Education items from Quad-Cities colleges

Gwaltney '84 elected to Augustana's Board of Trustees

Augustana College announces the election of Brent Gwaltney '84 to the college's Board of Trustees.

"We welcome Brent to our board, and we look forward to his contributions as we work on our new strategic plan, Bold and Boundless," said President Andrea Talentino. "He knows firsthand the power of the transformational experience that happens on our campus and will bring valuable insight from his successful career to help us strengthen that experience."

Gwaltney is an advisor to renewable energy projects (primarily blue hydrogen/ammonia) and an active private investor. He is retired as the chief executive officer of Consolidated Energy, Ltd. headquartered in Wollerau, Switzerland. Consolidated Energy is the world's second-largest producer of methanol and one of the world's top producers of nitrogen products (ammonia and UAN) with operations in Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Oman.

SHRM Chapters receive Superior Merit award 23-24

Western Illinois University's Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) student chapter received a 2023-24 Superior Merit award designation from the national chapter of SHRM for providing excellent growth and development opportunities for student chapter members.

"I commend the achievements of our WIU SHRM chapter which are the result of the dedication of its student leaders and members. Their commitment to the field of human resources is impressive and because of their efforts, the future of the profession is very bright" Susan Stewart, professor of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior at WIU, said.

The SHRM student chapter merit award program encourages the development of more effective student chapters and distinguishes outstanding activities and projects. Chapters are recognized based on chapter operations, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession and SHRM engagement.

SHRM student chapters can earn an award based on the number of activities they complete during the merit award cycle, from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. The WIU SHRM student chapter had a busy year. They invited many HR professionals to make presentations and discuss HR certifications, and student members also held value-added HR internships.

WIU Receives Insight Into Diversity 2024 Higher Education Excellence In Diversity (HEED) Award

Western Illinois University received the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — WIU will be featured, along with 113 other recipients, in the November/December 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine. This is the first year WIU has been named as a HEED Award recipient.

"Western Illinois University strives to champion diversity initiatives across our campuses. Our university community is mindful that social justice calls for ongoing dedication, and we pause to appreciate this recognition that highlights Western's ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive campus environments, programs, and policies that ensure every person feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive," WIU Interim President Kristi Mindrup said.

Insight Into Diversity magazine selected WIU to recognize the efforts made by individuals and offices across the institution to create, foster and maintain an equity-minded community. These ongoing initiatives reflect the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion, showcasing the work that has been done and continues to be done throughout the campus, as highlighted by WIU's JIDE Director, Carl Ervin.

"The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion," Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine said. "We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus."

BHC appoints Kim Goodley as Associate Vice President

Black Hawk College has appointed Kim Goodley of Annawan as Associate Vice President – External Relations and Executive Director of East Campus Foundation. She will begin this new position based out of the East Campus on Monday, Dec. 2.

In this role, Goodley will oversee marketing and public relations, fundraising and legislative priorities.

"I am honored to be working with great people that support the next generation and foster strong communities that nurture growth and success," she said.

Goodley started her education with an associate degree from Black Hawk College then transferred to Augustana College where she earned a bachelor's degree in business management. She also has an MBA from St. Ambrose University.

Goodley served as the marketing director at Blackhawk State Bank before a 24-year career with John Deere where she was afforded many opportunities to develop a unique skill set focused on employee experience, brand, communication and culture. Some of the work she is most proud of is her work through the John Deere Foundation which focused on food insecurity, education and community development. She recently served 5.5 years on the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees.

"Returning to Black Hawk College in this capacity, is special to me; I get to give back to the place that shaped my educational journey and future success," she said.

"Kim Goodley's extensive background in marketing, public relations and fundraising, combined with her deep love for Black Hawk College and our community, makes her the perfect fit to lead our external relations and foundation efforts," Black Hawk College President Dr. Jeremy Thomas added.

"We are excited to see the impact of her leadership," he said.

Black Hawk College serves all or part of nine counties in northwestern Illinois. The college's East Campus is located five miles south of Kewanee in Galva, IL, while the college's district office is located at the Quad-Cities Campus in Moline.

Boeckelman named Associate Dean Over CAS

Western Illinois University Political Science Professor Keith Boeckelman has been named the permanent associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Boeckelman has served as interim associate dean since August 2023.

Boeckelman joined WIU in 1998 as an assistant professor of political science and has since held several leadership roles. Most recently, he served as chair of WIU's Political Science Department from 2020-2022, and previously as interim chair of the History Department from 2019-2021.

"I'm excited to continue to work with Dean Schmidt and our excellent faculty and staff to carry out our mission of fostering a top-flight educational experience, both for the majors in Arts and Sciences departments, as well as students from across the university who benefit from our enriching general education curriculum," Boeckelman said.

Boeckelman earned his bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Drake University and a doctorate in political science focusing on public policy and administration from the University of Illinois in 1990.

Before entering academia, he served as a staffer and analyst for the Illinois House of Representatives. In addition to his tenure at WIU, Boeckelman has taught at Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

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