Governor Quinn Breaks Ground on Richland Community College Student Success Center

DECATUR - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by school officials to break ground on the new Student Success Center and North Wing Addition at Richland Community College in Decatur. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve educational opportunities, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Our community colleges are vital to producing a well-educated workforce and keeping Illinois competitive," Governor Quinn said. "The Student Success Center will support Richland students throughout their college careers, from enrollment to internship placements, helping them make the most of their experience and preparing them for in-demand careers."

"While instruction is the essential element of an educational experience, the ability of students to find their niche in the instructional process and to succeed in their educational journey is enhanced by the quality of student services Richland provides," Richland Community College President Dr. Gayle Saunders said. "I would like to thank Governor Quinn for his full support of this project that serves to support our students from enrollment to graduation."

The $6.3 million Student Success Center will centralize all student services on the Richland Community College Campus, including recruitment, academic advising, testing and assessment, enrollment, financial aid and scholarships, career planning, transfer support and job placement. The Capital Development Board will oversee the project, which will include the renovation of a 13,909-square-foot existing building and the addition of an 11,985-square-foot North Wing. Through the Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the state of Illinois is investing $5.1 million for the new center and addition at Richland Community College.

The goal of the Student Success Center is to provide students with easy access to services in order to ease the enrollment process, promote engagement and ensure students have a centralized place for all of their educational needs. The center will have a strong focus on college and career readiness, offering internship placement and student support.

The Student Success Center and North Wing Addition project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which is supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.