ICCDC President

Dr. Candice Dowd Maxwell
Assistant Vice President of Belonging
McHenry County College

I often say that I’ve been engaged in DEI work before I could name it. I recognize the need to pursue equity—to shift, change, and examine policies and practices that marginalize individuals based on their social and cultural identities. That recognition starts with influencing the ways in which we understand each other authenticity and exercising humility as opposed to applying coded narratives to people based on our own biases, assumptions, and divisive pathologies.

We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?

My priority is to promote access to opportunities and resources and engage in strategic equity planning and implementation.

What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?

Engaging with other DEI professionals who understand the work and can offer support, guidance, and encouragement is important. I also believe in protecting my peace through meditation, laughter, and breathing exercises.

How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?

I am a strategic thinker and planner. Therefore, a goal would be to foster a strategic equity planning effort to build on the existing work and promote the growth, impact, and influence of the commission for community colleges in Illinois.

Vice President/President Elect

Dr. Rick Daniels
Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Oakton College

We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?

What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?

How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?

Treasurer

Jessica Santillan-Reyes
Dean, Office of Instruction
Kishwaukee College

We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?

What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?

How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Dr. Terrance Bond
Assistant to the President, Equity and Effectiveness
Heartland Community College

My children. I began to notice early in their elementary education that issues I experienced in Milwaukee, WI remained a source of concern in Central IL 20+ years later. I want to be a part of the collective that transforms the educational enterprise.

We see your title, but what are your priorities on campus?

My priority is to drive the implementation and institutionalization of our College Strategic Plan and Equity Plan. This includes policy and procedure revisions, multicultural training and event planning, and creating data-informed measures to reduce opportunity gaps.

What’s your secret for balancing advocacy and self-care?

If I’m being honest, I’m nowhere near finding that balance. My target is unconditional love for self and others. Some days, I do better than others. But when I’m at my best, I’m giving myself grace while listening and offering support as I have the ability.

How about one of your goals as an ICCDC leader?

I want ICCDC to be a forum for Community College leaders to wrestle with the cultural, financial, historical, and organizational challenges encountered as institutions become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We need spaces to discuss our successes and failures and to develop strategies that help change the narrative on education in Illinois.