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.