Title III Advisor Ashley Bigard hopes to raise mental health awareness at Olney Central College by establishing an Active Minds chapter on campus. Founded by Alison Malmon following her older brother Brian’s suicide in 2000, Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization promoting mental health for young adults.

Spring semester registration opens October 19 at Olney Central College. To schedule an advisement appointment, call 618-395-7777.  New students can apply for free at www.iecc.edu/apply. The Spring 2022 schedule is available at www.iecc.edu/schedules.

The Olney Central College Student Senate will host a Halloween Movie Knight on Oct. 30 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center. A family-friendly event featuring, Casper, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. with a costume contest. Categories are Most Creative, Scariest and Cutest. Prizes will be awarded following the movie. Children must be accompanied by a family member. A freewill donation will be accepted at the door. OCC students are invited to watch Freddy vs. Jason at 6 p.m. Students must present their OCC ID at the door. Each student may bring one guest.

Olney Central College will host a Virtual FAFSA Night from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 13. Financial aid experts will be available to help students and their families fill out the FAFSA and answer other financial aid questions. Students can visit www.iecc.edu/fafsa to register for the free event and get additional tips on how to fill out the FAFSA, which opens Oct. 1.

Olney Central College is offering several fall mid-semester classes starting Oct. 13. Mid-semester courses are ideal for students who may have dropped a class this fall or for those who want to complete a course in just 8 weeks. Face-to-face classes include: • ART 1141 Cinema Appreciation, 1 to 3:50 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday • BUS 1101 Introduction to Business, noon to 12:50 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday • MTH 1102 College Algebra, 10 to 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 10 to 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Chancellor Ryan Gower is urging prospective students to apply before the October 29 priority deadline to be the first in line for Student Success Scholarships.

Olney native David Spitz recently donated a copy of his novel, Lincoln’s Agent: On the Trail of a Killer, to the Olney Central College Anderson Library. Set amid the rising tensions of mid-18th century America, Spitz’s work of historical fiction follows the struggles of U.S. Marshal Arnett McCann who is called to Washington, D.C. as the nation teeters on the verge of civil war.

Olney Central College’s Massage Therapy Program is accepting appointments for clinicals. The clinics are open to the public and will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 16, Oct. 30 and Nov. 13 at the West Richland Center in Noble. The cost for a relaxing, Swedish-style massage is $30 for an hour and $20 for half an hour. A 20-minute chair massage is $15.

Chad Groves has been named Olney Central College’s Director of Instructional Support Services, overseeing both the Academic Success Center and the Anderson Library. “I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I feel like this is where I want to be at this point in my career,” Groves added. “I’m excited about the job and excited to begin the next chapter here at OCC. We have a great staff with Kaitlyn (Weger) and Brianna (Simpson). They are vital to the success of the Library and the Academic Success Center. I look forward to being part of a great team.”

Students face many challenges as they begin their college careers. Olney Central College hopes to ease the transition with its new Peer Coach Program. Created by Title III Advising Specialist Ashley Bigard, the initiative connects incoming freshmen with a current student through OCC’s text platform, SignalVine. Sometimes students have a question, but they may be reluctant to contact their professor or even an advisor, Bigard explained. With a peer coach, the situation is less intimidating because they are asking a fellow student.