The announcement of Midstate College’s closure next month took students by surprise.
Charlene Lybarger was enrolled in the medical assistant program at Midstate last year.
“I think my heart like jumped out of my chest. I was like, really? Really? It’s like, you would think they would give someone like a warning months ahead of time, but then drop the bomb on everybody? It’s like showing up to a college and the doors are closed," she said.
Lybarger said there were signs that Midstate College was cutting back recently.
“The amount of classes that used to be so much is now so little. And I think that’s also part of why they’re closing their doors. Because it basically seemed like they were hurting from the beginning," she said.
She was in the process of transferring to another college as she looks to switch from a medical assistant program to an EMT program.
Bunch says all transcripts will remain available after the college closes.
Peoria's congressional delegation is also speaking out on the closure.
“I am disappointed to learn that Midstate College is closing their doors next month. For over 100 years, Midstate has been a staple in the Peoria community and has supported students and families across central Illinois. As we await further details on the sudden closure, it is important that Midstate work with each student to ensure that they have a path forward in their education journey,” said Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria).
“Peoria has strong higher education institutions and, with Midstate’s closure, my office will be a watchdog for the students to make sure Midstate fulfills its obligations and its promise to find transfer opportunities for affected students," said U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) in a statement.
Midstate College will close August 14. A transfer fair for students affected will be held on August 13.
Editor's Note: We previously misspelled Midstate College President Meredith Bunch's name as "Birch." We regret the error. We also updated information about Charlene Lybarger. She is a former student seeking to transfer to another institution.
