People of parkland

Julia Hawthorne, Director of Advising Services at Parkland College since 2021, has won the 2025 Outstanding Advising Administrator award from the Illinois Academic Advising Association (ILACADA).

“Winning this award was unexpected, but very much an honor,” says Hawthorne, who began at Parkland in 2013. “It’s especially meaningful to know I was nominated by Parkland advisors, who are an incredible group of professionals.”

Hawthorne added: “Advisors and advising administrators are some of the hardest working, most dedicated higher education employees I have met, and it’s a privilege to be part of this group. There’s no way I would have received this award without the collaboration and support of the advising team at Parkland, and I am grateful they are my colleagues.”

As part of Student Services at Parkland, Hawthorne assists students through challenging situations in advising meetings, collaborates with the advising team to improve how students access resources, and connects with faculty and staff across the college to build a support network for students.

“I’m so lucky to work with some of the most empathetic, creative, and resourceful people in Advising, Career Services, TRIO, and beyond,” Hawthorne says. “I’m always excited to talk about the work we are doing, especially around improving support for students and building resources for them. All the departments I support are incredible, and it’s wonderful to have Advising Services recognized this way.”

Myriah Benner-Coogan, Advising Program Manager at Parkland, nominated Hawthorne for the award in Spring 2025.

“Her door is always open and she’s always willing to talk to staff about any issues and listen to suggestions for ways to improve our daily work and student’s outcomes,” Benner-Coogan says. “She meets with each advisor one-on-one at least monthly and is truly interested in our work satisfaction and goals.”

Hawthorne was one of five award winners at this year's ILACADA fall conference at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois on Friday, September 26.

Other award recipients include one winner from Governors State University and three winners from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. More information can be found at ilacada.wildapricot.org.

Whether in the Student Union, the College Center in the X wing, or through the halls at Parkland College, members of the campus community can always be found connecting with one another through conversation. At the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) in the D wing, colleagues do the same—over coffee.

When planning summer 2025 CETL sessions, Staff Development Coordinator HeatherAnn Layman wanted to encourage community and networking among summer staff. Thus, Coffee Break was born.

“Keeping in mind our [employee] 15-minute breaks, I thought, how fun (and easy) would it be to expand upon something the center was already doing,” she says, “and advertise a dedicated time to encourage people to meet up with friends and colleagues across campus.”

Staerkel Planetarium Producer Waylena McCully enjoys meeting and getting to know people “outside of her usual silo.”

“I also enjoy exchanging ideas with a variety of people from different parts of the college,” she says, “and learning more about what is going on at Parkland from the people making it happen.”

Initially, CETL offered Coffee Break Tuesday mornings at nine and Wednesday afternoons at three during the summer. Both were regularly attended, but the morning option seemed more popular and continues today, open to all staff and faculty. During this time, colleagues fill their mugs and cups with a wide variety of coffee flavor options like pumpkin spice or maple pecan, grab a snack, and take a break in CETL’s lounge.

Conversation ensues.

“Attending Coffee Break seems to make a difference in how successful I am in terms of productivity and problem solving for the rest of the day, as opposed to Tuesdays being a second Monday,” McCully says. “The difference isn't caffeine, since I bring plenty from home every day. The difference is the people.”

Student Life Technical Coordinator Doyoon Lee started his career at Parkland in May 2025. Coffee Break provided a way for him and other new members of Student Life to connect with people across campus.

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet with colleagues from different departments,” Lee says. “It was valuable to learn about what they do, their backgrounds, and to get to know them on a more personal level. It was especially meaningful to hear about their experiences, what their day-to-day work looks like, and the kinds of collaborations and events that take place across campus.”

Lee added: “That perspective helped me feel more connected and engaged, and it’s one of the main reasons I looked forward to returning each week.”

For Arts, Media, and Social Sciences / Humanities Department Assistant Cydnee Weber, Coffee Break is a place where she can meet consistently with colleagues whom she would rarely see otherwise.

“Since I am so new to Parkland, it’s nice to hear encouraging words and advice from them,” Weber says. “Everyone is so fun to be around! It’s also nice to have an hour of my day where I can turn my brain off and reset for the coming week. I keep coming back because it has become such an important part of my week.”

Arts and Sciences Operations Assistant Vivian Rushing echoed the same thoughts. “I enjoy hanging out and relaxing with colleagues in a more casual setting,” she says. “The good company is what keeps me coming back.”

Layman has seen the success of Coffee Break first-hand, often taking a weekly tally and joining in on the conversation.

“Not only have I enjoyed meeting new people, but I love the conversation and fun facts you learn just by saying a quick hello,” she says. “I have learned about individuals' interests, initiatives and activities others are doing across campus, made connections between colleagues looking for something specific, and even found a great place to purchase my new mattress! It's all about feeling like a community and creating a space for people to enjoy.”

Layman hopes to see even more colleagues attend Coffee Break—so much so CETL would need to expand to a second date and time. In the meantime, the CETL lounge is always open during regular workday hours for coffee, tea, and snacks.

“We have a wonderful group established right now,” Layman says. “I encourage anyone who is interested to attend if they can. I will sometimes start my Tuesdays on a sour note, but as soon as I come to Coffee Break, I always leave with a smile having gotten to connect with my colleagues."

Whether Parkland students want a new ID card, to attend a wellness workshop, or become more involved in campus organizations, these services and more can be found in the Student Life office near the main entrance of campus. Here, the Parkland College community can now find a new team ready to take on their next chapter.

“Starting something new usually comes with its fair share of challenges; however, I’m adjusting well, enjoying the variety the role brings, and appreciate the support from colleagues during this transition,” says Brennon Hightower, Director of Student Life since April 2025. “Student Life is such a dynamic and active department. There’s always something going on and something new to learn, which I appreciate as a lifelong learner. It definitely keeps me on my toes.”

As previous Career Services Manager at Parkland, she notes how instrumental it was in building a strong foundation for this new role.

“It allowed me to understand the culture of Parkland, build relationships across campus, and support both students and community members in meaningful ways,” she says. “I collaborated regularly with faculty, staff, and local employers, which helped me develop a campus-wide perspective and a student-centered approach.”

Hightower added: “Professionally, I’ve invested over a decade in higher education and another 10 years in nonprofit and social service roles, primarily in program coordination. All this experience has come together in a way that makes this transition into Student Life feel more like a natural next step.”

Under her leadership, Student Life welcomed three new staff members: Doyoon Lee, Technical Director; Celeste Miller, Wellness Coordinator; and Alex Warrick, Activities Coordinator and Conduct Officer.

Doyoon Lee

“The adjustment has been fantastic,” Lee says. “Alex, Celeste, and I all started our positions around the same time, so we share many common experiences navigating our new roles together. At the same time, we bring diverse backgrounds and educational experiences to the team, which means we're constantly learning from each other.”

Lee added: “Brennon has been incredibly open to our suggestions and approaches to different projects and tasks, which has made working here a truly positive experience so far.”

A recent UIUC graduate in Business Management, this marks Lee’s first full-time position. Having moved to Champaign in high school, the Seoul, Korea native has spent time as a graphic designer, team coordinator, data analyst, and more.

“This varied background has been invaluable in my current position because I see the Student Life office as truly requiring you to wear many hats – from technical responsibilities to coordinating graduation logistics,” he says. “I'm grateful my past experiences have positioned me well for this exciting, multifaceted role.”

Lee’s initial goal is to have a strong start to his first semester on campus with a particular emphasis on supervising the Prospectus and supporting the Student Leadership Academy.

“I want to excel from the beginning to set a solid foundation for my role,” he says. “As they say, you want to ‘button the first button well’—getting off to a strong start will set the tone for everything that follows.”

Lee expressed his excitement for many aspects of his team’s work, including the wellness workshops, student government, the Prospectus and its monthly podcast.

Celeste Miller

Miller has spent the last 15 years in higher education. In addition to degrees in psychology and public health, her certificates include health education and communication, health and wellness coaching, and health literacy. She’s also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, serves on the Board of Directors at the UP Center, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center in Champaign, and volunteers as a Crisis Counselor for the Crisis Text Line (988).

“My prior roles have deeply informed the way I approach my position at Parkland,” she says. “With a background in public health and student affairs, I have developed a strong foundation in building inclusive, student-centered programs. My previous experiences have given me the confidence and clarity to navigate this new role with intention — ensuring Parkland’s wellness programming not only serves, but empowers, our diverse student population.”

Miller’s goals are focused on building a strong foundation for impactful and sustainable wellness programming, including increased student engagement in wellness initiatives, expanded preventive wellness programming, and more.

“In the coming academic year and beyond, the campus community can explore and make use of updated Wellness Center spaces like the Resource and Lactation rooms,” she says. “These areas were intentionally designed to support student well-being, and I’m excited to see them become a meaningful part of the student experience.”

Miller looks forward to the Talk Saves Lives and the L.E.T.S. Save Lives presentations in the fall, a community-based presentation covering the general scope of suicide, prevention research, and what people can do to help save lives.

“My goal is to help create a campus culture where wellness is woven into the everyday student experience—not just something students seek out in times of stress or crisis,” she says. “I’m grateful for the warm welcome and the collaborative spirit at Parkland. I feel increasingly confident in my role and excited for what’s ahead.”

Alex Warrick

“We were basically the catch-all space on campus for anything not in Student Life,” said Warrick, a Morris, Illinois native and Joliet Junior College alumnus. “Due to this, I was able to work on lots of projects in collaboration with students, staff, faculty members and community figures while becoming extremely versatile with my skillsets. Toward the end of my time at EIU, I became an advisor for a new campus club. That has helped me find my place here at Parkland.”

Warrick will help Parkland student organizations cohesively function through policies and procedures, help officers and advisors with their recruitment and event planning, and grow the members of Student Government Association into “well respected student leaders and a group that students look to for representation on campus.”

“So far, my biggest cheer has been hosting the Student Government retreat meeting successfully,” he says. “It was my first time meeting many of the members in person and I was wanting to make a good impression. Another small cheer has been my experiences at [Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning] coffee breaks and being able to make some connections in other departments on campus.”

Warrick looks forward to seeing some of the major Student Life events in action during the school year, including the Fall 2025 Convocation and Fall Student Engagement Fair. “It will be cool to see all of our hard work pay off!”

Hightower echoed the excitement. “It’s exciting (and rare) to start with a new team with such diverse ideas and experiences,” she says. “I’m looking forward to building a healthy departmental culture with increased student engagement and departmental employee retention. I also hope to create more intentional opportunities for collaboration with other departments to enhance the overall student experience at Parkland. Overall, I’m simply grateful to be a part of such an extraordinary campus community. #ParklandProud.”

Learn more about Student Life at parkland.edu/studentlife.

A television series can often bring much excitement and anticipation. For Champaign-Urbana fans of the supernatural genre, one new show will also bring them a touch of home.

Champaign filmmaker Luke Boyce, along with co-showrunner Aaron B. Koontz, will see their work on cable television as "Revival" premieres Thursday, June 12 on Syfy. The show, based on the comic book series of the same name by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, follows residents of a small Wisconsin town where the dead have come back to life. All the while, a local police officer investigates a recent murder mystery.

Those who tune into “Revival” can spot Parkland College in an exterior shot of the show’s fictional college and inside a science lab. Champaign-Urbana residents will also find other exterior shots of Downtown Champaign streets.

Long before “Revival” hit our screens, Boyce developed his creative abilities studying graphic design at Parkland in 2001–2002. Though he briefly pursued music, he knew he always wanted to be a filmmaker. “My experience at Parkland was short, and I wasn’t the best student,” says Boyce, founder and co-owner of Champaign-based Shatterglass Studios, “but I loved it.”

His ties to Parkland run much deeper. He has guest-lectured in numerous media courses, gave the Commencement Address in 2018, served on the Advisory Board for Media Arts & Production, and his mother, Peggy, served as Director of Dental Hygiene for many years.

Flash forward to 2016, Boyce and his filmmaking partner attended a comic convention in Chicago. Boyce met “Revival” creators Seeley and Norton and proposed the idea of adapting their story for the screen.

Boyce, along with Seeley and Norton, tried to make a feature film based on the comic. “We needed a lot of money,” Boyce says, “and it’s an expansive story. We grew frustrated with Hollywood and empty promises.”

Over the years, Boyce remained friends with Seeley and Norton. He eventually connected with Koontz, another small-town Midwestern native, who proposed the idea to turn “Revival” into a television series. The first season is currently planned for ten episodes.

“We have initial plans to make three seasons,” Boyce says. “The hope right now is that the first season does well, and the show can continue for more seasons.”

Shooting began in 2024 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

“They hadn’t had a film industry since the 1990s, which came with its own set of challenges and advantages,” Boyce says. “I lived there for six months shooting, prepping, meeting many wonderful people, developing a family environment. We all worked toward one creative goal, problem solving all the time. Everyone wanted to make something that is great and stands out.”

Boyce added: “Working with this cast and crew has been great and working with Aaron too. Creative partnerships can be tough, but it’s been a special time in my career.”

As the show begins its television run, Boyce has many other projects on his plate in various stages of development, some also based on comic books.

As a lifelong filmmaker, Boyce offered some advice to anyone looking to become part of the film industry.

“If you have a vocation and you like movies, you should consider bringing your vocation to the movies. Most of the people in the film industry work in these vocations. You would be part of a cool thing, and most importantly, part of the family.”

Episodes of “Revival” will be available on Syfy and Peacock.

–Noah Nelson, Communications Specialist

Photos courtesy of Luke Boyce, @lukeslens 

For the past six decades, generations of families have etched themselves into the Parkland College history books—attending class, earning degrees, and working at the college.

One father and daughter can now add retirement to their family history at Parkland.

Tawanna Nickens, assistant dean of Adult Education and Workforce Development, will retire from Parkland in June 2025 after a quarter-century of service. Prior to Parkland, she worked in the Admissions Office as an undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

“That early exposure ignited my passion for higher education, which has continued to grow,” Nickens says. “This passion led me to pursue a graduate program in student services, along with valuable work at the Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education, where I first discovered the field of adult education.”

In those early years, she wore many hats and traveled often, dividing her time between the Adult Education office in Rantoul and the second floor of the X-wing on the main Parkland campus.

“That era was foundational, not only in terms of professional growth but also in developing lasting relationships with students, colleagues, and community partners,” she says. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to take on diverse roles, including student advising, GED instructor, and serving as the evening program assistant. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the field and reinforced my dedication to helping others succeed.”

Nickens added: “When Parkland assumed responsibility for the adult education grant in 2000, it allowed me to further grow and ultimately led me to the role of program administrator. This transition was a pivotal moment in my career, and I’m incredibly thankful for the guidance and mentorship I received along the way.”

What kept Nickens grounded through the years, she admits, is the incredible people she’s had the privilege to work with at Parkland, including her father, James Harden.

“Their dedication, compassion, and humor have made even the most challenging days meaningful,” she says. “The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose is something I will always cherish. We celebrated successes together, supported one another through difficult times, and remained committed to the mission of serving our students with excellence.”

Nickens and her father, James, are originally from South Bend, Ind., a city which shaped their values of hard work, integrity, and community. After serving 24 years in the United States Air Force and still feeling motivated to work, he began working in the Parkland Physical Plant in 1994.

“Although we did not work alongside each other, it still was a great blessing to have such an amazing life experience of being father and daughter working and retiring from the same institution,” Harden says. “I miss working in such a pleasant, professional environment with a dedicated team.”

Nickens recalls the moment she encouraged her father, who primarily worked the third shift, to apply for the supervisor position when it became available.

“It felt like the perfect fit—an opportunity to continue leading with the same discipline and quiet strength he had demonstrated throughout his military service,” she says. “Although we didn't often work side by side, we shared a special bond in knowing we were part of the same Parkland community. It was a unique and meaningful connection to know our paths, although different in nature, intersected in purpose. Even in passing, a wave in the parking lot or a shared conversation about campus happenings made the experience much richer.”

Harden retired from Parkland as Physical Plant supervisor in 2009. Continuing the family connection, Nickens’ brother, James, is a proud alumnus who served as a Student Ambassador, Vice President of Student Government and a student worker.

“Our family's ties to this institution run deep, and they’ve helped shape how I view education—not just as a job, but as a calling and a community mission.”

As Nickens prepares to close this chapter of her life, she reflects on not just the work, but the moments in between—conversations between classes, the laughter during team meetings, the satisfaction of watching a student achieve something they once thought impossible.

“These are the memories I’ll carry with me,” she says. “These are the moments that made the journey so worthwhile. Though I’ll miss being a part of the daily rhythm of Parkland life, I leave with a full heart and deep gratitude.”

–Noah Nelson, Communications Specialist

Whether in the Champaign-Urbana area or on campus, Parkland College Student Ambassadors continue to thrive, serving a vital role for the college and District 505.

In addition to campus events, Student Ambassadors are required to complete at least 10 hours of community service each semester. Past volunteer placements include the Crisis Nursery, local car shows, and senior citizen facilities, among others.

“The Student Ambassador program has allowed me to make connections and friendships with a wonderful group of people,” says Northbrook, Ill. native Bryce Balonick, a current Student Ambassador studying occupational therapy. “Meeting the wonderful folks in the Admissions Office has been a pleasure, as well as community members whom I would not have been able to interact with had I not been an ambassador.”

Tolono, Ill. native Madysen York decided to join the Student Ambassador program because she wanted to enhance her communication skills with others. “The program has allowed me to express myself in order to connect with peers,” says York, who studies kinesiology. “I feel a stronger sense of community within Parkland.”

Student Ambassadors have been part of Parkland’s campus culture for many years. Eric Ray has served as the group’s advisor since Fall 2023.

“Once I took over, I committed to making the group the best it can be for our students,” Ray says. “It’s a yearly commitment to develop their skillsets in organization, networking, leadership, communication, and confidence-building.”

Students interested in becoming a Student Ambassador must have at least a 3.0 GPA in college or in high school if starting as a freshman in college. They must also be registered for at least six credit hours. Ambassadors are eligible for four scholarships each semester, each $250. Ambassadors vote on which of them will be awarded these scholarships.

Any currently registered Parkland students or incoming freshmen interested in becoming an ambassador for the 2025–26 academic year can apply online at  parkland.edu/studentambassador.

For more information, contact Eric Ray at eray@parkland.edu or 217/351-2571.

Parkland Science Scholars explore their scientific areas of interest, from biological sciences to chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, and even engineering sciences. Three students—Jeffery Lee, Kevin Rattin, Adrian Zzimbe—have recently benefited from the program.

“The Science Scholars program greatly enhanced my professionalism,” Lee says. “Through research opportunities, mentorship, and the friendships I formed, I became more mature and communicative. It encouraged me to actively pursue the opportunities I desire and work with others to form my personal network.”

Lee conducted research for the Robotics Engineering Team at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which focuses on designing autonomous platforms to assist soldiers with reconnaissance and construction during missions.

“My primary responsibility was to develop a mesh network utilizing military radios to facilitate data transmission across these autonomous platforms while ensuring strong radio signals,” Lee says. “Since these platforms are moving across different terrain, I developed a method to be able to calculate the signal strength of the radios dynamically. I also wrote a program to lessen traffic congestion among our workstations, addressing an issue where our computers were unnecessarily transmitting large volumes of data to one another.”

While he was able to implement some functionality, Lee says the program was only partially successful. Though research isn't too common for those like Lee in the information technology field, Lee admits his hesitation before beginning the research.

“I was exposed to a lot of new applications and subjects, which expanded my skillset,” Lee says. “Even though I did not know if my contributions were meaningful, I was able to do something without any assistance and from scratch. Also, this opportunity helped me gain visibility to employers and indirectly helped me get my current job.”

Lee currently works as a network administrator for General Dynamics in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, managing the entire Army's network in the U.S. and Europe. 

In summer 2023, Rattin shadowed two graduate students part-time in Dr. Sarah Hind’s lab. “This research opportunity has helped me in more ways than I can even think,” Rattin says. “I have gained invaluable laboratory experience in my field, which also is the field I will pursue a professional career in. I would be a very different person had I not had this experience, and I have grown in a way I am proud of.”

Rattin says the Science Scholars program helped him develop professionally, academically, and personally for the better.

“When I was a freshman at Parkland, I was struggling with a lot of things. Had it not been for the Science Scholars, I most likely would’ve failed out of college/lost my financial aid due to dropping/failing classes,” Rattin says. “The support network with mentors and fellow science scholars helped me stay on track during hard times. Science Scholars has greatly changed my life for the better. I don’t know what I would've done without it and all the amazing people that make it possible.”

 He has since worked in Dr. Hind’s lab and now has his own project involving hairy root and stable transformation of tomato plants.

Last summer, Adrian Zzimbe’s research in one of the U of I’s botany labs aimed at better crop growing in urban areas in the summer season, looking specifically at how to improve plant water retention to combat the summer heat and reduce the pest pressure. Zzimbe used vermicompost as a median and zucchinis as the primary crop during the research.

“This introduced me to group coordination and working together, which I have always considered a great skill to have,” Zzimbe says. “We did fieldwork, too, so that was a great adjustment to my skills, as we had to be precise and quick with some measurements.”

Zzimbe says he was also introduced to online data-taking tools, which he hadn't used before but were crucial for research. “It was great to have that,” Zzimbe says. “We also read a lot of papers, and that improved my reading skills. Before, I hadn't read that much, but after, I felt comfortable with reading and even understood the material matter that I read.”

Zzimbe added: “Science Scholars have been a great, if not the best, boost I have had in college. It opened my mind to a broader view of science and stem majors. It introduced me to a lot of opportunities I would have never known were available and that has improved my knowledge and connections as a STEM student.”

To learn more about Science Scholars, visit parkland.edu/sciencescholars.