FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORMAL, IL (June 21, 2023) – Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson was presented with the esteemed Illinois Community College Trustees Association's 2023 Advocacy Award at their annual awards banquet held on June 2 in Normal, Illinois.
The ICCTA established the Advocacy Award in 2006 to recognize and honor individuals who have shown exceptional leadership in advocating for the needs of students and the Illinois community college system.
Shawn Boldt, an officer with the ICCTA, presents RLC President Terry Wilkerson with the prestigious 2023 ICCTA Advocacy Award. Click on the image for a larger version.
Throughout the past year, Wilkerson has held dual roles as both president of RLC and chair of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents. Under his guidance, the Presidents Council has partnered with the ICCTA to examine the future of work and its implications for higher education. Wilkerson has been instrumental in setting the agenda for systemwide discussions on topics such as transferability, transformative manufacturing training, and competency-based instruction.
Wilkerson has also significantly increased the visibility of Illinois' community colleges in the media and the Illinois General Assembly, most notably by founding the bipartisan Illinois Community College Caucus.
In describing the partnership between trustees and presidents, Wilkerson stated, "We are at the helm of these institutions. We work together to benefit the students of the state…Our challenges are not unique; it is beneficial to have a team of thought leaders working on them."
ICCTA president Dr. Maureen Dunne praised Wilkerson's dedication, saying, "As a graduate of Rend Lake College himself, Terry knows firsthand the value of a community college education. He is committed to enhancing student success across the state. Terry has kept us informed, networked with allies and adversaries, and constantly reminded of why we are part of a unified community college movement. We look forward to continuing our work together in the future.”
For more information about Rend Lake College or the ICCTA Advocacy Award, please visit rlc.edu and communitycolleges.org.