By Hailey Williams
IV Leader Staff, Sept. 3, 2009
An Ottawa satellite campus of Illinois Valley Community College will be open and ready for registration for next fall.
Located on W. Main Street in Ottawa, the $700,000 building will hold IVCC classes through a four-year lease.
The city of Ottawa is purchasing the former Centrue bank building and renovating it to fit IVCC’s needs.
IVCC President Jerry Corcoran notes the fact the city of Ottawa is “willing to invest heavily in our satellite center plan speaks volumes about their commitment to lifelong learning and what this project could mean in terms of economic development for the region.”
So what exactly does all of this mean to the students, both current and future?
Rick Pearce, vice president for learning and student development, said, “We will target specific local demand in our course offerings.”
A brand new and fully equipped computer lab, assessment center and student services are just a small portion of what the 12,000-square-foot building will include.
Offerings will include such classes as citizenship courses, the CNA program, continuing education, day and night transfer, ESL, and GED courses, making it easier for students to complete many of their core classes at this facility.
What the board also hopes to accomplish with the Ottawa Center is the ability to offer courses from state universities such as NIU and ISU.
IVCC plans to begin a temporary information and registration office in downtown Ottawa in May.