JJC Blog

We’ve seen a lot of unique ways to connect with people safely during this pandemic. That creativity has been on full display within the arts community, from local theatre to Hollywood cinema. The Joliet Junior College Fine Arts Department has maintained its commitment to educate students and entertain the community through a series of virtual offerings, with plenty still to come.

There’s no doubt 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of hardship, and that’s not lost on Joliet Junior College. Yet through all we’ve had to overcome, time and again our students, employees and local community reminded us that there’s much to be thankful for.

We dedicated a section of JJC’s Fall 2020 Connections Magazine to the heroes in and outside the classroom, and encourage you to follow their stories this month on social media through #JJCHeroes2020. Here’s how these groups and individuals have played a vital role in how we’ve managed 2020, and why their efforts will continue to offer hope into 2021.

Businesses of all sizes have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to say the least. The latest Small Business Pulse Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, covering Oct. 4-12, shows those that have experienced a large negative impact from the pandemic at 30.2% nationwide. In Illinois, it’s 32.9%. While the impact is large, there remains resources to tap into for managing, or yes, even starting a new business during this time.

The Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College, which relaunched this summer, provides no-cost management assistance and advice to aid emerging and existing small businesses. It is one of 40 such centers in Illinois, with funding from the Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and JJC.

We’d love nothing more than to provide an in-person guide to Joliet Junior College’s academic programs and student life. But in alignment with COVID-19 safety protocols, we’re offering the next best thing: A virtual exploration of JJC’s services, and an opportunity for our prospective students and their families to hear and speak directly – from the comfort of your home computer or smartphone – with our admissions experts and current students!

Whether you’re a high school senior or ready to start a new career, join us for Explore JJC. This 45-minute virtual fair will be conducted via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 19 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Here’s why you should register to attend.

It’s never too late to go back to school and enhance your education. This is true for job seekers, those who’d like grow within an existing job, and anyone who has a curiosity for learning and desire to improve oneself.

Returning to school and becoming college or career-ready is possible through Joliet Junior College Adult Education and Literacy. It’s available to those 16 years and older who have not completed high school, need to brush up on reading, writing, or math skills for further education or training, and/or who are not native English speakers or writers. Below, we answer nine common questions among prospective adult learners, and how you can get on the path toward a better tomorrow.

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “essential worker” during this pandemic? These employees perform work that is deemed essential to the viability of the company for whom they work and individuals they serve. Such roles have helped a lot of workers maintain their jobs amid a challenging labor market brought on by the pandemic.

JJC Workforce Development, with offices at the college’s City Center and Morris Education Center campuses, is committed to producing essential workers throughout Will and Grundy counties. Its team encourages local economic development by cultivating partnerships to provide comprehensive services to the local workforce. As you’re preparing to reenter the workforce or want to strengthen your marketability for employers, here are five things to know about JJC Workforce Development.

While Joliet Junior College classes are primarily online for the fall 2020 semester, student service offices will be available on campus beginning Aug. 3. The changes, which come five months after JJC closed its campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, occur as employees begin staggered schedules to support social distancing requirements. Remote student services will remain available during the fall and are encouraged. If you need to visit an office on campus, please schedule an appointment so we can prepare for your visit.

These safety measures, along with several others recently implemented at JJC, are in accordance with CDC guidelines and Phase 4 of the state’s Restore Illinois plan. As students, employees and visitors come onto JJC’s campuses, it’s important you understand the new safety procedures in place, and what will be expected of you upon arrival. For starters, watch our video introducing you to JJC’s on-campus safety features and best practices. Then check out the additional information below for a comprehensive look at how JJC is committed to your safety during this time.

Check out additional guidelines below. For answers to common questions on JJC operations, visit our COVID-19 FAQ page.

Joliet Junior College faculty and staff are committed to ensuring students have the right resources to succeed. In the months since JJC switched to online learning and remote services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has been learned on how to best work and learn from home. We shared many of our professor’s unique remote teaching methods in a previous blog.

Fall classes at JJC begin Aug. 17, with lecture classes online and face-to-face labs if the state remains in Phase 4 of its Restore Illinois plan. Whether you’re already enrolled for the fall semester or still considering your options, know that remote learning will continue to be common for some time. Consider these tips from JJC faculty and students to get the most out of the online learning experience.

Sure, the stores are now stocked with a variety of face masks that help protect us amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That doesn’t mean you can’t still create your own, especially if you’re looking to fill any free time this summer with some new projects.

Need a blueprint to follow? Students in JJC’s costume class, under the direction of Fine Arts Professor Julie Giampaolo, not only sewed their own masks from home this spring as part of remote course work, but donated them to community members! Over 500 masks were distributed to eight different medical facilities, as well as to JJC employees and students.

Whether you’re sewing by hand or using a machine, you can create your own mask with some fabric, thread, and by following these steps.

Joliet Junior College launches its fall semester on Monday, Aug. 17. While we’d love to have returned to normal operations by this time, the college will continue to provide most of its services remotely amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That includes offering all fall lecture courses online. However, students taking lab courses may be able to do these in person on our campus should conditions be safe for doing so.

Below, we answer many of the common questions the college is receiving at this time, including how to navigate the registration process, steps to complete once you’ve registered, and what to expect when classes start.

At JJC, it’s Your College. Your Journey.