POWERED BY THE JERRY J. DAWSON CIVIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE IN MACON COUNTY ILLINOIS
Do you have spring and summer plans? Would you like an opportunity to combine academics with practical experience? Consider DCLI!
The Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute is pleased to announce independent project-based civic focused educational programming for Decatur Public School District students and families. The Leadership Institute has been given a unique and unprecedented opportunity to serve as a bridge. Our task is to reimagine education and diligently remove barriers and connect students to tangible opportunities and experiences that will connect students to field experts outside of classrooms. We imagine Decatur as our classroom.
Read About DCLI Programs Below
high school scholars
Ever thought about a career in Law Enforcement?
Students who are interested in law enforcement should consider joining DCLI during this summer for coursework, workshops and practical experiences in the field of criminal justice. During summer 2021, DCLI will offer the following two courses through Richland Community College. DCLI will also coordinate tours to local law enforcement organizations. As, well as host interactive workshops and community experiences.
CRJ 210 Law Enforcement & Community Relations
CRJ 210 studies the whole function of the law enforcement officer and the ways in which the officer portrays an image to the entire community. The course considers the role and responsibility of the law enforcement agency in crime prevention, everyday relationships with the public, assistance to persons needing help, and public information. Ethics, courtesy, and impartiality as tools necessary in gaining public support and confidence are emphasized. This course is applicable toward all certificates and degrees (credit hours 3.0, lecture hours 3.0).
CSOCIO 225 Race, Class and Gender in the United States
SOCIO 225 analyzes ways in which issues of race, class, and gender are embedded in ordinary communication and daily life in the United States. Topics include the social construction, economics, and consequences of difference, issues in U.S. law, maintaining hierarchies, and social control. Major sociological research and theory will be reviewed and applied. This course is applicable toward all certificates and degrees; group requirements include social science; areas of concentration include social science, sociology (credit hours 3.0, lecture hours 3.0). IAI:S9 902D
Are you considering going into the Healthcare field?
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
DCLI College Scholars have a unique opportunity to enter into the healthcare profession by enrolling in a residential Certified Nursing Assistant program. We are looking for 16 stellar scholars who are interested in beginning a journey in healthcare. All participants will required to live together for a five-week duration to build community and successfully complete certification.
For the CNA program the Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute will provide coursework, materials and housing arrangements. The goal is for each participant to connect to the healthcare profession in our community and begin to prepare for a career in healthcare. The Decatur Healthcare Community will provide additional personal and professional development workshops.
Is Teaching for you? Get prepped with DCLI training.
ED 205 Foundations of Education
ED 205 examines the historical, philosophical, sociological, political, economic, and legal foundations of the American public education system for teacher preparation majors. Students will explore the nature of school environments through field experiences in K-12 public school classrooms. Fifteen hours of field experience in diverse K-12 public school classroom settings is required to pass the course. This course is applicable toward all certificates and degrees; group requirements include social science (AAS and ALS only); areas of concentration include teacher education (credit hours 3.0, lecture hours 3.0).
SOCIO 225 Race, Class and Gender in the United States
SOCIO 225 analyzes ways in which issues of race, class, and gender are embedded in ordinary communication and daily life in the United States. Topics include the social construction, economics, and consequences of difference, issues in U.S. law, maintaining hierarchies, and social control. Major sociological research and theory will be reviewed and applied. This course is applicable toward all certificates and degrees; group requirements include social science; areas of concentration include social science, sociology (credit hours 3.0, lecture hours 3.0). IAI:S9 902D
Want to work? Internship Possibilities Are Just What You Need
DCLI activities will tie the concept of civic responsibility to the related question of job options after high school. Service oriented careers such as law enforcement, healthcare, and local government offer several direct pathways to secure employment that also serves the public good.
DCLI has developed an internship program to create a space to continue to connect students to opportunities. Internship opportunities are intended to give students the opportunity to imagine Decatur as their classroom without walls. Interns are given projects to help create a sustainable future for our community, our city. DCLI work with internship sites to increase skills and expand competencies.
This is a selective Internship Program. Students will submit an application through DCLI and interview with DCLI and site hosts. Selected interns will receive per hour stipends for the duration of their work assignment. Interns are expected to commit to fully engage in employment for a two-month duration at a minimum of 30 hours per week. Interns will receive ongoing personal and professional development as well as release time for community service.
One internship is available with each of the following organizations. Job descriptions will be posted at a later date.
Law Enforcement
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Central Illinois Regional Dispatch Center
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City of Decatur Police Department
Politics and Local Governance
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City of Decatur
Civic Entrepreneurship
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United States Small Business Administration
Education
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Decatur Public School District #61
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Richland Community College
dcli college scholars
Are you graduating this year? Have you considered a career in healthcare, law enforcement or education?
DCLI has scholarships to Richland Community College and programming to combine classwork with hands-on engaging experiences.
Decatur Public Schools 2021 Eisenhower and MacArthur graduates who are interested in attending Richland Community College have an opportunity to apply to become a DCLI College Scholar. DCLI College Scholars will have the opportunity to enroll at Richland Community College with tuition assistance. Each DCLI College Scholar will have unique opportunities to connect academics to practical experiences.
Is Law Enforcement the next step for you?
Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Preparation
The criminal justice and law enforcement preparation is designed for scholars who are interested in exploring careers in any area of law enforcement and enrolling fulltime in college. For example, scholars who are interested in becoming a lawyer, court reporter or bailiff, correctional officer, police officer, dispatch and call center.
This is a unique opportunity. Students who are accepted as a DCLI College Scholars will be connected to Richland Community College for academic work and will be strongly connected to community. However, the Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Preparation program is more than a full scholarship to Richland Community College.
DCLI College Scholars will have connection with The Decatur Police Department, Macon County Sherriff’s Office and Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center. The College Scholars program will also connect participants to our community as well as organizations and entities in law enforcement outside of our community. Unique professional development sessions will be provided for DCLI College Scholars in a wide range of impactful topics.
Are you considering going into the Healthcare field?
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
DCLI College Scholars have a unique opportunity to enter into the healthcare profession by enrolling in a residential Certified Nursing Assistant program. We are looking for 16 stellar scholars who are interested in beginning a journey in healthcare. All participants will required to live together for a five-week duration to build community and successfully complete certification.
For the CNA program the Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute will provide coursework, materials and housing arrangements. The goal is for each participant to connect to the healthcare profession in our community and begin to prepare for a career in healthcare. The Decatur Healthcare Community will provide additional personal and professional development workshops.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
DCLI College Scholars have a unique opportunity to explore another path to enter into the healthcare profession by participating in a certificate program, which is intended to prepare students to train as a Paramedic (certificate or AAS) at Richland Community College. We are looking for 12 stellar scholars who are interested in beginning their journey into healthcare.
The EMT is a nine-week program that will meet full days Monday through Friday of each week.
Maybe teaching the next generation is important to you. Prepare for your career with DCLI.
Teacher Preparation
DCLI has established a significant and essential collaboration with DPS61 and Richland Community College to begin building a unique Grow Your Own Educator Program. If you are interested in exploring any area of education as a career – classroom teacher, administrator, counselor, business office – and majoring in education, DCLI College Scholars is an amazing opportunity.
DCLI College Scholars program is designed to coordinate practical experiences, provide internship opportunities and provide tuition assistance for education majors.
