HR Roundtable Connects Employers with Purpose-Driven Career Exploration
In mid-September 2025, the Greater Freeport Partnership and Highland Community College Career Services co-hosted an HR Roundtable for local employers to discuss Gen Z in the workforce. Much of the conversation was influenced by JP Michel’s “challenge mindset,” a growing philosophy in career services, with which Highland Career Services gained much firsthand experience at the National […]
Highland Community College Recruits New Schools to Transitional English Effort
Several years after launching Transitional English at Freeport High School, Highland Community College (HCC) is once again working to bring this valuable course to more high school students. Rae Schupbach-Roe (Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences) and Andrew Martin (Career Pathways Navigator, former Transitional English teacher) co-hosted an introductory webinar for regional high school administrators, […]
Highland Community College Distributes New Resources
A first batch of new school-based resources, supported by the Room to Grow Grant, was distributed to high school administrators and counselors in the Highland Region Pathways to Success Leadership Community in early August. New Dual Credit Pathways documents help all stakeholders visualize the direct alignment between high school dual credit coursework and the precise requirements […]
CareerTEC (EFE 220) Receives Statewide Spotlight
In August, ISBE’s ConneCTEd newsletter put a spotlight on Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeship (HOYA) students and staff. The program, run by CareerTEC and comprised of students from EFE 220’s service area, including Dakota, Durand, Freeport, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Pecatonica, announced a 97.7% pass rate for the IDPH Nurse Aide Competency exam and several new […]
Highland Region Pathways to Success Hosts Cross-Sector Convening
In April 2025, K-12 school representatives and business partners from across the Highland Region Pathways to Success Leadership Community convened at Highland Community College to review goals and discuss implementation of future programs. Feedback was generated regarding the status and needed development of work-based learning, team-based challenges, and career exploration activities in alignment with CCPE […]
Stephenson County Introduces CEO Program
Freeport High School, the Greater Freeport Partnership, and the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship introduced the CEO program for Freeport High School students to the regional business community in May. CEO, a year-long 2-credit high school course, brings enterprising students in touch with over 100 business contacts and supports students in operating a class and an individual […]
Freeport CUSD 145, Oregon CUSD 220 Receive Those Who Excel Awards
Highland Region Pathways to Success districts Freeport CUSD 145 and Oregon CUSD 220 were well represented at the Illinois State Board of Education’s Those Who Excel Awards in May 2025. Teachers, administrators, and school support staff from both districts received awards of special recognition and meritorious service, and Freeport’s Jena Kleindl was recognized as the […]
8th Graders Attend “The Life Event” at Jo Daviess Carroll CTE Academy, Elizabeth
EFE 160 (CTE Academy) recently hosted “The Life Event,” sponsored by Citizens State Bank for 8th grade students in Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. During the event, students simulated the budgeting required to lead a full adult life, including home, vehicle, grocery, medical, and child-raising expenses. The leadership community appreciates CTE Academy’s hard work organizing […]
Strengthening Collaboration Across Partners
Highland Region Pathways to Success has been busy learning and exploring opportunities after receiving its Leadership Community designation earlier this year. Leaders from Highland Community College, Northern Illinois University, and ROE 8 attended the Success Network Conference together in February to begin exploring initiatives and gathering resources. Highland Community College was well represented at the […]
Highland Region Pathways Named Success Network Leadership Community
The Success Network Organizers are thrilled to welcome Highland Region Pathways to Success as our newest Leadership Community. The regional team, led by Highland Community College, ROE 8, and Northwest Illinois Economic Development, brings expertise in employer engagement, developing career pathways, postsecondary partnerships, and dual credit programs, and we look forward to sharing their expertise with communities […]