Dr. Brian Knetl Serves as Waubonsee's Fifth President
Dr. Brian Knetl President, Waubonsee Community College
Dr. Brian Knetl became the fifth President of Waubonsee Community College on January 30, 2023. In this role, he is responsible for the overall leadership of the college which provides programs and services at a network of four permanent campuses located across the 624-square-mile college district and through extensive online offerings.
Dr. Knetl has almost 25 years of service in higher education as a faculty member and administrator. Prior to his appointment as President, Dr. Knetl served as Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan. Dr. Knetl spent 10 years at Harper College in Palatine, IL. where he served as interim Provost, Associate Provost, Dean of Liberal Arts, and founding Associate Dean of the Center for Adjunct Faculty Engagement. Dr. Knetl’s first full-time administrative position was as Assistant Dean at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. Before his transition into administration, Dr. Knetl was a full-time faculty member in the Theater Department at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN.
In 2018-2019 Dr. Knetl completed the Aspen Presidential Fellowship Program for Community College Excellence. Dr. Knetl earned a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Saint Mary’s University, a master’s degree in Theatre from Texas State University, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University-Chicago.
Dr. Knetl was appointed by Mayor Richard Irvin to the City of Aurora Education Commission and serves on the Invest Aurora Board of Directors, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Valley Industrial Association Board of Directors.
The Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees thanks you for joining in commemorating the inauguration of Dr. Brian Knetl, Waubonsee’s fifth President.
Follow Waubonsee’s fifth president, Dr. Brian Knetl, on the multiple Stages of his Tour de Waubonsee as he conducts a listening tour with the students, faculty, and staff of Waubonsee.
There are many ways to stay connected with Dr. Knetl, President of Waubonsee. Learn what is happening around the college through Dr. Knetl's monthly President's Report. Read the President's Voice column for Dr. Knetl's thought leadership on topics in higher education.
Waubonsee has a history of strong presidential leadership. These individuals shaped the college from its beginning and led the transformation to its current status as a leader in higher education in the 21st century.
Douglas E. Minter, Vice President of Finance and Administration
Dr. Diane Nyhammer, Vice President of Educational Affairs
Dr. Melinda Tejada, Vice President of Student Development and Executive Director of the Foundation
Office of the President Staff
Kim Caponi, Director of Presidential Communications and Operations
Mary Baccheschi, Executive Administrative Coordinator to the President/Clerk of the Board
Ronna Jones, Administrative Specialist, Office of the President
Kevin Farmer, Administrative Specialist, Office of the President
Contact Information
Board of Trustees Inquiries
Mary Baccheschi, Executive Administrative Coordinator to the President/Clerk of the Board
Phone (630) 466-5704
Fax (630) 466-7550 mbaccheschi@waubonsee.edu
Media Inquiries
Stephanie Wennmacher
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: (630) 466-2487
Fax: (630) 466-4942 swennmacher@waubonsee.edu
Elected Officials Inquiries
Kim Caponi
Director of Presidential Communications and Operations
Phone: (630) 466-5703
Fax: (630) 466-7550 kcaponi@waubonsee.edu
Other Inquiries
Kim Caponi
Director of Presidential Communications and Operations
Phone: (630) 466-5703
Fax: (630) 466-7550 kcaponi@waubonsee.edu