COD president celebrates fourth year
Despite the challenges of declining state funding and a struggling national economy, College of DuPage continued to thrive in 2012. Successes included the development or implementation of 19 new degree and certificate programs, enhancement of its award winning 3+1 program that offers an option for bachelor's degrees earned at COD at significantly reduced cost, and the continued $550 million transformation of its teaching and learning facilities.
In a campus address last week, President Robert L. Breuder reflected on 2012 and forecasted another strong year for the College. Click here to watch highlights from Dr. Breuder's remarks.
“Over the last year, we have strengthened this institution, continuing to build on our academic programming and further enhancing this campus to position ourselves as one of the top community colleges in the country,” Dr. Breuder said. “These enhancements, along with several other initiatives, distinguish College of DuPage from its peers, attracting students who are selecting COD as their first college of choice.”
Dr. Breuder, the fifth president of College of DuPage, recently celebrated his fourth anniversary as president. His arrival in 2009 heralded the start of an ambitious capital improvement campaign which will have resulted in new construction or renovation of nearly two million square feet of educational space by 2014.
In 2012, Dr. Breuder's leadership in marketing and public relations through the College's various campaigns and publications garnered the 2012 Pacesetter of the Year Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 3.
Examples of the College's many significant outcomes during Dr. Breuder's tenure include:
Adding 38 new certificate programs and 11 new degree programs.
Increasing the College's unallocated fund balance by more than $46.5 million (to $98.2 million or 60.3 percent of the College's operating budget). Additionally, created designated reserves of $36 million to address the potential funding of pensions ($22 million); a comprehensive Information Technology Strategic Plan ($8 million); and maintenance of the College's existing physical plant ($6 million).
Conceiving of and developed twelve 3+1 degree programs in partnership with area universities: Lewis, Governor's State, Benedictine, Concordia and Roosevelt that offer students an opportunity to earn convenient, cost-effective bachelor's degrees in courses taught entirely on COD's campus.
Receiving the 2012 Illinois Council of Community College Administrators Innovation Award for the development of the new 3+1 baccalaureate degree program.
Achieving a 1.9 percent increase in headcount and a 3.2 percent increase in fulltime enrolled students, significantly higher than average statewide increases of 0.3 percent 2.3 percent, respectively.
Click here for a complete list of Significant Institutional Outcomes from January 2009 to December 2012.
“While other institutions are seeing flat or declining enrollment, College of DuPage continues to thrive. We do that by offering the highest quality education at an affordable price,” Dr. Breuder said. “We stay ahead of the trends, adjusting our offerings to reflect the job market and educational needs for our students, whether they are seeking immediate employment or are transferring to top schools across the country.”
Prior to his arrival at College of DuPage, Dr. Breuder was president of William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Ill., where he had served since 1998. Raised in Queens, New York, Dr. Breuder earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from
Florida State University in 1972 and began his career as an instructor of Botany at Paul Smith's College in New York. At the age of 36, Dr. Breuder became the youngest community college president in the nation at Pennsylvania College of Technology (formerly Williamsport Area Community College), in Williamsport, Penn. In March 2013, Dr. Breuder will celebrate 32 years as a community college president. For more information, visit the Office of President's website.