McHenry County Blog

Below is the report upon which the old McHenry County College Board voted for 5-2.

Well, it’s not quite what the Board voted on.

The Board did not set President Vicky Smith’s compensation.

Read the report carefully.

Voting in favor were the two longest serving Board members who lost the election–Barbara Walters and Carol Larson. They were joined by holdovers Mary Miller, Linda Liddell and Cynthia Kisser.

Voting against extending MCC President Vicky Smith’s contract through the middle of 2015 were Ron Parrish and Dennis Adams. It was almost Adams’ last vote since he retired from the Board.

To understand what happened at Thursday night McHenry County Board meeting, you need to read this report carefully.

Do you see the problem?

Read the recommendation:

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approves extending Dr. Smith’s contract through June 30, 2015 and to set compensation as discussed in Closed Session.

Do you note that the report does not tell the public the salary and benefits?

I surely did and was ready to file complaints with both the McHenry County State’s Attorney and the Illinois Attorney General about the seeming violation of the Open Meetings Act had the Board approved the report as presented in the Board Packet.

But the old members didn’t do that.

After the closed session, undoubtedly upon the advice of their attorneys, the Board considered a motion which excluded compensation

So, the outgoing Board got half of what it wanted.

Smith’s contract has been extended another twelve months after June 30. 2014, but her salary has not been set.

Newly-elected McHenry County College Board members Chris Jenner, Tom Wilbeck and Molly Walsh were sworn in four and a half hours after the meetings began.

That will be up to the carryover Board members and those newly-elected and now sworn in:

• Molly Walsh
• Chris Jenner
• Tom Welbeck

A new Student Trustee named Michele Lambert was previously sworn in.

There was public comment from 6:30 to 7:45.  Again there was not enough room for the taxpaying public.  Overflow folks were directed to the auditorium way across campus.

But, there were almost a row and half out of the three rows of chairs reserved for MCC employees who certainly could have sat in chairs outside until their turn in the program came.

The commenters were divided into three parts:

• Those supporting an extension of Smith’s contract
• Those opposed to an extension of Smith’s contract
• Those supporting the theater program whose 80-seat Black Box Theater seems destined to become the location of a greatly expanded robotics program

I’d love to give you a blow-by-blow account of the comments, but the new Board didn’t adjourn until 12:10 Friday.

Suffice is to say that both Chris Jenner and Molly Walsh asked the old Board not to extend Smith’s contract.

Jenner pointed out that there were nearing three months for the holdover Board members to explain to the new Trustees why Smith deserved to have her contract extended.

“I don’t believe any of us have passed judgment on Dr. Smith.”

“I really feel strongly that the incoming Board should be making the decision on terms and working conditions,” Walsh added as the last one to provide public comment.

“An action tonight is really disregarding the new Board members.

“Lets work together.”

Their pleas were ignored.

Very shortly after the old Board took its last gasp by voting for Smith’s contract extension, the new Board was sworn in.  That was at 10:45 Thursday night.

From foreground going around the table are Trustee Cynthia Kisser, Secretary Chris Jenner, Student Trustee Michele Lambert, MCC President Vicky Smith, Board President Ron Parrish and Trustees Molly Walsh and Tom Wilbeck, Vice Chair Linda Liddell and outgoing Board President Mary Miller.

Then, the tables were turned.

Jenner nominated Ron Parrish to be the new Board President.  Wilbeck provided the second.

Liddell nominated Kisser.  I believe Miller seconded that nomination.

Three to three.

The deciding vote seemed to belong to newcomer Walsh.

A secret ballot was taken and the vote came out 4-3 in favor of Parrish, who had been very much the minority member on the old Board.

For Vice Chair, it was Wilbeck vs. Liddell.

3-3 with, I presume, Walsh breaking the tie in favor of Liddell.

Wilbeck nominated Jenner for Secretary and no one else wanted the job so he got it.

This full-page ad appears opposite the editorial page in Wednesday’s Northwest Herald. “I am just like you,” MCC President Vicky Smith is quoted saying.

Full-page, full-color.

One has to hand it to McHenry County College.

Vicky Smith begins her open letter telling how she has been MCC President for three years.  She says she has a responsibility “to see our community continue to thrive.”

The Board is sparing no expense to provide “cover” for the extension of MCC President Vicky Smith’s contract by the old Board members on Thursday night at 6:30.

MCC President Vicky Smith talks about her passion about the college.

And cover those Board members need because three of them won’t be on the Board about ten minutes after they vote to hike her salary through June 30, 2015.

Vicky Smith talks about the need for “trust,” which requires input from the public.  After she gets her raise she will meet monthly at “a community forum,” where questions can be asked.   At Board meetings many questions are asked; virtually none are answered.

That’s seven months after the next gubernatorial election.

This is the bottom of the Vicky Smith self-promotion ad.

It’s over two months after two of the remaining Board members will have been up for re-election. They are Board President Mary Miller and Ron Parrish.

Miller is for the contract extension by the old Board; Parrish is not.

Vicky Smith

The agenda for the last meeting of the old McHenry County College Board is scheduled for Thursday night at 6:30.

On the Agenda is a report to extend the contract of MCC President Vicky Smith.

But the College will not release the report.

Even though it was on the Agenda last Tuesday, April 16th.

Now you can read the report on McHenry County Blog. It’s found below:

The top secret, hush-hush report that recommends an extension of MCC President Vicky Smith’s contract through June 30, 2015.

The most important sentence is

“The Board was pleased with the results of the evaluation, and therefore feels a contract extension is appropriate.”

For those who think a Board consisting of three out of seven members who will not be in office about ten minutes after this contract extension is approved, attendance at the meeting might be appropriate.

I wish I had managed to make it to the McHenry County College Board meeting earlier.

From what Woodstock Advocate blogger Gus Philpott said in the public comment section of the meeting, the room was packed with college employees when he arrived.

No room for ordinary taxpayers to sit.

The three rows in the MCC Board room were filled after the employees left.

Philpott gave thanks to President Vicky Smith for convincing them to leave.  I guess they went to an “overflow” area in the huge front hall nearby.   That’s where I saw a screen set up on the way out.

Cynthia Kisser

Cynthia Kisser began the meeting by asking for the controversial item–the extension of Smith’s contract–be postponed until the Thursday after next.

Ron Parrish

“I completely agree,” Ron Parrish replied.

That was also met with agreement from fellow Board members.

That’s the last day Carol Larson, Barbara Walters and Dennis Adams will be in office.  Larson and Walters lost the election; Adams retired.

It was not clear whether that postponement was until the last meeting of the outgoing Board or the first meeting of the reconstituted Board after Molly Walsh, Chris Jenner and Tom Wilbeck are sworn in.

Then, it was on to public comment.

“Thank you very much for coming,” Board President Mary Miller said before the first person, Grafton Township Assessor-elect Al Zielinski spoke.

Al Zielinski urged the Board to act in a “business-like” manner.

Zielinski urged Board members to act in a more business-like manner.

Jane Collins asked the Board to “respect the results of the election.”

Philpott urged the Board to include that they were going to vote on a contract extension on the next agenda, if that were their intent.

Jane Collins, a fixture at MCC Board meetings, pointed out that if the “old Board” were to make the decision next week, “nothing has changed.”

She said that would be the same as saying, “We’re not going to respect the results of the election.”

“We don’t trust you to make informed decisions,” she continued.

Collins, it should be noted, was part of the group that put up signs supporting Molly Walsh, Chris Jenner and Tom Wilbeck.

Woodstock’s Molly Oakford said she “was here for the students.”

She urged the Board to show the “highest level of standards of excellence.”

Molly Oakford asks the Board to live up to “standards of excellence.”

Referring to what was on the agenda, she asserted, “The process is wrong.  The process does not [meet] standards of excellence…

“This meeting should never have been held.  It’s shameful.  It’s railroading.

“I want to see our Board conduct itself in a standard of excellence.”

Former Board member George Lowe urged members to allow the new Board to make the decision.

Former MCC Trustee George Lowe then weighed in.

“I think it behooves you to give them [the new trustees] a chance to vote on the contract.

“If not, it’s a gotcha!”

MCC Instructor James Gould said it wold be “anti-democratic” for the old Board to make the decision.

Philosophy and Ethics Instructor James Gould also expressed disapproval.  He thanked Larson for her 24 years of being a “faithful advocate for the employees” and urged Board members to think about the good reputation and image of the college.

He called the effort to act on extending Smith’s contract “anti-democratic and, in effect, subvert[ing] the will of the public.

“I ask that decision be made by the new Board.”

MCC Instructor Marla Garrison defended the Board.

The only person speaking in favor of the old Board extending Smith’s contract was Biology Instructor Marla Garrison.

She told of the “erosion of confidence” during “the four years of rapid turnover administration.”

“I don’t believe lame ducks.  This Board is an active Board and was elected by the community regardless of what happens next.

“For the past two years, I’ve felt energized…the status quo was no more.”

Chris Jenner said the Board had seven weeks to act on the contract extension.

New Board member Chris Jenner spoke next.

He pointed that he had talked to no Board members about Smith and that the Board had seven weeks to act on her contract.

“There seems to be ample time,” he said, asking the current Board to allow its successor to make the decision.

I spoke next, pointing out I was the only one in the room who had been at the meeting called to form the college.  (Cal Skinner, Sr., called the meeting and served on the first board.)

Steve Willson said the Board faced “a test of integrity.”

I asked the members who would not be on the next Board to think of the harm they would do to the college’s reputation and their own if they acted on the contract extension before leaving office.

I also requested that the reports be made available to the public prior to the meeting.

Steve Wilson, just out of cataract surgery read a statement to the Board:

“This is a test, a test of integrity.

“A week ago 70% of the people who went to the polls voted AGAINST the incumbents.

“If Liddell, Kisser and Miller vote for this contract, it shows they have no respect for the voters and no respect for their new colleagues.

“And if Vicky Smith accepts a contract voted by this lame duck board, over the objection of the new trustees, it will prove she also has no respect for the new board, no integrity, and that she is simply looking for a big golden parachute on her way out the door, grabbing for a half million dollars of taxpayers’ money.”

Steps outlined by Power Wellness in its first report to the McHenry County College Board.

The question of whether it is a conflict of interest for Power Wellness to be paid $50,000 to determine if a health club should be built at McHenry County College which Power Wellness might end up operating surfaced at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

The impetus was a call from an unnamed Chicago Tribune reporter to Ron Parrish, the Board’s designated representative on a committee considering that idea, as well as two other related ones:

1. Health education
2. Clinical services center

Concerning how to finance the project, Parrish said, “Frankly, Vicki and I are on opposite ends of how we’re going to do it.”

Parrish did not enunciate his financing preference.

Parrish praised the two Northwest Herald articles the Sunday and Monday before last.

Sunday’s headline was “MCC claims need for expansion.”

He called the “report well balanced.”

Most of the information seems to have come from MCC President Vicki Smith, MCC Board President Mary Miller and Parish’s having visited the Northwest Herald at its offices.

A discussion followed about whether there was a conflict of interest existed in the hiring of Power Wellness to do a feasibility study.

“Are you comfortable with that?” Parrish asked.

“I’ve only found good reports about Power Wellness[but] they might be soliciting proposals which they might be [competing] against.

Cynthia Kisser asked if there were other potential partners which were as good.

“[If so,] at that pint we’d have to have some other resource to help us evaluate [the proposals].

“I think that’s a bridge we’ll have to cross.

Monday’s headline says, “MCC: No need to tap taxpayers.” This came just one day after a major Chicago Tribune expose featuring how 53% of the bonds from alternative revenue bond financing of a golf course in Lakewood were paid with higher property taxes. Those bonds were sold without a referendum. The sub-headline reads, “College says it won’t go to referendum for proposed expansion.”

“We’re not in a conflict yet. It’s more their conflict than ours.”

“Right now we haven’t hired a partner,” President Miller observed. “For now I don’t see any conflict.”

“I’m prepared to step forward and stop it,” Parrish said.

At that point there was a chorus of “Oh no’s.”

Chairing the Committee of the Whole meeting was Dennis Adams who observed, “Right now we’re all nodding up and down.”

Summing up the attitude of most members, Carol Larson said, “I don’t know [that] the board has a concern right now. I don’t think anyone’s having a problem.

And to Parrish, “I know you do.”

“I do,” Parrish affirmed.

He then talked about a letter from “a concerned citizen.”

“I’ve only seen negative comments.”

“Are the letters you get signed?” Larson asked.

Ron Parrish

Yes,” replied Parrish.

“I get comments [that are] positive, but I don’t have it in writing,” the Alden Township resident observed.

Addressing one complaint was Kisser.

“We are not seeking to become a four-year institution,” she said referring to “a well written letter.”

Then Parrish moved into the question of public perception.

“I believe public perception is just as important as reality.”

“What are we doing to correct the record?” Adams asked, referring to what I think was a letter to the NWH which contained what he characterized as “misinformation.”

“It’s in print,” he stated, perhaps inadvertently showing the power of letters to the editor read by “everybody in this county.”

He referred to a “public relations lie, wrong data, wrong class utilization data. What do we do about that?”

“Maybe Dr. Smith could address those in her column,” Miller suggested.

“Building a fitness center is so far from the truth. That’s not the truth and it not [just] a fitness center,” pointing out that it would be used to train people for jobs.

Centegra’s Crystal Lake HealthBridge.

And of the three additions being considered, Kisser said, “The fitne4ss center may not be there.”

Parrish observed that it was being explored because “there’s a funding mechanism.”

“It’s not like we’re going to be competing with HealthBridge,” Miller said.

Kisser mentioned physical therapy as a use for the fitness center.

In answer to the question of what the college was going to do to counter the bad publicity, Smith told the Trustees, “We do have a communications plan.”

She said, “They have FOIed [filed Freedom of Information request) and drawn their own conclusions [which] don’t have much relationship to what the data says.”

The 2012 Labor Report was referenced which shows health careers going up through 2015.

“What can we use besides the newspaper?” someone asked.

Parrish said, “Pushing forward a $42 million building–that, as I see it, is not on the table.

“We are looking to justify that.”

The new Vice President of Institutional Advancement Laura Brown gave some areas where she and her staff were “looking at what else we can do creatively.”

The internet was specifically referenced.

Here is the reply of Mary Miller, who chairs the MCC Board, to Stephen Willson’s critique of the Wight & Company’s expansion and remodeling proposal

Critic of the McHenry County College 3% Annual 40-Year Enrollment Projections Says They Deserve an “F”

I figure will cost in the neighborhood of $1 billion in today’s money once interest is included.  (I have separated sentences in various paragraphs to make it easier to read on a screen.  In addition, I have re-formatted portions to make it easier to read.)

May 11, 2012

RE: [Steven Willson's] Open Letter to MCC Board of Trustees and Community

MCC Board Chairwoman Mary Miller

After reading Mr. Willson’s open letter, as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for McHenry County College, I was compelled to respond to some of his allegations and inaccuracies.

The community college mission is to provide access to higher education to all who seek it, as well as to support economic development through education and training opportunities. As the organization that serves the educational needs of the entire county, McHenry County College (MCC) strives toward the utmost accountability to its

• students,
• community members and
• taxpayers.

Throughout the process of data gathering that contributed to the proposed Facility Master Plan, the College solicited feedback from all of these stakeholder groups through

• forums,
• focus groups and
• market research,

well as looked at future

• academic trends and
• needs the county has,

so that we may stay in line with workforce needs for the future.

MCC President Vicky Smith

The Facility Master Plan also reflects opportunities for the College to connect with residents throughout the county who have yet to take advantage of its educational opportunities, and how we might engage them in the future.

After all, as the college that serves the entire community, it is critical that we look at how we can serve all educational groups more often and with more support

• (traditional credit students,
• adult students,
• training and workforce development students,
• continuing and professional education students, and
• community event participants).

The College entered into the planning process due to the space constraints within the existing buildings and programs.

Currently, MCC is 100,000 gross square feet short for our students, our course offerings, and desired classroom space.

The below summary clarifies some of the most significant inaccuracies that Mr. Willson cited in his letter.

According to the Fall 2011 McHenry County Labor Report, the average yearly growth in the county over the past 21 years has been 3.6%.

The enrollment growth average for the College over the past ten fiscal years has been 4%.

Both of these data documents were used to establish enrollment growth projections within the Facility Master Plan.

Nationwide, the emphasis on community education is steadily growing.

In 2009, President Obama created a focus on community colleges, launching the White House’s first-ever community college summit.

This initiative stressed that through expanded learning opportunities, training and availability of higher education,

“Americans will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to compete for the jobs of the future.”

The president set expectations for community colleges to graduate an additional five million students by 2020.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, eight of the ten fastest-growing careers do not require a bachelor’s degree.

By 2018, 60% of the jobs in the country will require some level of postsecondary education below a bachelor’s degree.

The estimated growth of the College over the coming years may also be attributed to new and existing program development.

MCC 40-Year Plan. Click to enlarge.

New programs at MCC that reflect the needs of our community will include:

• robotics,
• respiratory therapy,
• physical therapy assistant,
• health information technology,
• manufacturing and
• veterinary technician.

Many of these programs will have general education requirements, as well as high-tech and/or laboratory space requirements, creating additional program and space implications.

Such growth would also come in the form of new weekend programming to serve our adult learner population, including advanced manufacturing/skilled training programs,

• nursing,
• business, and
• information technology programs.

The emergence of new programs in these and other high-demand areas will attract more adult learners and allow the College to better support industries within the county.

MCC’s educational programs are rapidly changing to meet the needs of today’s students, ranging from traditional full time,

• part-time working,
• returning degree-seeking adults,
• four-year transfer students, and
• online students.

The College continually analyzes curricula and surveys students to ensure the right mix of courses, certificates and degrees are offered.

This speaks to the mission of the community college—to provide more opportunities for every citizen to achieve a higher education, which is at the core of a thriving community.

McHenry County College is always open to hearing all residents’ views and ideas.

Mary R. Miller
Chair, Board of Trustees

First let me note that Stephen Willson got more of a reply than I ever have by asking questions in person at board meetings.  I haven’t checked lately, but the last time I did, the questions asked were not even included in the minutes.  (I have reformatted Willson’s reply as well.)

Here is Willson’s reply, which, I expect, will elicit another reply.

Subject: RE: Response to An Open Letter to the MCC Board
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 10:01:06 -0500

Dear Ms. Miller:

I’m so glad you responded.  This gives us the opportunity to have a real dialogue.  Let’s consider each issue, shall we?

The first paragraph speaks to the College’s mission.  I agree with your mission and concede the point.

Please explain how your mission affects population projections.

Your second paragraph speaks to the purpose of the Master Plan and asserts without evidence that the College is 100,000 square feet short of the space it needs.

I have no quibble with the first part of your paragraph, but I see no evidence to support your assertion about space being short.

I have visited the college on many occasions during normal school hours, and I would say that, on average, 33% of the classrooms that I pass are empty.

Please produce figures showing the percentage of time that the classroom space you have is utilized.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 are where you say you will address my inaccuracies.

You address exactly one point, population growth in McHenry County since 1990.  Allow me to speak to your points.

First of all, the Fall 2011 McHenry County Labor Report says population grew 74.7% over 20 years, not 21.  Further, if you do the math, that translate into an annual rate of increase of 2.83%, not 3.6%  [(1.028^20)-1=74.7%].

Second, even this figure is wrong.  According to the Census Bureau, the population of McHenry County was 183,241 in 1990 and 308,760 in 2010.  That translates into annual growth of 2.64%.

Third, more recent growth is more relevant than older growth.  The growth rate from 2000 to 2010 was only 1.73% per year.

Fourth, the number of young people in school — the future students at MCC — is declining.  As I stated, the number of 3rd graders is declining at every single school district in the County, at most for several years, and right now equals only 80% of the number of high school seniors.  Where will future students come from if the number of high school seniors declines over the next ten years?

Summary of MCC baseball stadium proposal assumptions by Economic Research Associates, the college's outside consultants.

In short, you provide one inaccurate piece of evidence to support your position and responded to none of my other points about population growth in McHenry County and especially to projected changes in population in the 18-24 year old age cohort.

As I point out, the number of new students your growth rate implies means that you would have to capture an increasing percentage of the graduating high school seniors, eventually exceeding 100%.

The math is indisputable.

The number of new students enrolling at the college now is equal to about 33% of the graduating high school seniors in McHenry County, but a 3% growth rate forces this capture rate up to 50% in 10 years, 75% in 20 years, and more than 100% in 30 years.

How in the world can the college grow by that much?

In the same paragraph you mention the growth rate in enrollment at the college, but fail to point out that the college has exceeded a 3% growth rate in only two of the last seven years, that one of these was a one-time jump due to the Promise program, and that in the last two semesters, your enrollment has declined 4% and 5% respectively.

You can pick your starting point carefully to make your case, but the choice of the starting point must be justified.

The baseball stadium was supposed to subsidize the construction of rooms for a nursing program.

If there is some sort of formal demographic study that underlies the 3% growth projection, please produce it and explain why it was not sent to me in response to my FOIA request.

Also, the papers I was sent include a reference to the MCC Master Plan Steering Committee, but the response to my FOIA request included zero information on this committee, such as membership, meeting minutes, reports, etc.

Now either there is no committee or the College failed to provide an appropriate response to my FOIA request.

As you answer this question, please also explain why Joseph Baumann, your own Director of Institutional Research, was not a part of this committee and was only minimally involved and did not actually participate in generating the 3% projection.

Your remaining paragraphs speak to the College’s hopes for the future.

I wish you well with this.

I think community colleges play an important role in our society, providing a cheap way for kids to get their first two years of college if they are going for a bachelor’s degree, providing technical and occupational training for those who do not plan to attend a four year college, and providing some fun classes, too.

The issue is not whether MCC is a worthy institution, but only whether it needs an additional $280 million.

I look forward to further discussion on these points.  It is through this kind of public debate that the public has the opportunity to make an informed decision.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Willson

A press release from McHenry County College:

MCC BOARD WELCOMES NEW TRUSTEES

[May 2, 2011.Crystal Lake, IL] The McHenry County College Board of Trustees welcomed newly-elected trustees Cynthia Kisser of Wonder Lake, Linda Liddell of Crystal Lake and Dennis Adams of McHenry, as well as student trustee Taylor Irish Morrobel of Crystal Lake, at their monthly board meeting on April 27.

MCC Board of Trustees chair, Mary Miller, swears in newly-elected MCC trustees. Pictured from left, chair Mary Miller, Cynthia Kisser, elected to a six-year term, and Dennis Adams, elected to a two-year term. Adams was also appointed as the Board’s vice chairperson. Not pictured is Linda Liddell, who took her oath of office via conference call.

Ms. Kisser and Ms. Liddell both were elected to six-year terms. Mr. Adams, who was appointed to the board in November 2010, was elected to a two-year term. Mr. Morrobel was elected by student peers to a one-year term.

“McHenry County College impacts the lives of thousands of people daily, whether these people are students, faculty, staff, or members of the public who support and benefit from its services,” Kisser stated. “It is an honor to serve as trustee and to help MCC stay true to its mission.”

According to Liddell, “We are entering a time when community colleges will play a bigger role across the country. Enrollments are up nationwide, and MCC has an excellent staff and the right resources in place to move forward and support community and workforce needs. I am excited to be part of the College’s growth and look forward to helping MCC meet new heights and demands over the coming years,” Liddell said.

Board Chair, Mary Miller, installed all trustees and shared her perspective. “I am very pleased to welcome Linda Liddell and Cynthia Kisser to the McHenry County College Board of Trustees. Both bring a wealth of experience to the office, and I look forward to working with them to move the College forward.” Miller added, “I am also happy that Dennis Adams will continue on the Board. I know that his business skills will be a valuable asset in his new capacity as vice chair of the Board.”

Trustee Adams has a strong interest in the future success of the College. “As a parent of two students who attend MCC, I am very happy to be able to volunteer my time to the institution,” he said.

“The Board is also excited to welcome Taylor Irish Morrobel as our student trustee, and I feel confident that he will represent the student body well in our discussions,” Chair Miller concluded.

Student Trustee Morrobel said that “having the opportunity to serve as the MCC student trustee is a great privilege. Everyone on the Board was very welcoming, and I look forward to working with them. I will try my best to serve the students of MCC well and am excited to be their voice.”

The Board also elected officers at the April meeting; Mary Miller was re-elected as chair, Dennis Adams was elected as vice chair, and Barbara Walters was elected as secretary.

For a schedule of upcoming MCC Board meetings, visit www.mchenry.edu/board; all meetings are open to the public. If you have questions or feedback for the MCC Board of Trustees, please email mcctrustees@mchenry.edu.

Linda Liddell

Cynthia Kisser

Five out of seven.

That’s the number of women who will be serving on the McHenry County College Board after new members are sworn in.

Robert DeWitt

George Lowe

In last week’s election, two women, Linda Liddel and Cynthia Kisser. took the six-year terms.

Dennis Adams

Losing was long-time member George Lowe and appointed member Robert DeWitt, who took Scott Summers place.

For the two-year term, a man did win.

Dennis Adams, appointed to fill out Donna Kurtz’ term beat another man, Dave Boger.

But, there are three women who were not up for election this year:

Carol Larson

• Carol Larson
• Mary Miller
• Barbara Walters

Mary Miller

Barbara Walter

Ron Parish, elected President of Bull Valley this spring, also occupies a seat on the board.

Ron Parish

Student Trustee Cody Sheriff is also male, but his term expires this month and, while he can talk, he can’t vote.

Vicky Smith

And, of course, Vicky Smith is the new MCC President.

What role do you think gender will have on McHenry County College?

Will new member Linda Liddell get her wish to tape record and archive what is said at McHenry County College Board meetings?

Will Dennis Adams continue to approach college affairs from his businessman’s point of view.

Any thoughts on the future of the college?

McHenry County College has issued the following press release on the contract signing with new President Vicky Smith:

MCC WELCOMES NEW PERMANENT PRESIDENT

[July 9, 2010.Crystal Lake, IL] At a special board meeting held on July 9, 2010, Dr. Vicky Smith and MCC Board Chair Mary Miller signed a contract confirming Smith’s agreement to serve as McHenry County College’s next president.

Vicky Smith and new MCC Board President Mary Miller sign contract with board member Donna Kurtz looking on.

After an eight-month presidential search process, the Board selected Smith as the College’s new president due to her extensive leadership experience, her can-do attitude and her ability to move higher education institutions forward.

“The Board is excited about working with Dr. Smith,” said Miller.

“She brings new ideas and great experience to the College. With our current economic conditions, we expect MCC’s enrollment increase to continue. Dr. Smith has experience with moving a college forward while increasing its financial security. She did all of that at Neosho.”

Over the past seven-and-a-half years, Smith has served as the president of Neosho County Community College, a two-campus, comprehensive community college in eastern Kansas. Before going to Neosho County Community College, she was the vice president for Academic Services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, where she oversaw the Damon Center urban campus and the suburban Applied Technology Center, as well as the academic and student services operations on the main campus.

Her prior experience includes her role as president of Austin Community College, a small community college in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System. She is passionate about community colleges and their role in changing peoples’ lives. She has devoted her career to ensuring that students are learning and that an environment is created where they can succeed at whatever they choose.

For Smith, the decision to come to MCC wasn’t a difficult one. A native of Illinois, and raised on a grain farm outside Decatur, Illinois, she is excited to come back to her home state and be near family again. More importantly, Smith sees tremendous opportunity at MCC.

“I like working with institutions that have good bones, dedicated employees and a strong focus on the student learning experience. There are great possibilities at MCC, and it’s in a growing and thriving community. I want to help move the College forward and take it to the next level,”

Smith added.

On a personal level, Smith said she feels a connection with MCC and the county itself.

“The community has a sincerity about it, and the people seem great. Plus, it will be nice to be in an area that is accessible and provides many things to do.”

According to Dr. Tony Miksa, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, there is a general excitement around Smith’s arrival at the College.

“I personally am eager to start working with Dr. Smith. She brings a great deal of leadership experience to MCC at a time when things are really starting to move forward.”

When Smith begins her new role at MCC, she will focus much of her efforts on partnering with the Board to set a strategic direction for the College, followed by finalizing the institution’s strategic plan.

Smith said,

“I look forward to working collaboratively with trustees to establish a common vision for MCC moving forward. I also plan to devote a great deal of time to talking with employees one-on-one, as well as getting out into the community and speaking with citizens.”

Other areas of focus for Smith will include enrollment, the College’s ERP project, and funding, including grant writing.

Smith received an Educational Specialist (Ed. Spec.) and B.S. degree from Eastern Illinois University, an M.S. from the University of Illinois, and an Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University.

“We look forward to her leadership and thank everyone for their continued support of the College. It is a fantastic place to learn,” Miller concluded.

Smith will officially begin her new position on Monday, August 16, 2010. Dates for Smith’s installation and reception will be announced soon.

Here’s McHenry County College’s official take on the selection of Vicky Smith as its new president:

MCC BOARD ANNOUNCES NEW PERMANENT PRESIDENT

Vicky Smith

[July 2, 2010.Crystal Lake, IL]  At a special meeting on July 2, 2010, the McHenry County College (MCC) Board of Trustees voted to take action on finalizing the contract of a new college president. The Board approved hiring Dr. Vicky Smith as MCC’s new, permanent president for a 3-year contract and at a salary of $195,000 per year. Dr. Smith has agreed to this final salary, and the contract is in the process of being finalized.

Her most recent role has been as the president of Neosho County Community College, a two-campus, comprehensive community college in eastern Kansas.

Before going to Neosho County Community College, Dr. Smith served as the vice president for Academic Services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, where she oversaw the Damon Center urban campus and the suburban Applied Technology Center, as well as the academic and student services operations on the main campus.

Her prior experience includes her role as president Austin Community College, a small community college in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System.

She received an Educational Specialist (Ed. Spec.) and B.S. degree from Eastern Illinois University, an M.S. from the University of Illinois, and an Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Smith was one of three final presidential candidates selected by MCC’s presidential search committee, facilitated by national executive search firm, Isaacson, Miller.

Trustee Dr. Bob DeWitt has acted as the presidential search committee chair since its inception.

“We started this process in November. The committee put in many hours in order to finalize a list of strong finalists. Such an inclusive process is what led us to an impressive list of finalists. I am so pleased that after a lengthy deliberation, we chose an excellent candidate in Vicky Smith.”

Also effective at today’s meeting, the Board reorganized its leadership. Mary Miller was appointed Board Chair [replacing in mid-term George Lowe, who replaced Scott Summers in mid-term], and [newly-appointed] Dr. Bob DeWitt was appointed Vice Chair. The Board believes that this structure will allow them to work both efficiently and collaboratively with the new College President.

Upon Dr. Smith’s arrival at the College, a formal welcome reception will be scheduled. For a complete overview on Dr. Smith, please visit this web site.

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That web site provides the following information:

Dr. Vicky R. Smith is currently the President of Neosho County Community College, a two-campus, comprehensive community college in eastern Kansas. While at NCCC, she has initiated new academic programs in health care, “green” construction, computer science, and sustainable energy, as well as developed collaborative partnerships with K-12, business and industry, four-year colleges and universities, and other community colleges.

Under her leadership, NCCC has been the fastest growing community college in Kansas for the last seven years, rising from 18th out of 19th in size to 12th in size through increasing student retention, expanding on-line education, and implementing successful student support services and programs.

Before coming to Neosho County Community College, Dr. Smith served as the Vice-president for Academic Services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY, where she oversaw the Damon Center urban campus and the suburban Applied Technology Center as well as the academic and student services operations on the main campus.

Under her leadership the enrollment grew by 17% to a total of 25,000 student headcount; the college became the leader in on-line, asynchronous learning in SUNY LearnNET with 21% or 3000 of all New York State students enrolled in the program; and a $26 million Public Safety Training Facility was constructed in partnership with the City of Rochester and the County of Monroe.

Prior to Monroe Community College, Dr. Smith was the president of a small community college in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System—Austin Community College.

While there she developed the first new degree programs the College had initiated in 10 years, oversaw the renovation of the campus and construction of a new library/LRC, computer classrooms, a Center for Student Success, fitness lab, dance studio, and general classrooms. In addition, she was instrumental in the successful merger of her institution with the adjacent technical college campus to become Riverland Community College.

Dr. Smith is passionate about community colleges and their role in changing peoples’ lives. She has devoted her career to ensuring that students are learning and that an environment is created where they can succeed at whatever they choose. Her favorite time of the year is graduation, where she has the honor of shaking the hand of each graduate as they cross the stage after receive their degree or certificate.

A native of Illinois, Dr. Smith was raised on a grain farm outside Decatur, Illinois. She received her Doctorate in Education (Ed. D.) from Northern Illinois University, her Educational Specialist (Ed. Spec.) and Bachelor in Education (BS. in Ed) degrees from Eastern Illinois University, and her Master in Science (MS) from the University of Illinois.