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Dr. Stacey Randall (center) Outstanding Administrator
Waubonsee Community College has named Dr. Stacey Randall, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Innovation, and Planning, as the recipient of the 2026 Dr. Christine J. Sobek Outstanding Administrator Award. The prestigious award recognizes Dr. Randall’s nearly three decades of exemplary service, visionary leadership, and steadfast commitment to student success.
“Dr. Randall represents the very best of what it means to be a community college administrator,” said Waubonsee President Dr. Brian Knetl. “She brings together strategic vision, innovation, and most importantly, a deep commitment to the students we serve.”
Dr. Randall was moved to tears and accepted the honor to a standing ovation from colleagues and campus leaders.
“It was 27 years ago that my husband saw a job ad in the paper and told me I should apply to Waubonsee Community College,” said Dr. Randall. “I never would have thought that nearly three decades later, I would still be here serving at a place I have grown to love so much.”
A collaborative and innovation-focused leader, Dr. Randall leads enterprise-wide strategy to strengthen student success, institutional performance, and organizational transformation. She oversees the college’s institutional research, analytics, assessment, planning, accreditation, and grants development functions, using data-informed decision-making to drive measurable outcomes and continuous improvement across the institution.
Dr. Randall has co-authored and led the implementation of three consecutive U.S. Department of Education Title V grants, securing critical funding to expand student support, strengthen operational effectiveness, and advance equity-centered institutional initiatives. Her work bridges strategy, change management, and execution, helping Waubonsee align planning, assessment, and innovation efforts with long-term institutional goals.
Dr. Randall also serves as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, bringing deep expertise in accreditation, assessment, and institutional quality assurance. To support large-scale organizational change initiatives, she is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Prosci Change Practitioner.
She earned a Ph.D. in American History from Northern Illinois University, along with a Master of Arts in History from NIU and Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Millikin University. She also completed a graduate certification in Educational Research Methodology from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Dr. Randall’s work continues to shape RISE 2030, Waubonsee’s bold strategic plan designed to redefine Waubonsee’s relationship with the community and adapt to the changing landscape of higher education. Learn more at waubonsee.edu/RISE.
