Park Forest, Schools

Three Awarded Tenure at Prairie State College


PSC Tenured Faculty
Pictured (from left) are Assistant Professor Michelle Keane, Assistant Professor Edward O’Donnell
and Assistant Professor Colleen Ivancic (Photo Provided)
CHICAGO HEIGHTS—(ENEWSPF)—September 28, 2018
By: Prairie State College Media

Prairie State College (PSC) announced at a recent Board of Trustees meeting that three faculty members had met the college’s expectations for tenure, including commitment to student success, collaboration with their peers and dedication to the college’s mission and core values.

Receiving tenure, effective January 2019, are Colleen Ivancic, assistant professor of accounting and business; Michelle Keane, assistant professor of nursing; and Edward O’Donnell, assistant professor of nursing.

Ivancic joined the PSC full-time faculty in 2016. Prior to coming to the college, she had served as an adjunct professor at Governors State University (GSU). Before that, she was an adjunct instructor and then assistant professor at Northwestern College. Ivancic also has served as an accountant for Catholic Charities, a tax consultant with Cray Kaiser, Ltd. and a senior tax consultant with Deloitte & Touche. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marquette University in Milwaukee and a master’s degree in accounting from GSU, and recently completed a Master of Online Teaching program through the Illinois Online Network and the University of Illinois. Along with her teaching and continued professional development, Ivancic recently was a presenter at the 22nd Annual Illinois Community College Assessment Fair, inducted into the GSU Hall of Achievement and served as faculty advisor for PSC’s Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society.

Keane joined the PSC nursing faculty in 2013 as an adjunct instructor, and transitioned to full-time faculty in 2016. Prior to coming to PSC, she had served as a staff registered nurse in the emergency room at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. She also has served as a staff registered nurse in the medical/surgical/oncology department at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights. Keane has an associate degree in nursing from PSC, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Purdue University in Hammond and a master’s degree in nursing, educator track, from Benedictine University. She is a licensed Illinois registered professional nurse. At PSC, Keane has served on the College Assessment Council, ACEN Standard 5 Committee, and the Freshman Health Compliance Committee. She also has provided service to Wounded Warriors, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Frankfort Township Food Pantry, Morning Star Mission and Manteno Home for Veterans.

O’Donnell joined PSC as an adjunct clinical instructor in the nursing program in 2015, and became a full-time faculty member in 2016. Prior to coming to the college O’Donnell was an intensive care staff nurse with Advocate Christ Medical Center. He also had worked as a staff nurse in the emergency department at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. Prior to becoming a nurse, O’Donnell served as a firefighter, paramedic and then fire chief with Dixmoor Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Chicago State University and a master’s degree in nursing education from Lewis University. He is a licensed Illinois registered professional nurse. At PSC, O’Donnell has been actively involved in the New Faculty Development Committee and the ACEN Standard 2 Committee in the Nursing Program.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Dr. Marie Hansel says Ivancic, Keane and O’Donnell were selected from a highly qualified pool of candidates during the hiring process, and were mentored and tested to fitness by the tenure process, which includes review by a peer committee of tenured faculty, student evaluations and deans’ reviews, and classroom observation. Prior to being awarded tenure, the faculty candidates also prepare an extensive teaching portfolio.

“PSC only tenures outstanding and exceptional faculty members because of our tenure process,” Hansel said.  “Among community colleges, the PSC tenure process is gold standard. I am very proud of the achievement of tenure by these faculty members,” she added.

PSC President Dr. Terri L. Winfree said, “We are truly fortunate to have such a great group of faculty join the tenure ranks at Prairie State College. I am impressed with the high level of professionalism and expertise that this group brings to the classroom. Our students benefit by learning from these highly esteemed professors.”

Source: www.prairiestate.edu


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