Board and Committees
The Board of Directors helps steer CCHE to advance our mission and works towards a sustainable future. The CCHE Board is comprised of 11 members and may have no less than 7, meets the 3rd Monday of the month from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and each director sits on one or more committees or task forces.
Consider joining our board! If you are interested in becoming a Cook County Higher Education Board Member, please contact Executive Director, Karen Blackburn, at director@myCCHE.org or call 218-387-3411, ext. 1.
The committees and task force groups support the board’s efforts to guide CCHE. Members include both board members and members of the public, and we invite you to join a group that matches your talents and interest. Meetings are scheduled by the members.
Education is the key to success in life. Helping students achieve their goals through the efforts of CCHE benefits the entire community. As a board member, I hope to be a part of that success.
Mark Morgen, Board MemberI am excited to help Cook County residents experience the transformative power of education; and to provide opportunity for personal and professional growth.
CCHE helps the residents of Cook County by transforming and enriching lives through education. I’m proud to be a part of the organization.
Janice Latz, Board MemberI want to give back to an organization that did so much to help me.
Donna Paine, Board MemberCurrent Board Members
William Youmans, M.D.
President
Education
B.S. Wildlife Biology, Michigan State University; Medical Degree, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
I practiced Family Medicine in Minneapolis for 36 years and spent time leading a group of up to 25 providers. I was a clinical professor at the University of MN teaching medical students and medical residents for 25 years. My previous board positions included Minneapolis North Memorial Medical Center Chief of Staff, CareVan/Medisys Corporation, and MMIC/Constellation Mutual Insurance Company.
Other
I am committed to the conservation of our beautiful Arrowhead region with an interest in sailing, canoeing, arts, and the history of Cook County.
David Coleman
Vice President
Education
B.S. Chemistry, Southern Illinois University; and Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, University of Wisconsin
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
I spent nearly 40 years as a Professor and Administrator; mentor to many Ph.D. Candidate and advisor to countless undergraduate students; an author and editor; and officer of national and international scientific societies. Because of these, I have a passion for working with and encouraging students who come from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and utilization of the best technological tools to foster good education and communication.
Other
My wife and I live full-time on Clearwater Lake adjacent to the BWCA. We have a reverence for its intrinsic beauty and for the need to steadfastly protect the region environmentally. I especially enjoy playing jazz and classical trombone in local ensembles.
Karen Halbersleben
Treasurer
Education
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. in European History from SUNY-Buffalo; retired college professor and administrator
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
My career in higher ed helps me to understand the many components of running a higher ed center, as well as the challenges facing individual students.
Other
I was President of Northland College in Ashland, WI from 2002-2009; held academic positions at SUNY-Oswego, the U. of Richmond, and Buena Vista U. I currently serve on the Board of the Cook County Community Foundation. My husband Jack Miller and I volunteer with Meals on Wheels deliveries.
Donna Paine
Secretary
Education
I received my BS in Business Administration at UW Platteville with the help of CCHE.
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
I want to give back to an organization that did so much to help me.
Other
I am currently employed at the Grand Marais State Bank as Assistant Vice-President and am the Treasurer of the Cook County Salvation Army Service Unit.
Janice Latz
Board Member
Education
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Experience that Contributes to My Role as Board Member
My career as a technical and executive manager in a large corporation gives me experience in business planning, strategy, collaboration and project execution. All attributes help me to help CCHE deliver its mission.
Other
Retired in 2014 from Huntsman Corporation, The Woodlands, Texas. I held positions in engineering, technical service, business management, and most recently as a senior executive responsible for Operations in the Performance Products division. Served on the Board of Directors for the American Cleaning Institute.
Mark Morgen
Board Member
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Colorado State University; MS in Software Engineering, University of Minnesota
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
I have volunteered for several organizations: Boy Scouts of America, at the troop, district, and council level; Feed My Starving Children; Ruby’s Pantry; and the school board finance committee. I have experience in technical skills and data analysis.
Other
Pat Pawlowski
Board Member
Education
BS in Biomedical Science and DDS from Marquette University
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
I have the privilege to get to know a large portion of the Cook County community through my work and hope to help others achieve their educational goals. I have had great educational resources in my life and I want our community members to continue to have CCHE as a great resource to them.
Other
Kory Bowman
Board Member
Education
Master of Business Administration, Loyola University of Chicago; Bachelor of Business Administration, Loyola University of Chicago.
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
Other
Renie McVeety
Board Member
Education
M.S. Library & Information Science, Indiana University; M.A. Foreign Languages, Washington State University; B.A. Foreign Languages, North Central College.
Experience that Contributes to My Role as a Board Member
I have been blessed with a long and varied career including management and technical positions with AT&T Bell Labs, Computer Sciences Corporation, the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Battelle Memorial Institute. My previous board experience includes serving as Board Member for Battelle for Kids and I also served as Vice President and Trustee for the Ohio Wildlife Center.
Other
I have participated in CCHE courses and events, and have personally benefited from their resources and facilities. I strongly believe in CCHE’s mission and vision and greatly appreciate what they do for our community.
Committees
Interested in volunteering on a less regular basis? Consider sharing your time and talents on a Committee or on a Subcommittee. Please note the Governance and Finance Committees are comprised of board members only. Contact Karen Blackburn at director@myCCHE.org for more information.
Governance Committee
Ensures high-level functioning of the board, the Executive Director, and the organization.
- Board Governance
- Personnel (Executive Director Review)
- Board Member Nominations
- Annual Nomination of slate of officers
- Legislative Issues
Finance Committee
Financial Oversight for the non-profit organization.
- Budget
- Monthly Financial Review
Technology Committee
Review and recommend technology resources and develop social media strategies to improve CCHE mission delivery.
Subcommittees
Facility Needs
Evaluate and prioritize building accessibility and energy efficiency.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee
Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) has prioritized the work necessary to create a learning environment where every student can succeed in learning and earning the education they desire. We intend to counteract discriminatory policies that prevent people from equally accessing the benefits of education. This committee currently meets twice a month.
Subcommittees
Anti-Racism
DEIA Vendors
Building Accessibility
Training & Education
Development Committee
Diversify the financial base of CCHE and strengthen the presence of CCHE in the community.
Subcommittees
Scholarship
Meeting twice a year, the Scholarship Subcommittee reviews tuition scholarship applications submitted by local residents enrolled in long-distance education programs. Meeting in November and July, the subcommittee makes recommendations for funding applications from all available scholarship funds. The subcommittee usually allocates around $20,000 each semester.
Events
Brainstorms and plans all of the fundraiser events hosted by CCHE. Examples of functions include The Afternoon Tea fundraiser hosted at Naniboujou Lodge, The Cindy Nelson fundraiser at Lutsen Mountains Summit Chalet, the annual membership event, open houses, and celebrations.
Legacy Society
Supports board members and volunteers in their efforts to create events for the purpose of introducing CCHE’s Legacy Program to potential donors.
