City Colleges alum and Olive-Harvey College President reflect on how the college's programs are setting-up students for immediate success and a family sustaining wage

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Olive-Harvey College Rivian Technical Trades program graduate Kyle Johnson, Olive-Harvey College President Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth, and Illinois Community College Board Deputy Executive Director Jennifer Foster.

Kyle describes how the accelerated  Rivian Technical Trades program met his needs as a returning student by offering training that lead to an industry recognized credential in an emerging field of electric vehicles, a clear pathway to a job and career with Rivian, and how the program design and an apprenticeship model made it more feasible to enroll and complete.

“I got paid to go to school doing something I loved, it was a no brainer. I started the program in November 2023 and graduated in April 2024. The facilities of Olive-Harvey are amazing—for each field that they offer like aviation maintenance and aviation tech, they have the latest technology for a mechanic, it’s a dream. The only challenge I faced was going back to school after 10 years…but this program over-delivered for me, not only did I receive a Rivian certification from Olive-Harvey College, I am also certified to work on other electrical vehicles. This program set me and my classmates up for immediate success.” ~ Kyle Johnson, 2024 alum of Olive-Harvey College

Dr. Hollingsworth, president of Olive-Harvey College, shares more on the what Olive-Harvey College has to offer including the Transportation and Distribution Logistics program that is both responsive to the needs of the students as well as the business community. She also talks about the supports such as Project Evolve, the college’s Workforce Equity Initiative and its origins, design and goals to close historical opportunity gaps for Black students across the state and reducing access barriers.

“Kyle’s journey reaffirmed how important this work is at the community college level. Rivian is an amazing partner. We want to also impact more students so we are talking with other potential partners to see how we can build their workforce while ensuring student success through these workforce opportunities. The work we are doing speaks to economic responsiveness, to ensure that we are offerings programs and services that improve the trajectory and the life of the community that we serve. We also empower students to keep learning and earn higher degrees like associate degrees.” ~ Dr. Hollingsworth, president of Olive-Harvey College

Deputy Executive Director Foster elaborates further on the Workforce Equity Initiative in its origins, design and goals to close historical opportunity gaps for African American students across the state of Illinois reducing potential barriers to enrollment and completion in community college quality non-degree credential programs.

“Equitable student success is so important so that students can live out their dreams and earn family sustaining wages. Community Colleges credentials allow individuals to come in and get a basic, advanced, or industry recognized credential, go to work so they can take care of their families but also be able to come back to college to upskill or even change career. ” ~ Deputy Executive Director Jennifer Foster, Illinois Community College Board