College of DuPage Community and Board Meet with Presidential Candidate Dr. David Sam
Community College of DuPage District 502 community members had the opportunity to meet and pose questions to presidential search finalist Dr. David Sam on Wednesday, April 20, during the third of three candidate forums hosted by the COD Board of Trustees. The forums have been viewed by hundreds, both in person and via web streaming.
Dr. Sam answered a variety of questions from the audience and via email and social media. He initially shared that his vision for College of DuPage is incomplete because he needs input from students, faculty and staff. But he discussed the building blocks that would be important to a shared vision.
"COD believes in the power of teaching and learning. COD embraces excellence - everything we do should be of excellence," he said. "COD promotes diversity, inclusion and equity. COD believes in the participation of everyone in a plan. COD believes it will be of value to students and the community. With your input, we can make this vision complete. To achieve all of this, the status quo is not going to be acceptable. We need to move this institution to the next level. In the vocabulary of the millennials, we need to get our swagger back."
When asked about building trust with the community, Dr. Sam said the community must learn to trust College of DuPage again.
"One of the most meaningful things a president can do is earn trust back…and I will not keep you waiting long to get that done," he said. "I will go anywhere that anyone will take me and talk to people firsthand, solicit their ideas, and put in my ideas on how to earn this trust. There is fence mending and healing that we need to do. But we will do the right things, and the community will see there is a change in what we do and be able to rebuild a trust that has been eroded. There will be transparency, and we will put it out there."
Dr. Sam, who is currently President of Elgin Community College, has 22 years of administrative experience as president, vice president, dean or coordinator at seven colleges, including two years as Coordinator of International Programs at the College of DuPage. He has taught at the collegiate level as an adjunct and as Assistant/Full Professor at five institutions. Courses taught include international relations, business and government.
Past leadership positions include: President of North Harris College (TX); Dean of the Community and Technical College of the University of Akron (OH), Vice President of Harrisburg Area Community College (PA); Dean at Mott Community College (MI); Coordinator of International Studies at the College of DuPage; and Associate Director at Harold Washington College (IL). A lifelong learner, Dr. Sam holds six degrees: a B.A. from Illinois State University; an M.A. from Tufts University (MA); the M.B.A. from Northwestern University; a Ph.D. in International Relations from Tufts University; a J.D. from the University of Akron; and an LLM from the University of Dundee in Scotland.
Acting Board Chairman Deanne Mazzochi expressed her gratitude to the forum participants, citing the months-long work of the 17-member Presidential Search Committee. She also thanked the College community for its support during the process.
"We as a board are honored to hear your views and have your trust as we select the next leader of College of DuPage," she said. "I understand that we have a very tough decision before us."
On Monday night, the College held its first public forum for presidential candidate Dr. Barbara Kavalier, and on Tuesday night a second public forum was held for Dr. Ann Rondeau.
A video recording of the forum featuring Dr. Sam is available here.
Click here for more information on the College's Presidential Search or to provide feedback on the candidates through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 29.
College of DuPage is an accredited community college that serves more than 29,000 students each term. The College, which grants nine associate degrees and more than 170 certificates in 100 areas of study, is the second largest provider of public undergraduate education in Illinois.