News

“Duty, Pride, Tradition” — Jake Pruski of Sandwich, a fire science instructor at Waubonsee, grew up with these values, so his career choice is no surprise. His father worked for the Sandwich Fire Department, the job was a good fit for his skills, and “It was just my calling,” Pruski said. “There is a lot of reward in helping people.”

What do I want to be when I grow up? For many young adults, this is a daunting question. But for those who have an interest in science, an innovative new program from Waubonsee may just be the answer.

My career at Waubonsee really kick-started my journey of self-discovery. My first year at the college, I was a very shy and quiet person. But since that time, I have overcome this obstacle by branching out, becoming involved in different clubs, and having great role models, all of which has helped me discover new things about myself and my interests. The faculty and staff here saw in me a leader and a public speaker that I didn't see in myself. Waubonsee's motto is “Where Futures Take Shape.” Reflecting back, I now see that Waubonsee gave me powerful tools to cultivate my future and has helped me build the life I am proud to live.

Over the past few years, 3-D printing has been the technology buzzword in the news, but, in fact, it’s been around since the 1980s. So what is it? Webster defines 3-D printing as “a process for making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many successive thin layers of a material.” On a recent TED talk, Joseph Desimone, Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina, discusses 3-D printing, describing it as “2-D printing, over and over again.”

Why is it important to get more women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)? Many reasons! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women are now earning a larger proportion of college degrees than men, yet they make up only 26 percent of the STEM workforce. STEM jobs are generally well-paying jobs, and research shows that when women in a society are financially independent and stable, the society as a whole does better.

For those who have driven to the north side of Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove Campus recently, it is hard not to notice the new Field House, with its two-story images of four former athletes. If you’re interested in seeing inside the building, join us at the official grand opening on Tuesday, March 10, between 2 and 4 p.m. You’ll get to enjoy some “game-day” refreshments while touring the building and learning how it will impact the Waubonsee student experience. Visit www.waubonsee.edu/fieldhouse to learn more and to RSVP. 

The start of a new year can be stressful. The optimism of New Year’s resolutions can quickly turn into frustration and disappointment if those goals are not achieved. Winter weather can bring on seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. And college students heading back to the classroom can feel the pressure of finishing the academic year strong. In fact, according to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, 80 percent of college students report feeling overwhelmed, and 45 percent report feeling hopeless.  

With 2015 just a few weeks away, many people are busy making their New Year’s resolutions. Among the most popular are those related to finding new or better employment. For some, that may mean dedicating more time and effort to the job search process. For others, it means gaining the updated, relevant skills needed to be a competitive candidate for a job or promotion, and that’s where Waubonsee Community College can help. 

The vision of Public Access television featuring locally created programming began to take shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Today, after many legislative twists and turns, the concept of non-commercial Public Access television has matured into a worldwide opportunity for localized programming individually serving communities that support such an effort.

Student life today can be a challenge. Many students, whether traditional or those returning to college seeking new skills, face the same struggles. There is the financial struggle to meet tuition, the stress of outside distractions, and workplace demands for ever-changing competencies, among others. Then there are the challenges faced once inside a classroom — not only mastering specific course content but also mastering the art of learning itself.