Quick Biography

Birthplace: Erie, PA.

Birthdate:  January 28, 1949.

Education:

* Doctorate in Adult Education: Northern Illinois University

* Masters in College Students Personnel Services: Western Illinois University

* Bachelors in Secondary Math Education: University of Pennsylvania Edinboro

* Associate in Arts and Associate in General Studies: College of DuPage

Occupation:  Educator.After 34 years, I retired from my career as a College of DuPage counseling faculty member.  Presently, I am a doctoral program research and dissertation adviser in the Higher Education and Organizational Change Program at Benedictine University.

What do you want students to know about you?

I want students to know that I am a continuing advocate for their educational goals, interests, and needs.

Why are you seeking office?

I am campaigning for this office because I am passionate about service to College of DuPage and its people, including students, all employee groups, and taxpayers.

As an educator, I think it is critical for there to be an experienced voice speaking with respect, knowledge and protection of the historic, present, and planned educational excellence of our community college.

Beyond the strong connection I feel, I know I am an asset to the Board of Trustees as an educational leader and advocate for students due to my experience and degrees in higher education.  It is important to have a variety of perspectives on a board so that all trustee responsibilities are met.  Of course, fiduciary responsibilities are important, but there is also an expectation that trustees will ensure the quality of education provided by the college.  Education is the reason COD exists. Presently, I am the only candidate with direct COD work experience as a counseling faculty member and with three education degrees including a Doctorate in Adult Education, the target population of a community college.

As evidence of my impact on the College of DuPage, here are a few examples of what I have been able to contribute based on my unique COD perspectives.

-Because I believe in honoring COD’s history of excellence and innovation, Board Policy 10-106, Historical Preservation was argued, proposed and accepted to honor and recognize the people of C.O.D., their innovations and accomplishments.  It was the only trustee-initiated policy added to the manual during my time on the board.

-Because I believe in student voice, I was able to add a Student Section to the standard Board meeting agenda plus I suggested the concept of presentations to the board by students.

-Because I believe in serving all segments of the community, I have been advocating for the return of the services of Older Adult Institute to provide educational opportunities to senior community members.  Because of my continuing passion and pressure, I am now serving on the Life-Long Learning Committee, the only trustee serving on a college committee.

-Because I have a history at COD that dates back to 1972, I am now serving on the college’s 50th Anniversary Steering Committee.

In summary, I believe my experiences with COD in particular and higher education in general gives me perspectives unlike any other candidate.  I want to continue my advocacy for the programs and people of the college, including employees, community residents and, especially, students.

What factors determine whether or not tuition should be increased?

Let me begin by saying that I believe there is no present need to increase tuition as evidenced by my vote on the issue at the February 19, 2015, Board of Trustees meeting.

As I have considered tuition levels in the past, an influencing factor for me is the input of the student trustee who represents the perspectives of the student body.

Of course, it is also important to consider the overall financial position of the college which has as its main income sources, local property taxpayers, the state and the students. There are additional current factors that threaten a balanced budget, such as lack of state funding for veterans’ grants and the possible pension shift.  These competing interests must be added to the consideration of tuition levels.

In regards to President Barack Obama’s proposal for free community college, what do you believe the threshold should be for a free education at COD?

I agree with the Association of Community College Trustees that legislation should have the following characteristics:

• Funding sources should be realistic, reliable, and stable.
• Program eligibility must be standardized.
• The program must reduce tuition and allow students to use federal student financial aid and other student aid to cover the cost of books, supplies, equipment and transportation.
• Clear standards of program eligibility are essential.
• States must be required to maintain their current levels of funding.
• Standards of academic progress should be applied and be consistent with other academic standards.

Recently, I lobbied national legislators on behalf of the plan.  As a whole, they are supportive of the concept, pleased that the discussion on affordable education has begun, but are unsure of available funding.

What would your top three priorities be if elected?

Present priorities include:

•      Rebuilding community trust on campus and throughout the district.
•      Setting the stage for a presidential search.
•      Supporting the continuation of educational excellence for students.

What is your opinion on the possible addition of a new Teaching and Learning Center?

With COD enrollment continually increasing, occupational program options expanding, and classroom space limited at peak times, it is critical to plan ahead for meeting the needs of future students. With these facts in mind, I supported setting aside reserved funds for a classroom building and taking steps to make the building a reality. Since it takes years to make a dream a reality, it is best to move forward based on current information and trends, rather than wait until the college is in crisis mode to accommodate student needs. If space and budget allows, there is consideration of including a planetarium to enhance educational opportunities for students.

In your opinion, does the college need more parking? How would you go about creating more parking if you do believe it is an issue?

I have heard concerns about parking since I first set foot on COD’s campus in 1972.  The target of concern sometimes shifts from snow removal, to availability, to quality, to convenience.  In 2014, I was invited to a College of DuPage speech class to hear from students who studied the parking situation.  When they were presenting their findings, the major concern identified was convenience.

In response to convenience, some think that a parking garage might be an answer.  However, during a peak time for entering or exiting, a student could be “trapped” in a snake of traffic.

A more viable solution would be to provide transportation from remote parking areas to each of the classroom buildings.

A recent satisfaction survey said students are unhappy with the current counseling options on campus. How would you improve it?

Of course, I am concerned about student satisfaction. Because a trustee is not to micromanage, I would seek solutions from those most impacted by the reported dissatisfaction. Students and counseling faculty members need to identify concerns, issues, details, then recommend solutions. For example, if students are dissatisfied due to long wait times for an appointment, the solution to that problem would be much different than if the concern was focused on an area of service offered. If the wait time is an issue, perhaps more staff is needed, or perhaps the teaching faculty could return a more active role in advising students, especially for those in occupational areas. Once students and counselors determine solutions, administrators should support the determined solutions.

While this examination is in process, the trustees should have regular reports from those active in this effort, particularly from students and counseling faculty.

The full-time faculty has voted to express no confidence in President Robert Breuder. Breuder has also been granted a severance package. Do you support this decision? Why or why not?

The College had a contractual agreement with Dr. Breuder through June 30, 2019.  However, several members of the board felt they wanted a leadership change. Dr. Breuder was made aware of those feelings and offered to retire, pending our ability to reach an exit agreement. After months of discussion, the board and president reached a mutual agreement. Had Dr. Breuder chosen to remain president through the end of his contractual period, the cost would have been almost $2 million, more than twice what was ultimately agreed upon on January 22, 2015.  For this reason, I supported the saving of tax dollars to the community.

What qualities do you seek in a new president when President Breuder’s term is up?

It is essential that the new president have experience as a community college president, degrees in education including a doctorate, utmost integrity, fiscal credibility, and excellent recommendations from students, employees, and community members.  In addition, I think the College of DuPage needs a president who is skilled in the new higher education administration theory of participatory management.  The COD leadership gaps I have heard about fall in the core areas of respecting and valuing the ideas and initiatives generated by students, employees and community members.  Participatory management would address such gaps, thereby addressing present wounds.