On January 11, I will celebrate seven years of leading ΒιΆΉΣ³».
In January 2016, when my family moved to the area and I started in this role, my son
was in fifth grade. In May, he will graduate from high school. Time goes by quickly.
During the past seven years, ΒιΆΉΣ³» has changed in many ways:
- For the first time since 2011, we have experienced an increase in student enrollment.
The College continues to serve nearly 4,000 students a year. They come to us from
multiple starting points in their learning journey. We are proud to serve everyone
wanting an education.
- Where our students are educated has shifted significantly, with more than half of
current students taking online classes. Fewer than 20% of students were taking online
classes in 2016. The additional flexibility has made it easier for people to attend
college.
- The number of degrees and certificates awarded by the College has increased over the
last seven years. The College has developed more options for students to earn a college
credential in addition to the traditional two-year degree. We have enhanced our support
services, which have helped students complete their programs.
- The diversity of our student body continues to increase each year, especially in the
number of Hispanic/LatinX students the College serves. Our student population is nearing
50% diverse. We are proud to be the recipient of the 2022 Equity and Diversity award
from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for our work to eliminate
the college achievement gap for students of color.
- Increasingly more businesses have been served by the College. In 2018, we served 62
businesses. Last year, it was 297.
- The number of high school students earning college credit from ΒιΆΉΣ³» before graduating
from high school has increased. We continue to focus on helping our young people be
college and career ready when they leave high school, and we will launch a new βEarly
Collegeβ program in 2023 in partnership with our local high schools. This work is
incredibly important, as earning college credit while in high school has demonstrated
results for students in college completion.
Successful organizations recognize that partnerships are the key to success, and ΒιΆΉΣ³»
is no exception. We have expanded our external partnerships with educators, businesses,
and area services, such as the ΒιΆΉΣ³»waukee Water Reclamation District/Village of Malta
sewer project launched in 2022. When we work together, we all rise together.
Our internal partnerships are also critical to the success of our organization. The
Board of Trustees and their ability to work together and make decisions in the best
interest of the College is impressive. Thank you, Bob Johnson, Dr. Bob Hammon, Kathy
Spears, Linda Mason, Kathy Watkins, Kathy Countryman, and Geri-Dee Hayden, for your
commitment to ΒιΆΉΣ³» and leading together.
We have worked over the years on employee relationships, recognizing the constant
change we have faced with the multiple forces upon us, including a two-year state
budget impasse, a pandemic, and enrollment decline. These challenges all required
transformative changes in our organization and how we do the business of serving our
students. I am proud of how we have worked through issues. Thank you to everyone who
has chosen to work at ΒιΆΉΣ³» and dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others.
Thank you to the students who have attended ΒιΆΉΣ³». We recognize there are many higher
education options. Our students have shared thoughts and ideas over the years on how
we continue to evolve as a College and meet their needs. At the end of the day, it
is all about our students. They are the future of our communities.
I look forward to continuing this important work, embracing together the future and
what comes next.
Dr. Laurie S. Borowicz
President, ΒιΆΉΣ³»