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Public Relations and Marketing | Published Oct 25, 2021
College of Lake County (CLC) Trustee Torrie Mark Newsome was recently elected to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Diversity Committee.
The ACCT governs over 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges in the U.S. and beyond. The work Trustee Newsome does on the committee will have a national impact.
“It’s very humbling, and at the same time very important for our college and our students,” Trustee Newsome said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion is a most important topic for not only our community and country, but the world, and it means a lot to sit at the table and discuss these issues and try to come up with solutions.”
According to the ACCT website, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee promotes respect for and acceptance of diverse individuals and promotes awareness and educational opportunity for underrepresented populations. It advises the ACCT Board by strengthening the links with the minority membership, identifying issues that require member input, and recommending strategies to gather input.
Trustee Newsome background of diverse experiences brings a fresh new mindset to the committee. He currently works as a trial attorney and legal counselor in Waukegan. He has previously served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, worked as the Assistant State’s Attorney, worked at Abbott Laboratories and taught Introduction to Paralegal Studies at CLC. He also attended CLC as a student, as did members of his family.
“It is important to make sure we are developing each and every student to the best of their abilities and help them reach their dreams so they can graduate and improve themselves,” Trustee Newsome said. “As a member of the committee, I hope to be a catalyst and share what I know to develop policies that put the students first.”
About College of Lake County
College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969. College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation.