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Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is charged with establishing policy for the financing, governance, operation, and administration of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. Seven voting members are elected from the District at large, each serving a six-year term. A non-voting student trustee, elected by student referendum on a rotating basis from each campus, serves a one-year term from April to March. Ryan Hawkins currently serves as the Board Treasurer and Sonja Wease as the Board Secretary and Ethics Officer.

 

Meet the IECC Board of Trustees

(Click on the photos below for more information.)

Gary Carter, Chairman
Gary Carter, Fairfield
Mr. Carter was born and raised in Fairfield, IL and has lived there his entire life. He and his wife, Terri, have two married sons who reside there as well with their families.  Mr. Carter is the owner/operator of the local Kubota dealership.  

Over the years he has served on several boards of education and is active in community affairs. Mr. Carter began his service on the IECC Board of Trustees in May, 2011. He serves as an elder at his church and enjoys spending time with grandchildren.
Brenda Culver, Vice-Chair
Brenda Culver, Olney
Mrs. Culver was elected to the IECC Board of Trustees in 1999 and has been serving consecutive terms since that time. She is a retired school psychologist and currently the pastor at Barney's Prairie Christian Church.
Barbara Shimer, Secretary Pro Tempore
Barbara Shimer, Robinson
Ms. Shimer has served on the IECC Board of Trustees since February, 2020.  A retired IECC Theater and Communication Instructor, she currently works for Crawford County United Way.
Dr. Susan Batchelor, Trustee
Dr. Susan Batchelor, Clay City
Dr. Batchelor began her service with the IECC Board in January 2023. She recently retired from community college administration where her final role was Vice President of Student Services.  

Along with her experiences in educational settings throughout her career, Dr. Batchelor has held a variety of healthcare leadership positions.
John McLaughlin, Trustee
John McLaughlin, Olney
Mr. McLaughlin joined the IECC Board of Trustees in 2025. He previously served 12 years on the Olney City Council and 4 years on the Olney Township Board of Trustees. Mr. McLaughlin has worked in sales in the transportation/logistics industry for the past 18 years. 
John and his wife, Angela, live in Olney and have 3 children.
Roger Browning, Trustee
Roger Browning, Mt. Carmel
Mr. Browning has served as a trustee since 2021. He is a retired administrator for Illinois Eastern Community College District #529.  Mr. Browning served as the Chief Financial Officer for the district for 17 years and during that time served the district as a leader in many different areas while on the CEO's Cabinet.
Jan Ridgely, Trustee
Jan Ridgely, Olney
Mr. Ridgely has served on the IECC Board of Trustees since 2016. He is the President & CEO and Chairman of the Board of Citizens National Bank of Albion where he has been employed since 1986.  Mr. Ridgely also serves as the Swine Superintendent at the Duquoin State Fair. He donates his time to various other community activities as well.  

Jan and his wife, Lisa, reside in Parkersburg, IL and have three children and seven grandchildren that live nearby. They have a family farming operation
that consists of corn, soybeans, and cattle.  When he's not spending time with family, Mr. Ridgely enjoys riding horses and ATVs.
Mireya Rose, Student Trustee (2025-2026)
Mireya Rose, Wabash Valley College
A transfer student from Centralia, Illinois, Mireya Rose brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role. She has previously served as a team captain on various sports teams and was a student ambassador at her former college. Rose is currently catcher on the WVC Softball team. Passionate about public speaking, she sees this as her first formal leadership position and an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Rose believes that creating a fun and engaging environment is key to keeping students motivated. Whether in sports, student organizations, or campus initiatives, she strives to make involvement enjoyable and rewarding for her peers.
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Training

State-Mandated Leadership Training 110 ILCS 805/3-8.5
State law requires elected and appointed community college trustees to receive four hours of leadership training during the 1st, 3rd and 5th years of their terms. It is also required by law that each community college district maintains a listing of all board members who have successfully completed the training, as well as those who have not.

 


                                                                                                                                        Training information updated: 4/23/2025

Board Member

End of Term

Leadership Training

1st Year

3rd Year

5th Year

Susan Batchelor

2031

COMPLETED

 NOT APPLICABLE 

 NOT APPLICABLE 

Roger Browning

2027

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

NOT APPLICABLE

Gary Carter

2029

COMPLETED

NOT YET DUE

NOT YET DUE

Brenda Culver

2029

COMPLETED

NOT YET DUE

NOT YET DUE

John McLaughlin 

2031

 NOT YET DUE 

NOT YET DUE

NOT YET DUE

Jan Ridgely

2027

COMPLETED

IN-PROCESS

NOT YET DUE

Barbara Shimer

2027

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

NOT YET DUE