Center for Academic Success
Room D120 • 217/353-2005
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some evening hours
All Parkland students are welcome!

Tutoring and Learning Assistance

P16 College Readiness Initiative

Advising and Personal Planning

We can help you plan a class schedule or discuss your long-term academic goals. You can also talk about non-academic issues (e.g., work, childcare, housing, relationships, time management) to identify possible solutions.

The CAS Academic Advising and Personal Planning team is made up of an experienced and dedicated team of professionals who help you with academic planning as well as work with you to major on your strengths, overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of your academic success. Some of the things they can assist you with include:

Understanding your assessment and placement scores
Planning your class schedule for the next semester
Developing academic goals and a long-term academic plan to achieve those goals
Dealing with practical non-academic issues that stand in the way of success: transport issues, child-care concerns, money matters, balancing work and school, and so on.

Student Development Advocates, Shevon Brown Walker and Jan Thom, focus on students who place into developmental coursework. They connect with both academic and student support services on campus and within the community. Advocates meet frequently with students enrolled in developmental courses to ensure they are receiving the services they need the most.

Academic Advisor, Larry Taylor, is trained to work with you on degree completion and transfer issues. All will work with faculty and other CAS learning assistance professionals to help you stay in school, learn well, grow as a student, and succeed.

Shevon Brown Walker - Student Development Advocate

I work with students to help them experience success and progress in their coursework. One of the main functions of my position is to help students identify and resolve or cope effectively with any barriers they may have to accomplishing their academic goals while here at Parkland. I also do academic advising and planning. I chose the position of Advocate because I like to help others improve the quality of their lives and live out their fullest potential. The best part of my job is the relationships that I am able to establish with students.

Contact info: 217-351-2478 / swalker@parkland.edu

Jan Thom - Student Development Advocate

I started out at Parkland as a student and was fortunate to be able to return as a staff member in 1988. My job as advocate allows me to not only help students plan their classes, but to also work with them to remove obstacles that get in the way of them being successful. These obstacles can include childcare issues, health (mental and physical) concerns, relationship issues, and the lack of knowledge about how to make their way through the college system. My educational background in nursing and counseling has prepared me to help students with all of these issues and more. Being able to meet lots of different people and make a difference in their lives: you couldn't ask for a better job!

Contact info: 217-353-2022 / jthom@parkland.edu

Larry Taylor - Academic Advisor

I primarily work with students who place at the CCS 099 reading level or above. However, I advise and assist all students who come to CAS with planning their schedules, academic standards, and with transferring. I also teach Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101) part-time and serve as the staff advisor for the Brother-to-Brother (B2B) student organization. I enjoy my work and helping people reach their goals.

Contact info: 217-353-2649 / ltaylor@parkland.edu

Appointments: Call Mrs. Anita Taylor, Center Secretary, at 217/353-2005.

Academic Assistance

General Information

Advising and Personal Planning