MALTA — Kishwaukee College and the City of Sycamore are pleased to announce a new, innovative partnership, “Sycamore U.” The program provides leadership training for city employees. 

Employees completing the four-course program will earn a leadership certificate. The courses are part of the Associate in Applied Science in Marketing Management degree at Kishwaukee College. Upon program completion, participants will have completed the first semester of the degree. The first course will begin in January 2019. 

The program was developed for the City of Sycamore’s leadership development and career advancement needs. 

“Our vision is an opportunity for employees to empower their education. We picked four courses, with the help of Kishwaukee College, that we believe will help employees grow,” Maggie Peck, human resources director for the city of Sycamore, said. 

The program is being offered at City Hall in Sycamore one night a week, to make it convenient for employees. 

“This is truly a collaboration to meet the needs of local employers,” said LaCretia Konan, Director of Business and Training Partnerships at Kishwaukee College. “We’re proud to be a leader in providing innovative, quality education to our community.”

Several people are already enrolled and there is room for more. 

“I am confident it will continue to grow over time and we will see additional classes being offered with many of these employees choosing to continue on to either a two or four-year degree,” said Peck. 

Dr. Laurie Borowicz, President of Kishwaukee College, shared her thoughts on the new program.

“We are so pleased to partner with the City of Sycamore and offer a program specifically designed to meet their workforce needs,” Borowicz said. “This is the role of the community college.” 

For more information about “Sycamore U” and the Supervision Leadership Training certificate or to register, please contact LaCretia Konan, director of business and training partnerships at Kishwaukee College, at 815-825-9791 or lkonan1@kish.edu.