Christopher Evdoxiadis: 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: EvanstonWebsite: Christopher Evdoxiadis for Oakton C.C. Board of TrusteesOffice sought: Oakton Community College School Board Age: 32Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: StudentEducation: Associate of Arts in Political Science, currently working on a B.A. in Political Science at Loyola ChicagoCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.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?With the opening of the Science and Health Career center, this state of the art facility will attract new students and create new class room space. With this new facility Oakton can become an industry leader, and attract the best and brightest from not only around the state, but also around the country.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?We at Oakton do a fine job of managing our funds and putting them to use in a responsible way. Unfortunately sometimes tax rate increases are needed, but I look at that more as an investment. An investment in the future leaders, and decision makers of the community, and what better thing to invest in then education.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?I feel that Oakton does a great job reaching out to all segments of the population.What do you think of President Obama's proposal for offering two years of free community college education?I like the idea of free college for the first two years, the first two years can be the most difficult, especially if you haven't been in school for a while or had a bad experience. And to have one less thing to worry about (tuition), only makes your chances of success that much greater.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I feel one of my main concerns would be Oaktons low graduation rate. Community colleges create a wonderful opportunity for people to get an affordable, and quality education, and we as a school should focus more on getting students to graduate instead of using Oakton as a mere stepping stone. Yes it does prepare students for a transition to a 4 year school, but I feel like there is too much focus on that and not enough on finishing here first. With a graduation rate 10% below the state average, I know Oakton can do better.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Alex Tsipras, he is bringing hope to a country that has lost almost all hope.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Hard work will always get you as far as you let it take you.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Nothing, if it were not for where I have been, I would not be where I am now.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science, it gives meaning to a chaotic world.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Stand up for what you believe in no matter what.