JJC Blog

Chefs in Joliet Junior College’s Culinary Arts Department are so experienced that they could whip up just about anything. From fancy holiday meals to easy drinks you can enjoy poolside, there isn’t a bad thing on the menu. And these days, you owe it to yourself for a fun activity and a little relaxation. Besides, there are plenty of warm days still ahead of us.  

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.

Cure your summer boredom by taking a non-credit class at JJC! JJC's continuing education courses are fun and a great way to pick up a new hobby or skill, plus there’s no pressure to get a good grade. These classes, which are open to both students and community members of all ages, cover a wide range of topics including local history, photography, finance, gardening and more. Since JJC’s physical campus is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these courses will all be held online.  

Summer weather is finally here! You’ve likely been spending a lot more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are anxious to get outside, spend time with your friends and family and take a break from your summer courses. While gatherings of 10 or less people are now permitted, we still need to be mindful of COVID-19 preventative measures still in place.  

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.

It’s the beginning of a new year and you know what that means; many people are making resolutions to be a better version of themselves. For most, those resolutions have failed before the month is even over.  

‘Tis the season for giving thanks; and giving gifts as well. With that comes spending more money than usual. It’s easy to overspend during the holiday season. Thanks to Wayne Gawlik, JJC professor of business education, we’ve compiled a list of budget-friendly ways to reduce the potential financial burden of gift-giving. 

Looking for something fun to do this fall? Take a non-credit class at JJC! JJC's continuing education courses are fun and interest-based, meant more for enjoyment than a grade. These classes, which are open to both students and community members, cover a wide range of topics which include local history, cooking, music, crafts and more. They are offered every semester.

Take a look at our list of 10 "just-for-fun" fall classes below, or browse the catalog yourself.

Visit jjc.edu/LLC to learn more.