Waubonsee Community College celebrates 20 years of President Christine Sobek’s leadership

SUGAR GROVE – Waubonsee Community College is celebrating 20 years of the leadership of Christine Sobek this month.

According to a news release, Sobek began her tenure as president on July 1, 2001. During her time at the helm, Sobek has been a driving force behind providing excellence in education, shaping students’ futures and enriching the community. The college has served 177,724 students since she began as president.

“It would be hard to overstate what Dr. Sobek has contributed to Waubonsee Community College from an innovative, programmatic, facilities and financial stewardship perspective over the past 20 years. It has been my privilege to work with such an astute professional that has been so dedicated to the college and its stakeholders,” said Rebecca Oliver, Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees chair.

During Sobek’s leadership, the college has grown in stature locally and regionally across a network of four permanent campuses located in the 624-square-mile college district, the release stated.

“Waubonsee is more than college, Waubonsee is community college. Through strategic community partnerships, we are able to bring our faculty’s expertise to the broader community and work together on solving problems in our community. The result is an unparalleled educational experience for our students and an exceptional resource for our community,” Sobek said.

According to the release, numerous organizations have recognized Sobek’s leadership excellence. Her awards include Chicago’s Notable Women in Education sponsored by Crain’s Chicago Business; the Outstanding Alumni Award from Northern Illinois University; the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; an Influential Women in Business award sponsored by The Business Ledger; the Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award; a Quad County Urban League Lifetime Achievement Award; and the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations District 3 Pacesetter of the Year Award.

Sobek regularly presents at national and regional conferences and has authored articles in local and national publications.