Illinois Valley Community College

06/16/2026

Even the balloons and the rainbow flags danced in the breeze Saturday at Ottawa's annual Family Pride Festival, which included a big helping of IVCC energy. Our mascot, Spirit, joined Southclaw Sam from the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp in a quick two-step before the parade began. Then, IVCC's team distributed cheer and gear along the route, and even performed a little "Y-M-C-A" boogie for the crowd.

06/16/2026

Transferring Illinois Valley Community College students Nathan Hansen of LaSalle, Melanie Kaminski of Marseilles, Ethan Askeland of Granville and Bria Frey of Ottawa will attend Northern Illinois University this fall with the support of scholarships created by William and Dian Taylor of Winnetka.

Hansen and Kaminski were awarded STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholarships and Askeland and Frey received accountancy scholarships. Each student will receive $10,000 in their junior year, renewable in their senior year, to use for educational expenses.

Read the full story on our website: https://buff.ly/7Kofd5a

Transferring Illinois Valley Community College students Nathan Hansen of LaSalle, Melanie Kaminski of Marseilles, Ethan Askeland of Granville and Bria Frey of Ottawa will attend Northern Illinois…

06/16/2026

"You don’t have to have your entire future mapped out. It’s OK to start somewhere and figure it out as you go. Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and trust that each step is helping you move forward."
--Troy Woods, IVCC alum

06/16/2026

The area’s young athletes will get a chance to meet and learn from experienced coaches and players during Illinois Valley Community College’s volleyball and basketball clinics this summer.

The two-day volleyball clinic on June 29-30 is open to students in second grade through high school. Head coach Kate Vigars and her team will coach participants in passing and setting techniques, skills, and game strategies.

Participants in grades 2-4 will meet from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day, grades 5-7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and junior high and high schoolers from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The four-day basketball clinic on July 27-30 is open to students from second to eighth grade. Head Coach Chris Herman and his team will coach shooting, ball handling, passing, team play and defensive concepts.

Participants in grades 2-4 will meet from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each day and grades 5-8 will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Both clinics are held in the IVCC Gym. Visit https://buff.ly/YltTVnG for more information on both clinics and to register.

06/15/2026

Get your child's smile school picture ready for free at IVCC!

The Dental Health Center will be offering free preventative services to children on Thursday, July 9th from 8 AM - 3 PM. Appointments last 1 hour. Services include school exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments.

Schedule your child's appointment today by calling 815-224-0227 or emailing [email protected]. Please allow up to 3 business days for a reply.

06/11/2026

Danica Scoma of Utica was awarded the 2026 Frederick W. Matthiessen Award during Illinois Valley Community College’s 60th annual commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16.

Graduating students are nominated for the award by faculty for academic scholarship, a record of civic achievement or community volunteer service, and service to the College community.

Read more on our website: https://buff.ly/lzPs0nv

Danica Scoma of Utica was awarded the 2026 Frederick W. Matthiessen Award during Illinois Valley Community College’s 60th annual commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16.

06/11/2026

"You don’t have to have your entire future mapped out. It’s OK to start somewhere and figure it out as you go. Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and trust that each step is helping you move forward."
--Anna Marini, IVCC alum

06/10/2026

Forty-nine registered nursing students celebrated the completion of their program during the associate’s degree nursing graduation at Illinois Valley Community College on May 16. Graduates received their nursing pins and recited the Nursing Pledge during a traditional candle lighting ceremony.

Read the full list of graduates on our website: https://buff.ly/J34bvPr

Forty-nine registered nursing students celebrated the completion of their program during the associate’s degree nursing graduation at Illinois Valley Community College on May 16. Graduates received…

06/09/2026

"I remember sitting in the cafeteria feeling unsure if I really belonged here. I felt out of place. Over time, I realized that IVCC would be the place where I would find my voice. Through my writing for the IV Leader newspaper, my participation as a Project Success student, and with the help and encouragement of a great friend, I began to feel more confident."
--Justin Donovan, IVCC student

06/09/2026

Illinois Valley Community College’s Assessment Center is not just a destination for high school and college students completing placement or class exams. Last year, one-third of the test-takers came from the workforce to take career-defining licensing and certification assessments.

As a certified site for Pearson Professional Assessments and with its array of testing capabilities, IVCC’s Assessment Center has become a gateway to the college for all ages. A total of 3,262 people tested at the center last year, and Coordinator Summer Studstill expects those numbers to rise throughout 2026.

A recent remodel and relocation to the A Building expanded the test environment, creating large and small testing rooms and providing a spacious reception and check-in area. The corridor outside the center offers a comfortable waiting area for testers and a quiet area for students to study.

Learn more about our updated Assessment Center on our website: https://buff.ly/RYWHno5

Illinois Valley Community College’s Assessment Center is not just a destination for high school and college students completing placement or class exams. Last year, one-third of the test-takers came…