MESSAGE FROM THE president

Bold Steps Forward

On behalf of our dedicated faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees, I welcome you to review this 2023 President's Report to the Community. This report highlights many wonderful accomplishments achieved during the 20222023 academic year.

The college has arisen in strong fashion from the Covid-19 pandemic, with enrollment increases and a return to pre-pandemic enrollment numbers during 2023. This past year could be coined the year of "construction, stress, and interruption."

Construction is related to the $30 million of renovations the college is currently undergoing and nearing completion. Renovations have occurred in many areas of the main campus that will significantly enhance the educational environment for our students and the working environment for our staff and faculty.

The college took advantage of historically lowinterest rates and coupled these bond funds with federal grant dollars and protection, health, and safety levy funds to modernize much of the main campus. Many renovations should be completed by the summer of 2024, and the final project to be completed will be the gymnasium.

Stress and interruption occurred because of the construction, as many areas and departments have been displaced and shuffled around to accommodate the remodeling. I wish to compliment the leadership and College staff for taking the temporary inconveniences in stride and approaching the projects with a positive attitude and a "can-do" spirit. The same can be said for our students.

Regarding our students, in May 2023, we graduated one of the largest classes in the history of Kaskaskia College in a standing-room-only commencement exercise. Nearly 300 students received their diplomas in person; over 600 completed a certificate or degree this past year. Our single most important goal at KC is our student's success. I am very proud of the staff and faculty who put their best foot forward during these hectic and adverse times to contribute to such a successful graduating class.

At KC, our graduates' success serves as the catalyst behind everything we do. I hope you find this report informative, and I encourage you to visit our main campus or any of our education centers to partake in lifelong learning or simply stop by to say hi. We are your community college and are committed to ensuring that KC remains the shining beacon of the entire district.

Thank you for your continued support of this fine institution, and we look forward to serving you now and in the future.

Kind Regards,

George M. Evans, MA President Kaskaskia College, Class of 2000