JWCC Speakers Bureau
The John Wood Community College Speakers Bureau is a public service provided to the community at no charge. The College is pleased to offer this service as a way to provide local groups with interesting programs and make the public more aware of JWCC and the opportunities it provides area residents. Speakers are available to discuss a wide variety of topics. The list of speakers and topics is growing steadily and updated brochures will be distributed periodically.
To request a speaker for your organization, please contact Terri Meyer in JWCC’s Office of Public Relations and Marketing at 217.641.4109 between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or send an e-mail to tmeyer@jwcc.edu. At least two weeks’ notice is preferred, but the College will do its best to accommodate any request.
If your group is interested in a topic not listed in this brochure, let us know. Every attempt will be made to assist you in locating an appropriate speaker.
John Wood Community College
Speakers are available to cover various topics related to the College itself—history, growth and development, where we are today, development of new campus, and services available.
Departmental/Professional Expertise
Each speaker also can discuss specialty areas related to his or her department and professional expertise.
Ignacio Anguiano-Reyes, Community Education Instructor
- Appreciation of Latino Music and Dances
Tom Bentley, Department Chair and Emergency Services Instructor
- Fire Safety
- Hazardous Materials
- Homeland Security
Dr. Ron Davis, Vice President for Instruction
- Changing Role of Higher Education
- High School Degree is Not Enough
Gary DeClue, Department Chair and Professor of Fine Arts
- Classical Music—It’s Not So Boring After All: Techniques in Listening and Appreciation
Randall Egdorf, Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Social/Behavioral Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Relationships
Michael Elbe, Vice President for Student Services
- Team Building
- Coaching to Instill the Pillars of Character
- Building a Multipurpose Facility to Enhance a Community/College
Leah Erke, Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management
- Current Issues in Food Safety
- Making Healthy Choices When You Dine Out
Dr. Patrick Fodor, Assistant Professor of Humanities
- The Apocalypse: Historical Perspectives on the Book of Revelation
- A History of Christmas
- Religion and Fantasy: Narnia, Harry Potter and Middle Earth
Tiffany Frericks, Sociology Instructor
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernias
- Parenting
David Harbin, Assistant Professor of Social/Behavior Sciences
- The Mormons in Illinois: Utopian Communities at Nauvoo
- Lincoln in the 21st Century: The Lincoln Enigma
- Newspapers in the 19th Century
Kent Hawley, Associate Dean fro Regional Centers and Dual Credit
- Educational Opportunities in Pike County: Overview of the JWCC Pittsfield Education Center
- Making Presentations
Don Hess, Department Chair and Professor of Transportation Programs
- Truck Driver Training: An Overview
- Safe Driving Practices for Everyone
Barbara Holthaus, Director of Advancement
- Ten Things You Should Know about JWCC
- Fundraising 101: Basics for Success
- Creating Educational Opportunities through Giving
Alyssa Hummel, Student Life Coordinator
- Skills Needed to Land and Keep Your Perfect Job
Bill LaTour, Chief of Campus Police
- Identity Theft
- Personal Safety for Women
- Workplace Violence Prevention
Dr. John Letts, JWCC President
- JWCC Update
- Students and Community Colleges
Betty McDonnell, Associate Dean of Health Sciences
- The Changing Healthcare Picture
Joyce Miller-Boren, Department Chair and Professor of Developmental Education
- Developmental Education—Struggles Affect Everyone
- Developmental Education—Statewide and National Effects on Economy
Jamie Morrell, Psychology Instructor
- Astronomy
- Pharmacology– How drugs affect your body
- Teratology– How and why developmental abnormalities occur
Stacey O’Brien, Director of Human Resources
- Workplace Issues (Morale, Recruitment & Training, Fair Labor Standards)
- Performance Evaluations: How, When and WHY You Should Use Them
- Workplace Satisfaction: How to Create Meaning at Work
David Palmer, Professor of Humanities
- A Primer on Islam
- Religion in a Global Age
- The Role of Religion in Ethics
- Update on the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict
Beth Reinhart, Psychology Instructor
- Parenting
- Mandated Reporting
- Stress Relief
Norman Rodriguez, Professor of History, interim Chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Head Women’s Basketball Coach
- Get to Know Your Local Government: How is It Structured? What Can It Do for You?
- With Rights Come Responsibilities (in a Democratic Society)
- Women in Sports
- Recruiting 101—All That You Need to Know But Were Afraid to Ask about Basketball Recruiting at the Division I and II Levels
Addie Seabarkrob, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts
- The “Creation” Mosaic at JWCC
Carol Sharpe, Professor of Office Technology
- Voice Recognition: Talking to Your Computer
Dr. David Shinn, Dean of Art and Sciences
- How to Conduct a Survey
- How to Improve Your (or Your Child’s) Study Skills
Janet Stuckman, Professor of Nursing Education
- CPR Overview: How You Can Save Lives! (not a training session)
Lee Wibbell, Director of Admissions
- Things You Should Know to Help Your High School Student Prepare for College
