About 12 miles, as the crow flies, from Momence High School, in the hallways of the Kankakee Area Career Center (KACC), there stands a man whose presence is as steady as it is inspiring. Tim Guerin, principal and assistant director of KACC, has spent his career preparing young people not just for jobs, but for life. And while his dedication to education is clear, his story has deeper roots, reaching back to before his days as a U.S. Marine—an experience that played an important role in shaping him into the leader he is today.

Born in Harvey and raised about 50 klicks south on I-57 in Manteno, Illinois, Tim’s connection to the region runs deep. After graduating from Bishop McNamara High School in 1985, he made a decision that would profoundly impact the rest of his life—he joined the United States Marine Corps. “It was the best choice I ever made,” Tim recalls. “The Marine Corps gave me lessons I carry with me every day. It taught me about dealing with pressure, problem-solving, and understanding people from all walks of life.”

Stationed at Camp Pendleton, Tim quickly learned that being a Marine was about more than physical endurance; it was about developing mental resilience and honing leadership skills. “You meet people from every corner of the U.S., from every background, and that helps you understand where people are coming from. It’s given me the ability to connect with the students I work with today,” he says.

Tim’s time in the Marines gave him a sense of mission and purpose, values he brings to his role at KACC. As principal, he oversees the daily operations of the center, which serves nearly 800 students from 18 schools across Kankakee, Iroquois, and Will counties. With programs ranging from cybersecurity to cosmetology, welding to nursing, the Career Center offers students hands-on learning that helps them discover their passions and develop valuable skills. “What’s great about this place,” Tim explains, “is it’s as much about finding out what students want to do as it is about helping them figure out what they don’t want to do.”

Tim speaks with pride about the partnerships KACC has built with local businesses and institutions, such as Riverside Medical Center. These relationships allow students to gain real-world experience in fields like nursing and healthcare, and in some cases, even graduate with full-time job offers. “We had several students spend the summer at Riverside,” Tim shares. “They rotated through different departments, from radiology to phlebotomy, and found something they loved. Riverside ended up hiring many of them and even offered to cover the cost of their RN certification at Kankakee Community College.”

But Tim is quick to point out that not every student will find their path on the first try, and that’s okay. “One of our recent success stories is a student who came in wanting to be a nurse. She went through the program, did clinicals, and realized it wasn’t for her. But instead of seeing it as a failure, we helped her explore other options. Now she’s pursuing a career in radiology.”

This idea of finding the right fit is central to Tim’s philosophy as an educator. “I like to say we’re in the ‘fit-finding’ business,” he jokes. “It’s about helping kids figure out what works for them, whether that’s going into a trade, heading to college, or even joining the military.”

And that brings him back to the Marine Corps. Tim knows firsthand the life-changing opportunities the military can offer, especially for students who might need a little more structure or a clear path after high school. “We host military representatives here at the Career Center a couple of times a year,” he says. “It’s important that students understand the options available to them. One of our students, who didn’t know what he wanted to do, ended up meeting a Coast Guard recruiter. Now he’s stationed in Alaska, living a life he never dreamed of.”

For Tim, it all comes back to service. Whether it’s serving his country as a Marine or serving his community as an educator, he’s dedicated his life to making a difference. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the Marine Corps,” he reflects. “The lessons I learned there— discipline, leadership, resilience—are the same ones I use to guide the students here.”

As Tim continues to lead KACC, he’s excited about the future. “We’re growing every year, and the opportunities for our students keep expanding,” he says. But no matter how big the Career Center gets, Tim’s focus remains the same: preparing young people for life, not just work. “It’s about setting them up for success, whatever that looks like for them.”

And for the students who pass through the doors of KACC, they’ll always remember Tim Guerin as the principal who believed in them, a Marine who taught them the value of perseverance, and the mentor who helped them find their path.