Allena Barbato: 2023 candidate for College of Lake County board
Bio
Town: Lake Villa
Age on Election Day: 54
Occupation: Higher Ed Administrator
Employer: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Previous offices held: Lake Villa Trustee
Q&A
Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?
A: As a former Administrator of the College of Lake County, I am still very invested in making sure that the College is at its best, following the Mission, Vision and the supporting Pillars. High quality education for all should be the number one focus for our college.
Q: In tough economic times, many students (and working professionals) turn to a community college for its educational value. How do you ensure that a person's financial sacrifice results in an educational benefit?
A: CLC employs top notch faculty who teach topics of current relevance. This means that the education they receive at CLC will translate well into the job market. Graduating from CLC with a certificate or degree and perhaps moving onto one of the many four year college pathways that have been forged will definitely be of educational benefit to the student.
Q: How would you describe the state of your college's finances? What issues will your district have to confront in coming years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?
A: CLC is poised to bring in a large and diverse group of students with its new Lakeshore campus building in Waukegan and its new Tech Campus in Gurnee. These students will learn valuable skills in the medical and technical trades that will translate into jobs in Lake County, therefore increasing our tax base. It is not anticipated that cuts will be necessary. In fact, federal funding is anticipated to increase in the areas of Pell grants, Map grants and child care access grants.
Q: What are three specific non-financial challenges your community college will have to face in the next four years and what are your thoughts about how each should be addressed?
A: 1. Making sure Lake County residents know about the expanded campuses of CLC. We can make sure Lake County residents know about our offerings by having informational sessions at high schools, forming strong partnerships with high schools and community organizations.
2. Online learning-right now degrees can be achieved without ever having to leave your home and they can be gotten from any college from around the country. We have to make CLC attractive to people who live here in Lake County.
3. Community involvement-there are many who take classes at CLC who don't get a certificate or degree; we need to make sure are capturing these students as well.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.
A: I am a current Lake Villa Trustee and a Parish Council member at my church. I regularly am part of meeting where fellow participants may not agree on a topic. It is important to focus on problem solving, curiosity and fact finding. I believe if we do this, a common goal will result that all can agree upon.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I have extensive experience with boards, committees and councils. I care very much about CLC and its faculty, staff and students. As a former Administrator, I have worked with Dr. Suddick, many Deans and VP's. I was the Student Government adviser for the current SGA officers, so I would be able to easily work with the students as well.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?
A: Increase intern entrees with our health care and higher ed providers.