Sarah Plack: From ICC Grad to Radiography Instructor and Clinical Coordinator

ICC Class of 2010 (Radiography) 
Radiography Instructor/Clinical Coordinator at Illinois Central College

I started my career right away after ICC, but I continued to take classes as I worked toward my bachelor’s degree. I graduated from Adventist University of Health Sciences (now AdventHealth University) with my bachelor’s in radiologic sciences in 2014. I am currently taking online courses towards my master’s in radiologic sciences. 

Tell us about the career path that led you to your current job. 

As a radiography student at ICC, I excelled at tutoring my fellow students. I soon realized that being an educator in the field was a path I wanted to pursue. After I graduated from ICC, I decided to start my career as a Radiologic Technologist at UnityPoint Health Methodist to see where that path would lead me as I continued my education. I spent the next 11 years working at the hospital and a private medical office.  

Shortly after graduating from the Radiography program, I was approached by an ICC Radiography faculty member to help with a new orientation course: RADTK 100. Eventually, I became an adjunct faculty member for the Radiography program from 2014-2021. Last year, the opportunity arose, and I was able to become a full-time faculty member for the Radiography program.

How did ICC shape your future or help you attain your professional goals?  

ICC gave me the tools to be able to walk right into the workforce upon graduation and, at the same time, prepared me to transfer to a four-year university to further my professional goals.  

What does it mean to you to be able to teach at ICC and educate future ICC alumni? 

 It is an honor to be able to teach for the program that gave me my career. I enjoy being able to impart the wisdom that I have accumulated onto future Radiographers. So far, it has been a learning experience for me and my students. I look forward to continuing to grow as an educator and preparing my students for a future in a great field.  

What advice would you give current students at ICC to succeed?  

Hard work and dedication to your field of study will take you wherever you want to go.