Monroe County Community College Board of Trustees

Three six year seats are up for election on the Monroe County Community College Board of Trustees. Each candidate was asked answer two questions with word limits for each one.

Question 1 (100 words) What role should the Community College play in Monroe County

Question 2 ( 75 words) What would be your top priority if elected

W I L L I A M H . BRAUNLICH

Age date place of birth 60 Feb. 3 1954 Monroe

Address 12192 N. Lakeshore Dr. LaSalle

Occupation employer Attorney Braunlich Russow and Braunlich PC

Education University of Michigan bachelor of arts Washington and Lee University doctorate of jurisprudence

Memberships Director The Foundation at Monroe County Community College chairman River Raisin National Battlefield Park Foundation life member and past president Monroe County Historical Society Monroe County Bar Association

Length of residency Lifelong Public offices held or sought

MCCC board 12 years current vice chairman chairman of 2013 presidential search committee in 2013 1. The continuing core mission of MCCC as a comprehensive community college is to provide excellent highly affordable accessible higher education opportunities for students seeking transfer to a four year institution and students pursuing a twoyear career program at MCCC (for example nursing respiratory therapy culinary arts welding).

MCCC also has been a leader in creative educational partnerships community cultural enrichment and economic development.

Due to the decline in operational revenues from local property taxes and the State of Michigan these important roles can only be continued with additional financial support from the citizens of Monroe County.

Achieving financial stability predictability and sustainability that allows MCCC to maintain tuition affordability for students minimize student debt maintain the level of excellence in current programs develop and launch new programs that are responsive to student needs and current employment opportunities expand student success services (internships and mentoring) purchase state of the art technology and equipment for students and address a significant backlog of needed improvements and maintenance issues in MCCC s physical facilities.

I G NA Z I O CUCC I A

Age date place of birth 42 Aug. 18 1972 Monroe

Address 216 Eagle Ct. Spouse Barb Cuccia

Children Maria Rosa and Ana

Occupation employer Insurance agent and owner Nationwide Insurance Cuccia Insurance Agency

Education Monroe County Community College associate s degree Siena Heights University bachelor of arts

Memberships President elect Kiwanis Club of Monroe building chairman Monroe County Chapter American Red Cross vice chairman finance St. Michael Catholic Church Foundation at Monroe County Community College director

Length of residency Lifelong Public offices held or sought

Frenchtown Township Planning Commission chairman Frenchtown Township Zoning Board of Appeals 1. The community college role in Monroe is to educate the community to a higher degree. Whether that be to receive an associate degree and move on to a bachelor s or to get a welding certificate to advance within one s community.

Also through their Lifelong Learning program an adult could learn a skill or an art just to mark it off their bucket list. A higher education leaders to a better community.

My top priority when elected would be to continue the path of financial responsibility of the college. And to make a higher education affordable for everyone.

LYNETT E M . DOWLER

Age date place of birth 51 Dec. 14 1962 Monroe

Address 7227 Mentel Rd. Newport

Spouse Jeff Dowler

Children Camden Chelsea Chase

Occupation employer Director

DTE Energy

Education Monroe County Community College associate s degree University of Toledo bachelor of science and master of science

Memberships Monroe County Community College Foundation Board 2010 present DTE Energy Women s Advisory Committee 2009 present Elevate Church Mission Team to Republic of Honduras 2013 and Republic of Moldova 2012 Length of residency Lifelong 1. Monroe County Community College should provide quality education to a broad range of students.

It should support and encourage our local residents attendance and learning throughout their life span.

In addition through technology and outreach the college should create flexibility that invites non traditional students into a productive learning environment.

Ultimately MCCC should strengthen the fabric of our residents and create and enhance the work force of the future. MCCC should be the cornerstone of growth and advancement for our community.

My top priority if elected as a Monroe County Community College trustee would be to enhance enrollment through excellence in program offerings affordability and embracing a student first philosophy.

MCCC has an outstanding faculty state of the art facilities and is located in proximity to several major communities.

My priority is for students to consider MCCC as their No. 1 choice.

JACK SCHWAB

Age date place of birth 68 Nov. 10 1945 Toledo

Address 47 Linswood Dr. Monroe

Spouse Anne Gensler Schwab Children Erica Ann (Schwab) Sottile

Occupation employer Planner Flagstar Bank

Education Divine Word College Epworth Iowa bachelor of arts in sociology DePaul University Chicago master of arts in theology master of urban planning Wayne State University

Memberships

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP retired) Monroe Family YMCA Grace Lutheran Church Praise Band

Length of residency 37 years Public offices held or sought

Executive director Monroe County Opportunity Program 1976 87 1. The community college can serve various roles in Monroe County depending on the student s state in life.

For recent high school graduates it is a local affordable source of advanced education. They can begin a degree here and/or gain a professional credential and then either transition to a four year college or enter the work force with valuable skills.

For Monroe County residents who are working and raising a family it is a convenient place to advance a career or learn a trade.

For retirees and those in later life it offers an opportunity for lifelong learning that enriches life.

Continue the tradition of excellence and quality education by ensuring that the facility is maintained properly and that classrooms and laboratories have the most updated technology.

Ensure that sufficient revenue is available to attract and retain excellent faculty and support staff by offering competitive salaries and benefits along with quality working conditions.

Become familiar with all regulations related to accreditation.

Study the needs of local businesses and respond with appropriate class offerings and programs.

MARY K AY THAYER

Age date place of birth 68 Sept. 9 1946 Pittsburgh Pa.

Address 4189 Little Streams Trail Lambertville Spouse Jack Thayer Children Jackie Ball Vicky Hovinen. Occupation employer Chief executive officer Thayer Consulting Inc. Engineering Services

Education St. John High School Jackson Jackson Community College

Memberships Whitman Center Advisory Committee chairman Michigan Community College Association Board of Directors past Chairman American Community College Trustees Coordinator to Michigan Bedford Township Lions Club past president

Length of residency 39 years Public offices held or sought MCCC Trustee 1990 present Monroe County Commissioner District 8 1986 1990 Bedford Township trustee 1984 86 Bedford park commissioner 1980 84 Candidate for 55th District state representative 2010 1. MCCC plays numerous roles in the county including post secondary education career education plus business and industry assistance.

More high schools are using dual enrollment with MCCC to enhance student options.

The La Z Boy Center and Meyer Theatre provide the community with top quality programs and entertainment.

The opening of the Career and Technology Center has expanded our ability to offer new academic programs.

In 2014 dollars the college accounted for more than $830 million in economic impact in Monroe County. MCCC offers high quality higher education at an affordable price and contributes greatly to the success of our students businesses and community at large.

My priority has always been providing highquality academic programs at affordable prices.

Twenty percent of incoming students need some remedial assistance. Expanding staffing in our Learning Assistance Lab is critical. No student should fall between the cracks.

We must increase programs and student attendance at the Whitman Center.

Sadly a drop in state revenue and local home values led to increased tuition. I am committed to delivering a superior education at affordable prices close to home.

BARBA R A J. V E R R A N

Age date place of birth 54 June 1 1960 Monroe

Address 5365 N. Dixie Hwy. Newport Occupation employer Retired director of Michigan Works Monroe County Employment and Training Department Education Monroe County Community College associate of science Eastern Michigan University bachelor of business education master of arts in guidance and counseling college and personnel Dale Carnegie Training Monroe

Memberships Chairman Monroe County Human Services Collaborative Network member Monroe County Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors treasurer Monroe County Community Corrections Advisory Board counselor/group facilitator Gabby s Ladder

Length of Residency Lifelong 1. Monroe County Community College must be the highway for students to obtain a degree a certificate or a transfer program that lends itself to obtaining employment in a demand occupation within Monroe County or Michigan.

Its role should encompass partnering with economic development entities to bring employers into Monroe County and with K 12 school districts to ensure that students are prepared to successfully complete coursework needed for that degree certificate or transfer program.

Monroe County must continue to embrace and support MCCC as it is fundamental to local economic development and to building a marketable work force and healthy community.

To ensure that students receive a quality education while remaining affordable. It must be affordable for the unemployed and underemployed in order to upgrade their skills or prepare for a new career.

The value must go beyond low tuition fees. Quality and training in demand occupations that land our students in today s competitive work force is second to none and will lead to a strong local economy healthy families and additional local and state income.

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