By COD Board Chair Deanne Mazzochi & COD Board Secretary Frank Napolitano
In 2015, DuPage voters elected three Clean Slate candidates, promising and committed to urgently needed reforms. To date in 2017, we've delivered proven results to ensure that the College of DuPage reflects your voice and your values. We are very aware that there remains more important work to do.
There are three open seats in the next College of DuPage election on April 4. To continue our needed reforms, we need a Clean Slate 2.0. We now need candidates devoted to securing the existing reforms; focusing on securing COD's future; and restoring COD to its position as the preeminent community college in the nation.
The candidates we support for the three open seats are: for the 2 year term, Alan Bennett (unopposed), and for the 6 year term, Christine Fenne and Taso Triantafillos, who appear in the ballot positions 1 and 2.
You can remember them by the initials of their first names: A, C, T, and we guarantee you, they absolutely intend to ACT.
All three candidates share a common goal of continuing college reforms underway; securing accreditation by achieving full compliance with both the HLC and Illinois Inspector General report issued to the college, pursuing best practices, and emphasizing an institutional culture of acting according to the highest ethical standards.
We also support these three candidates because Alan, Christine and Taso have diverse backgrounds and complementary talents, which will bring tremendous and practical assets to the Board.
Alan Bennett brings decades of experience in higher education planning and institutional research; as a former municipal trustee; a Lombard resident; and has a vested interest in COD being there for his grandchildren. Alan is keen to identify more ways COD can assist with workforce development.
Christine Fenne is the President of the Wheaton Public Library; an account executive; married to a COD alum; and wants COD to be at the top when, in six years, her first child graduates high school. She is passionate about COD's academics and outreach efforts.
Taso Triantafillos has served on the Addison District 4 School Board; is a cyber-security business owner; married, and has four children who likewise may be future COD alums. His technology background will be invaluable as we identify further areas where we can innovate to bring educational value to all of our students.
Alan, Christine and Taso are dedicated to keeping tuition affordable; balanced public budgets; and ethical operations. Each has an unblemished history of professionalism and devotion to public education, academics and learning. All three have unique ideas on ways to help the members of our district succeed in a way that is consistent with COD's values, vision and purpose. Their shared commitment is to at all times "act in the best interests of this institution". Repeating: all times.
Our current Board and the College have put forth a tremendous amount of time and energy since April 2015 to move the institution in a positive direction. A new energy and forward momentum can be felt on our campus. We appreciate that these candidates are committed to putting in the time and hard work to continue to lead the way and keep COD in a good place.
Accountability is liberating! We will continue to work hard to continue earning your valued trust. On April 4, Alan, Christine and Taso will need your vote. They will definitely have ours.
