CLC's Connie Kravitz, Dr. Sharon Sanders-Funnye receive awards
Two College of Lake County employees recently received awards from professional organizations. Connie Kravitz, CPA, controller in the college's finance department, has received the Darrell E. Roberts Emerging Professional Award from the Virginia-based Community College Budget Officers, a professional organization. She also received a Leadership Academy Scholarship through the Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers. Additionally, Sharon Sanders-Funnye, Ed.D., director of CLC's Educational Talent Search Scholars program, has received the Award of Excellence from the Florida After School Alliance for her volunteerism in Lake County.
The Darrell E. Roberts Emerging Professional Award is designed to encourage professional involvement in the CCBO Leadership Academy, by recognizing a future leader who possesses high potential to advance in leadership roles and responsibility in the fields of higher education business, finance and administration, according to a CCBO news release. Kravitz has been accepted into the CCBO Academy as a first-year student, after demonstrating successful leadership and evidence of achievement in organizational development.
At CLC, Kravitz developed a procedure to assess budgetary needs by aligning budget proposals with the college's strategic plan and stakeholder expectations. "Connie's efforts have helped CLC address difficult decisions during uncertain financial times due to issues such as unstable state funding and flat property tax revenues," said Ken Gotsch, CLC's vice president of administrative affairs, who nominated Kravitz for the scholarship. "The policies developed in the new budget charter and procedures are guiding the FY19 budget and future ones, with a commitment to budget transparency."
Kravitz said, "It's quite an honor to recognized by my peers at a national level. It's also extremely gratifying to see the College of Lake County's commitment to ongoing self-improvement, both collectively as an institution and individually for faculty and staff."
Kravitz, who joined CLC in 2016, previously had been district director of budget and management at City Colleges of Chicago for four years. She has experience in government as well
as public accounting as an auditor, focusing on government audits.
Sanders-Funnye, who joined CLC in 2008, has directed the college's TRiO Educational Talent Search Scholars program for the past 10 years. The federally funded program provides college visits, tutoring, near-peer mentoring, numerous workshops for college and career preparation, as well as other services to 2/3 first generation and/or low-income students at six high school campuses in Lake County.
Sanders-Funnye coordinated a collaboration between CLC's TRiO Educational Talent Search Scholars and the Lambda Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During the past four years, Dr. Sanders-Funnye developed programming which included several workshops for high school students. The programming included SAT preparation and practice exams, assistance with college applications, college visits, multi-cultural visits and career fairs. Additionally, Sanders-Funnye organized four annual college expos featuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The efforts were a collaboration between CLC, AKA Sorority (LNO Chapter), JIC Community Development Corporation and other community organizations.
During the past four years, Sanders-Funnye served and mentored an average of 23 students each year and most have graduated from high school and enrolled in colleges and universities.
Prior to joining CLC, Sanders-Funnye was director of operations at Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, in partnership with Waukegan School District 60. She also worked as a scientist/manager at Kraft Foods (now Heinz), which sponsored her volunteer work as a tutor and youth development leader in Chicago's Lawndale community.
"It is humbling to receive the award" said Sanders-Funnye. "I am grateful to all who assisted in making our students' pursuit of postsecondary education dreams come true. As a first-generation college graduate, I am focused on making a difference by building a legacy of learners who will transform their communities. I am living my dream!"
The Florida AfterSchool Alliance is a state affiliate of the National AfterSchool Association. For details, visit www.naaweb.org.
About College of Lake County:
College of Lake County is an innovative community college in Lake County, Ill. that transforms lives with its variety of accessible, quality education options. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, College of Lake County provides affordable
options in a state-of-the-art setting close to home. A large student network, with small class sizes,
provides advantages to our students on a career-related program or a path toward a transfer degree. We're proud to serve the diverse needs of our community and student body. Connect to your future today at College of Lake County. For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu.