Adriana Barriga-Green: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Adriana Barriga-Green

City: Elgin, IL

Office sought: Elgin Community College District 509 Board

Age: 54

Family: I am a single mother and raised two daughters in District 509.

Occupation: Dual Language Teacher, School District U-46

Education: BS Int'l Business and BA French, Elmhurst College, MS Education, Northern Illinois University

Civic involvement: Committee, board and volunteer work with various churches and non-profits over a 30 year period. Elected teacher's union Representative.

Previous elected offices held: No previous elected office held.

Incumbent: If yes, when were first elected?

Website: Adriana4ecc.com

Facebook: Adriana4ecc

Twitter:

Issue questions

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

I believe ECC plays a pivotal role in our community. It provides affordable learning opportunities for a diverse community of students. It is a place where students can gain the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their desired career goals and provide a path for certifications, apprenticeships and/or higher education that will lead to well paying job opportunities and the enrichment of our communities. The college also has a history of partnering with the community to increase awareness of issues around diversity, equity and inclusion. ECC has talented faculty and professional staff with expertise in this area and they support community engagement through events and activities including the Latin Film Festival, Humanities Center speaker's series. Organizations such as Multicultural and Global Initiatives Committee and Global and International Task Force offer events on and off campus that are open to the entire community. I am also aware that college productions at the visual and performing arts center often reflect this topic, most recently, a student production of "Blood at the Root." The vision of ECC is to "Improve People's Lives Through Learning." I think I have provided examples of how ECC does that, through a formal process of education, and informally by offering the community opportunities to participate in informal learning experiences.

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

ECC is fulfilling that pivotal role providing affordable learning opportunities for our diverse students, but as in any organization there is room for growth and improvements. While ECC has demonstrated significant progress in closing the opportunity gap for Hispanic or Latino students, I believe we can further improve outreach and completion rates, especially for our students of color. Recent on-campus activities such as "I Dream in Color" and the HBCU College Fair are examples of successful impact. Towards equity, diversity and inclusion, I would like to see strengthening of the network of support and mentoring for all of ECC's student body, especially and including our under-resourced students, homeless students, first-to attend college students and undocumented students. It appears that ECC has been shoring up supports for these students; I'd like to explore what more can be done, and minimize the barriers to action. Careful consideration should be given to strategic alliances with school districts to provide pathways that would dovetail into ECC programs while maintaining the integrity of those programs. Some local students travel as far as Joliet, Waubonsee or McHenry to access programs not offered by ECC. We should explore the viability of bringing these programs to ECC, in order to keep our talent close to home and benefit our local community and employers. I look to the faculty and professional staff for direction to identify areas for development or expansion. I also look to industry partners and residents of district 509 for external direction. Finally, we need to acknowledge the impact of legislation that mandates restrictions and requirements, particularly related to dual credit and funding higher education. While intentions are presumed to be good, the impact of such legislation presents school districts and community colleges with unique opportunities and challenges that require collaboration and compromise. I'd like to see ECC lead the way in a process that ensures equity, quality and success for students.

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?

I am currently employed by school District U-46 as a Dual Language Teacher, since 1998.

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

No. It appears that revenues from a combination of property taxes, tuition, the State of Illinois, and grants exceeds budgeted expenditures. At this point in time, there is no need to raise taxes or tuition. I know the board has concerns about potential for future SURS penalties or unforeseen events. I'd like to see more conversation with our legislative representatives to mitigate the impact of pension funding on ECC and the community. We need to advocate for the college and for the residents of district 509.

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?

When exploring ECC's website, it's easy to find supports for International Students or Veteran Students. It's not easy to find supports for students of color, or documented and undocumented immigrants. There is a list of clubs that lacks contact information. This may be an area that offers opportunity for the college and the community to collaborate and share information and resources that would benefit specific populations in district 509. I'd like to see expansion of a website presence and possibly a center or office to act as an entry to campus life and possibly ongoing support. Hot topics and trends might warrant consideration of the following: An electrical vehicle infrastructure training program as we shift from gas to electric vehicles, increased emphasis on programs in environmental studies and sustainability, expanding health professions to consider mortuary science, pre-veterinary or vet-tech, more opportunities in medical imaging, IBEW training and trade certifications and/or apprenticeships such as electrical, plumbing & pipefitting, and workforce development partnerships with local unions and industry. Training for NIPSA Power Card Testing, which students currently have to go to Joliet for might also be an opportunity.