Adult and returning Student Services

It's time to finish what you started. Maybe you weren't ready to start college when you left high school.  Maybe you started but couldn't finish or maybe your life situation has changed and now is the time for you to earn a degree or certificate.  If any of these sounds like you, Parkland College Adult Re-entry Services is your resource.

What can Parkland do for you?

• Help you figure out your end goals, from your educational aspirations to a meaningful career.
• Find creative ways to finance your education.
• Show you flexible and creative course schedules that can meet your needs in a busy life.

Parkland has options for those who need to obtain new skills and certifications quickly:

• Industrial Maintenance, Welding, Automotive
• Office Support
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Google IT certificate
• Medical Assistant

Parkland can help you reach your goals

• Use your credits from other institutions to earn a Parkland College degree through reverse transfer.
• Transfer: We have several 4-year schools who specialize in catering to the needs of non-traditional, contemporary students.
  • Colorado State University Global Campus
  • Eastern Illinois University
  • Greenville University
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Millikin University
  • Olivet Nazarene University
  • Regis University
  • University of Illinois-Chicago
  • University of Illinois-Springfield
  • University of St. Francis
  • Western Illinois University

Check out our View Book, and let us know how we can help YOU!

Tony Hooker

Adult and Returning Student Services Advisor

ahooker@parkland.edu

 Student Testimonials

At the end of this upcoming school year, I will be graduating from Millikin University with my bachelors in elementary education, but all of this wouldn't be possible without the guidance and support of my amazing advisor, Mr. Tony Hooker.  Back in 2017, I knew I wanted to go back to school and finish my associate degree, but I knew it would be difficult being a working, single mother of two.  It had been a few years since I was in college, but after sitting with Mr. Hooker and going over my plan of study, he made reaching my goal attainable. 

Not only did Mr. Hooker help me with my course of studies, he was there every step of the way, whether it was checking on course descriptions, class schedules, checking on me and my daughters, and making sure my time at Parkland was going well.  Thanks to his guidance I was able to graduate from Parkland College with my associate's degree within a year from the date I started.

Fast forward two years, I am now a senior at Millikin and still taking courses at Parkland to help me graduate faster.  Tony has been an amazing resource and supporter from Day 1. If you ever second guess yourself to start your journey at Parkland College, you will not regret contacting Tony.  Your life will change for the better and he will help you through your educational journey.

Liz--September 2020

It's never too late to make a change!  At 45 years old, I decided I wanted to finish up my degree, but I had some concerns about where to start and what I needed to do.  I met with Tony Hooker, an advisor with the Parkland Re-entry program and he answered all my questions and concerns and set me on my path to my degree.  He was with me all the way, always there to help me with what I needed.  I am so thankful to Tony and all the Parkland Staff who helped me on my journey into management at AFSI.

Tim--May 2019