Carlos S. Arévalo: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Carlos S. Arévalo
City: Marengo
Office sought: McHenry County College Trustee
Age: 52
Family: Married with two sons, one a junior at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and one graduating high school senior attending MCC beginning this fall.
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Boston College, B.A. in Political Science; Northeastern University School of Law, Juris Doctor.
Civic involvement: Leadership roles in the following organizations: United Way of Greater McHenry County, past Board Member; Mercy Harvard Hospital, Board Member (Following merger and reorganization, Carlos became member and continues to serve with the Mercy Health System Regional Community Board); Leadership Greater McHenry County, Alumni Committee; Stateline SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) President 2018; McHenry County Bar Association (President, 2014-2015); Illinois State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section Council, Chair 2016-2017 and Local Government Law Section Council, Chair 2009-2010 and current member; and Served as appointed corporate counsel to City of Harvard, 2007-2015, City of Marengo, 2005-2017, and Village of Lake Zurich, 2010-2012.
Previous elected offices held: None.
Incumbent? No
Website: None.
Facebook: None.
Twitter: None.
Issue questions
Describe your vision for the primary role of a community college.
I envision MCC as the hub of a wheel. MCC would be the central point around which all other components of the local community revolve around. These components, of course, are comprised of the district residents, MCC students, faculty and staff, the feeder K-12 schools, McHenry County and municipalities in the district as well as all nonprofit agencies, business and industry partners. In this manner, not only would MCC serve as the provider of postsecondary education for those graduating from the feeder schools, but also as place for returning veterans and other adults who are seeking first, second or new careers. MCC would continue to be a partner to the local industry by training today's and tomorrow's workforce for area employers through its certificate programs in various trades and careers and would assist small business owners grow their business and entrepreneurs in their startup ventures. Finally, MCC would also serve as a cultural center providing programs for individuals of all ages.
How well is your community college fulfilling that role? What changes, if any, need to be made?
MCC is doing a great job with its resources. But because these resources are not unlimited, the challenge remains for MCC leadership to continue to provide quality affordable education to its students as well as other services to the community.
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?
The current MCC Board prides itself on having kept the levy flat for a number of years. If at any point in time, however, MCC becomes unable to deliver its institutional goals (to create an environment that increases student engagement, completion, and success as well as the continued delivery of high-quality services and learning opportunities through continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability) then a tax increase might be necessary. Of course, I would endeavor to achieve these objectives in a balanced manner that seeks to meet MCC's and its students' future needs in a sound and fiscally stable manner.
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?
My primary objective would be to continue the growth and expansion of the services MCC provides. However, if elected, I would investigate the needs of the community and local industry and would explore how additional programs and services would best be delivered.