JWCC trustees hear report on strengthening local workforce

May 22, 2025 | By Muddy River News

MaKenna Post, a JWCC nursing graduate, returns to her seat during last week's graduation. Post has accepted a position as an ER nurse at Blessing Hospital. — Submitted photo

The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees received a report Wednesday detailing how JWCC graduates are filling high-demand jobs across the region.

JWCC recognized 466 associate degrees and certificates at its 50th Commencement. Of those, 212 graduates plan to transfer to four-year universities, while the remaining credentials were earned in applied degree and certificate programs designed for direct workforce entry—particularly in high-need sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture.

JWCC President Bryan Renfro linked the impact of this graduating class to the College’s work in the Rural Guided Pathways national initiative. JWCC is one of 28 rural colleges nationwide selected to implement this evidence-based approach, which helps students complete credentials that lead to living-wage, high-demand careers.

“Now more than ever, community colleges must make sure that our students understand how their program connects with a career and how any debt they may incur correlates with future earnings,” said Renfro. “That’s what Guided Pathways is all about. Many of our grads flourish in the regional economy because they have the skills employers need to fill key positions that offer a head-of-household wage. Every year we are literally growing and renewing the area’s workforce.”

Renfro added that this year, 81 students walked across the stage to pursue careers in healthcare, including 56 in licensed practical and registered nursing. Thirty-one students completed credentials in welding and manufacturing and another 28 earned agriculture related degrees and certificates.

In addition to training students for high-demand careers, JWCC continues to strengthen partnerships that support the regional workforce.

To expand the local talent pipeline, JWCC partnered with the Great River Economic Development Foundation and area employers to launch Illinois’ first Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter. The inaugural cohort put 12 students on the path to complete nationally recognized manufacturing credentials through an apprenticeship model. Employers will interview 18 candidates for the next cohort later this month.

In partnership with Parent and Child Together (PACT) of Western Illinois, a Head Start facility will be housed on the JWCC Quincy campus. PACT will operate the center that will serve 16 children ages 0–3 and offer hands-on learning for students in the College’s early childhood education program. A ribbon cutting and open house is planned for June.

In other business, the Board:

Discussed a date for special board meeting prior to the regular June meeting to announce an interim president.
Approved submission of a $257,000 grant application to the Illinois Community College Board for JWCC’s Adult Education and Literacy program.
Approved submission of a $167,769 grant application to the Illinois Community College Board for the Perkins program to support career and technical students.
Approved submission of a $15,000 grant application to the Community Foundation AgFoward fund to support precision ag and drone training for students.
Approved submission of a $5,800 grant application to DOT Foods for the a Living Lab Garden Project.
Approved submission of a $197,255 grant application to the Illinois Community College Board for the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH) program to recruit and retain students in healthcare fields.
Approved a trust agreement with First Bankers Trust and transfer of $185,900 from the Operations and Maintenance Restricted Fund into the trust for the College’s Roads and Resurfacing project. JWCC has been approved to receive Illinois Capital Development Board funds to complete resurfacing of its Quincy campus parking lot at a total cost of $743,600. State funding requires a 25% match for such projects and that local contributions be held in trust prior to construction.
Approved entry into a Memorandum of Understanding with Quincy Rush Soccer Club for athletic field use through April 2028.
Approved awarding a posthumous Associate in Arts degree in psychology to Kaiya Ahern.
Accepted low bid of $83,000 from Peters Heating & Air Conditioning to replace four Science and Technology building boilers.