CARTERVILLE (WSIL) -- Community colleges play a large role with education and health centers for students working on their degrees, but also for people looking to learn a new skill or improve their health.
While keeping up with recommended COVID-19 safety guidelines, John A. Logan returned to offering Community Education courses recently.
Community Education Dean Dr. Barry Hancock says registration for several new, in-person instruction classes are set to begin this month.
"For the most part, our students, historically speaking, prefer to be face-to-face in a classroom," explains Hancock.
The dean says John A. Logan is prepared to safely host on-site community education classes, with some already started and many more beginning this week.
Those include the return of popular courses, such as concealed carry, QuickBooks, ballroom and salsa dancing, and even small engine repair, says Hancock, adding "People like to learn on their little gasoline small engines at home."
Several new classes are available like Genealogy and Family History, women's self defense, and a course on how to better operate your cellphone.
"Typically the success of the community education program has been the many new classes that we offer in a semester, sometimes as many as 20 or more," says Hancock. "We have six different coordinators out in the community who are listening to the public, we're listening; I have all kinds of requests come in all the time on types of classes that maybe we should be offering."
Home Improvement was one such suggestion made as people are spending more time at home.
"You know, because people are trying to do a little remodeling, so that's a great suggestion," says Hancock. "So, I'm already on it, trying to find an instructor for the Spring."
Director of Logan Fitness Bradley Griffith says it's not just keeping people mentally active, but community programs at the college also include health and fitness.
Some of those are swim lessons, personal training and Yoga.
"Especially for a lot of our community members who are maybe senior citizens, they really need that weekly and daily exercise," explains Griffith.
Currently, registration for those in-person fitness classes are open to community members.
"We want to be that place where people can keep their wellness strong; physically, mentally and socially," Griffith adds.
Covid-19 guidelines are in place at the college, including reduced class sizes, routine cleaning, and drive-thru screenings before students enter campus.
Courses are normally 8-to-10 weeks with or over the phone.
