Loretta Dorn: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: VoloWebsite: http://lorettadorncaringforthecommunity.com/Twitter: Loretta@latjec_lorettaFacebook: lorettakdornOffice sought: College Of Lake County School Board Age: 53Family: Married with 5 children.Occupation: Director of Clinical Operations Lake County Health DepartmentEducation: RN Masters in NursingCivic involvement: Facilitated Children's grief groups for the willow house in LibertyvilleVolunteered my time at a free clinic in Crystal Lake, ILMember of the National Council on Education for the Infusion Nurses SocietyElected offices held: President of the Illinois Chapter of the Infusion Nurses SocietyQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I believe that everyone should have the right to an affordable education. I want to fight to ensure that even those who may not be a typical college bound student can get job training, or a degree that will make Lake County economically strong. We need to give everyone a chance at education. I had to fight to get my daughter who is developmentally challenged into CLC and so I will make sure that everyone who wants to attend gets a chance to reach their dreams.In tough economic times, many students (and working professionals) turn to a community college for its educational value. How do you ensure that a person's financial sacrifice results in an educational benefit?Today in America, the job skills that are needed by employers continue to be careers with technical skills. These jobs are in high demand and often require no more than an associate's degree. In fact some studies report that graduates of community colleges often earn more initially when graduating with a vocational or 2 year degree program than a traditional 4 year degree program. This means the financial sacrifice and commitment to obtain a community education will ensure that the student will be able to achieve financial security. The financial sacrifice does not just impact the student, it also changes the community. Increasing the percent of an educated work force brings in more companies who are looking for skilled people to hire. The benefit of the community college goes beyond the students own professional growth and finances but will also affect the strength and health of the community.From the college's point of view, what budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?The College of Lake County as part of the Illinois education system will continue to be impacted by the state budget crisis. While to date CLC has been able to continue to fund programs the continued budget crisis will have an impact in the coming year. The purpose of CLC is to ensure that through education and workforce development the economy continues to produce a productive educated population. CLC should continue to look at creating better value with the revenue received regardless of the funding. I believe before we cut the programs that make the county strong, we need to look at all administrative costs and understand where efficiencies can be undertaken to make sure that all tax dollars are used wisely. We can also look at programs that have low enrollment and understand how we can use teachers and staff in more than one program before we increase head count. Spending the budget wisely means the college should not need to create any additional tax to the residents of Lake County.Community colleges provide many services to a diverse population. Is there a service your college should be providing that it is not, or reaching a segment of the population that it is not?My personal experience in having to fight to get my daughter into a certification program at CLC has led me to begin the conversation with other parents in similar situations. We need to have an educational system for students who are not ready or able to go to a 4 year college. These students could become productive members of the county if we provided the opportunity for them to succeed. Today when an intellectually disabled student turns 22 they are cut off from any state funding to provide them with educational and vocational skills with no place to go. The levels of intellectual disability vary greatly and many of these students have the capacity to attend a certificate program, get a job, and become part of the workforce in Lake County. We need to have an environment which ensures that anyone has the ability to achieve their highest potential.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for the community college board? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.CLC has been an important part of my entire life. I want to be able to give back to the college that changed my life. I was able to get my nursing degree while still taking care of my children and having a full time job. A CLC education gave me the means to be successful in my advanced education. CLC provided me a way to pay for my sons first 2 years before he transferred to NIU to get his Nursing degree. CLC enabled my developmentally disabled daughter to graduate with a certificate and be proud of whom she is. CLC ensured that my daughter who chose to attend a 4 year college was able to complete her degree in 4 years by taking summer classes at CLC.I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of the people of our community by ensuring CLC has a presence that is part of the solution. I want to welcome all who want to become part of that solution in making Lake County an amazing place to live.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I will fight for access to affordable education. I believe in using our tax dollars wisely and investing back into the community by creating a diverse work force. I am making a commitment to do all that I can to provide quality education equally to all.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Recently I have been inspired by one of our Lake County board members Steve Carlson. He has shown me that I can make a difference.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Never give up no matter how hard life is and be true to who you are.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Understanding that its ok to reach out to people for help instead of trying always be completely independent.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was my favorite subject. Understanding where we have been means being able to navigate changes in our future.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never Give up on your dream and never let anyone tell you that you can't.