2011 Annual Report - Kankakee Community College

An Employee Benefits Fair was held on Oct. 29, 2010 for all full time employees in order for them to learn about
the new benefit changes. Featured presentations/events included: State Universities Retirement System, Blue-
Cross BlueShield, Benefits Planning Consultants, and Employee Assistance Program. AFLAC and some 403
deferred compensation vendors were also in attendance. A complimentary lunch was also provided
An all-staff holiday party was held on Dec. 21, 2010. The meat, plates, napkins, utensils, plastic ware, bread and
condiments were provided. Staff were encouraged to bring their favorite covered dish. To allow all employees to
gather for the entire celebration, the college ceased operations at noon and used the remaining afternoon hours
to take down holiday decorations and prepare for the new year.
In keeping with one the strategic goals to "Strengthen community outreach efforts and build community partnerships,"
the Cultural Diversity Committee had been working to establish partnerships with community groups to
organize and promote culturally diverse activities. Our first major collaboration was on Feb. 10 in celebration of
Black History Month 2011. On this date, the college partnered with the City of Kankakee, the Kankakee Public
Library, the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,
Brother 2 Brother and Sister Circle organizations in celebration of Black History Month. Two programs were offered
that day that focused on the historical events that followed the August 1955 murder of Emmett Till. The
presenter was Christopher Benson, J.D., an associate professor of African American studies and journalism at
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Along with Till's mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, Benson co-authored
Death of Innocence: The Hate Crime That Changed America, (Random House, October 2003). Death of Innocence
was an Essence bestseller about Till's life and death, and the history-making changes that followed.
KCC offered its staff the opportunity to participate in smoking cessation courses from Feb 28 through April 11.
Seven staff members participated and have become “smoke-free.” Those who participated in the free program
expressed their sincerest thanks for helping them overcome their nicotine addiction.
On March 23, 2011, the college celebrated International Friendship Day. Country displays, presentations on different
cultures and other information were featured. The event was open to staff, students, and community
members. The College Center and surrounding areas were filled with students and staff enjoying the International
Friendship Day celebration. Participants had their "KCC Passports" stamped at each of the country and
organizational displays to qualify for the raffle drawings and lunch discount. There were opportunities to see a
film; view arts, crafts, traditional clothing; learn about campus organizations, and collect information aimed at
helping members of the college community become more globally aware. Highlights of the day included a Latin
dance lesson, morning and evening showings of the film Little Town of Bethlehem, and informative presentations.
The latter included Rich Schultz on sustainability, and two students competing for a free course in the International
Friendship Day Scholarship Contest. Chef Auston and Food Services also received rave reviews for their
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