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Will County hears how $10M ARPA 'Heroes' grant supported nursing and teaching pipelines
Summary
County officials heard reports from Joliet Junior College, Governors State, Lewis University and University of Saint Francis on outcomes from a $10 million ARPA program funding nursing and teacher pipelines, with presenters citing over 1,500 students served and specific degree/certificate counts.
County Executive introduced representatives from Joliet Junior College, Governors State University, Lewis University and the University of Saint Francis to report on outcomes from the county’s $10,000,000 ARPA investment in teaching and nursing workforce pipeline efforts.
Klein Namuo, introduced as president of Joliet Junior College, framed the investment as a county commitment to workforce pipelines. Lisa Sempales of the University of Saint Francis said the program supported "240 students" at Saint Francis. Governors State staff described a dual‑degree pipeline involving 95 students and reported high graduation predictors (a 3.64 GPA average for participants). Lewis University’s Kip Klein said the university had expended “well over half $1,000,000” serving nearly 400 Lewis students in nursing, teacher preparation, counseling and allied health. JJC’s Kelly Roter Tonnelli reported the college supported 928 students resulting in 178 associate degrees and 342 certificates over two years.
Why it matters: The presentations are evidence of the county’s ARPA investment going to higher‑education pipeline programs tied to critical local workforce needs (nursing, teaching and allied health). Board members used the session to hear metrics and testimonials to justify continued investment in workforce development.
Follow up: The universities and the county are expected to continue tracking placement and retention metrics; county staff noted the program intent was to build local workforce capacity and reduce financial barriers for students entering shortage fields.
Sources: Presentations by Klein Namuo (JJC), Lisa Sempales (University of Saint Francis), Paul McGinnis (Governors State), Dr. Kip Klein (Lewis University) and Kelly Roter Tonnelli (JJC) at the Nov. 20 Will County Board meeting.
