High School Students: Get the Mentoring You NeedEligible high school students in the Joliet district can take part in the Education Talent Search (ETS Trio) program. All participants receive mentorship as they plan for their life after high school. Approximately 500 youth participate in this federally funded program each year. Benefits of this program include:
Eligibility and Requirements
To participate, you must:
You must have one of the following:
Educational Talent Search Application
Academic Support
Career Exploration Workshops (see our events section below)
Personal Development
Resources
The Educational Talent Search program primarily serves high school students at Joliet Township, Joliet Central and Joliet West.
DeAndre R. Butler, Senior Director
Phone: (815) 280-2303
Email: debutler@jjc.edu
DeAndre R. Butler is a TRIO/Student Support Services alum from Northern Illinois University. At NIU, he achieved his bachelor’s degree in sociology. In 2007, Butler landed his first job in the higher education field at Colorado Technical University Online, as an Admissions Advisor. He decided to further his education in higher ed and student affairs and graduated with a master's degree in education from NIU in 2010.
Butler was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois and came from a first-generation and low-income household where he was the first in his family to graduate with his bachelor’s. He is very committed to his work with JJC Student Support Services. Butler is a strong believer in assisting students on being successful while attending JJC so that they can graduate and transfer. He is actively involved with organizations, clubs and committees for the benefit of his students and department.
Colleen Uremovic
Manager
Email: colleen.uremovic@jjc.edu
Phone: (815) 280-1448
Colleen Uremovic is a lifelong resident of the Joliet area and has dedicated her professional career to working within the Joliet community, which has formed her into the person she is today. Uremovic graduated summa cum laude from the University of St. Francis with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education. Throughout her time at USF, she gained experience working in a higher education environment as a student ambassador and certified peer mentor. Upon graduation, Uremovic worked in Joliet District 86 as a general education teacher in an inclusion setting and as a special education teacher in a self-contained setting. Uremovic has extensive experience teaching and mentoring individuals within the Joliet community, which supports her in her duties as the Manager of Joliet Junior College’s TRIO Educational Talent Search program. Uremovic started with TRIO ETS in 2022 as an Educational Outreach Specialist. In this program, Uremovic works directly with students to provide mentoring, tutoring, and programming that can assist students in establishing and working towards goals that will enhance their success leading toward and long after graduation. As a member of the Joliet Community who has benefited from participating in a first-generation college student program, Uremovic knows how important programs like TRIO ETS are. Uremovic is passionate about assisting students in discovering what is important to them and providing resources they can use to work towards reaching those goals with a focus on access and equity. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Caprisha Neal
Educational Outreach Specialist
Email: caprish.neal@jjc.edu
Phone: (815) 280-1408
Caprisha Neal is the Educational Outreach Specialist for the TRIO Educational Talent Search Program at Joliet Junior College. She is an alum of Joliet Central and Joliet Junior College where she was involved in a TRIO. Caprisha went on to graduate Cum Laude from Nothern Illinois University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. As a passionate and dedicated individual, she believes all students can overcome obstacles and achieve personal and professional growth and success. Caprisha believes that to reach success is a journey, and not your final destination. She has dedicated her personal and professional career to serving those in the Joliet community. Caprisha has grant experience from working at the Greater Joliet YMCA. Throughout her involvement in the community and at NIU, she has gained the skills of leadership, service, and mentoring. She is dedicated to servicing students in the local area and provides them with resources and community connections that will help them reach their goals.
Madison Herrington
ETS Office Assistant
Email: madison.herrington@jjc.edu
Phone: (815) 280-1449
There are no new events at this time. Please check back soon.
