportunities, workforce training, and various community outreach programs. It supports students of all ages and backgrounds, from recent high school graduates to working adults seeking to advance their careers or change professions.

John A. Logan College has one of the top athletic programs in the NJCAA. Nine men’s and women’s sports compete in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and Region 24 of the NJCAA. In addition to multiple conference and regional championships, the school has two National Championships in Men’s Golf and one in Men’s Basketball. The college is also active in the community through cultural events, workshops, and collaborations with local businesses and organizations. It hosts concerts, performances, and other events that enrich the region’s cultural life.

Senator Logan’s speech in support of this public education legislation attracted attention throughout the country. His emphasis on planning for the future helped to refocus and rebuild the nation. The College motto, “To education must we look…,” is derived from the following excerpt:

“To education, therefore, must we look for all the elements of national strength, and the more generally it is diffused and the higher its grade, in like proportion will our national power be increased.”

(Congressional Record, March 16, 1882)