ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE BOARD APPROVES SELECTION OF NEW PRESIDENT

               In action tonight, the Illinois Central College Board of Trustees unanimously approved the selection of Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey to be the fifth president of the College. Dr. Quirk-Bailey’s appointment requires the finalization of her contract by a vote of the Board, scheduled for their next meeting on May 19.

               Sue Portscheller, retiring board chair and chair of the presidential search committee, said, “After in-depth consideration of a pool of very fine finalists, we came to the decision that Dr. Quirk-Bailey was the best candidate to lead Illinois Central College forward. Not only will she bring a breadth of community college experience to our school, but she is well acquainted with the Illinois Community College System. Her focus on student success, data-driven decision making, and workforce development will be key in sustaining the successes ICC has experienced in its first 50 years.”

               Don Brennan, incoming Board Chair added, “We are looking forward to welcoming Dr. Quirk-Bailey into the ICC family and the greater Peoria community. Not only does she have strong ties to downstate Illinois which gives her a special perspective of our unique challenges, but she also has across-the-board experience in administration that will serve the College well. The Board is excited that she will be joining us before the next school year begins.”

               Illinois Community College Board procedures require the publication of administrator contracts and a vote on those contracts in an open meeting. The contract vote will be on the agenda for the May board of trustees meeting.

               “Serving as Illinois Central College’s fifth president will be a great honor.  ICC is an excellent institution, and I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to support its future successes. I am looking forward to working with all of the outstanding people I met during the interview process and establishing relationships with our students, employees, partners and community stakeholders. I especially want to thank the search committee and the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me,” Dr. Quirk-Bailey said. 

               Dr. Quirk-Bailey holds a Doctorate of Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland University College; a Master of Arts in Communications from Northern Illinois University; and a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication from Bradley University. Her current position is Chief of Staff/Vice President of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Ill.