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  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Leadership
  4. Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

Forging a bright future depends on trusted leadership and passionate vision. Kishwaukee College is proud to introduce you to our Board of Trustees who guide and form policy at Kish. 

The Board of Trustees is charged with establishing policy for the financing, governance, operation and administration of Kishwaukee College. The Board of Trustees is comprised of seven elected officials, each elected for a six-year term, and one non-voting student trustee who serves a one-year term. Trustees legislate by majority rule through the formal passage of policies, resolutions and motions. Community College District 523 is one of 39 community college districts in the Illinois Community College System.

Board Members

 
 
Robert B. Johnson, Chair
Robert B. Johnson, Chair

rjohnson15@kish.edu

  • Term: 2023-2029
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2005
  • ICCTA Representative
  • Residence: Waterman, IL
  • Occupation: Agriculture
  • Completed ICCTA Trustee Leadership Training in June 2023
Dr. Robert Hammon, Vice Chair
Dr. Robert Hammon,
Vice Chair
  • Term: 2023-2029
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2011
  • Residence: Sycamore, IL
  • Occupation: Education
  • Completed ICCTA Trustee Leadership Training in June 2023
Tonda Bruch
Tonda Bruch
  • Term: 2023-2029
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2023
  • Residence: Kirkland, IL
  • Occupation: Finance
  • Completed ICCTA Trustee Leadership Training in February 2024
 
Geri-Dee Hayden
Geri-Dee Hayden
  • Term: 2021-2027
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2021
  • Residence: Rochelle, IL
  • Occupation: Finance
  • Completed ICCTA Trustee Leadership Training in January 2024
Catherine Hopkins
Catherine Hopkins
  • Term: 2025-2031
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2025
  • Residence: Malta, IL
  • Occupation: Horticulture
David Lilja
David Lilja
  • Term: 2025-2031
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2025
  • Residence: Paw Paw, IL
Kathy Spears
Kathy Spears
  • Term: 2025-2027
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2007
  • Residence: Shabbona, IL
  • Occupation: Accountant
Diego Gonzalez Zabala
Diego Gonzalez Zabala,
Student Trustee
  • Term: 2025-2026
  • Initial Year on the Board: 2025
  • Residence: Sycamore, IL
  • Occupation: Student

Former trustees

  • Howard Andres, 1967-1975
  • Donald Bett, 1979-1989
  • Pamela Blickem, 2005-2011
  • Robert T. Boey, 1993-2005
  • Edward Bosic, 1982-1993
  • Dr. Roberta "Bobbi" Burke, 2014-2021
  • John T. Carroll, 1969-1973
  • Robert K. Caukin, 1967-1977
  • Charles Combs, 1975-1985
  • Kathy Countryman, 2021-2025
  • John Davis, 1977-1979
  • Ken Doubler, 2013-2021
  • Thomas Fenstermaker, 1979-1997
  • Samuel Finch, 2007-2013
  • Jerry Foster, 2011-2014
  • Donald R. Huftalin, 1975-2005
  • LaVerne A. Johnson, 1967-1975
  • Suzanne Juday, 1997-2009
  • Ronald G. Klein, 1986-1993
  • James Landis, 1982
  • Harry Loefgren, 1973-1976
  • Linda Mason, 1997-2023
  • Robert Miller, 2001-2007
  • Howard Mullins, 1967-1979
  • William Mullins, 2001-2007
  • Richard Ohlinger, 2001-2011
  • Mark Pietrowski, Jr, 2009-2012
  • Lois Purdy, 1979-2001
  • Mary Robbins, 1971
  • John C. Roberts, 1971-1997
  • James E. Russell, 1993-2001
  • Barbara Schaffer, 1967-1971
  • Leslie Springmire, 1989-2000
  • Kenneth Smith, 1967-1969
  • Vernon R. Smith, 1976-1979
  • James Waters, 1972-1982
  • Kathleen Watkins, 2013-2025
  • Fred B. Willrett, 1967-1972

Former Student Trustees

Click on underlined names for information on "where are they now".

  • 2024-2025, Aiyanna Washington
  • 2023-2024, Perla Gonzales
  • 2022-2023, Dale Giebel/Perla Gonzales
  • 2021-2022, Ahmed Elfaki/Mohammad Mustafa
  • 2020-2021, Dakota Montavon/Ahmed Elfaki
  • 2019-2020, Cris Luna

Click on underlined names for information on "where are they now".

  • 2018-2019, Johnathan Prose
  • 2017-2018, Phil Oliver
  • 2016-2017, Gabi Cultra
  • 2015-2016,  JT Engstrom/Ben Shank
  • 2014-2015, David Hahn
  • 2013-2014, Charity Nason
  • 2012-2013, Gladys Sanchez
  • 2011-2012, Sebastian Dargatz
  • 2010-2011, Pawawoi Lambogo
  • 2009-2010, Patrick MacIntyre

Click on underlined names for information on "where are they now".

  • 2008-2009, Yuka Votaw
  • 2007-2008, Jodeen Clark
  • 2006-2007, Michael Cox
  • 2005-2006, Jared de Seife
  • 2004-2005, Ana Sandoval
  • 2003-2004, Denise Kozlowski
  • 2002-2003, Meg Duellman

President Contract

President Contract

Administrators’ Contracts