Name: Clare Ollayos
POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE A CANDIDATE:
ECC Trustee
Why are you seeking this position?
My service on the Elgin Community College Board of Trustees is the highest and most impactful use of my volunteer time. I have a deep personal affection and respect for what ECC provides for its district residents, and the part community colleges across the nation play in furthering career development, critical thinking, creative expression and informed citizenship. With the experience and contacts I have developed on the local, state and national levels, I am in a position to both serve and mentor effectively as a member of a governing board of seven locally elected trustees along with our student trustee who is elected by the student body.
What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
I have been a student at ECC at two different junctures in my educational and professional career, and appreciate the teaching excellence, the access and affordability. I have served as Co-Chair, Chair, Secretary, and Parliamentarian of the ECC Board; elected president of our state association, ICCTA; and two terms on our national trustees board, ACCT. Served as a co-chair for the ECC Foundation Capital Campaign 1994-95, community co-chair for the opening of the Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1994. Boards of YWCA, Independent Players, Elgin Area Performing Arts, Chamber Enhanced 911 referendum, Chair of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Hemmens Task Force, United Way Campaign health care division. Possess a collaborative temperament.
What will be your greatest challenge if elected?
As a Board, to keep future directed in a constructive way for student success. We have to balance a lot of short term and long term issues in serving our community. The pace of change is increasing, and we have had to operate in a very challenging fiscal environment. Fortunately, we have strong collaboration within the communities we serve . We have been a leader in new educational opportunities, partnerships and internships. We are teamed with our K-12 schools and universities to make education more relevant, intentional and at the same time reinforcing the value of engaged citizenship.
Will you attend the March 19th Dundee Candidate Forum? Yes, I will attend the forum
Will you attend the March 23rd Elgin Candidate Forum? Yes, I will attend the forum
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