Jane McCormick is serving as Olney Central College’s new Information Systems Technology (IST) Instructor. An Olney native, McCormick possesses both technical and educational experience in the field. After graduating from college, she began her career with AT&T and later moved to its subsidiary Lucent Technologies in Naperville. McCormick served as a software engineer working at the telecommunications equipment firm before transitioning into technical management.

Olney Central College is currently accepting applications for Fall 2022 entry into the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges/OCC Nursing Program. Applicants must attend an informational meeting which will be scheduled for some time in January and February. Please check with Nursing Advisor Linda Horn as to the dates.

Title III Advising Specialist Ashley Bigard shared Illinois Eastern Community College’s success with Appreciative Advising during a webinar on Oct. 13. The event was hosted by Signal Vine, the provider of IECC’s text messaging platform. Olney Central College began utilizing the service in 2019. Its implementation coincided with the district’s move toward Appreciative Advising under the IECC Title III Block Grant initiative to enhance academic advising.

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.