More than 250 students will receive degrees and certificates at the 57th annual Kankakee Community College commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16 in the George H. Ryan Gymnasium in the college’s Activities Building.

The speaker at KCC’s ceremony will be Ellen Bollino, vice president and chief nursing officer for Riverside Healthcare. She has spent the majority of her career at Riverside, and has also held roles as director of nursing and director of emergency services at Chicago-area medical centers. Bollino is a member of the Illinois Nursing Foundation American Nurses Association Bylaws Committee and holds certification as a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).

A 2001 graduate of KCC’s nursing program, she also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2010) and Master of Science in Nursing (2012), both from Olivet Nazarene University.

Three students will be honored as members of the All-Illinois Academic Team, a special recognition based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community. They are Kendahl Carlson, Zachary Fox and Braden Gibson. Carlson is earning an Associate in Arts degree and will transfer to Illinois State University to study speech language pathology. Fox is continuing his enrollment in the manufacturing technology program at KCC, with a specialization in industrial maintenance. Gibson is earning an Associate in Science degree and will transfer to Illinois State University to study computer science.

The KCC Outstanding Faculty Member Awards for 2026 will be presented to Cari Stevenson, Ph.D., psychology professor in the Liberal Arts & Sciences Division; and Tishauna Thigpen, Foundations for Student Success instructor. Stevenson also received KCC’s Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Award in 2014, making her the first person to receive this honor twice.

The recipient of the John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award is John Keigher, who completed an Associate in Science degree in Computer Information Systems in 1986. Keigher’s career has spanned more than three decades across transportation, manufacturing, financial services, and consumer products. He has been director and partner of Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc., CEO of Urban Farmer and CEO of Top Fox Snacks. Keigher remains active as a fractional executive, advisor, and consultant. As an advocate for entrepreneurship and workforce readiness, Keigher has also played a pivotal role in mentoring and developing future business leaders through the Kankakee County CEO Program.

The ceremony will stream live on commencement.kcc.edu. Social media users can use #KCCgrad2026 to congratulate graduates.

The ceremony will last about 90 minutes.

Tickets are required, and only valid until capacity is reached in KCC’s Gymnasium. Overflow rooms with a live stream will be available. Guests are asked not to bring balloons and other large items that could obstruct the view of others.

KCC is located at 100 College Drive in Kankakee, south of downtown Kankakee.

More than 15 KCC students and staff participated in the 2026 United Way Day of Action for Earth Day.

The group took part in cleanup and beautification at the Pregnancy Resource Center in Kankakee.

The students represented TRIO Student Support Services; the Center for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; and KCC Kankakee Community College Student Life.

New data shows that Kankakee Community College is a powerful driver of the area’s economy.

A new report, The Economic Value of the Community Colleges of Illinois, highlights Illinois Community College Board data and a separate report specifically about KCC was also released. The statewide study shows Illinois community colleges generate $27.2 billion in total economic impact and supports 324,273 jobs.

Effectively, according to the report, “one out of every 48 jobs in the KCC Service Area is supported by the activities of KCC and its students.”

“Kankakee Community College provides the foundation for a skilled workforce, thriving commerce, and upward mobility for residents across our entire service region.,” said Dr. Lesley Cooper, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness at KCC.

The report was compiled by Lightcast, a labor market analytics and economic data company. It reflects fiscal year 2023-24 data.

“This report and the data it presents validate what residents of our service area already know, that this community’s college is an economic engine which creates prosperity, not just for our students and our alumni, but for all the businesses, industries and partner organizations we work with,” said Dr. Michael Boyd, president of KCC. “At KCC, the impact is clear—we are preparing students for family-sustaining careers while delivering real economic value to local employers and the communities we serve.”

The study was commissioned by the Illinois Community College Board. It finds that Illinois community colleges contribute to the economy through operations, construction, student spending, and — most significantly — the long-term success of their graduates. Alumni impact alone accounts for $25 billion in added income to the state economy.

“Illinois community colleges are one of the smartest investments we can make in our state’s future,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham. “This study makes it clear — our colleges are not only transforming lives through education, but they are also strengthening Illinois’ economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, and delivering real returns for taxpayers and communities across the state.”

KCC Impact

These are key study findings for the KCC service area, which has 130,000 in all of Kankakee and portions of Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Livingston and Will counties.

• $108.1 million: The impact of the increased earnings of KCC alumni and the businesses they work for
• $22.6 million: the impact of the college’s annual payroll and other spending
• 1 out of 48 jobs in the KCC Service area is supported by the activities of KCC and its students.
• $6,400: The average annual increase in earnings of a KCC associate degree graduation compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.

Statewide Impact Highlights

Key findings from the study include:

• $27.2 billion total economic impact in Illinois
• 324,273 jobs supported — equal to 1 out of every 26 jobs statewide
• $1.8 billion generated through college operations
• $385.5 million added through student spending
• $25 billion in economic impact from alumni contributions
• 538,541 students served during FY 2023–24

The study also highlights strong returns on investment:

• Students: $4.30 in lifetime earnings for every $1 invested
• Taxpayers: $1.30 return for every $1 invested
• Society: $6.70 return for every $1 invested

Fresh gear just dropped in the Hammes Bookstore!

Show your school spirit in style with brand-new team T-shirts and spring jackets—perfect for game days, campus life, or just repping your team wherever you go.

Stop by the Hammes Bookstore today and gear up for the season!

ALSO…. Previous 25% off items are now 50% off! Hurry, they won’t last long!