Candidates for Treasurer-elect 2017-2018
Elect one:
Rachel O’Connell
Assistant Director of Admission
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Education:
- B.A. in Communication Studies, minor in Business, Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management, The University of Iowa
IACAC Member: 7 years
IACAC Activities:
- Project Reach Committee Chair (2015–present)
- Raffle Committee Chair (2014, 2015)
- Raffle Committee Member (2012, 2013)
- Annual Conference Presenter (2013, 2014, 2017)
- Annual Conference First Timers Luncheon Host (2013, 2015, 2016)
- Annual Conference Attendee (2010–present)
- Middle Management Institute Committee Member (2016–present)
NACAC Activities:
- Member (2012–present)
- National Conference Attendee, Indianapolis (2014)
Other Professional Activities:
- CARR Member (March, 2011–present)
- CARR Executive Board Secretary (May 2013–2015)
Considering the recently adopted strategic plan for IACAC, what do you hope to achieve within this role as it pertains to the objectives of the new plan?
In this role, it would be my goal to maintain a high level of transparency and fiduciary responsibility. With the funds that we have, it is imperative that we make sure we manage those funds appropriately, while also making sure IACAC has a healthy financial future. I would work with the Treasurer & Past Treasurer to seek out additional revenue as well as work with the financial planner to set the organization up for success.
If elected, what experiences, skills, and qualities do you bring to this specific position?
First and foremost, I would bring a high level of organization to this position. From each binder in my office to my color-coded travel plans, my organizational skills would set me apart and set me up for success in this position. I also feel an incredible need to educate our membership, and each committee, as to what their goals and budget items would be. So, I would bring a level of transparency and education to our membership and committees. My work-ethic is strong and I would be diligent about seeking out new grants and revenue streams.
Stephanie Szczepanski
Assistant Director
Saint Louis University
Education:
- B.S. in Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
- M.Ed. in Higher Ed Administration, Loyola University Chicago
IACAC Member: 15 years
IACAC Activities:
- NACAC Delegate Director – Post-Secondary (2014–present), Chief Delegate (2016–2017)
- Annual Conference Program Committee Co-Chair (2015–present)
- Sharing the Dream Planning Committee (2015–present)
- Scholarship Committee Co-Chair (2013–2014), (inaugural member 2013–present)
- Summer Institute Committee member (2014–present)
- Government Relations Committee Member (2015–present)
- Inclusion, Access and Success Committee Member, (2015–present)
- Annual Conference Evaluations Co-Chair (2013, 2014), Member (2012–2015)
- Annual Conference Tellers Co-Chair (2011, 2012), Member (2003–2012)
- Molly K. Arnold President’s Service Award (2013)
- Mentorship Committee Mentor (2014)
- Presenter at Annual Conference (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017)
- First Timers Committee Member (2011, 2013)
- Membership Committee Member (2011–2013)
- Registration Committee Member (2004 –2010)
- Annual Conference Attendee (2003–present)
NACAC Activities:
- Member 9 years (2008)
- Annual Conference Program Committee (2017)
- Assembly Minutes Approval Committee (2015, 2016)
- Chicago National Fair Volunteer (2013)
- NACAC Attendee (St. Louis, New Orleans, Indianapolis, San Diego, Columbus)
- On-Site Volunteer at St. Louis NACAC
Other Professional Activities:
- CARR Member since 2005, Executive Board, Social Chair (2011–2013)
- Noel Levitz Conference (2012, 2013)
- ACT Conference (2004)
- Annapolis Institute (2004)
- IACAC Summer Institute (2002)
Considering the recently adopted strategic plan for IACAC, what do you hope to achieve within this role as it pertains to the objectives of the new plan?
As the IACAC Treasurer-elect, I think it is vital to adhere to the IACAC Fiscal Policy. The strategic plan asks us to reinforce the best practices and to continue to seek additional revenue streams and plan for our future. There are six different tasks under the fiduciary responsibility goal and I would like to highlight and focus in on a few of them. The plan calls for us to maintain our best practices and build on the goals of transparency, oversight, shared financial responsibility, inclusivity and role specification in the budgeting process. Our Finance Committee has done an excellent job to make the forms and the process user friendly. I would like to continue to streamline the training, communication, and budgeting process. It is important that we work individually with the committee chairs to help them understand all of the costs that impact their budget.
A second task on the strategic plan is for us to seek out additional revenue streams to offset the cost of new initiatives. The Executive Board, in an effort to demonstrate that we are an organization for the entire state, has decided that we will move our conference out of Itasca in 2019. I feel it is vital that we start to plan ahead within our budget to prepare for this transition. We must continue to seek additional revenue streams in order for us to live out our mission.
A third aspect is to develop a plan to reinvest our financial resources back into membership and Illinois ACAC services. I feel we must analyze the needs of the organization and help make smart budget choices so that we can continue to expand our programming. For example, we have created a high school track for Summer Institute, a female track for Motivate Me, moved conference in 2019 and are expanding the reach of the district seminars. In order to continue to allow for the creativity of our committees we need to make sure that we are making decisions that will help financially support these programs. As a member of the Finance Committee, I would work with the committees to come up with funding and help to request grants to offset the costs.
