SkillsUSA Illinois names ECC's Carriveau board chairman

Mark Carriveau, college photographer and multimedia coordinator at Elgin Community College, will serve as the 2023-24 board chair for SkillsUSA Illinois. Carriveau was selected during the organization's annual state conference in late April. He has served as the college/postsecondary representative on the board since 2018.

"I am proud to be named chairman of SkillsUSA Illinois board of directors. It's an honor to contribute my knowledge, skills, and experience to advocate for career and technical education and help nurture the next generation of skilled workers," said Carriveau. "I look forward to working with our state staff and board members to provide students opportunities and support as they prepare for their respective careers. I am also proud that I get to represent Elgin Community College at the state level."

Carriveau's dedication to technical education began in high school when he joined the predecessor of SkillsUSA, the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, in the commercial photography category.

He continued to compete in college, winning the state competition three years in a row, representing Illinois at the national conference. He became active with the organization again in 2014 when his daughter began competing as a high school photography student.

In addition to the board, Carriveau is the technical chair for the creative photography competition.

"We look forward to having Mark in the role of chairman of our board. Mark has a long-standing dedication to SkillsUSA and will continue to serve us well in this new role," says SkillsUSA Illinois Executive Director Eric Hill. "Mark greatly understands our schools and their needs and sees the value of our expanding industry partnerships."

SkillsUSA Illinois is a nonprofit partnership of students, instructors, and industry that ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive.

SkillsUSA, Inc., the parent organization of SkillsUSA Illinois, Inc., was founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education. The association serves over 360,000 member students and instructors yearly in middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

Local, state, and national championships are designed and judged by industry and set relevant standards for career and technical education while providing recognition to its students. For more information, go to SkillsUSAIllinois.org.