Two New Trustees to Join University of Illinois Board of Trustees
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees is set to welcome two new faces, with one being a local resident of Champaign County. Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Friday that Carolyn Blackwell, senior accountant at Champaign Asphalt Co., and Jesse Ruiz, a Chicago attorney, will be appointed to the board pending approval from the Illinois Senate.
This appointment comes after the departure of the previous local trustees, Dr. Stuart King and former state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, earlier this year. The last trustee from the Champaign-Urbana (C-U) area was Marjorie Sodemann, who served on the board from 2001 to 2006.
Carolyn Blackwell brings over 20 years of experience in financial management and accounting to the board. Prior to her role at Champaign Asphalt, she held positions as the corporate accounting manager for Core Spaces LLC, an accounting consultant for YG Financial Group, and the accounting manager for Campus Acquisitions LLC. Blackwell is also actively involved in the community, having served on the board of Champaign Central High School’s Volleyball Booster Club and worked with the Champaign-Urbana Downtown Independent Volunteer Association. She is an alumna of the University of Illinois, graduating in 2000.
Jesse Ruiz, also a University of Illinois alumnus, earned his law degree from the University of Chicago in 1995. He has an extensive background in law and public service. Ruiz has been a partner in the corporate and securities group of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and has held notable positions such as president of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners, vice president of the Chicago Board of Education, and interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools. He has also served as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education and commissioner for the U.S. Department of Education Equity and Excellence Commission. Ruiz’s most recent role was as deputy governor for education in Gov. Pritzker’s office, where he oversaw various aspects of the state’s education system.
The addition of these two new trustees brings diverse professional backgrounds to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Blackwell’s financial expertise and community involvement, combined with Ruiz’s legal and public service experience, will contribute to the board’s decision-making processes. As alumni of the university, both trustees will have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by the institution.
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in setting policies, governing the university, and ensuring the fulfillment of its mission of providing quality education, research, and public service. With the appointment of Carolyn Blackwell and Jesse Ruiz, the board gains valuable skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly benefit the university and its stakeholders.
The appointment of these trustees is subject to approval by the Illinois Senate, and once confirmed, Blackwell and Ruiz will officially join the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Their presence will be key in shaping the future of the university and ensuring its continued success in the years to come.
