Linda Liddell: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Crystal LakeWebsite: http://www.LindaLiddell.comOffice sought: McHenry County CollegeAge: 57Family: Divorced, three children - Brad (26) living in Salt Lake City, UT, Karissa (23) and Andrea (21) both living in Bozeman, MTOccupation: Strategic Alliances and Channel Management for Worldwide Communication CompanyEducation: BS - Education and Textile Design, South Dakota State UniversityServed in U.S. Army at First Lieutenant, Natick Research and Development Command, MAAdvanced studies towards MBAAMA Competitive Market Planning, 1995Civic involvement: Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers, Board of Directors for Hearthstone Communities located in Woodstock, Serve on marketing committee for Leadership Greater McHenry CountyElected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I will be a conduit for community engagement, promoting transparency while listening and responding to the taxpayers we serve.Key Issue 2 I believe in the power of education to change lives for the better and for bringing key resources needed to our community.Key Issue 3 As a business woman, I will insure MCC is being smart in the way money is allocated and spent and how MCC markets itself.Questions Answers With enrollment up at my many community colleges, it can be challenging to keep pace as far as available classroom/lab space, the number of qualified teachers and available course work options. How would you manage that?To effectively manage growth and change, I would insure that short-term goals long-term strategic plans clearly articulate the expected changes in supporting enrollment and quality of service. It is then the Board's and President's responsibility to execute on that plan. This will be done with transparency, insuring the community has input and is kept abreast of progress.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 equates into an educational benefit?To insure individual educational benefit and financial expectations are met, it is imperative that we listen, evaluate and align the curriculum or line of study and financing requirements to the student's goals. MCC offers many venues to meet the full-time and part-time working student or professional. Insuring that the programs and offerings are known and aligned to the student's goals are the first steps towards success.Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?I do not believe a tax rate increase is needed at this time. If an increase is needed in the future, the community would be involved with the board and MCC faculty to understand the funding options AND benefits for the increase. A tax increase must benefit the community tax payers and the students. Full transparency is critical.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?MCC will continue to be tightly aligned with the community to provide services for our population. The MAP community engagement planning over the past 18 months gained insight to the needs of different segments of our community. Today, MCC offers programs and services to support several ethnic groups, handicapped individuals, veterans, as well as certification requirements for manufacturers in our community. As the need arises, MCC is positioned to respond proactively.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for the park board? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.I have lived in the community for over 20 years, serving MCC in volunteer capacities, supporting Friends of MCC, and having children enrolled in courses on campus. I have board experience. As a newcomer to public election, I bring a fresh perspective to the MCC board. I believe my business experience and collaborative leadership skills, plus my personal passion for education excellence and community engagement will add value to our college and our community.