The Kaskaskia College Dental Assisting Program recently held their Annual Advisory Board Meeting.  The group reviewed the recently approved optional Associates of Applied Science Degree in Dental Assisting.  Kaskaskia College will be the first college in the state of Illinois to offer this degree.  Students finishing the certificate program will now have the opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree.  Other items discussed included recently changed ADA Accreditation Standards for Dental Assisting programs.  The standards set for accredited programs can be located on the ADA website.

The Kaskaskia College Automotive Technology Program recently held its Spring Advisory Board Meeting.  Toby Dothager of Vandalia was introduced as the new Automotive Work Based Learning Coordinator.  His duties are to manage the instructional training in the automotive laboratory, as well as provide instruction for the light diesel coursework.   The committee was pleased with the remodeling of the Auto Technology Shop and Lab area, as well as the newly renovated classroom.  Earl Flack, President of McKay’s NAPA, congratulated Corey Manning on his achievement in the Skills USA competition. The group approved the budget and made recommendations for new equipment for the program.  The committee suggested that Kaskaskia College sharpen the focus on diesel mechanics to include acquiring new equipment and technology that can be implemented into the course.  Flack also announced that Kaskaskia College’s auto parts program will be featured in an article in NAPA’s OUTLOOK national magazine next addition.