In The Know is published each month on the Wednesday following the Board of Trustees Meeting. In each issue, we will update you on the Board of Trustees meeting, happenings in HR, Institutional Research updates including survey results, Construction updates, Athletics, Academic Affairs, Student Services, Business Services, upcoming events and announcements, and recap of news around campus.
March, 2025
President’s Message
I hope everyone enjoyed their well-deserved spring break! It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the semester. While there is still much to accomplish, I am proud of what we have already achieved this semester. Our enrollment numbers are trending upward, as is the overall enrollment in Illinois community colleges. As we move into the second half of the semester, this is a busy time of year, especially with several key conferences on the horizon, including the upcoming HLC Annual Conference. Our HLC team, led by Dr. Hartford, is hard at work preparing for our 2027 HLC reaccreditation, and we recently completed our ICCB recognition visit at the end of March. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the preparation and success of these important events.
The legislative session in Springfield is in full swing, with several bills impacting community colleges making their way through the committee process. I encourage you to stay informed and support these bills, as they will help shape the future of our colleges.
On the sports front, I want to congratulate our basketball teams on their outstanding seasons. The men’s team captured the Region 24 Championship and returned to the National Tournament. Coach Jones and Coach Smithpeters deserve special recognition for their leadership, with Coach Smithpeters being named Region 24 Coach of the Year for the second time in three years. I wish all our spring sports teams the best of luck as they compete for conference and region titles.
April is Community College Month, and many exciting events are lined up, including guest speakers and the annual Dr. Barbra Patchett Eggstravaganza on April 5. I encourage you to participate and celebrate all we do to support our students and community.
Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. Let’s finish this semester strong!
Regards,
Kirk Overstreet, PhD. 
President, John A. Logan College
Over Spring Break, John A. Logan College unveiled an updated website designed to create a more engaging and user-friendly experience. The redesign features a refreshed homepage, streamlined navigation menus, and newly organized informational pages — all aimed at helping users find what they need quickly and easily.
The homepage now opens with a dynamic video showcasing JALC students and quick-access links to key areas like college programs, courses, and admissions. As visitors scroll down, they’ll find sections with bold headings like “Find the Program That’s Right for YOU!” “Charge Into Your Future!” and “What Our Students Have to Say.” A revamped footer ensures essential contact information and important college links are always within reach.
The updated navigation menus were designed with simplicity in mind, providing clear paths for various audiences, including current students, prospective students, adult learners, community members, and more. Whether you’re seeking enrollment information, exploring academic programs, or checking out student services, the new structure puts essential resources at your fingertips.
Phillip Lane, Manager of Digital Communications at the college, highlighted the team’s focus on user experience. “The main goal for the recent redesign was to create the best experience for users and to give them the simplest path to find the information they need,” said Lane. “With more than half of all web traffic being from a mobile device, we also needed to make sure it looked good on all screen sizes. I think we accomplished these goals and will continue to tweak and refine the website as needed.”
So far, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, but the college remains committed to continuous improvement. If you spot any issues or have ideas for further enhancements, you’re encouraged to contact Phillip Lane at phillip.lane@jalc.edu.
As Illinois lawmakers move forward with SB 251 / HB 1598, legislation designed to improve the quality and certification of surgical technologists in the state, John A. Logan College (JALC) is ready to play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals in the operating room.
The bills require surgical technologists to graduate from an accredited program and maintain a national certification. Supporters, including JALC’s faculty and local healthcare professionals, are rallying behind the legislation as a necessary step toward ensuring safer surgeries and a better-trained healthcare workforce.
“This legislation is vital in ensuring that our local operating rooms are staffed with certified professionals, not just individuals with little to no formal surgical training,” said JALC Dean of Health Sciences and Director of Nursing Dr. Kristin Yosanovich. “Requiring accreditation for surgical tech programs will ensure that hospitals don’t have to resort to training workers on the fly—making our surgeries safer and more efficient.”
Jennifer Jordan, a Surgical Technology Faculty Member at JALC, echoes Yosanovich ‘s sentiments. “Please help us pass this much-needed legislation in Illinois, which will require surgical technologists to graduate from accredited programs and maintain a national certification, ensuring that those working in our operating rooms have the highest level of training,” said Jordan.
John A. Logan College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December for a new state-of-the-art lab supporting Surgical Technology, previously offered through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM).
About the Program:
JALC, with its comprehensive surgical technology program, stands ready to provide high-quality education and certification training to meet the needs of hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout southern Illinois. As hospitals and medical centers face the challenge of filling surgical technologist positions with qualified candidates, JALC is positioned to be part of the solution by ensuring that surgical techs are trained and certified.
For more information on JALC’s Surgical Technology program, visit www.jalc.edu.
The John A. Logan College Nursing Department will host the 6th Annual Dr. Barbara Patchett Extra Special Eggstravaganza Event for neurodiverse children and their siblings on the John A. Logan College (JALC) campus on Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m. This beloved community event will provide a day of fun and excitement for children in our area, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating spring with a heartwarming day of activities.
“The Eggstravaganza has become a cherished tradition for our department and community, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever,” said Kristin Yosanovich, Dean of Health Sciences and Director of Nursing. “Our nursing students are once again leading the way in providing this special day filled with joy and entertainment, all at no cost to families.”
The department is currently accepting donations to use as giveaways. “We are asking other departments at the college and anyone interested in helping with this event to donate items that will be used for door prizes or raffle giveaways,” said Yosanovich. “Popular items include toys, books, puzzles, and other family-friendly items. We are also excited to accept larger donations such as bicycles, scooters, and wagons, which are always highly coveted by event attendees.”
Donations can be dropped off at the nursing office (Room G220), or if you cannot do so, call 618-985-2828, ext. 8498 or 8455, to arrange pick-up.
Event Details:
This event is free to all families, and we encourage you to bring your children to experience the magic of the Eggstravaganza. We look forward to seeing you there.
For further details or to get involved, please contact the Nursing Department at 618-985-2828, 8498, or 8455.
Legislative Update: Key Developments in Springfield
With the Budget and State of the State Address behind us, lawmakers are advancing key higher education bills. From expanding access for incarcerated students to strengthening dual credit programs, the legislative session is in full swing.
Major Legislative Efforts
Additional Priorities
Key Dates to Watch
Institutional Effectiveness and Research
IER SharePoint
The office of institutional effectiveness and research has a newly updated SharePoint site. This new site is broken into the following areas: Dashboards, Enrollment Data, Survey Results, and Student Assessment. Additional information will be updated on this new site over the coming months. The easiest way to access the new SharePoint site is clicking on the “IER SharePoint” link on the left-hand side of the JALC website for Institutional Effectiveness and Research. Or click this link to access the page directly: https://jalcollege.sharepoint.com/sites/InstitutionalEffectivenessandResearch
Human Resources
A list of current open positions at JALC is listed at https://www.jalc.edu/employment/.
Business Services
Facilities and Construction
In The Know – Archive
