Christine J. Sobek, Ed.D. President, Waubonsee Community College

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Dr. Christine J. Sobek became the fourth president of Waubonsee Community College on July 1, 2001. In this role, she is responsible for the overall leadership of the college, which serves more than 10,500 students each semester, employs approximately 1,400 faculty and staff, and offers educational programs and services at three permanent campuses and a soon-to-be developed fourth permanent campus. Dr. Sobek has 28 years of community college administrative experience.

Prior to becoming president, Dr. Sobek served as the college's provost. Prior to her appointment as provost, Dr. Sobek served in several leadership roles at Waubonsee, including executive vice president for Educational Affairs from 1997 to 2000, assistant vice president for Instruction from 1993-1997, assistant vice president for Student Development from 1991-1993, and dean of Student Development from 1989-1991.

Dr. Sobek joined Waubonsee in 1989 after eleven years of employment at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. Her leadership roles at that college included executive assistant to the President, director of Personnel, Affirmative Action officer and director of Placement.

In addition, Dr. Sobek’s experience includes service as an adjunct faculty member at Trinity College, Deerfield, Illinois from 1985 to 1989 and as an assistant director of Student Affairs at Lyman Briggs Residential College at Michigan State University.

Dr. Sobek earned a bachelor's degree with Highest Distinction from Purdue University, a master's degree from Michigan State University, and a doctoral degree from Northern Illinois University. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

Dr. Sobek’s awards include the Outstanding Alumni Award from Northern Illinois University, the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, an Influential Women in Business award sponsored by The Business Ledger, the Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award and a Quad County Urban League Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Sobek is currently serving as a member of the Rush-Copley Medical Center Board of Directors, The Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees, the Geneva History Center Board of Directors and the Aurora Economic Development Commission Board of Directors. Other leadership roles include service on the American Council on Education Commission on Effective Leadership and the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Research, Technology, and Emerging Trends.

Dr. Sobek resides in the college district.