Learn more about these OCCRL staff members at occrl.illinois.edu/who-we-are/sta…!

OCCRL hosted the June 4-5 Illinois Community College Leadership Institute at Harper College, giving emerging community college leaders opportunities to share leadership strategies, best practices and professional development. Learn more via Network News: emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/70/….

Much has been said about artificial intelligence and its effects on schools and school systems, raising debates about its use and implementation both for and against. Read more from OCCRL research assistant Naomi Simmons Thorne: occrl.illinois.edu/our-products/v….

PCC announces that Lisa Castillo Richmond (Lisa Castillo Richmond) will conclude her tenure as Executive Director in July 2025. Castillo Richmond, who has been part of the executive team of the PCC since its founding in 2016 and led the organization since 2021. bit.ly/ThanksLisaCast…

Discover in today's Network News at emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/29/… resources to help local and state partners address the needs of adult learners in Illinois community colleges and beyond. It's our last summer issue until Aug. 21, so give it a read!

As part of OCCRL’s Program Review Illinois project, this webinar led by Dr. Gianina Baker focuses on career and technical education as well as assessment of student learning in the program review assessment process. youtu.be/YquO-QJzAuc?si…

Although AI can support academic success, its misuses, which range from generating completed writing assignments to bypassing plagiarism checks, pose challenges to student growth and academic integrity. Read more on this topic by Naomi Simmons Thorne: occrl.illinois.edu/our-products/v…

The theme of our summer UPDATE on Research and Leadership issue is “the many faces of adult learners.” Give it a read at occrl.illinois.edu/update---summe….

Four recently signed bills in Illinois will help improve college access and affordability for high school students who are pursuing higher education. gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-s…

Upcoming Research-to-Practice clinics from the Community College S-STEM Network will draw on lessons from case studies, surveys and other research to share strategies that promote student engagement and foster successful navigation of STEM pathways. ccsstemnetwork.org/our-network/re…

This self-paced professional development series for Illinois teachers can lead to an Illinois State Board of Education microcredential. crillinois.education.illinois.edu/modules

OCCRL Associate Director Gianina Baker co-contributed a chapter to a new book that highlights culturally responsive assessment in culturally responsive curriculum. Check out the newly edited volume at igi-global.com/chapter/the-ro….

A module led by OCCRL research assistant Naomi Simmons-Thorne will help institutions engage with partners & address labor market needs in Illinois while sharing best practices & highlighting statewide comprehensive local-needs assessment trends & patterns. youtu.be/gDX0_NJYTzQ?si…

Visit the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Speaking Series Video page to watch the "Two Question with ..." clips, one of which features OCCRL Director Lorenzo Baber: crillinois.education.illinois.edu/resources/spea….

Be on the lookout for our soon-to-be-released Democracy's College podcast featuring Lisa Castillo Richmond (below) and host Lorenzo Baber.

OCCRL's latest Democracy's College #podcast examines the movement for developmental education reform in Illinois and features guest Lisa Castillo Richmond, the outgoing executive director of the Partnership for College Completion: sites.libsyn.com/88798/examinin….

In our summer UPDATE on Research and Leadership issue, OCCRL Associate Director Gianina Baker shares the inspiration she received from her mom, Tina (shown below), as she pursued her education as an adult learner. "She persisted," Baker writes at occrl.illinois.edu/update---summe….

See how our Equity Academy at Heartland Community College redefined student success in unique times. Esteemed speakers at the spring event included Drs. OiYan Poon, Lisa Castillo Richmond and Lorenzo Baber: occrl.illinois.edu/our-products/v….

"Knowing what these students have achieved, this study reinforces the need to reject deficit-oriented labels such as 'non-traditional.'" Read "Labels Matter: Reframing and Valuing Non-Traditional Adult Learners in Community Colleges" by Debra Bragg at occrl.illinois.edu/update---summe….

We're so excited to have Dr. Danielle Susi-Dittmore join us as a new affiliate member. Read her bio at occrl.illinois.edu/who-we-are/sta….