Celebrating a Legacy of Transformational Leadership and Exceptional Learning

July 1, 2001 – Dr. Christine J. Sobek is appointed President of Waubonsee Community College. 

November 4, 2001 – At a ceremony put together by over 100 volunteers from the Waubonsee community, Dr. Sobek is officially installed as the fourth president of Waubonsee Community College. The ceremony kicks off a year-long celebration of the college’s “35 Years of Changing Lives.” 

Fast Track accelerated degree program introduced allowing students to graduate in less than two years.

Waubonsee's 2020 College Master Plan is unveiled.

Launched the Integrity Project that focuses on the needs of students, faculty and the Waubonsee community at large on subjects of leadership, ethics, and values.

Launched Teaching and Learning Core Values project.

“Move the Nickel” campaign successfully passed a five-cent increase in the college’s operations and maintenance tax levy to provide funding for all campus facilities. Voters approved new and expanded facilities for Waubonsee Community College.

Introduced an innovative flex-start program for online courses allowing students more times during the 16-week semester to register for and begin online courses.

Celebrated the registration of the college’s 200,000th student.

Diversity Chats series included: the “National Day of Remembrance,” “The True Challenge of Disability,” “What About the Isms,” “Forty Years After the Dream,” “What is Islam?” and “Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Issues.”

Provided student email accounts for all full- and part-time Waubonsee students.

Launched Learning First! Initiative.

Penny Panayiota Deligiannis is named an American Association of Community Colleges Outstanding Alumni Award winner, the first in Waubonsee’s history.

Launched Learning First! Initiative.

Student Trustee Daniel Jaquez received the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award. Mr. Jaquez was chosen to represent all Illinois community college students as the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate.

Diversity Chats series focused on several topics including: “Little Rock Nine,” “Color-Coded Campus,” “What Does It Mean To Be Transgendered?” and “Does Race Still Matter?”

The college, in partnership with the City of Aurora, the Illinois State Museum, and the Illinois State Geological Survey, led a three-month paleontological excavation in Phillips Park to recover bones from ancient Mastadonts.

First partnered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to provide free tax filing assistance for low- to moderate-income taxpayers.

Groundbreaking takes place for the Academic and Professional Center.

Public access television station, Fox Valley Television (FVTV) was launched.

The “Smart Women, Smart Money Financial Fiesta” program for Latinas received the National Council of Instructional Administrators’ Exemplary Initiative Honorable Mention Award.

Science Building opens on the Sugar Grove Campus, kicking off the college’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Waubonsee received the 2005 Illinois Community College Board Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for The Outcomes Project (TOP).

The college inducts the inaugural class of the new Athletic Hall of Fame.

Completed institutional branding process with a redesigned college seal and logo. 

Banner Student Module of the new Administrative Software System went live. The 18-month implementation of this module moved the college to a new sophisticated level of service through this web-based service.

Implemented Waubonsee Student Art Purchase Program.

Completed connection to the Fox Metro wastewater treatment system, relocation of the college’s main entrance and installation of a traffic light at the college’s south entrance. 

Property acquisition completed for new Aurora Downtown Campus.

First Annual Report to the Community published.

Academic and Professional Center opens on the Sugar Grove Campus with 56,000 square feet, 18 classrooms and a 10,000-square-foot event room.

As part of Waubonsee’s year-long 40th anniversary celebration, Waubonsee honored 40 alumni and students, designated the Fab 40, who embody the college’s mission, vision and values.

Interactive Health Solutions named Waubonsee as one of the “50 Healthiest Companies in America for 2007.”

The Conservation Foundation recognized the college with its Sustainable Development Award.

Waubonsee received the Innovative Solutions Outstanding Accomplishments Award from the River Valley Workforce Investment Board for its Aurora Community Technology Center program. 

The college received the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce President’s Award. 

Waubonsee implemented the first year of a three-year nearly $250,000 U.S. Department of Education Upward Bound Grant to serve low-income, first-generation students from East Aurora High School.

In cooperation with Hesed House, a homeless shelter in Aurora, and the City of Aurora, launched the Employment Skills Program to assist homeless individuals to reenter the workforce.

Launched Dunham Early College Academy.

New Student Center opens on the Sugar Grove Campus. 

The Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce recognized Waubonsee as the recipient of the 2008 Business of the Year in the Community Service category.

Launched new College-wide calendar system. 

Implemented the first Employee Assistance Plan focused on health care advocacy, wellness initiatives, health risk profiles, legal and financial consultation, and dedicated personal assistance.

Waubonsee joined the Illinois Sustainable University Compact. 

Launched Brighter Futures initiative and scholarship to assist community residents impacted by a national recession.

Waubonsee first achieved Tree Campus USA/Higher Education status.

Established Campus Police Department

Hosted first Congress to Campus program. 

Implemented Blackboard Course Management software for all distance learning courses.

Implemented new course scheduling format which expanded the number of course sections offered, facilitated easier student scheduling, maximized classroom scheduling, and redistributed parking during peak times.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) honored the college with the Education Award for our service to the Hispanic community.

Waubonsee is designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education.

Recognized by the Illinois National Guard for supporting the National Guard’s reintegration program for soldiers returning home from combat. The college served as a site for two reintegration events and for the overall Yellow Ribbon Appreciation Dinner. 

New Aurora Downtown Campus opens replacing the former Aurora Campus.

Collaborated with the City of Aurora on the development of the upper and lower Riverwalk. 

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assisted in the launch of 39 new businesses, the highest number in the state.

$3.2 million five-year Title V grant, “Removing Barriers to Success” from the U.S. Department of Education

Community College Week named Waubonsee one of the Top 50 Fastest-Growing Public Two-Year Colleges with enrollments of 10,000 or more for fall 2010-2011.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate for Waubonsee nursing graduates from Oct. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010 was 100 percent.

The Diversity Leadership Council organized the planting of a Peace Pole on the Sugar Grove Campus in conjunction with the college celebration of Arbor Day.

The Kane County Board of Health recognized Waubonsee’s Nursing Program as a 2010 Public Health Hidden Hero award recipient for the program’s participation in the H1N1 vaccination clinic initiative. 

Waubonsee Chorale featured in a short film by Chicago filmmaker entitled “Seguridad Insegura” (Insecure Certainty).

The Waubonsee Jazz Band won the Community College Division at the Reno Jazz Festival with six students named Outstanding Student Soloists.

Waubonsee student won first place in the Hammered Dulcimer Composition category at the Mid-East Regional Hammered Dulcimer Championships.

The college’s bond rating was raised to Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Services as part of two debt refinancing processes that reduced the college’s debt service by $5.1 million resulting in taxpayer savings.

The Library Technical Assistant Program was awarded full accreditation by the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association, one of only eight community colleges in the nation to achieve this level of accreditation.

Launched a Leadership Academy including an Inspiring Insights series that featured local leaders such as Tom Kozlowicz, who represented the United States by carrying the Olympic Torch in England in 2012.

Received the Illinois Community College Trustees Association 2012 Equity Award.

The college completed an exchange with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. This provided the Sugar Grove Campus land for potential development and provided the Forest Preserve with wooded natural areas and wetlands for preservation.

$2.8 million Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to serve displaced workers.

G.I. Jobs designated Waubonsee a Military Friendly School.

The Association of Community College Trustees named Waubonsee its 2012 Central Regional Equity Award winner.

Dr. Sobek is named an American Association of Community College Emerging Leadership award finalist.

Joe Berenyi, a former Chiefs baseball player and Waubonsee graduate won a gold, silver and bronze medal in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Working with the Illinois Department of Transportation, a traffic light was installed at the north entrance of the Sugar Grove Campus, greatly enhancing the safety of this intersection.

Waubonsee introduced its latest effort to help more students make their dreams real, rolling out the Adult Education Bridge Program. The tuition-free program, funded by a U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant, is designed to help students build basic skills or prepare for the GED test, while training for a career in health care or manufacturing at the same time.

Dr. Sobek served as President of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents.

More than 50 students, faculty and staff participated in the first Waubonsee's Day of Service with service projects including trail clean-up and landscaping. The event was coordinated by Waubonsee’s Student Trustee and Student Life Department.

Successfully implemented the Waubonsee Alert System.

The final project of the 2020 College Master Plan, the Field House/Erickson Hall, opens.

Waubonsee partnered with the Aurora-based Association for Individual Development (AID) to establish the Waubonsee Talk Line.

Launched the Dunham Fund Quick Path Program which allows motivated students to complete an associate degree in one year. 

For the second consecutive cycle, Waubonsee was the recipient of a Title V grant from the Department of Education. The five year, at $525,000 per year, totaled $2.6 million. Waubonsee’s goals for the grant are to increase first and second year retention and completion; improve success rates in online courses through course redesign, increased faculty professional development opportunities, and improved online readiness for students; and to decrease time to degree completion by highlighting options such as dual enrollment, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement(AP) testing, and prior learning assessment.

Waubonsee Community College was ranked among the best community colleges in the state by www.schools.com. The ranking gives special mention to Waubonsee Community College Foundation’s robust institutional scholarships and online application process.

Waubonsee Community College became the second community college in Illinois to receive accreditation for their Art and Graphic Design programs from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Learning Assessment and Testing Services was awarded National College Testing Association (NCTA) Testing Center Certification.

The college announced name changes for two of its campuses, which better reflected the distinct identities of and create consistency across all four campuses. The Aurora Campus became the Aurora Downtown Campus and the Copley Campus became the Aurora Fox Valley Campus. 

In keeping with a decades–long commitment to invest in and partner with the City of Aurora, Waubonsee completed the sale of the former downtown Aurora Campus to the Seize the Future Development Foundation.

Waubonsee celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Established the Waubonsee Community College Lions Club. The Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organization focusing on giving back to the community and promoting peace. The keynote speaker for the Charter Night was Chancellor Bob Corlew, the Lions Club International President.

Waubonsee’s Access Center for Disability Resources partnered with Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Accessible Materials Innovation (CAMI) to provide training and grants for Waubonsee Community College students with print-related disabilities. This grant partnership was the first of its kind for college students with print-related disabilities at Minority Serving Institutions.

The Sugar Grove Campus was certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

The Waubonsee Community College Foundation finalized a multi-year campaign to raise money for scholarships in the college’s manufacturing programs. Through the hard work of the Foundation Board and the generous giving of manufacturing companies and supportive individuals, the Foundation raised more than $214,000. Because of this effort, eight endowed scholarships of $25,000 each were created to help students start and continue their education.

Waubonsee hosted U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren’s forum to discuss the opioid crisis featuring U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams.

Waubonsee’s Board of Trustees adopted new policies in order to ensure the highest levels of transparency and accountability by the college. One example of this is the Public Comment at Board Meetings policy. Community members who wish to provide comments at the board’s public meetings now have the opportunity to submit a public comments form to the Clerk of the Board through the college’s website.

Launched four new websites: a website for the college, one for Waubonsee athletics, one for the college bookstore and a calendar website. This suite of platforms allows students and the community to stay informed about programs and activities of the college.

Largest Single Cash Gift in Foundation History Dr. Gina Santori made a generous donation of $250,000 to Waubonsee Community College to support the students in the Nursing and Health Care Programs. Santori has been a staunch supporter of Waubonsee. She has served on the Waubonsee Community College Foundation Board since September 2014 and established a nursing scholarship in August 2013.

The Automotive Technology Program hosted its first-ever signing day. High school students from across the district came to Waubonsee to sign letters of intent, just like athletes do as they prepare for college. 

Waubonsee partnered with the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry to fight food insecurity for college students and for people across the community. Waubonsee students volunteered at the pantry and the college’s Empty Bowls Project which raises money for the pantry. The food pantry also provides sack meals on campuses for Waubonsee students who need them, as well as a mobile food pantry to the Sugar Grove Campus. 

Jose Ruiz was the first recipient of the college's Aurora Strong Scholarship. The scholarship was created in response to the shooting in Aurora on February 15.

Launched the Hartford Apprenticeship Program.

Began navigation of global pandemic.

Launched the Sustained Dialogues series.

Waubonsee began the 1st cohort with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). ACUE exists to meet the needs of the evolving 21st-century classrooms through their effective teaching courses developed in collaboration with hundreds of college educators and leading experts.

American Association Community College's 2021 Outstanding Alumni Award Kristen Ziman, former City of Aurora Chief of Police.

MyChoice launched offering students the opportunity to choose to learn with five different learning modalities:

• Face-to-Face: Classes meet in a traditional classroom setting on one of Waubonsee’s four campuses 
• Online: Courses are delivered 100% asynchronously online through Canvas, Waubonsee’s Learning Management System 
• Hybrid: A blend of face-to-face class meetings in a traditional classroom and asynchronous online learning through Canvas.
• Synch Online: Classes meet on regularly scheduled days and times via Zoom, allowing students to engage with faculty and peers in real-time. 
• Flex: Classes meet face-to-face in a Flex-equipped classroom and are simultaneously live-streamed and recorded through Zoom. After each class, the Zoom recording is posted in Canvas so that students may view or review each session online. For each session, students may engage in-person in the classroom, virtually via Zoom, or online asynchronously, according to their preferences and needs.

Offered faculty, staff and students a Library Grab-and-Go Service.

Hosted the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the United States, Gaston Stronck, and Mr. Kevin Wester, former Executive Director of the Luxemburg Cultural Society. 

Identified the definitions Waubonsee will utilize related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Ongoing Pandemic Relief Management  – In the spring, Waubonsee launched a Spring Forward scholarship of $40 per credit hour for every registered student and an application-based Pandemic Relief scholarship. In addition, the board endorsed maintaining a level tuition and fees rate for the academic year. Waubonsee also provided District 516 taxpayers an aggregated savings of nearly $9,000,000 on their property tax bills.

During the 2020-2021 school year, Waubonsee joined the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge to encourage students to use their voices in the electoral process. Students participated in numerous civic engagement events to learn about the U.S. political system and how to make informed decisions.

Began embedding Online Navigators in online courses to help online students navigate the college experience by providing assistance with non-course related questions. 

Launched MyMaterials, a partnership between Waubonsee faculty, staff, the on-campus bookstore and various publishers to deliver digital textbooks and course materials to students at a low price on the first day of class.  

Waubonsee is one of three colleges in Illinois and the only community college in the state, to receive a $3 million Title V grant in this funding cycle.

Celebrated the Grand Opening of the Latinx Resource Center at the Aurora Downtown Campus.

Dr. Sobek named an American Association of Community Colleges 2022 CEO of the Year Finalist.

David Voorhees, Professor of Earth Science and Geology, named an American Association of Community Colleges 2022 Faculty Member of the Year Finalist. 

Unveiled the college's updated mission statement.

American Association of Community Colleges 2022 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient – Dr. Indigo Debra Triplett, Author, Consultant, and Entrepreneur.

Dr. Sobek is honored with Illinois House Resolution #HR0618 in recognition of her 20th anniversary as President of Waubonsee Community College.

The Alliance for Innovation and Transformation (AFIT) recognized Dr. Sobek with the John J. Politi Legacy Award at their annual Summer Institute.

Dr. Sobek receives recognition from the Illinois General Assembly and Area Chambers of Commerce.