Francine Zodda: 2025 candidate for College of Lake County Board

Bio

Office sought: Lake County District 532 board (Vote for 2)

City: Mundelein

Age: 52

Occupation: Retired

Previous offices held: Wauconda Chamber of Commerce Director

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

There are several reasons why I am running. First and foremost, I am a passionate, career minded individual about education and the community it serves. I also want to ensure CLC continues to meet the needs of students, the faculty, and the broader community. I want to continue to improve student success, affordability, and access to quality education. I believe CLC plays a vital role in the local economy and workforce development. I want to ensure responsible budgeting, tuition affordability, and funding for important programs. I am invested in ensuring CLC offers relevant courses and career pathways as a student. I want to create a positive work environment and attract talented teachers and staff. I aim to make education accessible and welcoming for all students.

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?

Ensuring that a student’s financial sacrifice leads to a real educational benefit requires a multifaceted approach that focuses on affordability, quality education, and strong career pathways. As board trustee … I would accomplish this for instance, by keeping education affordable by advocating for low or reduced tuition rates and financial aid expansion (grants, scholarships, and emergency funds). Second, I would ensure programs lead to jobs by working closely with local employers to align curriculum with job market needs. I would also expand internships, apprenticeships, and workforce partnerships so students gain real world experience. It is important to review, evaluate, and expand curriculum categories and keep degrees and certificates relevant, too. Lastly, I would strengthen student support services by continuing to invest in career counseling and job placement services to help graduates transition into the workforce.

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?

Increasing taxes is never the answer if budgets are misaligned. A failing budget requires a hard look at expenses first, then adjusting such expenses without sacrificing quality. The issues that might need to be addressed in the future is rising tuition costs and how to keep the college running at affordable fees again without sacrificing quality. Evaluating reserves is essential when making such financial decisions. Exploring further federal or state grant programs is an option too.

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?

Challenge 1: Decline in enrollment and a decrease in student retention: Solution: Expand on outreach efforts to high schools, adult learners, and underserved communities. Enhance student support services, offer more flexible learning options, online, hybrid, and evening classes to accommodate working adults.

Challenge 2: Faculty and staff recruitment and retention issues: Solution: Improve professional development opportunities and create clear career pathways. Foster a positive and inclusive work environment. Advocate for competitive salaries and benefits to retain top talent.

Challenge 3: Adapt to an evolving workforce: Solution: Keep pace with industry trends to remain relevant, strengthen partnerships with local employers and align programs with workforce needs. Expand certificate and apprenticeship programs that provide hands-on training in high-demand fields, regularly update curriculum based on labor market data.

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.

From my experiences as an Early Educator owner and operator for almost 20 years, I have the right experiences in creating collaborative work environments where my team of directors, teachers, and families’ perspectives came together to make policy. My leadership style fostered productive discussions, balanced decision-making, and policies that positively impacted students, faculty, and the broader community. My ECE programs is a reflection of that success. My approach is simply rooted in active listening, consensus building, and data-driven decision-making. As a board member, I will prioritize ensuring that all voices are heard, including students, faculty, staff, and community members. This fosters trust and transparency in decision-making. I will stand firm on CLC core values to enhance the trust building process.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

As a Lake County resident of 28 years, I am committed to the community, to student success and in delivering high quality educational programs. I am deeply invested as an educator in ensuring students receive high-quality, affordable education that leads to meaningful career opportunities. I have a strong ability to lead, listen, analyze data, and build consensus ensuring that decisions are made fairly and effectively. I am determined, innovative and proactive. I will always find a sensible solution creating resolution benefiting all stakeholders. Owning and operating ECE programs has taught me to be fiscally responsible while prioritizing program success. I believe in transparent leadership and community involvement, ensuring that policies reflect the needs and interests of students, faculty, and taxpayers. I am dedicated and committed to earning the title of CLC board trustee and do what it takes to prove myself.

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

My vision would be to create a tuition free college at CLC where every learner enrolled has free access to all resources, classes, and materials needed to become successful in their industry, careers, or just to enhance their skills. I would find a way strategically to have said tuition fee programming at CLC for all. High quality educational programs is a must and everybody should have equal access without financial barriers.