EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Stewardship. “Accepting our responsibility to be good stewards of the public trust, we will sensibly use our financial, human, and physical resources to achieve our mission.” Responsibility. “Encouraging personal growth and learning through leadership, citizenship, and accountability.” Robert Conn is the Dean of Instruction at WVC. As the Dean, Robert is involved with the campus' leadership, values, needs, and MAGGEE BLEYER
mission mission. Robert serves on the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the Deans Committee, and the Illinois Articulation Initiative Business Panel, and holds other multiple committee chairperson appointments. Robert was born and raised in Mt. Carmel. To further his Industrial Design career in 1993, Robert achieved his Associate’s in Science from WVC and his Bachelor’s in Arts from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. Over time, he became interested in educational teaching and learning. In 1997, he landed a full-time faculty position in Indianapolis. Later on, he took teaching design and engineering courses which amounted to his earned Master’s in Science in Management from Oakland City University in 2005. Robert first served as the Dean of Instruction at Lincoln Trail College in 2013 before being selected as the Dean of Instruction at WVC in 2015. “Being selected as Dean of Instruction at Wabash Valley College in 2015 has afforded me the ability to make a positive impact on my hometown while implementing a vision that embraces the revolutionary transformation occurring in higher education," Robert expressed. Robert reminds his readers about IECC’s five main values:
Integrity. “Providing an environment where people are encouraged and empowered to do the right thing in their work and interactions with others.” Respect. “Recognizing and appreciating our similarities and others demonstrate mutual regard for others through our words and actions.” Accessibility. “Providing access to a high- quality college education for everyone who seeks one, while providing the support needed to facilitate the attainment of academic and professional goals.” Robert is continuously impressed with WVC’s assessments and rankings. For example, in 2021, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Wabash Valley College as one of 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. “Being the student advocate on campus,” Robert said, “helps me fulfill the mission of the college: deliver exceptional education and services to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our communities.”
06
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker