VOTER

Page 48 2016 Voter Guide League of Women Voters
Oakland Community College – 6 Year Term – Vote for no more than THREE (Cont.)
Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for Oakland
Community College Trustee and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to
the position.
THOMAS E. KUHN
1595 Pebble Point Drive, Troy, MI 48085
I will work to assure fiscal responsibility and accountability at OCC. In times of decreasing
revenues, I will make sure that your tax dollars get to the classroom. I believe OCC must
improve access to classes, including increased online course offerings. I believe in expanding
partnerships between OCC and our local high schools, local medical providers, County
government and local businesses.
I have extensive experience in local government and education over the past 30 years. I am
an active attorney. I served 12 years on the Royal Oak City Commission, and on numerous
local boards and committees, including local finance, zoning, and planning committees. I
have served on education boards and committees for more than twelve years, including
various OCC boards and committees.
I have a BA, MA and PhD degrees in political science, along with a law degree. I am married
with three children, and two grandchildren.
TERRELL VANCLEEF LOCKHART
23810 Brazil Ave., Southfield, MI 48033
MAX C. MILSTEIN
14400 Labelle St., Oak Park, MI 48237
I believe that I can bring a new perspective to the Oakland Community College Board of
Trustees. As a young professional I understand the financial pressures facing current
students. I have worried about post-graduation employment while attempting to pay back
student loans. I will bring this perspective to the Board.
Additionally, as an attorney, I have a fundamental understanding of government institutions.
My career to this point has given me a deep knowledge of statutory law and its
relevance.
Lastly, as a teenager, I spent two summers working with the custodial staff at my high
school. I know this may not sound impressive, however, seeing the school from the janitor’s
point of view gave me a very different perspective on an educational institution. I
appreciate the importance of every employee at OCC and will support them as a Trustee.
EMILY MIXTER
111 Chestnut Ave., Hazel Park, MI 48030
I spent 7 years after I graduated from MSU working as a substitute teacher in 7 different
districts in Wayne and Oakland counties. During that period, I saw how access to higher education
can be a game changer for our students. I want to expand access to a higher quality
education to the great Oakland County community, while still being fiscally responsible with
our taxpayers’ money.
CHARLES E. MURPHY
913 Bloomfield Knoll, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
My name is Charles Murphy and I am running for OCC Trustee because I am committed to
give back to our county by service as trustee.
I firmly believe my experience can help meet the challenges facing OCC. I am an accomplished
commercial trial lawyer in the Clark Hill PLC Birmingham office specializing in business
disputes, securities and health care with 38 years’ experience in the legal profession. I
have been with the Clark Hill law firm since 2004.
I have served as Chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan Legal Education Committee and
on the boards of two large Oakland County law firms from 1990-2004. Since 2010 I have
served as a public member on the Board of Radiology of the American Board of Physician
Specialists. I have mentored many law students and employees and know the importance
to students and our business community of community college education.
CHRIS NOORDHOORN
4052 Hillcrest, Highland, MI 48356
Our family emigrated to Grand Rapids in 1957 where I began junior college. I was able to
put myself through school working part time as McDonald’s first teenage employee in Michigan.
I transferred to the University of Michigan and obtained a degree in foreign languages.
I became a junior high school teacher and pursued my graduate degree at U of M. In July
1965 I became part of the charter faculty of OCC. Throughout my 35 year career as faculty
I was actively involved in OCC beyond the classroom as a union bargainer for OCCFA, chair
for the Communications/Humanities department, advisor to the campus newspaper and
member of a range of committees, including the OCC Foundation Board.
I believe there should be an experienced educator on the OCC Board of Trustees and I wish
to use my experience to continue to serve OCC and help shape it’s future.
JAMES PAUL O’RILLEY
6993 Oakhurst Ridge Rd., Clarkston, MI 48348
As a lifelong resident of Oakland County I believe in education of community being of utmost
importance. I attended OCC as a supplement to my education and believe in what the
institution stands for. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University
and a Master of Science (Taxation) from Walsh College (Troy campus - Oakland County)
and have been in public accounting since 1986. I believe in the respectful stewardship of
public resources and believe my accounting background can assist in wisely using those
resources to ensure the best education to the most number of students at an affordable
price.
What are the top 3 Priority Issues that Oakland Community College should address
and what actions would you take regarding each of them if elected to office?
Maintaining a balanced budget, while streamlining the college to meet the needs for student
success. OCC faces financial strains due to limited state support, lowered property
values and dwindling enrollment. To meet this declining revenue stream, OCC must
promote programs that attract and retain students, cut unnecessary costs and create
new partnerships with the County, with health care providers, and with other entities and
businesses.
Assuring course offerings, scheduling and counseling that will maximize student retention
and completion. Student retention requires that course scheduling reflect student needs.
Improved counseling/advising will help students understand the pathways through the
college to a job, transfer to a four-year college or a degree/certificate.
Utilizing new technologies that will enhance the student experience. OCC must get their
online classes and programs accredited, so they are available for students. Technology
should be used to track student success, and to help identify student needs and issues
quickly.
DID NOT RESPOND IN TIME FOR INCLUSION
My number one concern is the college’s stability. In recent years important community
resources such as the Women’s Center have closed. I’ve heard stories from students of
courses cancelled for the semester hours before their first class meets. I’ve heard from
students who even fear that their campus might close.
I believe the key to making OCC more stable is fixing a second problem, the decline in
enrollment. The college needs to do more to get students in the door. This includes doing
more to make sure county high school students consider OCC as an option, as well as more
outreach to nontraditional students.
Textbook costs may not be one of the biggest issues facing OCC, but it has come up consistently
in conversations I’ve had with students. I believe there are simple steps the college
can take to help reduce costs while respecting academic freedom.
The biggest challenge for OCC right now is attracting more students to the college. We can
attract more in two ways: more direct engagement with high schools at their college nights
and fairs, and doing online marketing toward for-profit college students at places like IT Tech,
Everest Institute, etc. These institutions use predatory recruitment and lending practices, while
many of their programs are not accredited. We can enroll those students in OCC programs
that can reward their hard work and dedication with a certificate or diploma that means
something when they go to get a job. Lastly, there is a challenge at OCC of expanding the online
curriculum. These classes attract more non-traditional students to the school, who would
find it more convenient to take classes on their own time while juggling work and families.
The three priority issues confronting OCC are to (1) maintain fair and affordable tuition
and quality education to prepare students to succeed at four year colleges or skilled high
paying jobs; (2) to improve student retention and completion rates; and (3) for the OCC
budget to advance fiscal responsibility while maintaining quality education for students in
an environment of likely declining revenue.
OCC needs to be run efficiently and cost effectively. OCC trustees approve expenditures in
the budget. Allocating budget resources wisely and fairly is imperative to maintain and expand
programs that train students in job-ready skills and four year college ready fundamentals,
and that train faculty to improve teaching techniques and add new courses needed by
students and our business community. 47% of the $173 million budget comes from county
property tax dollars. My duty as trustee is to approve budget expenditures and to protect
student and taxpayer dollars.
1) Nimble High Value Services: OCC must prove it’s worth to the community stakeholders
(taxpayers) by continually evaluating national trends as well as neighboring state community
college best practices to provide in-demand lifelong learning programs, skilled trade
certificates in trending employment areas and accredited program hours which can seamlessly
transfer to 4 year partner universities.
2) Enhanced Community & College Experience: By providing low or no cost (coordinated
volunteer) activities and services for the community and students OCC can improve the
chance of success of it’s mission and demonstrate an increased value to students, county
residents and state stakeholders, including legislators.
3) Improving Transparency to the Community & Stakeholders: By rotating board meetings
at each campus throughout the year as well as re-introducing a campus-wide administrative
and student oriented newspaper with online components OCC can help improve the
visibility, and therefore success, of each of its activities and initiatives.
3 priorities for OCC would be 1) Ensure affordable tuition for the success of every student
and recognize the individual needs for them to learn, 2) Ensure the highest quality of education
for students to find a career or to transfer to continue their education and 3) Engage
the businesses in our community to ensure the students are being taught a curriculum to
meet jobs needs.