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Board of Trustees

Grayslake Campus as seen across Willow Lake in spring.

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Board of Trustees

Governed by citizens

The College of Lake County is governed by a seven-member board of trustees, elected from among the citizens of Community College District 532, to ensure local accountability. In addition, a CLC student is appointed each spring for a one-year term, casting advisory votes.

FY 2025 meetings

Notice is hereby given that the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees of Illinois Community College District No. 532, College of Lake County, except where otherwise indicated, will convene on the fourth Tuesday of the month, Grayslake Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington Street, Grayslake, Illinois.

Meeting locations, dates and times may be subject to change.

Board meeting materials and live stream links also can be accessed online at the CLC Board Book Premier site.

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Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF) - Updated Aug. 23, 2024
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Regular Meeting
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF) – Revised 09/30/24 (page 22)
Minutes
- Regular Board Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Board Retreat
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus, Room C213, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Lakeshore Campus Student Center, Eleanor Murkey Community Center (5th Floor), 34 N. Sheridan Rd., Waukegan
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
MEETING CANCELED
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus, Room C213, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Electoral Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Financial Planning Retreat
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus, Room C213, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
President’s Evaluation—Rescheduled for August 2025
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Southlake Campus Conference Center (V336-340), 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Trustee Orientation
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus, Room C213, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)

FY 2026 meetings

Notice is hereby given that the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees of Illinois Community College District No. 532, College of Lake County will convene at 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month, in the Grayslake Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois, except where different locations and dates are indicated below.

Board meeting materials and live stream links also can be accessed online at the CLC Board Book Premier site.

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Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
President's Evaluation
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Board Development Retreat
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Eleanor Murkey Community Center (34-511), Lakeshore Campus Student Center, 34 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan, Illinois
Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Financial Planning Retreat
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Agenda
- COTW Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Minutes
- COTW Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Southlake Conference Center (V340), Southlake Campus, 1120 S. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grayslake Campus Conference Center (A013), 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, Illinois

Agenda
- Board Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Live Stream Link (Video)
Board Report
- Board Report (PDF)
Minutes
- Board Minutes (PDF)

Board meetings archive

CLC Policy Manual (PDF)

Budget and finance information

Contact a Board Member

Amanda D. Howland, M.A., M.S., J.D.
Chair
Elected term: 2021–2027
trustee.howland@clcillinois.edu
William M. Griffin, Ed.D.
Vice Chair
Elected term: 2023–2029
trustee.griffin@clcillinois.edu
Allena Barbato, J.D., L.M.F.T.
Secretary
Elected term: 2023–2029
trustee.barbato@clcillinois.edu
Dawn Abernathy, M.A.T.
Elected term: 2025–2031
trustee.abernathy@clcillinois.edu
Celeste Flores, B.A.
Elected term: 2025–2027
trustee.flores@clcillinois.edu
Janet Gibson, M.D.S.
Elected term: 2025–2031
trustee.gibson@clcillinois.edu
Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., S.E., P.E.
Elected term: 2021–2027
trustee.virgilio@clcillinois.edu
Andrea Gomez, Student Trustee
Elected term: 2025–2026
trustee.gomez@clcillinois.edu
Lori Suddick, Ed.D.
President
president@clcillinois.edu

Meet your Board of Trustees

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Elected term: 2021-2027
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2025
Contact me: trustee.howland@clcillinois.edu
Attorney Amanda Howland was elected to a six-year term on the Board of Trustees in April 2021. She served two previous six-year terms beginning in April 2009 and April 2015. During her time as trustee, she has served in various leadership roles, including Chair from April 2021 to April 2023.
Ms. Howland currently serves as Central Regional Chair on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors and is the ACCT Liaison for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA).
Ms. Howland is a former elementary school assistant principal and principal, and a former junior high school teacher for students with emotional and behavioral issues. She earned her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, and is currently a civil rights attorney and certified mediator, practicing in federal court. Her educational credentials include a bachelor's degree in Teaching BD/ED Special Education from Central Michigan University and master's degrees in psychology from Michigan State University and educational administration from Northern Illinois University.
Ms. Howland is an active member of the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce and Caring Women’s Connection. She volunteers for Special Olympics at the state and local level and is a voter registrar in Illinois.
Elected term: 2023-2029
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2023
Contact me: trustee.griffin@clcillinois.edu
Dr. William M. Griffin was elected to the Board of Trustees for a six-year term in April 2023.
A resident of Lake Forest and a College of Lake County (CLC) graduate, Dr. Griffin earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University, and a doctorate of Education from National Louis University in Chicago. He is a professor of business and serves as chair of Triton College School of Business in River Grove, Illinois.
A strong community college advocate with demonstrated leadership skills, Griffin was first elected to the CLC Board of Trustees in 1995 and served as chair most recently from April 2019 to April 2021. He was recognized as the 2017 recipient of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award. In April 2021, he was honored with CLC Trustee Emeritus status and became a lifetime member of the ICCTA and the Association for Community College Trustees (ACCT).
Elected term: 2023-2029
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2025
Contact me: trustee.barbato@clcillinois.edu
Allena Barbato was elected to the Board of Trustees for a six-year term in April 2023. She currently serves as Secretary of the Board.
Ms. Barbato is the Director of Title IX Compliance and Equity officer in the Division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. She is a licensed attorney, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and an elected City Councilwoman for the Village of Lake Villa. Ms. Barbato is also active in her church, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church in Libertyville, where she sits on the Parish Council.
As a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) instructor, Ms. Barbato teaches techniques to de-escalate crisis events to members of sheriff and police departments and other public health and safety agencies. She is certified as a Title IX and ADA Coordinator, in risk assessment from the National Association for Behavior Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA), Crucial Conversations, as a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) gatekeeper, and more.
A graduate of University of Illinois with double majors in Political Science and French, Ms. Barbato received a Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law, where she focused on human rights and environmental law. She practiced law in Washington State in the areas of family law, criminal law and environmental law. Ms. Barbato also holds a master’s degree in psychology from Sophia University in Palo Alto, California.
Elected term: 2025-2031
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2025
Contact me: trustee.abernathy@clcillinois.edu
More information coming soon.
Elected term: 2025-2027
Contact me: trustee.flores@clcillinois.edu
Celeste Flores was elected to the College of Lake County (CLC) Board of Trustees for a two-year term in April 2025.
A lifelong resident of Lake County and first-generation college graduate, Ms. Flores has spent her career committed to educational access, empowering immigrant and underserved communities, leadership development of the next generation, and policy advocacy. For over a decade, Ms. Flores has been a prominent figure in the national environmental justice movement, playing a pivotal role in organizing frontline communities, garnering national attention and leading significant local, state and federal policy advancements.
Her advocacy work has been recognized with several honors, including the 2017 Archdiocese of Chicago Hispanic Ministry Gaudium et Spes Award and the 2020 Energy News Network 40 Under 40 award. In 2020, Ms. Flores was honored as Senator Tammy Duckworth’s guest at the State of the Union address.
Ms. Flores serves as Vice President of the Warren-Newport Public Library Board of Trustees and also serves on several local and statewide boards. Ms. Flores is an alumna of the 2022 Edgar Fellows Program and the 2023 Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy. She has a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in theology from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.
Upon joining the CLC Board of Trustees, Ms. Flores stated, “I’m committed to ensuring that CLC continues to be a top-ranked institution—providing equitable, high-quality, and affordable education to all. I look forward to serving Lake County with dedication and heart.”
Elected term: 2025-2031
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2025
Contact me: trustee.gibson@clcillinois.edu
Janet Gibson was elected to the College of Lake County (CLC) Board of Trustees for a six-year term in April 2025.
Ms. Gibson started her career teaching English and coaching the debate team at Arlington Heights High School (District 214), then pivoted to entrepreneurship, starting a hands-on computer training company in 1984. Years later, while serving as general manager of the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, she expanded programming and offerings, served on the Waukegan Chamber of Commerce, and was honored with the Mark MacLeod Friend of Main Street Award for her contributions to the Waukegan Business District.
Ms. Gibson is involved in her community and is an advocate for women in business. She served as membership chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners, is a member of the Near North Lyric Opera Chapter, and served on the boards of One-to-One Learning Center (Wilmette) and Friends of the Lake Forest Library. She also served as trustee and president of the Lake Forest Library and is currently co-chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest.
A longtime resident of Lake Forest, Ms. Gibson served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Historic Preservation Commission and currently serves as vice president of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
In May 2025, Ms. Gibson earned a master’s degree in Design Studies of Historic Preservation from Boston Architectural College. An avid sailor, gardener and needle pointer, she looks forward to her commitment to serve on the CLC Board of Trustees.
Elected term: 2021-2027
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2025
Contact me: trustee.virgilio@clcillinois.edu
Paul Virgilio was elected to the Board of Trustees to a six-year term in April 2021. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board and is the liaison to the College of Lake County Foundation Board of Directors.
Mr. Virgilio has been a resident of Lake Zurich since 1989 and has owned and operated a consulting structural engineering firm in Lake County since 1997. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, after transferring from Triton College in River Grove, Ill. He is a licensed Structural Engineer in the State of Illinois and a licensed Professional Engineer in 12 other states.
Mr. Virgilio served on the board of directors of the Lake Zurich Soccer Association, as well as on the Parish Council at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lake Zurich, Ill., and is an active volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
Elected term: 2025-2026
Training: Completed State-Mandated Leadership Training for Community College Trustees Public Act 99-0692 (Senate Bill 2157) in June 2025
Contact me: trustee.gomez@clcillinois.edu
Andrea Gomez was elected by students to serve as Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees from April 2025 through April 2026.
Andrea is a political science major at CLC and a graduate of Grant Community High School. Having grown up in Round Lake, Illinois, and as a first-generation Hispanic student, she is determined to advance equity, representation and student voices. She plans to pursue law school to advocate for justice.
At CLC, Andrea has held leadership roles in student organizations, including Public Relations and Social Media Manager for the Latino Alliance. She played a key role in planning the 2025 Alicia Hernandez Scholarship Banquet, an event celebrating Hispanic student leaders and uniting the community through powerful speeches, cultural pride and recognition of service and academic excellence. She attended the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference, connecting with civic and national leaders and deepening her understanding of and commitment to public service. Andrea serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for Mujeres Unidas (Women Together) and serves on the executive board of CLC’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Andrea appreciates the arts, both on and off campus. She has performed in theatre productions, works on CLC’s set construction team and is a member of the Chamber Choral Ensemble.
As Student Trustee, Andrea aims to bridge student needs with the administration, amplifying student voices, increasing campus connectivity and fostering a warm, engaged community where every student feels seen, supported and inspired to succeed.

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Richard A. Anderson, J.D.

William M. Griffin, Ed.D. (2021-2023)

Patricia Jones, M.Ed.

Torrie Mark Newsome, J.D.

Barbara D. Oilschlager, M.Ed.

Julie B. Shroka, M.A.

Board of Trustees Liaison

Laura Laba
Executive Assistant to the President
llaba@clcillinois.edu

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