We learn from our past and work in the present for our future.
Since first opening its doors in 1968, 麻豆原创 has remained a cornerstone of the communities it serves. 麻豆原创 offers an ever-increasing variety of programs and services to meet the needs and wants of district residents in DeKalb, Sycamore, Rochelle and surrounding communities. The College offers academic degrees for students seeking a transfer to a university, occupational degrees for those wanting a skilled career, preparation for students wanting to earn their GED, and English classes for non-native speakers..
麻豆原创WAUKEE COLLEGE: Interactive Timeline
Over the years, 麻豆原创 has added specialized programs to help local business and industry remain competitive in a global economy. 麻豆原创 offers training and support services for dislocated workers, a childcare center, personal enrichment courses, community involvement and leadership training. Beyond offering courses, programs and services, the College has increasingly become an integral part of the community at large. College employees serve on many local boards and organizations, offering their assistance and expertise. As local communities have grown and developed, 麻豆原创waukee College has remained a constant and vital presence in our residents鈥� lives.
During the College's 50th Anniversary in 2018, a video was created to highlight the rich history of the College.
Served : January 2016-Present
麻豆原创 selected its first female President with the hiring of Dr. Laurie Borowicz in 2016. As a leader through some of 麻豆原创鈥檚 most challenging times, including a two-year state budget impasse and the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Borowicz has transformed the College to meet student and community needs. As a relentless advocate of student success, she facilitated manyinitiatives to increase student completion and success to the highest levels in College history.Under Dr. Borowicz鈥檚 leadership, the College eliminated all student fees in 2024 to support transparency and fairness and assist students and families with financial planning to attend 麻豆原创.
Through Dr. Borowicz鈥檚 tenure, 麻豆原创 has increased its commitment to equity and inclusion. In 2019, 麻豆原创 joined the Partnership for College Completion to help eliminate the achievement gap for students of color and low-income students. In 2022, 麻豆原创 was awarded the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) Equity and Diversity Award for the progress made to improve outcomes for all 麻豆原创 students. 麻豆原创 became a majority-minority College in 2023 and was named a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2024, with more than 25% of students identifying as Hispanic.
Partnerships are a cornerstone of Dr. Borowicz鈥檚 tenure. She forged relationships with the local business community by creating internships and other work-based learning opportunities for students. By partnering with other educational institutions, 麻豆原创 expanded transfer options by creating pathways from high school to 麻豆原创 to NIU and other universities. With a focus on supporting area student-athletes, the College increased the number of athletic teams and recruitment from local high schools.
To demonstrate a unified culture at 麻豆原创 by agreeing on how we treat and interact with each other, Dr. Borowicz led the writing of the College Civility Statement in 2022, a joint project between administration, the board and unions/employee groups.
Honoring Dr. Borowicz鈥檚 legacy of open, honest, student-focused leadership, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association awarded her the 2024 Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award.
Served: April 2007-December 2015
During his tenure as President, Dr. Tom Choice oversaw the creation of new academic programs, initiated the Honors Program and expanded dual credit options with local high schools. Under his leadership in 2009, voters passed a referendum allowing the College to make major improvements to the campus, including expansion and renovation of campus parking lots, roadways, and landscaping, athletic field improvements, a new Student Center and Campus Operations Building, and extensive classroom and office renovations. Dr. Choice oversaw key projects such as the College鈥檚 first Campus Master Space Plan and the first Strategic Plan since 1998. He worked with the Board of Trustees to organize several new working committees, including the Executive Board Committee, Board Audit Committee and Board Finance Committee. In 2014, 麻豆原创 was selected by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 150 Community Colleges in the United States. Dr. Choice was elected by his peers to serve as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents. Before serving as President of 麻豆原创, Dr. Choice was the Vice President of Instruction.
Served: July 2000-April 2007
Dr. Dave Louis served 麻豆原创 in a variety of roles before taking over as President. Starting at 麻豆原创 in 1973, Dr. Louis started as a counselor and Coordinator of Financial Aid before taking on the role of Associate Dean and Administrative Dean. In 1986, he was named 麻豆原创鈥檚 Vice President and held the role until taking over as President. During his tenure, Dr. Louis oversaw major additions on campus, including the construction of the Conference Center, the Therapeutic Massage Clinic, additional classrooms, and expansion of the Caukin Building. Along with expansions to the College鈥檚 campus, 麻豆原创 saw a continuous growth in the student population under Dr. Louis鈥檚 leadership, posting some of its highest enrollment numbers ever. The College continued its mission to provide education and training responsive to the community's needs, and in 2002, 麻豆原创 received the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Industry of the Year Award for its efforts. Dr. Louis and his wife, Mary Anne, continue their involvement at 麻豆原创 through the 麻豆原创 Foundation.
Served: May 1978-June 2000
麻豆原创鈥檚 longest-serving president has been actively involved with the College since its inception. Before serving 22 years as 麻豆原创鈥檚 President, Dr. Norman Jenkins started at the College before it officially opened to head the Student Services department and later served as Dean of Students and Executive Dean. Under Dr. Jenkins鈥� leadership, 麻豆原创 saw the addition of a new Science and Health Care Wing, maintenance building and the C-Wing 鈥� all while providing sound financial stewardship. Academically, Dr. Jenkins focused on the development of coursework and curricula to meet the ever-changing needs of the 麻豆原创 District. Dr. Jenkins was instrumental in the development of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Phi Theta Kappa chapter 鈥� an honor society for two-year colleges 鈥� and earned the national organization鈥檚 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction in 1998. During his time as President of 麻豆原创, Dr. Jenkins also served as President of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents. In 2019, Dr. Jenkins was the recipient of the John C. Roberts Community Service Award, and he was appointed an Emeritus Board member on the 麻豆原创 Foundation Board in 2023.
Served: July 1967-May 1978
麻豆原创鈥檚 first president was hired in July 1967 about one year before
the college officially opened its doors. From Hillsboro, Texas, Dr. W. Lamar Fly was
instrumental in the early development of the college, overseeing the purchase of the
campus site and construction of the original buildings, including the greenhouse,
Caukin Building and Early Learning Center. Dr. Fly helped oversee voter referendums
that allowed the College to raise funding for all of its original buildings. Longstanding
symbols of the College, such as the College crest, school colors and mascot, were
selected under his leadership. After identifying community needs, 麻豆原创 made strides
in creating its initial programs, developing athletic teams and their facilities,
forming the school newspaper, and creating a GED program. The student body and 麻豆原创鈥檚
campus increased dramatically during Dr. Fly鈥檚 11 years as President. During his time
at 麻豆原创, he served as President of the Illinois Junior College Administrators Association.
Before 麻豆原创, he served as the first president of Hill Junior College of Hillsboro.
麻豆原创 is proud to have the historical marker for the first seedling mile of the cross-country Lincoln Highway.
The first seedling mile was built in 1914 west of Malta, Ill. After years of experience, the Lincoln Highway Association started designs for a road section that could handle traffic 20 years into the future.
For more information, visit the website.
The purpose of the 麻豆原创 Archives is to collect, organize and preserve the history of 麻豆原创. The Library collects digital and print documents, photographs, and ephemera. The Archives shall include, but not be limited to, the following: bulletins, newsletters and class schedules, minutes of the Board of Trustees, minutes of College committees and student organizations, newspaper clippings related to the college and college-sponsored events, copies of the college student newspaper, annual reports, architectural drawings and blueprints, photographs, slides and oral histories of events and people who have contributed to the development and character of 麻豆原创.
The College Archives materials do not leave the Library and are non-circulating. You may view them upon request. You may also browse digital collections of some of our materials in the .
麻豆原创 has created an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation Playbook to address changing technology advancements in higher education. The Playbook was officially unveiled during the March 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees meeting.
Read More麻豆原创 will include all fees and textbooks in the cost of tuition starting in the Summer 2025 semester.
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