Kankakee Community College is proud to announce the recipient of the John Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award for 2024. This honor recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions of alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in their respective fields.
A 2012 KCC graduate, Eric Peterson, CEO and founder of Project Headspace and Timing received the John Fulton Distinguished Alumnus Award on April 18. He has also been nominated by the KCC Foundation for the 2024 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Distinguished Alumni Award.
Peterson has achieved many personal and professional achievements, including awards such as Hometown Hero, Nonprofit of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and more. As a veteran, Peterson faced personal challenges, including PTSD and substance abuse. Instead of succumbing to despair, he founded Project Headspace and Timing. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit promotes positive mental health practices to U.S. military veterans by working to unify them with their communities, nature, and themselves. The organization’s impactful initiatives, such as the Spartan Shield Veteran Advocacy Program and Troops on Trails, highlight Peterson's commitment to positive engagement and mental health practices for veterans. Despite facing personal obstacles, including the suicide of a teammate and death of his mother, Peterson remains dedicated to advocating for veterans, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and community support. His journey of self-discovery has not only transformed his life but also illuminated the struggles faced by veterans.
If you know a KCC graduate who has achieved success and distinction in their field, performed humanitarian service to benefit society, supported education and community colleges, and who has overcome life’s obstacles, please contact the KCC Alumni Relations office and share their story at https://foundation.kcc.edu/alumni/.
For the second time, Allie Kohl of Herscher has been selected to receive a Coca-Cola academic scholarship.
In 2023, Kohl received a $1,000 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarship. This year, she has earned $1,500 as a Gold Scholar on Coca-Cola’s 2024 Academic Team. The award stems from Kohl’s score in the All-USA Academic Team competition.
Kohl is an Early College program student at Kankakee Community College. She is taking KCC courses during her junior and senior years at Herscher High School. In May, Kohl will graduate from both KCC and high school. At KCC, Kohl is taking general education courses. She plans to transfer to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais to study social work.
“Allie’s drive for academic success at such a young age is inspiring,” said Jaclyn Montemayer, co-advisor for KCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community college students. Kohl is president of the chapter.
“I am highly honored to have been awarded a second Coca-Cola academic scholarship,” Kohl said. “To be named a Gold Scholar on Coca-Cola’s 2024 Academic Team is an accomplishment I am immensely proud of. It's moments like these that reaffirm the significance of my hard work and keep me committed to continuing my academic journey with passion and determination.”
Out of 2,200 applicants, only 50 were chosen as Gold Scholars. Fifty Silver Scholars and 50 Bronze Scholars were also chosen. They received scholarships of $1,250 and $1,000, respectively.
In addition to being president of KCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Kohl is also president of KCC’s Psychology Club. At Herscher High School, she is Student Council executive board secretary, Student Council class co-secretary, and a member of Students Against Sexual Harassment. Kohl is a member of the Kankakee County Swine Youth Team and Cabery Specials 4-H Club. She also volunteers with Clove Alliance and Harbor House.
“The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society,” according to online information from Phi Theta Kappa.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The honor society has more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at www.kcc.edu/student-resources/clubs/#phi-theta-kappa.
On Monday, April 8, STEM Club members traveled to Vincennes, Indiana, for the solar eclipse.
"We experienced four and a half minutes of totality!" said club advisor Michael Caparula.
KCC students in the picture are (left to right), Morgan Krause, Amanda Paulauskis, Nigel Mills, Jaxon Miller, and Michael Miramontes..
Photo credit: Caparula.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences has awarded the Kankakee Community College Medical Laboratory Technician associate degree program continued accreditation until 2029.
Seeking accreditation is voluntary, but KCC’s MLT program has been accredited by NAACLS since 1981. There are 240 accredited MLT programs in the U.S. and 10 in Illinois.
To continue accreditation, the program provided documentation of established standards and showed continuous quality improvement over the past five years of the 10-year accreditation cycle. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAACLS Accreditation.
Accreditation by NAACLS is highly esteemed within the field, said KCC’s medical laboratory technician program director, Lamanda Baade.
“It signifies that a program has met rigorous standards of quality and excellence in education for laboratory professionals,” Baade said. “Being accredited by NAACLS reflects the dedication of our faculty in maintaining high educational standards. With this recognition, students and employers can be assured that the program exceeds national benchmarks for quality education. We are very proud of our graduates and the skills they bring to future employers.”
A medical laboratory technician works behind the scenes to conduct lab tests, analyze specimens, and maintain equipment for patient care. Graduates of the program are also prepared to enter medical laboratory science bachelor’s degree programs at selected state universities with junior status.
Medical Laboratory Technology is a two-year associate degree program. Fifteen students can be admitted into the program each fall semester. Classroom and clinical experience prepare students for entry-level jobs performing general tests in all laboratory areas. The program has clinical affiliations with 20 Illinois hospitals.
KCC’s graduates go on to work at hospitals, reference laboratories, clinics, research labs, public health facilities, business and industry, Baade said.
For more information about the program, contact Baade at lbaade@kcc.edu, phone 815-802-8837, or submit an information request at https://healthcareers.kcc.edu.