Office of the President

At John A. Logan College, Rebecca Corbit’s journey from first-generation college student to award-winning educator has come full circle.

Corbit, chair of the Life and Physical Science Department, has been named the College’s 2026 Outstanding Faculty Member, an honor awarded by her peers in recognition of her dedication to students, passion for STEM education, and commitment to the mission of community colleges.

For Corbit, the recognition is deeply personal.

A first-generation college student herself, Corbit began her higher education journey at Shawnee Community College, where she attended on both academic and athletic scholarships. She later pursued her passion for science at Southern Illinois University, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.

What she believed would be a short-term teaching opportunity ultimately became a lifelong career.

A phone call from her former volleyball coach at Shawnee, asking if she would be interested in teaching as a summer adjunct instructor, changed everything.

Twenty-two years later, Corbit has become one of the most respected faculty members at John A. Logan College, where she has served for the past eight years.

“The College has really supported me, and my colleagues have been fantastic,” Corbit said. “Everyone from the administration has been so supportive; it has been a great place to work.”

Corbit said one example of that support has been the addition of new classrooms and tutoring spaces that opened this past fall.

“It has been great that we have been able to offer services that have been here, but were a little bit tucked away,” she said. “Now it is much more visible, allowing us to serve our students better.”

Her own experience as a community college student continues to shape the way she approaches teaching and mentoring.

“I love being able to get to know my students, and I think that is unique to community colleges that I am able to hear their stories,” Corbit said. “I feel like on day one that I always want to be there for them, and I think they learn really quickly that it is not just words and that I do care for them.”

That compassion has left a lasting impact on generations of students and remains one of the defining themes of her career.

“One of the things that makes me the proudest is that year after year there is a recurring theme in my evaluations that I care,” Corbit said. “I hope I go my whole career hearing those things.”

Colleagues said Corbit’s passion for student success and her tireless advocacy for science education throughout Southern Illinois made her a natural choice for the honor.

“We are incredibly proud to recognize Rebecca Corbit as the Outstanding Faculty of the Year. Rebecca is the kind of educator every student hopes for—passionate, engaging, and deeply committed to their success. She brings both deep knowledge and an infectious enthusiasm to every classroom, helping students see their potential and believe in what they can achieve,” said Provost Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford. “Beyond the classroom, Rebecca’s leadership—especially her work with our STEM Day—has created meaningful opportunities for students across our region. She inspires not only her students, but all of us, and truly reflects the heart and excellence of John A. Logan College.”

Hartford added that in addition to leading the Life and Physical Science Department, Corbit has played a key role in strengthening STEM opportunities for students while fostering a supportive learning environment both inside and outside the classroom.

For Corbit, however, the recognition from her fellow faculty members may be the most meaningful part of the award.

“It is so special to be recognized by my colleagues as a whole and not just my department because so many people are deserving of this award,” she said.

As she reflects on the path that led her from community college student to educator, Corbit said she remains grateful for the opportunities she was given and hopes to provide the same encouragement and support to her students.

Her story, colleagues say, is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact community colleges can have — not only on students, but on the communities they go on to serve.

One finish line changed everything for Brian Roberts.

Last year, Roberts signed up for the John A. Logan College Tri-Festa at Logan Fitness almost on a dare after friends laughed at the idea of him completing a triathlon. At the time, he described himself as living a sedentary lifestyle at nearly 300 pounds. Roberts said he arrived at the event unprepared, borrowing a helmet and carrying a gym bag because he did not realize triathletes typically transition without changing clothes. Despite the odds, he finished.

This year, Roberts is returning to Tri-Festa on Saturday, May 23, with a different mindset and a new personal goal: finishing the race in under two hours after completing last year’s event in just over three hours.

For Roberts, the biggest moment from last year’s race happened after most participants had already crossed the finish line.

After completing the running portion of the race, Roberts later learned that much of the event had already been taken down by the time he reached the end. But instead of letting him finish alone, Logan Fitness staff member Mady Calvin started running beside him. Soon, other participants joined in.

When Roberts made his way toward the finish, the arch had been put back up. People were waiting. Cheering him on. Crossing that finish line, Roberts said, became more than just completing a race. It was a moment of triumph over doubt and fear.

“I honestly think it was probably the best thing I ever did,” Roberts said. “Once I knew I could do that, it made me feel like I could do other stuff.”

That one race sparked a complete lifestyle change.

Now, nearly a year later, Roberts has lost more than 100 pounds and says he feels better than he ever has in his adult life.

“I feel the best I’ve ever felt my whole adult life,” he said. “It’s affected my confidence, my mood, everything.”

Roberts now swims regularly at Logan Fitness, lifts weights several evenings a week and has inspired several others to sign up for their first triathlon this year.

He credits Logan Fitness for helping support his journey, from access to the pool and equipment to encouragement from staff along the way. Living nearby, he said the facility became part of his routine and a place where he felt comfortable learning and improving.

“Oh yeah, you guys (Logan Fitness staff) are absolutely fabulous,” Roberts said. “What a great resource for Southern Illinois.”

If this year’s Tri-Festa goes well, Roberts said he hopes it will just be the beginning. He would like to continue competing in more triathlons in the future.

For others who may feel discouraged or unsure where to begin, Roberts said the most important thing is simply taking the first step and not giving up.

“Just try different things and see what works best,” he said. “Don’t quit.”

While he jokes about still feeling like the “professional wrestler guy who always loses” in his triathlon suit, Roberts said the experience taught him something much bigger than competition.

“It’s not about what other people think,” he said. “It’s about what makes you feel better about yourself.”

For Roberts, crossing the finish line last year was just the start. This year, he hopes that moment will come full circle again, not just as a race completed, but as a celebration of how far he’s come and the possibilities still ahead.

Ready to take on the challenge yourself? Register for the JALC Tri-Festa and be part of the experience.

When Dion Beals first arrived in Southern Illinois from Chicago, college was always somewhere in the back of his mind.

But like many non-traditional students, life happened first. Bills needed to be paid. Work became routine. Days turned into years.

Like many adults who step away from education, Beals said it became easy to convince himself school could wait another semester, then another year.

“I was just kind of going through the motions,” Beals said. “I had a pretty good job. It was stable, but it wasn’t something I was passionate about.”

Now 30, Beals has become one of the most recognizable student leaders at John A. Logan College. A student ambassador, former president of the Black Student Association, employee at Logan Fitness and active presence on campus, Beals completed his time at JALC in December. However, the impact he left on campus did not end there.

College leaders asked him to return to deliver this year’s student commencement address, a reflection of the impact he made during his time at JALC. He will take the stage during JALC’s commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Mtn Dew Park.

His journey back to school began when a coworker encouraged him to enroll alongside him at JALC, believing the two could take the leap together.

At the time, however, Beals was preparing to tell his friend he had decided not to enroll in college after all. Before he could send the message, his phone died.

That unexpected pause changed everything.

“I sat there and really thought about when exactly I decided it was too late for me,” Beals said. “When did I let my ambition die?”

In that quiet moment, Beals said he realized the biggest thing holding him back was no longer time, money or responsibility, but fear of starting over.

Instead of backing out, he charged his phone, texted his friend back and registered for classes at JALC.

“The rest is history,” he added.

Since stepping onto campus, Beals has immersed himself fully into college life.

“I don’t like to do things halfway. If I do something, it has to be worthwhile,” he said.

That mindset helped him quickly become a leader among his peers. Whether organizing events through the Black Student Association, helping lead campus initiatives or encouraging fellow students and community members through his work at Logan Fitness, Beals said the supportive environment at JALC helped him thrive.

“I feel like the staff and administration here are some of the most supportive people they could ever be,” he said. “Anything I went to them about, they always gave me the tools that I needed.”

For Beals, returning to school became about far more than earning a degree. More than anything, he said becoming a father changed the way he viewed responsibility and leadership.

He said his son, Dion III, became one of his biggest motivations to keep pushing forward. “Kids don’t do what you tell them to do. They do what you do,” Beals said. “You have to set an example.”

That example now extends far beyond his own family.

Beals is currently continuing his education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale through an accelerated master’s program in criminology. His long-term goal is to attend law school and become a juvenile criminal defense attorney.

Growing up in Chicago shaped that dream. “I realized if you really want to help people, you have to help them at a younger age,” he said.

Beals hopes to one day mentor and advocate for young people before they become trapped in cycles that are difficult to escape.

As commencement approaches, Beals said being selected as the student speaker is both humbling and meaningful because of how many different types of students he feels he represents.

“I feel like I’m a mixture of every type of student here at John A. Logan,” he said. “I’m non-traditional, but I was involved on campus. I did a lot of different things.”

Looking back, Beals said choosing JALC changed his life in ways he never expected. “I’m definitely glad I came to John A.,” he said. “Here, you build connections with people. It’s more personable.”

What began as a simple decision to give college another chance ultimately changed the trajectory of Beals’ life, transforming him from someone simply going through the motions into a leader determined to make a difference.

And for students who may feel like it is too late to start over, Beals hopes his story proves otherwise. “The time is going to pass anyway,” he added. “You might as well do it.”