Former Treasurer to Advance Higher Education in Illinois

CHICAGO - August 10, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today appointed Alexi Giannoulias to serve as chairman of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) as it works to increase graduation rates at the state's community colleges and advance Illinois' competitive edge in the global economy. Giannoulias will lead the non-paid, voluntary 11-member board, which governs the state's 48 community colleges - the third-largest system in the country.

"For Illinois to continue to grow jobs and advance our economic competitiveness, we must prepare our students for the jobs available in a 21st century economy," Governor Quinn said. "As a former State Treasurer with a longtime passion for education reform, Alexi is the right leader to shepherd our community college system towards higher graduation rates and better job placement in Illinois."

Under Governor Quinn's leadership, Giannoulias will focus on increasing graduation rates to achieve the state's "60 by 25" goal, which calls for 60 percent of Illinois' adult population to hold a college degree or career certificate by 2025, up from about 40 percent today. Giannoulias will also develop success standards in terms of degrees awarded and job placement; seek to better prepare high school students who enroll in community colleges for college-level work; increase access to community colleges for low-income and rural residents; and boost the number of credits that can transfer from community college to public universities.

"Community colleges play a vital role in creating the workforce of the 21st century by providing economical, flexible and effective training degrees," Giannoulias said. "Since putting Americans back to work is the single greatest challenge facing our country, a well-trained, well-educated workforce is absolutely crucial to America's future. To ensure that every young adult has the tools for gainful employment, our community college system must help students graduate with a meaningful degree that will enable them to find a job."

Giannoulias' appointment was met with praise from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and the Governor's point person on education, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon.

"I want to commend Governor Quinn for choosing Alexi Giannoulias for this critically important job," Duncan said. "Alexi is a passionate believer in public education and I'm confident that his leadership will help the community colleges of Illinois do a better job of preparing young people to compete in the global economy."

"I look forward to working with Chairman Giannoulias to help more students complete college and find good-paying jobs in Illinois," Lt. Governor Simon said.

Giannoulias served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. He focused on job creation by promoting programs that help small business owners have access to capital, and by working with citizens to promote investments in communities. Giannoulias graduated cum laude from Boston University with a degree in economics and earned a law degree from Tulane University's School of Law. Beginning this September, he will teach a political science course at Northwestern University in Evanston as an adjunct professor.

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August 23                              Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

September 2                        Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

September 27                      Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

October 5                              Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

October 7                              Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

October 25                            Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

October 27                            Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 4                         Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

November 9                         Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm

November 16                       Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

November 29                       Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am

December 2                         Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

December 7                         Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

CHICAGO, IL (08/09/2011)(readMedia)-- Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, celebrated the graduation of its summer 2011 class during a graduation ceremony on Aug. 6 at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. During her address, former Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman spoke to the online graduates about the importance of education to workforce development and global competitiveness.

She noted that those with degrees fare better in a tough labor market, citing the U.S. Labor Department's most recent 9.1 percent unemployment rate.

"What's not reported in the news is that the unemployment rate for those with college degrees is four percent. This number confirms what we have always known," Secretary Herman said during the ceremony. "What you know will directly influence how far you go and education matters more than ever. It is the great equalizer."

The following local students were awarded degrees:

Linda Gorsch of Blairstown, IA was awarded a Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Technology.

Christina Rhodes of North English, IA was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

Jamecia Harris of Bettendorf, IA was awarded a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Lisa Zerbonia of Bettendorf, IA was awarded a Master of Science degree in Higher Education.

Christene Fahrenkrug of McCausland, IA was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Management.

Fred Monfeli of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Kelly Scott of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies.

Angela Schumacher of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Brian Williams of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Eric Heiting of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Teacher Education.

Essie Taylor of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Teacher Education.

Shanesha Hall of Davenport, IA was awarded a Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Sciences.

Emily Jackson of Rock Island, IL was awarded a Master of Science degree in Nursing.

The Kaplan University's summer 2011 class included more than 7,200 graduates who earned associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees, all online. More than 1,000 of them traveled from around the country to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time. Others watched from home via a live webcast. Since 2001, Kaplan University has graduated nearly 40,000 students who have used their education to advance professionally and meet personal goals.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves more than 61,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 92,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

SAVANNAH, GA. (08/04/2011)(readMedia)-- Grace Allison of Walcott, IA (52773), recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Allison earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Sequential Art.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees to prepare talented students for professional careers. As the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, SCAD offers more than 40 majors and more than 50 minors at distinctive locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning.

SCAD has more than 20,000 alumni and offers an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body, consisting of more than 10,000 students, comes from all 50 United States and nearly 100 countries worldwide. Each student is nurtured and motivated by a faculty of more than 700 professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience. These professors emphasize learning through individual attention in an inspiring university environment. SCAD's innovative curriculum is enhanced by advanced, professional-level technology, equipment and learning resources and has garnered acclaim from respected organizations and publications, including 3D World, American Institute of Architects, BusinessWeek, DesignIntelligence, U.S. News & World Report and the Los Angeles Times. For more information, visit scad.edu.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Grace-Allison-of-Walcott-Graduates-from-the-Savannah-College-of-Art-and-Design/2910822.