Diane Hill: 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: InvernessWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Harper College School Board Age: 70Family: Late husband David K. Hill Chairman and CEO of Kimball Hill Homes and Trustee of Harper College Board. Son David K. Hill, III graduate of Fremd HS and Princeton University, living in Los Angeles.Occupation: Retired faculty Northwestern University.Education: B.A., Cum Laude, Augustana College; M.A. Northwestern University in Speech and Language PathologyCivic involvement: Board member emeritus, Harper College Education Foundation; Trustee of Harper College Board 2008-present; Board member, Northwest Community Hospital Board of Directors; Leadership Board of WINGS; Building Bridges Committee, The Bridge Youth and Family ServicesElected offices held: Secretary, 2009-10; Chair, 2010-2015Questions 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?At Harper we are fortunate to be completing a master plan that has planned for the right number of right sized classrooms, labs and student seminar space to accommodate our educational needs. The Board and administration is forward looking in determining the future needs of programs for traditional and adult students in both in terms of space and technology. Harper also attracts highly qualified faculty and staff due to the quality programs offered and resources provided by community and partnerships with businesses.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?NoIs a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?NoCommunity 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?The college will be bringing to the board recommendations for new programming for the young adult population that best meets both educational needs and creative delivery options. This represents a growth opportunity for the college and the Board is eager to review.What do you think of President Obama's proposal for offering two years of free community college education?Many elements of the proposal mirror the Harper Promise Program to encourage high school students to make a commitment to prepare for college through rigor in the classroom, attendance and community service. Successful fulfillment would result in support for two years at Harper funded by the Educational Foundation. The President's proposal has yet to provide detail regarding funding and oversight, but placing the focus on opportunity for community college education is a very positive step toward educating the workforce necessary for competitiveness in a global society.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is important to continually assess the needs of our changing community and provide ongoing education about the importance of a post secondary education. Second, we should be looking for mutually beneficial ways to strengthen partnerships with K-12 educational entities, neighboring community colleges and four year institutions as well as businesses.Last, and most importantly, we should continue to engage our community in understanding their needs and sharing Harper college's vision for providing the most relevant and high quality programming possible to support careers and families.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am inspired by Bill Gates who is focusing his gifts on solving human problems.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned to place a high priority on caring for others.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have been blessed with a great family, education and career. I would spend it the same way.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English, speech and debate gave me the foundations for communicating ideas, listening to opposing arguments and reaching consensus.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard to turn your passion into a career.