JJC Blog

Over 1,400 classes. That’s how many were transferred online in just two weeks as Joliet Junior College quickly moved to provide a safe environment for learning and teaching as the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact Illinois in mid-March. The process brought with it a lot of adaptation among JJC professors and creative modifications in order to provide the best learning methods possible for their students.

Many of these processes will continue this summer, as JJC continues online only learning. In the fall, all lecture courses will be held online, while in-person labs may be possible should conditions be safe for doing so. Let’s look back on how our professors modified their courses for online, methods that will only improve as the college continues remote course work.

These days may have you thinking a lot about how your academic journey may play out. Whether you’re a prospective or current college student, or want to return to school and grow your skills, Joliet Junior College is a great place to get started. Plus, with our dozens of university partnerships, there are great options for where to transfer JJC credits in order to seamlessly complete a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree. Learn more at www.jjc.edu/transfer, or fill out our transfer interest form to receive feedback based on your interests.

Our transfer specialists are available to assist you remotely at this time to walk you through the transfer process, including what four-year college or university best suits your needs. They’ve even created a new remote information series to better guide you in your decision-making. Transfer Talks, hosted by JJC Transfer Specialist Lauren Peerbolte, connects you with admissions specialists at many of JJC’s existing university partners. Below, we outline what these schools offer for JJC transfer students, and how else you can get the most out of your transfer experience.  

When JJC officially restarted its spring semester on March 29, we entered a new normal of online only classes and remote student services. We admit, it wasn’t an easy transition. But everyone pulled together to create the best possible learning environment for students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

For one thing, JJC administrators, faculty, and our information technology team were able to transfer over 1,400 courses online in less than two weeks! Additionally, we’ve rolled out a one-stop shop for current students to access support services remotely, as well as routinely updated our FAQ page to provide answers to the common questions our offices are receiving during this time. As our students are learning from home, JJC employees are working from home to carry out these services.

"As we continue to serve students remotely, we are considerate that these are challenging times for many students," said Dr. Yolanda Farmer, vice president for student development. "Remaining committed to student success during these unprecedented times is the top-priority for faculty and staff. We are here to support students to stay on the path of success."

Through it all, we’re proud to have helped so many students virtually during this time. Here’s a breakdown of how we’ve done it, and where you can go for assistance.

The spring semester has officially restarted at Joliet Junior College in an online only capacity. While we’re sad to be unable to interact with our students in person, we recognize this is the safest approach, and will continue to operate in a way that best protects our students and employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That said, JJC faculty and staff are excited to offer over 1,400 classes remotely to our students, as well as an abundance of online support services during this time! Below, we’ve outlined some key dates, procedures, and pathways through which JJC students can thrive during the remainder of the spring semester and beyond.

The halls will be quieter this week, as JJC students are off for spring break. While we’ll miss the bustle of campus, we’re glad our students are getting some much-needed time to relax.

We reached out to several students on their plans for spring break, as well as their advice for fellow students during this time. Here is what 12 of them had to say.

JJC not only provides an abundance of student services at Main Campus, but throughout its extended sites. At Romeoville Campus, new initiatives and enhancements to existing services have created even more opportunities for students, whether they are a part-time visitor or study exclusively at the location.

The Romeoville Campus, located at 1125 W. Romeo Street, opened in 1993 as a 35,000-square-foot facility. The college added another 49,000 square feet in 2015 to include more classrooms and science labs, a new campus bookstore, an open computer lab, a dedicated traffic school classroom, a collaborative classroom, a larger cafeteria, and much more. As of late, even more services have been added or improved. Here we inform you of 10 resources enhancing student success at JJC’s Romeoville Campus.

Need a place to cram for that test or to take a load off in between classes? JJC students will likely be searching for an indoor space to do so amid winter’s sub-freezing and wet conditions.

We’ve mapped out some popular and not-so-obvious places across JJC’s Main and extended campuses where students can complete classwork or take some time to relax. Check them out below, and visualize for yourself by using our virtual tour tool.

Not only is federal and state financial aid available to qualifying students of Joliet Junior College, there are an abundance of scholarships for which you can apply. And now that the application window is open for the fall 2020 semester, now is the time to explore your options!

JJC awards scholarships funded by the Joliet Junior College Foundation in order to address the needs of many different kinds of students. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic standing, leadership, specialized talents, ethnic origin, and financial need, among other factors. Last year, the JJC Foundation awarded over $757,000 in scholarships to 670 students!

The fall 2020 scholarship application period runs Feb. 1 through May 1. Below, we introduce you to 10 scholarships that would impact your academic future. You can review all scholarships and apply here.

With the winter driving season upon us, now is the time to prepare your car for the harsh conditions. Take it from the instructors in Joliet Junior College’s automotive service technology program to offer such advice. Each day, they’re educating students in every aspect of automotive service and repair using modern equipment and technology inside JJC’s state-of-the-art facility.

Here, they share six tips that drivers can easily perform to help ensure your vehicle is ready for the winter.  

The Joliet Junior College Bookstore, with locations at Main Campus and Romeoville, offers convenient services for current and prospective students, and fun items for members of the community. The two locations are the only stores owned and operated by the college. Excess earnings are reinvested into student and institutional needs.

Here are five convenient services available through the JJC Bookstore.