ULLIN, IL (November 1, 2024)—As Illinois lawmakers prepare for the Fall Veto Session, Shawnee Community College is joining other community colleges around the state in encouraging lawmakers to continue funding the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH).
This statewide grant program creates, supports, and expands opportunities for individuals in the nursing pathway and select healthcare pathways in Illinois. Through PATH, Illinois community colleges are expanding access to healthcare training opportunities in our state, allowing more students to obtain credentials and degrees that allow them to enter and advance in their careers in the healthcare industry.
Through the PATH grant, Shawnee Community College has engaged with 544 students in the past two years, and more than 300 students have benefitted from some form of PATH assistance. Those benefits include tuition and fee assistance, course kits, textbooks, licensure and testing fees (NCLEX, MA, TEAS), and uniforms/scrubs.
PATH supports many programs at SCC, including certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nursing, associate degree nursing, medical assisting, medical billing/coding/coding specialist, occupational therapy assisting, emergency medical technician, and first responder.
“We have engaged with at least 35 employers for clinical partnerships across all programs and courses. PATH has assisted us in developing a popular phlebotomy program and has supported the future development of several other programs,” said Dean of Allied Health and Nursing Mandy Hannan.
During fiscal year 2024, Shawnee Community College engaged 335 students, 222 of whom received PATH assistance, including Phlebotomy Student Kayla. She completed the program and is now working in the profession at an area hospital.
“Believe in yourself, don’t second guess where you can end up in life, always look for opportunities to grow and accept help from those extending a hand up,” said Kayla.