Parkland Trustees Review New Digital Catalog, Approve Review of Job Evaluation Classification System

The board convened for their regular meeting Wednesday

At their regular meeting Wednesday, Parkland College Board of Trustees received a live demonstration of the Modern Campus software platform, the college’s new digital catalog, and approved an in-depth review of the Professional Support Staff Job Evaluation Classification System.

Curriculum Specialist Amy Frasca presented trustees the new digital catalog, featuring its accessibility and interactivity. Highlights include the career pathways and employment data displayed for every career program, the "My Portfolio" feature allowing students to bookmark courses and programs, and the integration of course information within programs. The latter will allow students to easily learn more about the coursework while browsing the overall program.

Trustees approved retaining Evergreen Solutions, Tallahassee, Fla., to conduct an in-depth review and update the PSS JEC System for a total cost of $28,500. The review will assess the effectiveness of the current system, ensure market competitiveness, and support equitable pay practices that align with institutional and Professional Support Staff Collective Bargaining Unit goals.

Additionally, the board approved Parkland Community Education's selection of Club Europa of Urbana to provide $155,000 in customized group travel tour services for community members taking 14-day journey to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tallinn in June 2026. Services include transportation, accommodations, private and public tours, guides, gratuity, and some meals. Participant fees will cover the costs of this group travel opportunity.

The board heard reports from other campus officials. Dean of Enrollment Kristin Smigielski presented the board with Fall 2025 enrollment, which includes a 6,355 student headcount, compared to 6,014 students last year; a 5.7% increase in unduplicated headcount compared to last fall; a 4.3% increase in full-time equivalency; a 13% increase in continuing students; and an update about the college's partnership with ReUp to re-engage stopped out students.

Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs Josh Birky presented the annual grant report, and Vice President for Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer Amie Loyd discussed the estimated amounts of funds needed from the upcoming Tax Year 2025 Tax Levy in accordance with Illinois’ Truth in Taxation Law.  

Loyd also presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) along with Heather Powell from Forvis Mazars, LLC. The report presented the college with an unmodified "clean" opinion of its FY 2025 financial statements. The federal portion of the college’s annual financial report, known as the single audit, will be released separately once federal guidance for 2025 is finalized. 

In other business, the board approved:

• lease agreement for the fenced parking lot with The Atkins Group (TAG) Warehouse, LLC of Champaign, for a three-year term, $178,861
• Intergovernmental Agreement to Utilize Space No. 6032 to extend the term of State of Illinois CMS lease through September 30, 2030
• the filing of grant applications:
  • Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): FY26 Noncredit Strategies at Work (NSAW)
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE): Nursing School Grant
  • Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): FY26 Strengthening Mental Health Supports at Illinois Community Colleges
• funds awarded to the college from external sources:
  • Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): FY2026 Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH)—SWFT Healthcare
  • Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): FY2026 Federal Postsecondary Perkins Basic Grant—Career and Technical Education
• personnel appointments and modifications:
  • Shannon Bicknell, Director of Digital Learning, Learning Commons
  • Samantha Hough, Head Teacher, Child Development Center
  • Kanoko Manabe, Assistant Teacher, Child Development Center
  • Jamaria McDonald, Head Teacher, Child Development Center
  • Mark-Saint McDowell, Director, TRiO
  • Dominic McLaughlin, Systems Analyst, Campus Technologies
  • Lauren Moss, Administrative Assistant, Student Life
  • Lorraine Munoz, Program Manager, Adult Education
  • Samuel Standerfer, Information Security Engineer, Campus Technologies
  • Marissa Willison, Graphic Designer, Marketing and Public Relations