A press conference held at the Illinois State Fair to honor 60 years of Illinois community colleges included special remarks by Governor JB Pritzker, Dr. Sylvia M. Jenkins, president emerita of Moraine Valley Community College, and Jason Knade, Moraine Valley alumnus.
Jenkins, who served as the fifth president of Moraine Valley from July 2012 to June 2023, was named chair of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) in July. “As a former library faculty member, administrator and longtime president of Moraine Valley Community College – and now as chair of the [ICCB] board – I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the system evolve and expand,” Jenkins shared.
Jenkins highlighted the vital role community colleges play in shaping the community, “Community colleges fuel economic growth, supporting over 43,000 jobs and contributing billions [of dollars] to the Illinois economy. They work closely with nearly 10,000 employees to educate workers, support small businesses and strengthen local communities. Since the system’s creation in 1965, Illinois community college students have obtained 2.3 million community college certificates and degrees.”
Pritzker also addressed attendees, sharing, “For the past 60 years, the ICCB has worked to build the best community college system in the nation, brick by brick, student by student. It was formed with the mission of bringing a quality education to Illinoisans of all backgrounds, regions and interests.” He added, “We’ve made transformational progress in breaking down barriers to affordability and access, allowing virtually all students at or below median income to attend any Illinois community college tuition free. This work has made Illinois home to the best community college system in the nation, third largest in size and among the fastest growing in the country.”
Jason Knade, co-recipient of the 2024 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Distinguished Alumnus Award, also spoke at the press conference. He explained that he pursued community college after his father’s passing. “The professors met us where we were and, for those of us who wanted to push forward and strive harder, they were there to help us,” he said.
The relationships Knade had with faculty members were life-changing, “I had a film instructor who taught me that film could not just be a passion but also a career opportunity and academic pursuit. Filmmaking is now the career I work in.” He has worked worldwide on hundreds of films, music videos, commercials and documentaries.
Knade also has been an adjunct faculty member at Moraine Valley. “As a student, I experienced firsthand the transformative power of a community college education, and when I returned years later as an adjunct faculty member, that appreciation only deepened. I came to understand even more clearly the vital role these colleges play not just in shaping individuals but also in strengthening entire communities,” he said.
Recalling his time as a student, Knade added, “Each person had their own story, their own reasons for being there, their own visions for success — and Moraine Valley met all of us where we were. That, to me, is the magic of community colleges.”
For news media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, Moraine Valley assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.
