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.

Board of Trustees

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

Dr. Robert Hammon, Vice Chair
Dr. Robert Hammon,
Vice Chair

rhammon@kish.edu

Kathy Countryman
Kathy Countryman, Secretary

kcountryman@kish.edu

Tonda Bruch
Tonda Bruch

tbruch@kish.edu

 
Geri-Dee Hayden
Geri-Dee Hayden

ghayden@kish.edu

Kathleen Watkins
Catherine Hopkins

chopkins1@kish.edu

  • Term: 2025-2031
  • Inital Year on the Board: 2025
  • Residence: Malta, IL
Kathleen Watkins
David Lilja

dlilja@kish.edu

  • Term: 2025-2031
  • Inital Year on the Board: 2025
  • Residence: Paw Paw, IL
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
  • 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
  • Kathleen Spears, 2007-2025
  • 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

President Contract

President Contract: Approved Dec. 10, 2024

Administrators’ Contracts

Contact Us

Emily CahillAdministrative Coordinator, Office of the PresidentP815-825-9324Eecahill@kish.edu

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