Lake Land College President Josh Bullock Receives Advocacy Award | Education

The ICCTA Executive Committee created this special award in 2006 to honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in advocating for the needs of students and the community college system in Illinois.

Throughout the past year, Bullock has served in a dual leadership role as president of Lake Land College and as chairman of the Illinois Community College Presidents’ Council.

As higher education slowly returned to post-COVID operations, Bullock coordinated with the Illinois Community College Board to communicate safe campus protocols and back-to-campus guidance. He also brought attention to emerging issues in education through his monthly columns on learning, the future of work, student financial insecurity, and Illinois Community College Month.

He helped set the agenda for system-wide discussions on federal stimulus funding and expanded MAP grants for short-term certificates and bachelor’s degrees from community colleges. He also contacted the ICCTA and his academic colleagues to stop legislative attempts to reduce local control.

Bullock was also the driving force behind the creation of the Illinois Community College Marketing Collaborative, which brought together college public relations directors to develop a statewide branding initiative. This new marketing campaign will begin this fall using the social media hashtag #4everystudent4everycommunity.

“Josh kept us informed, networked with allies and adversaries, and constantly reminded us why we are part of a unified community college movement,” former ICCTA President Jon Looney said during presentation of the Advocacy Award. “We look forward to continuing our work together in the future.”