2020 -- A year in review

Although 2020 has been filled with many challenges, the holidays remain a time to enjoy family and friends, even if virtually.

Here at the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, we have so much to be grateful for and to celebrate -- most notably our engaged trustees, dedicated staff, and supportive community colleges.

Although we mourned the sudden passing of ICCTA President Gregg Chadwick, we did have a few highlights from this year:

  • ICCTA officers and staff visited 15 colleges across the state to present ICCTA and Association of Community College Trustees awards directly to our 2020 recipients. This was in lieu of our 50th anniversary banquet and awards ceremony. You can read more about our award winners' accomplishments on the Awards and Scholarship page of our revamped website.

  • We initiated the #CCLiftUp social media campaign to share how community colleges are lifting up students of color and others who are underrepresented. We also hosted a seminar on diversity, equity and inclusion implementation with a distinguished panel of experts from across the state and country.

  • ICCTA collaborated with our higher education allies and advocates to ensure that Illinois' FY 2021 state budget included a 5% boost in funding for community college operations and adult education services, and a $5 million grant to expand community college apprenticeship programs. In addition, we sought a new 15% set-aside for Monetary Awards Program grants designated for community college students.

We are also very thankful for our wonderful community partners. ICCTA wishes you an enjoyable holiday and a prosperous new year!

We missed you at our last meeting....

Interested in becoming more active in ICCTA? Contact one of our officers or executive staff: 
  • Jim Reed, ICCTA executive director
  • Mandy Little, treasurer (John A. Logan College)
  • Bob Thompson, past president (Sauk Valley Community College)
  • Jon Looney, president (Black Hawk College)
  • Dr. Maureen Dunne, secretary (College of DuPage)

Click here for ICCTA's 2020-2021 leadership team
 
 

 #CCLiftUp for equity and diversity

The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis makes clear yet again that systemic discrimination and unjust racial disparities continue to plague our country. 

Those of us who work tirelessly for good through our community colleges and what they represent must stand united with those afflicted against the base instincts of others among us that seek to divide, denigrate and subjugate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other differences.

The best way to give hope to those who have been victimized is to share what you are doing at your college and in your community to uplift people of color and those who are under-represented. We welcome you to submit your #CCLiftUp stories to ICCTA at [email protected], and we will share them with our ICCTA community.

Read ICCTA's #CCLiftUp statement