SVCC Alumni

Congratulations to the Entry-level Automotive Technician Program students for completing the 7-week program. Each student received a furnished tool box funded by ICCB's Non-credit Strategies at Work Grant to assist them in the workforce. Pictured L to R: Instructor Mr. Hare, Kelsey, Ivan, Landyn, Morgan, Matthew, and Stephen. Missing from the picture: Trinity. Information about the program can be found at svcc.edu/auto.

April Alumni Spotlight 🌟: Ryan McKanna

This month, we had the opportunity to speak with SVCC alum, Ryan McKanna! Ryan chose Sauk Valley Community College because he qualified for the Sauk Scholar Program, which made college affordable by providing tuition support. After graduating from SVCC in 2011 with an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice, Ryan transferred to the University of Illinois Springfield, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2013. After school, he began his career with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, working in a jail. Currently, he serves as the Chief of Police for the Rock Falls Police Department and supervises 19 police officers.

To learn more about Ryan’s Sauk Success Story, visit saukfoundation.com/ryan-mckanna.

January Alumni Spotlight 🌟: Delaney Reed

Delaney graduated from SVCC in 2018 with her Associate in Arts degree. She currently works as a Research Technician at Agri-King in Fulton, Illinois. Delaney had an opportunity to play softball at SVCC and didn’t want to be too far from home. As a resident of Albany, SVCC was a perfect fit because it was close to home and family. We interviewed Delaney to find out how her time at SVCC shaped her college experience and future career.

What’s your favorite memory from your time at the college?
Delaney’s favorite memory is being with her teammates and traveling with sports. She rented an apartment in Dixon with three other teammates, with whom she is still in touch with today. She enjoyed being part of the softball community.

What was your biggest takeaway from your time here?
Delaney was pushed out of her comfort zone because softball wasn’t a sport she thought she’d play in college. She appreciated the push that it gave her to try new things and have first-time experiences while still being close to home. It got her to grow more than she thought she could at that point in time.

How did your experience at Sauk Valley Community College prepare you for your career or next steps?
In high school, Delaney didn’t have a favorite subject. She was able to expand course options at Sauk. She shocked herself by really enjoying science. When Delaney started at SVCC, she was unsure of what her career goals were and didn’t know what was next. She really enjoyed Professor David Breen’s biology & botany classes and Professor Dave Edlebach’s chemistry classes. She will never forget Professor Edlebach’s rainbow lab coat; he made Chemistry very enjoyable and entertaining with his demonstrations. Those classes opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming a science teacher. When she transferred to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), she decided she didn’t want to pursue a teaching degree but instead a career in biology and science. She just wanted to do science.

What did you enjoy most about being part of the Sauk Valley Community College community?
Delaney enjoyed the opportunities to make friends and get involved, especially as an athlete. A few of her highlights were meeting other athletes at study tables and participating in activities during finals week.

What would you tell someone who’s considering attending Sauk Valley Community College?
Delaney would tell future SVCC students to take a chance and get involved. Reach out and make opportunities for yourself. Try something you wouldn’t normally try. Professors were very helpful and answered any questions she had.

What does Sauk Valley Community College mean to you in one word?
Growth. Delaney said that at that time and place, it was a good time for her to grow, try new things, and reach out.

If you could give advice to current students, what would it be?
“Be open to change and trying new things, especially if it’s something you haven’t done before or used to doing. It could open a door that you didn’t know you’d like or enjoy or become passionate about."

We are always so excited to see what the future holds for our SVCC graduates. Thank you, Delaney, for sharing your Sauk Success Story!