By Darcie Shinberger
While some of the biggest news for the new academic year for Spoon River College (SRC) is the opening of its newly-renovated Macomb campus, the Canton-based community college has plenty of other initiatives in place for the 2025-2026 school year, which kicks off Aug. 25.
'SRC is continuing to enhance our student success initiatives, such as offering a wider selection of electronic text books, which reduces textbook costs for our students and provides more digital accessibility features,' SRC President Curt Oldfield explained. 'We're also continuing to work with our transfer partners to develop roadmaps that clearly show how SRC classes will transfer to partner universities and the pathway to complete the baccalaureate degree.'
Macomb faculty and staff moved into its new campus on East Jackson Street last month. A grand opening has been set for 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 3. The college's Office of Community Outreach, which has been housed on the east side of the facility, remains in their current offices. The building has been retrofitted with new windows, floors and doors, skylights, plumbing, electricity and upgraded technology, along with several other features. In addition to classrooms, labs and simulation suites for career programs – including contemporary programs in heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) and industrial maintenance that includes robotics repair – the 66,000-squarefoot space features administrative and faculty offices, and student support services.
While no new curriculum offerings were added this year, the institution has expanded its number of seats and sections in high demand programs related to healthcare and manufacturing, he added. At the Canton campus, a new cross-country team has been added, with 15 runners currently on the roster. Overall, the community college anticipates an enrollment increase of around five percent and a six percent increase in credit hours.
'To help our students succeed we provide free tutoring, student success coaches who help students connect to academic and community resources and we have a TRiO grant from the U.S. Department of Education that assists students who meet enrollment criteria,' he explained. 'We also provide free access to students and employees for 24/7 online counseling. Participation in this online service has nearly doubled and feedback from students indicate that they like having a variety of counselors available with different backgrounds and different specialties who are available outside of normal college hours.
'As we open a new school year at Spoon River College, there is a renewed sense of energy and purpose across all our campuses,' Oldfield concluded. 'We are excited to welcome both new and returning students as they pursue their goals, and we remain committed to providing the high-quality education and support they need to thrive—both in the classroom and beyond.'
Macomb SRC New Student Orientation, Tuesday, August 19 New student orientation for Fall 2025 will include informational sessions, a campus tour, free t-shirt, prize drawings, and some lucky student will leave with a $100 Visa gift card! Macomb students, you’ll be the first students in our new campus!
The orientation will be held from 9am- noon Aug. 19. President Oldfield will be on hand to welcome students, which will be followed by break-out sessions and tours of the campus.
“This is an excellent way for new students to learn the lay-out of the college, where classrooms and faculty offices are located, and to receive overviews of financial aid options, student clubs, the support services available to them, and more,” said Jo Branson, assistant dean of student services. “We encourage students to attend.”
Students may attend orientations at either or both campuses, regardless of where they are enrolled. Canton Campus orientation will be held Aug. 20, 9am-noon.
RSVPs can be made online at https://www.src.edu/ admissions/rsvp or by calling RSVP at 309-649-6400 for Canton or 309-833-6069 for Macomb.
