New College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau Visits with Employees

College of DuPage President Designate Dr. Ann Rondeau met with students, faculty, administrators and staff during a breakfast on Friday, May 6. During the open house, Dr. Rondeau spoke to employees about inclusivity and a bright future for the College.

"It is my complete pleasure to be here and I look forward to learning with you, listening to you and supporting you," Dr. Rondeau said. "If I help you and you succeed, we'll ultimately help our students succeed. All of us together can accomplish so much and I look forward to the opportunity to work with each and every one of you."

Following the breakfast, Dr. Rondeau toured the College's Glen Ellyn campus with COD Vice Chairman David Olsen and college officials, stopping by several classrooms to speak with students.

Dr. Rondeau was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the College's sixth president during a Special Board Meeting on May 2 after the completion of an approximately eight-month nationwide search. Dr. Rondeau's contract was approved during a May 5 Special Board Meeting.

Previously, Dr. Rondeau served as a consultant and partner with IBM Watson Group. She is a past president of the National Defense University, a consortium of five colleges and nine research centers in Washington, DC. Dr. Rondeau has 26 years of experience in significant military and educational roles, including Deputy Commander of the U.S. Transportation

Command in Illinois, Pentagon Director/Chief of Staff for the U.S. Navy Staff, Commander of the Navy Personnel Development Command in Virginia, Commander of the Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill., Pacific Fleet Staff Chief of Staff in Hawaii, Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity in Tennessee and other staff and commanding responsibilities with policy, support and student service. Dr. Rondeau's national reputation comes from her entrepreneurial approach and business savvy, her roles as National Security Advisor to the U.S. Attorney General and as White House Fellow assigned to the U.S. Department of Justice.

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.