This fall, the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) welcomed new members to its Community Consulting Board (CCB).
The CCB was created in 2018 as a way to strengthen relationships between Illinois State University and community organizations. “We have had some great success over the last two years with the relationships forged by this board,” said Harriett Steinbach, assistant director at CCE. “I’m really looking forward to working with our new CCB members.”
Inaugural CCB members were asked to serve for two years. As those original terms ended, representatives from several organizations were asked to serve an additional year to allow for continuity on the board. Moving forward, half of the CCB members will rotate off the board each year.
“I thoroughly enjoy being part of the CCB,” said Liz German, executive director and CEO of the YWCA of McLean County. “I appreciate being involved at this level, so as a community partner I can best connect ISU’s learning needs with YWCA McLean County’s specific opportunities in a well-organized way. I have witnessed so many worthwhile examples of positive partnerships from this level of planning and focus. The collective effort really speaks to the overall commitment of the center to ensure meaningful engagement.”
Tara Ingham, executive director of the Midwest Food Bank in Normal is a new member of the CCB. “I am thrilled to participate with the CCB this year,” she said, “and I’m looking forward to the ways we can continue to grow the culture of community engagement throughout our area.”
CCE also added several ex officio seats to the CCE membership this fall. “We identified several crucial University partners that needed to be part of these conversations,” said Steinbach. “Ex-officio board memberships will include representatives from the Town of Normal, City of Bloomington, Heartland Community College, and Illinois Wesleyan University. These organizations have a slightly different relationship with the University than the other community organizations on the board, but we thought it was important to continue to strengthen these relationships as well.”
CCB Members
- Molly Allen, Regional Office of Education*
- Aimee Beam, The Baby Fold
- Matt Burgess, Home Sweet Home Ministries*
- Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe and Mike Matejka, Not In Our Town
- Liz German, YWCA McLean County
- Erin Herbez, Parklands Foundation
- Tara Ingham, Midwest Food Bank
- Lindsey Jarboe, Habitat for Humanity*
- Laura Jaster, Illinois Art Station
- Ray Lai, McLean County Regional Planning
- Bobbie Lewis-Sibley, U of I Extension/Unity Community Center*
- Amy Pitzer, Children’s Discovery Museum*
*Returning member
Ex-Officio Members
- Mark Clinch, Town of Normal
- Sarah Diel-Hunt, Heartland Community College
- Deborah Halperin, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Billy Tyus, City of Bloomington
