McHenry County College Sees Enrollment Increase

Are more students choosing to attend community colleges over a four-year college? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

While statewide enrollment at community college decreased by 2.5 percent in 2013, McHenry County College saw a 2.2 percent increase in this year's enrollment, according to a McHenry County College press release.  The enrollment numbers were recently released as part of a Spring 2013 enrollment report from the Illinois Community College Board. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between 2000 and 2010, nationwide enrollment at two-year institutions increased from 5.9 to 7.7 million students and is expected to reach 8.8 million students by 2021. Here is a look at how other area community college fared for spring enrollment:  “I believe our continuing increases at MCC are because we are offering new programs that meet …

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MCC to Host Bedding Plant Sale

The plant sale will be held this Wednesday and Thursday at McHenry County College.

Area residents can buy annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and hanging baskets of flowers at the annual bedding plant sale at the McHenry County College campus this week. The plant sale is sponsored by the McHenry County College Greenhouse Production class and will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a McHenry County College press release.  Students in the MCC greenhouse production class have been growing and caring for the plants. All proceeds will support the MCC Horticulture Department, according to the news release. The sale will be held in the Greenhouse in Building D on the MCC campus, 8900 U.S. Highway 14 in Crystal Lake. Payments by cash or checks made out to MCC are accepted. 

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MCDH Offers Free HIV Testing

MCDH offers the free testing Wednesday, April 24, at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

The McHenry County Department of Health will offer free confidential, or anonymous rapid HIV testing by appointment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Wednesday. The testing will be conducted at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, in Crystal Lake. The test consists of a small finger-stick blood sample and results are available in less than 20 minutes so residents can learn their HIV status quickly. Individuals are also assessed for risk factors and provided educational material.  For appointments, call MCDH at 815-334-4500. "It is important to learn your HIV status and that of your partners," MCDH spokesperson Debra Quackenbush stated in a release.  "Studies show that when people find out they are living with HIV, they take steps to protect …

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McHenry County Declared a Disaster Area

McHenry County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill issued a proclamation on Thursday to declare the county a disaster area.

Due to the heavy rains and flooding that have pounded the area the past two days, McHenry County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill on Thursday issued a proclamation declaring the county a disaster area. Hill's declaration allows the state to provide assets for assistance to the county. The proclamation is effective through Wednesday, April 24, 2013, unless extended by the McHenry County Board, according to a county press release. Hill's actions came after the Illinois Department of Natural Resources declared the flood of April 16-18, 2013, to be "a flood of record." River projections have exceeded previous estimates by over two feet.  All McHenry County river front communities are in a state of emergency, McHenry County spokeswoman Debra …

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Area Colleges to Host Job Fairs This Week

Job fairs at both McHenry County College and Elgin Community College will be held this Friday.

McHenry County College will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 19, in the Gym/Multipurpose Room of the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake. Sponsored by MCC’s Career Services and the McHenry County Workforce Network, the job fair will feature more than 40 employers from various fields. The fair is open to MCC students and community residents. Applicants are encouraged to bring their resumes and dress professionally. Opportunities for both full-time and part-time positions ranging from entry level to professional abilities will be available. According to Evette Thompson, MCC’s coordinator of Career Services, job seekers should plan to arrive early and meet as many employers, take notes and ask for employers’ …

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Janet Davies to Speak at MCC Career Showcase

MCC

McHenry County College Offers Workplace Bullying Seminar

The seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 18, at the Shah Center in McHenry.

Bullying in the schools is a serious problem for our children.  What do you think happens to these bullies when they leave the playground?  They go to work. Roughly one-third of the workforce will experience bullying in the workplace, said panelists of “Rebel Without A Cause: Best Practices for Responding to Workplace Bullying,” at a recent Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference in Chicago. About two million violent crimes occur at work each year, according to U.S. Dept. of Justice statistics.  McHenry County College is committed to helping organizations to head off this serious issue by offering Preventing Workplace Bullying, a seminar that will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 18 at the Shah Center, 4100 W. …

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MCC Volunteer Tax Clinic Helping County Residents

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is available for low-income individuals and families.

  McHenry County College accounting instructor Ann Esarco’s passion for tax preparation is helping nearly 600 people a year.  As coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic, a free tax assistance clinic for low-income individuals and families, she ensures that people receive their fair share of a refund and, at the same time, makes sure others are not taking advantage the system. “We stand between the money and the taxpayer,” Esarco said. “Some people think they’re entitled to a large refund based on the earned income tax credit, when they really don’t qualify on all points.” In its sixth year, the tax clinic is open three hours a day on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Room A102 at the Crystal Lake campus. …

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