Oct 16, 2024

The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees approved a contract extension for President Dr. Clyne Namuo through June 2028 at the regular October meeting.

The original contract, set to expire in June 2025, has now been extended by three years, ensuring continued stability and progress for the institution.

"Securing this commitment well in advance of the contract's June 30, 2025 expiration reflects the considerable trust Dr. Namuo has built through his forward-thinking leadership and his strategic engagement with all sectors of the college district," said Jim Budzinski, board chairman.

"Dr. Namuo's vision and ability to navigate challenges while seizing opportunities for growth have been key in positioning JJC for a bright future. We are excited to see where his leadership will take us in the years ahead."

Since becoming the College's 10th president in 2022, Namuo has been deeply committed to embedding Joliet Junior College into the community it serves and creating strong educational pathways that have a lasting generational impact. His vision focuses on fostering inclusivity, academic excellence and community engagement to ensure JJC remains a leading institution in community college education.

Key initiatives of Dr. Namuo's tenure thus far include:

• 12x12x12 Dual Credit Initiative: Allows over 40,000 eligible high school students in the College's district to earn 12 college credit hours for $12 per credit by the 12th grade. This program reduces the number of credit hours needed, lowers costs, and closes achievement gaps by providing historically underrepresented students with early exposure to college coursework.
• Future Wolves Program: An outreach initiative aimed at building relationships with K-5 students within Community College District 525. For the first time this summer, JJC hosted students from Joliet Public School District 86 and Troy Community Consolidated District 30-C on campus to experience JJC firsthand.
• Hispanic-Serving Institution Designation: Earned in April 2024, this designation reflects the College's growth to 33% Hispanic students in 2024 - a 22% increase since 2004 and a 10% increase since 2014. It allows JJC to pursue additional funds to further strengthen and enhance multifaceted programs supporting these students.
• Roots and Branches Storytelling Campaign: This campaign highlights the significance of JJC's past and present, connecting generations of students, employees, alumni, trustees, and community members.

Namuo recently provided an annual update on JJC at his second annual State of the College presentation that includes information on these and other institutional achievements. During the address he reaffirmed the institution's core values and its unwavering commitment to student outcomes and overall well-being.

Dr. Namuo is deeply involved in the JJC district, serving as a member of Joliet Rotary and as a board member for several organizations, including the Will County Center for Economic Development, Grundy Economic Development Council, Greater Joliet Area YMCA, and Will County Habitat for Humanity.

A published author, Dr. Namuo has written extensively on the strategic direction of community colleges, fiscal constraints, and the strengths of deeply embedded community colleges. He continues to contribute to the academic community through conference presentations and coauthoring chapters in peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Namuo holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in higher education strategy from the University of Arizona, a master's degree in information systems from San Diego State University, and a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Hawaii.

For media inquiries contact communications and media manager Katherine Smith at [email protected] .