University Center of Lake County Welcomes New Board Members & Adds Programs
The Governing Board of the University Center of Lake County affirmed new leadership, welcomed new members, and approved new programs at its quarterly meeting on March 5. Former State Representative Kathy Ryg, who has served on the University Center's Governing Board since 2011, was elected its new Chair.
Chair Ryg welcomed several new members to the Board: Carolina Duque, Project Manager, Alliance for Human Services; Ignacio Lopez, Vice Provost for Academic Programs & Faculty Development, National Louis University; Tim Perry, Market President, State Bank of the Lakes; and Jackie Tompkins, Controller, Business Development, External Affairs & General Counsel, AbbVie. In addition, Wesley Lindahl, Dean and Nils Axelson Professor of Nonprofit Management at North Park University rejoined the Board after an absence of four years. The combined total of new and ongoing Board members is fifteen, split between representatives of the local community and representatives of the member universities.
"I am looking forward to working with this new Board," said Executive Director and Dean G. Gary Grace. "We're in a challenging time for higher education and the financial acumen and economic development expertise of the new Board members, along with their experience in connecting with the local community and in serving adult students will help keep the University Center sustainable as we collaborate with local partners to serve our region."
The Governing Board approved two new programs for inclusion in the University Center, both online programs from the University of Illinois Springfield. One is a flexible graduate program that can lead to a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies or a Master of Science in Environmental Studies. The other is a three-course Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems.
"Having recently attended a presentation that emphasized the growing job market for those with GIS skills, I am especially pleased that the University Center is adding a new certificate program that enables Lake County workers to sharpen those skills," said Kathy Ryg after the Board acted.
Information about both programs is available at www.ucenter.org or at an Open House which will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 6 - 8 pm at the University Center's Grayslake facility (1200 University Center Drive). Information about the full range of degree and certificate options will be provided at the event. Call (847) 665-4000 for more information about the Open House or about available programs.
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