Two College of DuPage representatives named to Illinois Board of Higher Education strategic planning advisory committee

The Illinois Board of Higher Education recently announced that College of DuPage Humanities Professor and Global Education Faculty Liaison Julia diLiberti, and Student Trustee Samiha Syed have been appointed to a new Strategic Planning Advisory Committee.

The committee aims to create an equitable, accessible and innovative higher education ecosystem across Illinois that ensures students and communities thrive. Members of the advisory committee will develop strategies to increase affordability and workplace needs, IBHE Board Chair John Atkinson said.

"The members of the advisory committee bring expertise from education, business, policy, community and philanthropic organizations to shape the blueprint for our students and our higher education ecosystem for the next 10 years," he said. "I am thrilled that this group has agreed to help us chart a course for higher education in Illinois."

Syed brings a unique perspective to the committee as a current community college student.

"As a member of the committee, I hope to champion equity and help increase access to education by advocating for community college funding and contributing to policy," she said. "Mitigating basic needs insecurities that act as barriers to student success in higher education is critical."

The Illinois Board of Higher Education is responsible for planning and coordinating the state's system of higher education in five major areas: master planning, higher education budget, information systems, grants administration, program approval and operating authority.

College of DuPage is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Serving approximately 21,000 students each term, College of DuPage is the largest public community college in the state of Illinois. The college grants seven associate degrees and offers more than 170 career and technical certificates in over 50 areas of study.