Illinois Lt. Gov. Stratton Tours JJC’s City Center Campus

Joliet Junior College welcomed Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to its City Center Campus Sept. 10 to tour the programs located within the facility.

Stratton was joined by her Director of External Affairs Doresah Ford-Bey, Outreach Coordinator Ronnie Mosley, and daughter Cassidy. Also joining Stratton was State Rep. John Connor.

They toured the campus with JJC President Dr. Mitchell, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Randy Fletcher, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Kelly Rohder-Tonelli, and Dean of Applied Arts, Workforce Education and Training Amy Murphy.

"Joliet Junior College is an important model of what our community colleges do for so many of our communities," said Lt. Governor Stratton. "Governor Pritzker and I are inspired by all the work that JJC is doing to prepare students to be learners and agents of change in their community."

The college will receive $19.8 million from the capital bill passed this year by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June. The LEED certified building, which opened in January 2017, stands six stories and is 96,000 square feet. It houses JJC’s culinary arts, adult education and literacy programs, and workforce education department.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the time Lt. Gov. Stratton took to visit with our students and employees to learn about the critical educational opportunities we provide at this campus,” Dr. Mitchell said. “In addition, we are grateful for the state’s investment in the college through the capital bill allocation. We will continue to expand and enhance our services to inspire learning, strengthen our communities, and transform lives.”

While touring JJC’s culinary kitchens and labs, the lieutenant governor met with Pastry Chef Mark Muszynski and his class. She and her team also experienced a lunch at Saveur, one of two student-run restaurants at the campus, which was prepared by Chef Paul Bringas and his students. Several Will County representatives joined the lunch, including County Executive Larry Walsh, County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey, County Executive Chief of Staff Nick Palmer, and County Board Chief of Staff Moira Dunn.

In addition, Stratton visited the Adult Education program, Manager Libby Budd, ESL Instructional Coordinator Mandy Dwyer, Workforce Skills Manager Keri Peter, along with numerous students.  

View Photos from Lt. Gov. Stratton’s visit

Learn more about JJC’s City Center Campus and on-site programs online. 

For media inquiries, contact Communications and Media Coordinator Scott Harvey at 815-280-2844 or sharvey@jjc.edu.