Southeastern Illinois College will invite the community to see firsthand the growing educational and workforce opportunities available in White County during an open house Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 4-6 p.m. at the Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center in Carmi.The come-and-go event will give community members an opportunity to explore the center, learn more about programs available through SIC’s Carmi locations and see how the college is expanding education and career training opportunities close to home.
Since the expansion of the Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center in 2025, SIC has quadrupled the number of courses offered at its Carmi extension site. That growth has resulted in a 20% increase in enrollment in educational and career training courses among White County residents.
“Many residents know SIC has a presence in Carmi, but they may not realize the variety of opportunities available,” said Doug Mayfield, Dean of CTE. “Whether someone is preparing for a career in the skilled trades, healthcare, transportation, or pursuing college coursework, we want people to know they can take that next step right here in White County.”
The David L. Stanley White County Center and Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center provide opportunities for students, job seekers, employers and community members. Programs include career and technical training, college coursework, dual credit opportunities, workforce development and community education.
Career and technical offerings include welding, diesel technology, industrial maintenance, industrial arts, CDL truck driving and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. Local high school students can also get a head start through CTE Academy, which offers dual credit career and technical education classes at no cost to Carmi-White County and NCOE high school students.
The Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center opened in August 2025, expanding SIC’s capacity for hands-on career and technical education in the northern portion of the college district. The facility was developed from a vision shared by educators, community leaders and employers for decades to bring additional training opportunities closer to home for residents in the northern portion of SIC’s district.
The facility was funded through a combination of state and local support, including more than $4.9 million in Capital Development Board funding and a $505,667 gift from Stanford D. Williams, a respected Carmi businessman and longtime advocate for vocational education. Additional support was provided by The Absher Charitable Foundation, Campbell Energy, Elastec, Roark Trucking, Martin & Bayley’s CWD Transport, Vibracoustic, the White County Board, and Geo. N. Mitchell Drilling Co., Inc. with Chris and Barb Mitchell and family.
“Providing accessible education and workforce training is central to SIC’s mission,” said Dr. Karen Weiss, President of Southeastern Illinois College. “The growth we are seeing in Carmi demonstrates the need for these opportunities. We want students, families and employers throughout White County to know what is available close to home and how SIC can help them reach their goals.”
In addition to educational programming, SIC’s Carmi locations serve as a community resource through partnerships and services that support employment, training and lifelong learning. The White County Center hosts Illinois WorkNet employment services, provides public computer lab access, offers community education courses and serves as a location for DMV services. SIC also works with area businesses and industries to provide customized workforce training based on local employer needs.
The Sept. 15 open house is open to the community and will run from 4-6 p.m. at the Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center, 1700 College Ave. in Carmi.
For more information about programs, classes and services available through SIC in Carmi, visit sic.edu/carmi or call the David L. Stanley White County Center at (618) 382-8869.
