Maija Mizens: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Maija Mizens

City: Crystal Lake

Office sought: McHenry County College Trustee

Age: 70

Family: Charles Mehlman, husband

Occupation: Toxicologist

Education: BA (Chemistry) Augsburg College, MPH (Environmental Sciences) and PHD (Toxicology) The University of Michigan

Civic involvement: Woodstock Mozart Festival board of directors (President 2014-2016)

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

Issue questions

Describe your vision for the primary role of a community college.

Primary role is to provide advanced education whether it is preparation for moving on to a four-year university or obtaining an associate degree or certification to enhance existing skills or learning new ones. I cannot emphasize enough my belief that a good education is the foundation for social, economic and personal success. Community colleges have a key role in making quality advanced education accessible and affordable for all who want to take advantage of it. It is the responsibility of the college to offer programs that are relevant to the students' needs and the job market.

How well is your community college fulfilling that role? What changes, if any, need to be made?

Looking at the statistics on the success rate of studies at MCC, there are two things that concern me, the graduation rate and the student loan debt burden for both those that complete and do not complete their education. While a graduation rate is close to the average for Illinois community colleges. Average should not be good enough.

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?

No to both questions,

Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?

The property tax burden in McHenry County is high and people are looking to leave the county and the state. Exodus of residents from McHenry County and from the state is detrimental to the community and ultimately will have a negative impact on the community and MCC. I am not in favor of a tax increase. The college needs to maximize efficient use of available resources and look to capitalize on other opportunities for funding with the private sector partnerships and grant monies.

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?

At this point I have insufficient information to address this very important question.