Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast

In this inspiring episode of Roots & Branches, host Jen Davis sits down with four proud Joliet Junior College technical program alumni—Mark Kot (IEA Supervisor), A.Y. Simpson (Vibration Specialist), Olivia Arias (Instrumentation Technician), and Jake Dixon (Millwright Machinist). Sparked by an alumni panel tour at ExxonMobil’s Joliet Refinery last fall, this conversation highlights how JJC served as the essential springboard for each of their careers. The guests reflect on their non-traditional paths to JJC, including transferring from other colleges, relocating from out of state, and carrying on family legacies as second-generation JJC Wolves.

The episode dives deep into what makes JJC's technical department so transformative: dedicated faculty mentors like Jeff Bradford, Mary Sue Gurka, Cheryl Upshaw, and Joe Limon, alongside immersive lab work that teaches real-world theory. From Olivia serving as student commencement speaker and starting a JJC scholarship for women in trades, to A.Y. appearing on the cover of JJC’s Connections magazine, all four alumni credit their time on campus with giving them the technical confidence, hands-on experience, and co-op opportunities needed to thrive in industry.

Key Takeaways:

• The JJC Difference: Why real-world stories and industry experience from JJC professors give students a massive advantage over standard classroom lectures.
• Campus Mentorship & Student Life: Celebrating JJC faculty who guide students beyond graduation, and how getting involved in clubs, study abroad trips, and commencement speeches enriches the college experience.
• Paying It Forward to Future Wolves: How alumna Olivia Arias established a JJC scholarship to break barriers for women and Latinas in technical STEM fields.
• From JJC Co-op to Full-Time Career: How JJC’s direct internship pipelines with local industry turn hands-on classroom fundamentals into long-term professional success.

In this inspiring Season 3 premiere of Roots and Branches, host Jen Davis sits down with Joliet Junior College alumnus and prominent community leader Michael Mutterer, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital. The episode kicks off with a special celebration, as Michael is named the 2026 recipient of JJC’s Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award—the highest honor bestowed upon an alumn for career excellence and humanitarian service. Michael reflects on how his journey from a small Wisconsin town of 36 high school graduates to a master’s degree in psychology eventually led him to JJC’s nursing program as a non-traditional adult student.

Michael shares his full-circle story of taking a leap of faith into nursing while balancing a full-time career and a newborn. From studying late nights at JJC to driving past Silver Cross Hospital years ago with the vision of one day leading it, his journey highlights the power of perseverance and supportive community college faculty. Now managing complex healthcare systems and leading through unprecedented times, Michael's story serves as a powerful testament to how JJC can transform a career path at any stage of life.

Key Takeaways:

• Highest Alumni Honor: Celebrating Michael Mutterer as the 2026 recipient of JJC’s Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding professional success and community service.
• The Non-Linear Career Path: How a background in psychology and post-acute care led a master's-degree holder to JJ C's inclusive nursing program.
• Manifesting Leadership: The story of driving past Silver Cross Hospital as a student and bedside nurse while holding a vision to one day serve as its President and CEO.
• "Impossible is Nothing": Advice for future JJC Wolves on resilience, overcoming roadblocks, and embracing lifelong learning.

Roots and Branches: JJC Alumni Podcast – Season 3

If you've been listening along, you know that Roots & Branches has become much more than a podcast about JJC alumni. After a memorable second season featuring alumni adventures, standout academic programs, community partnerships, and inspiring stories from across the JJC community, we're back with even more to explore.

Hosted by Jen Davis, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations at Joliet Junior College, Season 3 brings fresh conversations with the people who make JJC extraordinary. From alumni making an impact around the world to the programs and initiatives shaping the college's future, each episode celebrates the connections that keep the JJC story growing.

Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering us, Season 3 is all about the people, partnerships, and possibilities shaping the future of the JJC community.

Subscribe now to catch every new episode as it drops!

For more information about JJC Foundation events, ways to give, or how to get involved, visit jjc.edu/alumni.

As Season 2 of Roots and Branches comes to a close, host Jen Davis sits down with proud Joliet native and 2012 Joliet Junior College alumna Kayla Sorensen, Vice President of External Affairs for the Will County Center for Economic Development. Kayla reflects on her time at JJC, sharing memories of balancing day and evening classes, gathering with friends on the campus bridge, and building connections at a college that felt like a second home just minutes from where she grew up.

In this inspiring conversation, Kayla traces her journey from student to public servant, discussing how her experience at JJC helped shape a 15-year career dedicated to serving the community and advancing opportunities across the region. She also highlights the impact of the Will County Summer Internship Program, a passion project that has connected hundreds of local high school students with paid, hands-on career experiences close to home. Tune in for a conversation about community, leadership, and creating pathways to success for the next generation

Key Takeaways:

• Hometown Connections: Finding comfort, familiarity, and a sense of belonging on a bustling community college campus.
• Full-Circle Moments: How casual campus encounters and student jobs evolve into lifelong careers and community partnerships.
• Investing in the Next Generation: The story behind the award-winning Will County Summer Internship Program and its impact on local youth.
• Advice for Future Wolves: Why leaning into campus resources, mentors, and local networks opens doors you never knew existed.

Pack your bags and join the Joliet Junior College Alumni network for a heartwarming look back at the unforgettable 2026 JJC Alumni & Friends Trip through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Fresh off a fast-paced, whirlwind journey, our travelers sit down to share their favorite memories from this multi-country European expedition.

From the crisp mountain air and rare, 200-mile views atop Mount Pilatus to the community spirit of Munich’s beer gardens, the moving history of Salzburg, and the winding canals of Venice, this episode captures the magic of group travel. Tune in for hilarious stories about aggressive pigeons, legendary local food finds, and how a sudden flight cancellation turned into an extra night of wonderful Italian hospitality.

Plus, get the exclusive first details on our upcoming July 2028 tour to Scotland and Ireland HERE

In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis welcomes back a familiar face to the Roots and Branches initiative: Dr. Brian Thompson. A proud JJC alumnus from a family of educators, Dr. Thompson shares his inspiring journey from a wandering student in the 1990s to becoming a Clinical Professor of Economics and Director of Undergraduate Programs at DePaul University, as well as the founder of Black & Essington Solutions. Brian describes how learning the fundamental "why" behind his coursework at JJC propelled him to overcome past academic hurdles, eventually earning his doctorate alongside his wife and launching a highly successful, multi-location martial arts enterprise.

Dr. Thompson discusses his "hands-on" approach to higher education, the continuous global impact of his 2017 TEDx talk, and his deep reconnection with JJC’s Entrepreneurial and Business Center (EBC), where he leads cutting-edge programming in strategy and AI-driven decision-making. He also highlights an exciting new applied learning initiative connecting graduate students with local community staple Rooted in Minooka to uncover fresh market opportunities. Brian concludes by encouraging the next generation of "Future Wolves" to find their unique capabilities, seek strong mentorship, and step confidently into the opportunities meant for them.

Resources & Links

• To find out more about the entrepreneurial programs and community courses, visit the JJC Entrepreneurial and Business Center
• To watch Dr. Brian Thompson's professional insights on capability and mindset, view his TEDx Talk

In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis welcomes JJC alum Maria Anna Rafac, Professor of Architectural Studies and Program Coordinator, who shares her journey from a childhood passion for "boy toys" like Legos and Erector sets to becoming a leader in a male-dominated field. Maria describes how her mother’s insistence on taking high school drafting classes led her to the University of Illinois, where she earned a Master’s in Architecture with a focus on structures as one of the few women in the program. After working for local firms, she returned to JJC in 1997 as an adjunct, eventually becoming a full-time faculty member and launching the Architecture program in 2008.

Maria discusses the challenges of growing the program, her "hands-on" teaching philosophy, and the success of the JJC Summer Camps, which help junior high and high school students discover their path early. She also outlines her leadership in campus sustainability, highlighting the "Circular Economy" and the success of the Repair Cafe, which has fixed hundreds of items through community volunteerism. Maria announces the Future Architects Scholarship, a $15,000 initiative she started to help final-semester students cross the finish line, and encourages donors to help endow the fund at jjc.edu/givetojjc. She concludes by inviting the community to the next Repair Cafe on October 17 and encourages all "Future Wolves" to follow their hearts and join the JJC community whenever they are ready.

To find out more about the Romeoville Repair Cafe visit: Romeoville Repair Café | Joliet Junior College 

To sign up for one of our fantastic summer camps or programs, visit: Continuing Education | Joliet Junior College  

To support the Future Architects Scholarship or make a gift to the JJC Foundation, visit: jjc.edu/givetojjc 

In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis welcomes JJC alum Rosa Salazar, Manager of Admissions, Recruitment and Operations, who shares how touring JJC and a staff member’s simple “hello” helped her feel welcomed as a first-generation student and inspired deep involvement in clubs, student government, and serving as student trustee. Rosa describes using student surveys, leadership work, and a Kellogg Foundation grant effort that helped launch what became Multicultural Student Affairs. After transferring to the University of St. Francis, she continued working at JJC and has served in multiple roles for 26 years. She discusses recruitment challenges, especially perceptions of community college, and emphasizes cost savings, transfer partnerships, and career programs.

Rosa outlines JJC’s high school outreach, application and Next Step Days, and encourages students to apply for scholarships at https://jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college/scholarships
 
She previews Discover JJC on April 11, 9–noon, featuring campus tours, program showcases, bilingual presentations, and on-the-spot help.

In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis sits down with Javier Reyes, culinary arts purchasing specialist and adjunct instructor, to share his inspiring journey from Mexico to Joliet in pursuit of a culinary education that grew into a thriving career at JJC. Javier talks about becoming the student commencement speaker, stepping into a purchasing role that expanded into full‑time work supporting seven chefs across 11 kitchens, and earning recognition as the 2025 Adjunct of the Year. He also recounts his experiences on Butterball’s Turkey Talk‑Line, including appearances on Good Morning America and in a New York Times video filmed at JJC. The episode highlights campus events like Wandering Feast and Empty Bowls, and Javier closes with simple but powerful advice for students: stay open to opportunities—you never know where they’ll lead.

In this episode of the JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis speaks with Noah Kraulidis, Employer Relations Manager at National Louis University in Chicago. A proud JJC alum, Noah shares his journey from JJC to Illinois State University, emphasizing the critical role community college played in setting the foundation for his career. Noah, along with his wife, also a JJC alum, navigated their educational paths together, offering an inspiring story of support, growth, and self-discovery. Noah highlights the importance of taking risks and choosing discomfort to achieve personal and professional growth. Currently working in career services, Noah discusses how his varied experiences have culminated in a role he finds deeply rewarding. This episode is a testament to the enduring impact of a JJC education and the value of mentors and community connections in shaping successful careers.