Tina Willson: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Tina Medlin Willson

City: Montgomery

Office sought: Waubonsee Community College Board

Age: 41

Family: Husband and two teenage children

Occupation: Writer & Instructional Designer

Education: University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor of Arts

Civic involvement: My previous work as a grant writer for Mutual Ground, a domestic violence and sexual assault center in Aurora, sparked an interest in state and federal politics. This work led me become an active organizer and volunteer for a variety of grass-roots and political groups over the past three years.

Previous elected offices held: None

Website: www.tina4wcc.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tina4wcc

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tina4wcc

Issue questions

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

I believe the primary role of a community college should be to facilitate opportunities for lifelong learning and growth for those within its district. As an instructional designer, it is my job to build a path to success for my learners, and I believe the community college, as a public institution with a broad and diverse populace, should take on the same responsibility.

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

I believe Waubonsee is doing an excellent job at providing accessible facilities that span the district, maintaining its fiscal health, and exploring opportunities to prepare for the future. I have a specific interest in assessing the barriers encountered by students to increase student retention and graduation rates. Additionally, I believe the value offered by a Waubonsee education should be clearly defined for local high school students in order to ensure enrollment growth.

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.

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

At this time and based upon my current knowledge of the future plans for the College, I do not see a need for an increased tax rate.

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?

There are many opportunities for the community to take classes and participate in a wide range of programs at Waubonsee. I believe that career retraining and professional certification programs are a potential opportunity for growth. Additionally, the current shortage of trades workers should shape programmatic planning over the next several years.