Community College Board Executive Director to Retire

Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Executive Director, Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, has announced her plans to retire, effective November 30.

Dr. Anderson joined the ICCB in 1999 and became the first ICCB staff person to be selected for the permanent position of Executive Director in 2013. Dr. Anderson has provided leadership and has served as an administrator of nearly all of the Board’s functions in divisions related to workforce, adult education, career and technical education, academic affairs, student services, minority affairs, education technology, and institutional research.

“It has truly been a joy to spend the last 20 years at the Illinois Community College Board and to serve as executive director,” said Dr. Anderson. “I am proud of the progress the community college system has made to increase certificate and degree completion and provide students with opportunities for college and career success. Advocating for the best community college system in the world has been the highlight of my career.”

“I am grateful for the guidance and support of the Board and the dedication and commitment to excellence shown by the ICCB staff,” said Dr. Anderson. “I am also grateful for the strong partnerships between the ICCB and the Council of Community College Presidents and the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.”

Under Dr. Anderson’s leadership, the ICCB has reduced remediation through the implementation of co-requisite mathematics instruction, adopted new strategic plans for adult education and workforce education, and developed an Integrated Career & Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) to transition adult education students into post-secondary vocational programs.