ICCB Executive Director Speaker At Morton College’s 90th Commencement Ceremony

Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, Executive Director for the Illinois Community College Board.

Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, Executive Director for the Illinois Community College Board.

Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, Executive Director for the Illinois Community College Board, is the guest speaker at Morton College’s 90th Commencement ceremony Friday, May 15, in the Courtyard.

She joined the ICCB in 1999 and became the Executive Director in 2013. Other positions held by Dr. Anderson within the ICCB include Vice President for Adult Education and Institutional Support, Senior Director for Student and Instructional Development, Director of Career and Technical Education, Associate Director of Education to Careers.

During her tenure at ICCB, Dr. Anderson has worked, supervised others, provided leadership and has served as an administrator for nearly all the Board’s functions in the divisions related to workforce, career and technical education, student services, minority affairs, accountability and assessment, adult education, institutional research, education technology, international education and academic affairs.

Dr. Anderson’s diversity of experience has provided her an opportunity to work closely with multiple sectors, organizations and committees of the community college system. She is a staff liaison to the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents, the Illinois Community College Trustees’ Association, the Council of Chief Student Service Officers and Chief Academic Officers, Association of Registrars, the Student Advisory Committee, and Association of Adult Educators. Dr. Anderson serves as staff to the P-20 Council, serves on the Joint Education Leadership Team, and assists with the implementation of the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s strategic plan, The Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success. In addition, Dr. Anderson was instrumental in developing and oversees the ICCB Latino Advisory Committee.

Dr. Anderson also has worked closely with state and national organizations, such as the Business Roundtable, the State Chamber of Commerce, Women Employed, Jobs for the Future, and the Center for Law and Social Policy. As part of the ICCB’s executive staff, she works closely with the General Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and the Governor’s Office, testifying in committees, helping to draft legislation, and serving on various task forces and committees.

Dr. Anderson has a long history with developmental education and dual credit, from teaching developmental reading and writing to implementing dual credit programs and the common core and aligning state standards. Dr. Anderson also is widely respected for her knowledge of the legislative process, grant management and strategic planning.

Dr. Anderson, who speaks four languages, received her M.A. in English and Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Louisville. Dr. Anderson also is the author of an ESL college-level textbook. The Illinois Council of Community College Administrators honored Dr. Anderson in 2010 with an award for her outstanding service to the community college system.

Michael Flaherty

Blogger, Writer at Illinois News Network
Michael Flaherty has been writing for Illinois News Network for the past year, first as a beat reporter for Morton 201 schools and now as a general contributor.