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The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees recognized Jorri VanDyke for her outstanding service as Student Trustee during the March 18 meeting at Olney Central College.
The OCC sophomore was sworn in last April after being elected by fellow students to serve as their representative to IECC’s governing body.
“The experience has definitely been eye-opening,” said VanDyke. “It has been a valuable experience that has enabled me to utilize the leadership skills I learned in high school and take them to a more professional level.”
For VanDyke, one of the most exciting aspects of serving as Student Trustee has been helping to create and lead the IECC Student Advisory Board. The ISAB brings together student representatives from Frontier, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central and Wabash Valley colleges and serves as a liaison between students and the IECC Board of Trustees, administration and faculty to enhance the learning environment and ensure quality programs.
ISAB provides a student voice in shaping higher education, promotes positive relationships between students and college leadership, advises the Dean of Students on student-related matters and helps inform students about new and existing educational opportunities.
“It’s been great to get students involved on all four campuses to bridge the divide,” VanDyke said. “Getting the students working together reflects the shift that has been happening within IECC.”
ISAB meets monthly with the Student Trustee serving as its President. Since its formation last fall, members have been facilitating a reorganization of college clubs while promoting activities on the campuses and helping allocate funding for student-led events. VanDyke also is working with each college’s Student Senate.
ISAB brings together a diverse population including honors students, ambassadors and student athletes. VanDyke especially enjoys those interactions and chatting with fellow students about how their classes are going or discussing their learning styles.
“It’s great to see everyone coming together and sharing and providing input to enhance campus life,” she added. “With students coming together from all areas, you get a better, broader aspect of campus life. We’ve had the chance to talk with other students who care about IECC as a whole. We share and dump ideas. We’ve learned what works well at another campus and we’ve taken those ideas to see how they play out somewhere else. Working together to reach a common goal has been the best thing about the Student Trustee experience.”
As VanDyke leaves her position, she is confident newly elected Student Trustee Mireya Rose will continue the work she began.
“I have talked to the new Student Trustee,” VanDyke said. “She is a Wabash Valley student and a softball player. She will do good things for the students and represent them well.”
During her term, VanDyke has enjoyed attending the Board of Trustees’ monthly meetings and witnessing the inner workings of IECC firsthand while providing a student’s perspective.
“As a day-to-day student, you have no idea what items are being discussed,” she said. “As a student trustee, you see how much time and effort it takes to operate the colleges. You see people coming together to make that happen.”
VanDyke is also grateful for the opportunity this experience provided, allowing her to refine and enhance her communication skills.
“It was nice to practice speaking in front of an audience,” she said. “Talking to a large group made me think about how I was speaking and presenting ideas and that is a good thing for anybody.”
VanDyke would encourage others to serve as Student Trustee.
“I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to,” she said. “It’s a unique opportunity and one I’ve enjoyed.”
While attending OCC, VanDyke also participated in the Science Club and served as manager of the Women’s Basketball team. She even played in a game for the Lady Knights this season.
“I’m so thankful to Coach (Clint) Burris for allowing me to put on a uniform,” she said. “He has been a big supporter of mine since I was little. I’m glad he gave me a chance to be involved with the team. OCC created a second family for me, which is really special.”
After graduating in May, VanDyke plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University where she will double major in Animal Science and Ag Production as she prepares for a veterinary career.
VanDyke added, “I want to thank my parents and teachers from elementary school to now. They helped build my character and instilled in me a good work ethic and I will forever be grateful for that.”
