Haroon Atcha: 2023 candidate for College of DuPage District 502 board

Bio

Town: Naperville

Age on Election Day: 31

Occupation: Data scientist/adjunct instructor

Employer: US Foods/Arizona State University

Previous offices held: Current serving as an appointed public member of the Student Success Committee at the College of DuPage

Q&A

Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

A: I'm running to ensure COD is accountable and accessible to all students in its district. I'm especially concerned about how vastly completion rates differ across student groups. Roughly 25% of full-time white students complete a degree within 3 years while only 10% of their Black counterparts do. Moreover, 49% of COD's full-time Black students drop out within 3 years. These are appalling numbers that we have an obligation to address as a community. I'm running to fix these gaps and make COD a fairer, more accessible institution.

Q: 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?

A: The best way to help students benefit from their college experience is to ensure they complete a program. In tough economic times, there are a number of stumbling blocks that can keep students from achieving this goal. Community colleges can play a critical role in helping students overcome those barriers by providing robust services. An organized and well-funded advising department, mental health counseling, financial aid, child-care options and access to transportation help students reach the finish line. The value of a college degree or formal trades training is indisputable. The best way to help students benefit from their time at the College of DuPage is to help them finish their programs by providing appropriate support services.

Q: How would you describe the state of your college's finances? What issues will your district have to confront in coming years 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?

A: I would describe the college's current financial position as safe, but in need of long-term attention. I believe it was appropriate and necessary for the college to dip into its reserves during the COVID crisis. Now that the worst of the crisis has passed, it's time to make robust long-term plans.

Nationally, enrollment at community colleges has been trending downward for the last decade. The College of DuPage's enrollment numbers match this trend and there's no reason to believe this will change drastically in the near-term. We need to plan with these trends in mind.

I believe refocusing on the college's core mission is the path to financial stability. First and foremost, I would support cuts to capital improvements. The college is still winding down from a building spree undertaken by previous presidents. Capital improvements need the least of our attention. I support responsible budgets and would support fee or tax increases only after careful deliberation and public input.

Q: What are three specific nonfinancial challenges your community college will have to face in the next four years and what are your thoughts about how each should be addressed?

A: Completion gaps: The college's Black and Hispanic students complete programs at much lower rates than their white counterparts. Gaps like these will be the most pressing issue colleges will face in the coming years. Doing so will require a commitment to robust services and transparent reporting.

Declining enrollment: Nationally, and at COD, enrollment at community colleges is on a downward trajectory. I believe the college needs to refocus on serving underserved populations if it wants to buck the trend. Poor and first-generation students are a community college's natural student body. We need to address these students' needs and help them attend the College of DuPage.

Faculty-Administration relations: Contract negotiations are frequently contentious and they don't need to be. Greater communication between the board, administration and faculty can help avoid these recurring problems. The board should play a more proactive role in smoothing out the negotiation process.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.

A: I've worked as a researcher at a large community college where I was tasked with addressing completion-gaps and other student concerns. I worked with numerous stakeholders including faculty, administrators and students, to craft policies that addressed the college's most pressing concerns. I believe it's important to recognize your partners' interests and work in good faith to find meaningful solutions. Clearly communicating the shared mission between all stakeholders - student success - helps people work toward a common goal together. It can give people a north star to work toward even when you may disagree on the path to get there. Clear communication, collaboration and a relentless focus on the ultimate goal are how I work with policymakers.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: We need trustees who understand community colleges and the problems they'll face in the coming years. I've taught at a community college, I've worked as a researcher at a community college and I've been publicly advocating for a better College of DuPage since I was a student there nearly a decade ago. No other candidate has the breadth and depth of experience tackling these issues. I hope to bring this experience to the table as trustee for the College of DuPage.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

A: The college should put consider partnering with townships and other local governments to help our students get to the college. Currently, it's extremely difficult to get to the College of DuPage without a car.

Since roughly 35% of CoD's students are Pell-eligible - meaning they have significant financial need - many of our students lack access to a car. As an example, it would require nearly three-and-a-half hours to get from the home I lived in as a student in Hanover Park to the College of DuPage via public transit. This would include a 40-minute walk, 3 buses and a train.

Running shuttles between the college's satellite campuses, partnering with local governments to provide more direct routes or subsidized Pace on-demand rides would all go a long way to helping our students commute. With students returning to in-person courses, access to transportation is something we should all be talking about.