(Chicago, IL) – August 10, 2011. Alexi Giannoulias has once again a job in state government. But no pay. Governor Pat Quinn today appointed the ex-Treasurer to serve as the unpaid chairman of the Illinois Community College Board.
“As a former State Treasurer with a longtime passion for education reform, Alexi is the right leader to shepherd our community college system towards higher graduation rates and better job placement in Illinois,” said Quinn.
The voluntary 11-member board governs the state’s 48 community colleges, the third-largest system in the country.
Giannoulias will focus on increasing graduation rates to achieve the state’s “60 by 25” goal, which calls for 60 percent of Illinois’ adult population to hold a college degree or career certificate by 2025, up from about 40 percent today, Quinn says.
“Community colleges play a vital role in creating the workforce of the 21st century by providing economical, flexible and effective training degrees,” Giannoulias said.
Giannoulias’ appointment drew praise from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
“Alexi is a passionate believer in public education and I’m confident that his leadership will help the community colleges of Illinois do a better job of preparing young people to compete in the global economy,” said Duncan.
Giannoulias served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011 before losing a hotly contested general elecition race for President Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat to GOP U.S. Rep Mark Kirk.
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