Greetings -

I am pleased to welcome everyone to the Spring 2010 semester!  It is hard to believe that six months have gone by since I began at KCC in July 2009!  I have enjoyed meeting so many of the employees and students here, and KCC is already beginning to feel like a second home to me. Thank you all for the welcome you have provided, and I wish all the best to everyone of the KCC community!

To each student, I want to wish you success in each course you take. Please remember that the faculty and staff of the college are here to help you reach your educational goals. If you need help with a course, I encourage you to work with your instructor or an employee. It is very likely that we can name a resource available to you.

Our Student Advisory Council is off to a wonderful start and has made several suggestions already. Student leadership and development are key factors for future success! I would encourage all students to get actively engaged inside and outside the classroom. Your involvement will only strengthen the mission of the college and support our community.

To those students completing their last semester of courses, congratulations and I look forward to hearing your name at Commencement on May 15! To those students just beginning, be sure to take advantage of the college resources available to you as you work on your certificate or degree – the Learning Resource Center, the tutor labs, the faculty, etc. There are also many scholarship opportunities available and information may be found on the college website at: http://www.kcc.edu/Foundation/scholarships/Pages/default.aspx.

I hope to meet many more students, college employees and community partners this year. KCC is fortunate to have such wonderful instructors and staff as well as educational partners. It is easy to see why KCC is so well respected in the community.

On behalf of myself and the board of trustees, I would like to thank everyone for a wonderful 2009 and wish each of you a successful and prosperous 2010!

— John Avendano, Ph.D.

John Avendano became KCC's sixth president on July 1, 2009. He holds a doctorate in educational administration and foundations from Illinois State University in Normal, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, and an associate degree from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. Dr. Avendano most recently served as vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Development and Services at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.