Meet the Seventh President of Lake Land College:
Dr. Josh Bullock
Q: When applying for the position of president, what attracted you to Lake Land College? A: There were several factors that attracted me to the presidency at Lake Land College. First, I was extremely impressed that Lake Land College was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation. That is quite an honor and clearly demonstrates the college’s commitment to excellence. With that said, Illinois itself has a reputation for a strong community college system, and I was energized by the possibility of working in a state that values the benefit of a vibrant community college system. Second, the presidential profile spoke volumes of the innovative and collaborative culture at Lake Land. I have felt such a positive energy among the trustees, the staff and the community surrounding Lake Land’s entrepreneurial spirit and “student first” philosophy. Finally, my passion for environmental sustainability is clearly aligned with Lake Land’s focus in programming and operations. Lake Land’s holistic approach to energy generation and reduction is second to none, not only within Illinois but in the nation.
FULL circle • Fall 2013
Q: Could you describe your leadership style?
The Lake Land College Board of Trustees unanimously named Jonathan “Josh” Bullock as the seventh president of Lake Land College following a national search. Coming from Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, Wis. as the vice president for strategic advancement, Bullock took office on July 1. Take some time to get to know your new Lake Land College president! 8
A: I am a firm believer in the power of people, and am perpetually amazed at what can be accomplished with a spirit of collaboration and human ingenuity. My leadership philosophy is based on the four pillars of transformational leadership. First, I feel it is extremely important to build individual and meaningful relationships with your peers, and genuinely appreciate the important role each person plays in the organization. Second, I believe in developing staff and creating a safe environment for them to learn, take calculated risks and be innovative. Most people want to be challenged in a positive way. Third, I believe in setting and pursing a clear and concise vision for the college, and aligning metrics with the goals to provide a means of measuring progress. People perform at their best when they have a sense of direction, meaning and challenge in their work. It is amazing what people can accomplish when they are inspired to achieve an attainable goal. Finally, I am very keen on the importance of integrity and leading by example. Leaders earn the trust and respect of their followers through their actions, not through their title.
Q: What are you looking forward to as you assume the role of president at Lake Land? A: I am truly looking forward to developing relationships with Lake Land’s passionate staff, dedicated students and supportive community leaders, and working together to continue the nearly 50 year tradition Lake Land has of helping students achieve academic and career success. I am excited by the opportunity to continue fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, with a focus on stewardship of the public’s financial investment in the college. But, most importantly student success will remain the primary focus for all we do at Lake Land College.
Q: As president, you’ll be working very closely with other administrators and faculty members, but how do you plan to get to know the student body? How might they be able to reach out to you? A: Students are the lifeblood of an educational institution and they have a very unique and important voice in the college community. I look forward
to being out and about on campus and connecting with students on their “turf.” I also plan to schedule regular meetings with student government and club leaders to ensure they have a venue for sharing their perspectives. And, of course, I welcome students approaching me to share their kudos or concerns.
Q: How do you plan to become familiar with the communities and people within the entire Lake Land district? A: One of the things that energized me the most about joining the Lake Land team is the opportunity to work with the communities to develop positive and productive relationships on behalf of the college. I am planning to spend a good portion of my first year at the college traveling the district to meet with business and community leaders. My hope is to listen intently and learn more about their relationship with Lake Land and in what ways the college can partner in their success. I also plan to engage in community service. This is a wonderful way to meet new people and develop new friendships, while giving back to the community.
Earn a degree that will lead you to a high-paying, longterm, local career! The electricity industry is about ready to undergo some big changes throughout central Illinois. While electricity rates and consumption won’t change over the next three to five years, the demand for highly qualified employees who are looking for a long-term career will as the current workforce is set to retire very soon.
Earn a two-year associate degree as a Power Plant Mechanic or in Power Plant Technology and be on your way to a high-paying, long-term career right here in central Illinois. • The median pay for a power plant mechanic or technician is over $65,000 annually! • Local industry leaders will be hiring a new workforce to replace retirees! • Lake Land helps with internship opportunities and job placement! • Be on your way to a new career in just two years! • Scholarships are available! For more information about the Power Plant Mechanic and Power Plant Technology degrees, contact Tim VanDyke at (217) 234-5313 or tvandyke@lakeland.cc.il.us.