Sen. Dick Durbin visited Harper College to discuss the impact of federal funding on
job training programs. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Michelé Smith, vice president
of Workforce Solutions and strategic alliances; Trace Holloway, Harper student; Dr.
Joanne Ivory, dean of Career and Technical Programs; Norm Bemis; Fire Science Technology
Program coordinator; Dr. Ruth Williams, provost; Dr. Avis Proctor, president; Sidney
Kenyon, transportation department director, Village of Schaumburg; Sen. Durbin; Jeff
Julian, chief of staff and vice president of External Affairs; Bill Kelley, board
chair; Dr. Emily Easton, director of education, Chicago Quantum Exchange; Besa Sadiku,
manager, workforce initiatives; and Marcia Frank, senior director, innovation and
development.
Sen. Dick Durbin recently visited Harper College to discuss the impact of federal investments, which he directly secured, upon job training programs and facilities.
He also toured Harper’s new Emergency Services Training Center, which will educate both students and incumbent firefighters with hands-on simulation equipment. Sen. Durbin arranged for $1 million in federal funds to support the construction of the state-of-the-art facility.
“I am thrilled to have secured funding for the brand-new Emergency Services Training Center and see how the next generations of firefighters will be trained right here at Harper College,” Durbin said. “Harper is at the forefront of workforce development in Illinois. From emergency services training to manufacturing, students at Harper are learning the skills they need to thrive as members of the 21st century workforce.”
Durbin spent time to speak with Harper representatives, including Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper president; Bill Kelley, chair of the college’s board of trustees; Dr. Ruth Williams, Harper provost; staff, faculty and students.
“Sen. Durbin has been a steadfast champion for Illinois’ community colleges, and Harper College is incredibly grateful for his support and leadership,” Dr. Proctor said. “His efforts have secured critical funding for programs and projects that prepare Harper students for high-demand, living-wage careers. From a $1 million federal grant supporting our new Emergency Services Training Center to the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant advancing emerging technology, apprenticeships and quantum science, Sen. Durbin’s support has strengthened Harper’s role as the community’s college.”
Sen. Dick Durbin took a tour of Harper’s brand-new Emergency Services Training Center, for which he helped secure $1 million in federal funds. Pictured, from left, are Sen. Durbin; Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper president; Trace Holloway, Harper student; and Norm Bemis, Fire Science Technology Program coordinator.
Norm Bemis, Fire Science Technology Program coordinator, explains how Harper’s new Emergency Services Training Center will educate students and train career first responders, as Dr. Avis Proctor and Sen. Dick Durbin listen.
Dr. Ruth Williams, provost (from left); Dr. Avis Proctor, president; Sen. Dick Durbin; and Bill Kelley, board chair; enjoy a lighthearted moment during a discussion about Harper College’s job training programs.
Sen. Dick Durbin, center, speaks with Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper president; and Bill Kelley, board chair; during his visit to Harper’s Palatine campus.