2011 Election Issues: Wendell Mosby, Prairie State College Board of Trustees District 515 Candidate

What would you consider the biggest issue facing Prairie State College? How would you handle that issue, if elected?

The easy answer would be to say “the looming fear of budget cuts from the state and federal government” but I am not going to say that. I believe that the biggest problem facing Prairie State College is retention rates. 

It was encouraging news that the college is a 2011 recipient of the U.S. Department of Education's Federal TRIO Programs for Student Support Services (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html) and was awarded roughly $220,000 per year over the next five years. This TRIO funding will allow students to receive additional assistance with tutoring, education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy. Other programs that can be provided are individualized counseling for personal, career and academic information.  Services such as these will help boost student success and increase graduation rates.

If elected, I would support and advocate for the college to pursue other components of the TRIO program such as Talent Search.  The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education and I believe this would enhance the colleges “Pipeline to College” program with feeder high schools.

I would also continue to find new ways to mentor, coach and be a positive role model for students in the district. Being a lifelong resident of Chicago Heights, I believe that some of the students would be able to relate to some of my childhood experiences and find the inspiration to succeed.

If you are an election candidate, and would like to have your position on the issues presented on Chicago Heights Patch, send an email to christopher.paicely@patch.com.