Lake Land Board Terminates Dean of Enrollment and Student Success

Spread the love

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | May 11, 2026

Article Summary: Following closed session, trustees voted unanimously to terminate the employment of Jamie Corda-Hadjaoui, Dean of Enrollment and Student Success, effective May 11, 2026. The public record gives no reason for the action.

Personnel Action Key Points:

  • The termination was approved 7-0 on the administration’s recommendation, effective the same day as the meeting.
  • The board also approved a human resources report that includes the appointment of a new full-time, tenure-track Ag Power Technology instructor effective Aug. 21, 2026.
  • Closed session was held under the Open Meetings Act exceptions for personnel matters and collective negotiating matters; no formal action can be taken in closed session.

MATTOON — The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, May 11, 2026, voted to terminate the employment of Jamie Corda-Hadjaoui, the college’s Dean of Enrollment and Student Success, effective that day.

The action followed a closed session called under Section 120(c)(1) and (2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, performance, discipline or dismissal of specific employees and to discuss collective negotiating matters. No formal action can be taken in closed session; the vote occurred after the board returned to open session and conducted a roll call, with attendance unchanged.

Trustee Gary Cadwell moved to approve the administration’s recommendation to terminate, seconded by Trustee Doris Reynolds. The motion carried 7-0, with Student Trustee Wyatt Draper absent. The minutes record no discussion in open session and give no reason for the termination.

The board then approved the human resources report as presented, on a motion by Vice Chair Denise Walk seconded by Trustee Chuck Deters, also 7-0. According to the minutes, the closed-session discussion on that report related only to the granting of general leave without pay requests for two employees with the Department of Corrections and the appointment of a new full-time, tenure-track faculty member. The report identifies that appointment as Alex Kaufmann, Ag Power Technology Instructor, effective Aug. 21, 2026.

The written report also documents routine personnel activity, including part-time and full-time hires, resignations — among them three full-time correctional program instructors departing in April — and the transfer of John Hendrix from assistant softball coach to Director of Fitness Center and Head Softball Coach effective May 12, 2026.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security

EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite Canadian officials arguing that the "Canada-U.S. border is the best-managed and most secure border in the world,” some Canadian groups and First Nation tribal...
More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide

More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square More than 9,500 commercial truckers have been taken off of U.S. roads for failing English-language proficiency checks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “We’ve now knocked...

WATCH: ‘Unfortunate accident’: Miss. senator blasted for comment on Guard troop shootings

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., faced heavy criticism Thursday after characterizing the recent shooting of two National Guard members blocks from the White House, killing...

WATCH: House Homeland Security hearing filled with tense exchanges

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. House hearing on homeland security wasn’t void of drama Thursday as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in several tense exchanges with Democrats,...
Judge rules against Trump's freeze on wind energy

Judge rules against Trump’s freeze on wind energy

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general applauded a federal judge’s ruling this week that the Trump administration can’t halt development of all wind energy projects. Proponents have long...
Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new statewide fee on paint products adds a small charge to each container sold as...
Pritzker decision looms for energy bill 'on ratepayers' backs'

Pritzker decision looms for energy bill ‘on ratepayers’ backs’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated support for energy legislation awaiting his signature, but small business owners are...

WATCH: Use of National Guard debated in U.S. Senate as Illinois case lingers

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While the use of the National Guard remains on hold in Illinois, pending a legal challenge, the...
Illinois quick hits: Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

Illinois quick hits: Senator’s deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood has approved a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve the bribery...
Judge: CHA lawyers must pay $59K for citing ChatGPT-created cases

Judge: CHA lawyers must pay $59K for citing ChatGPT-created cases

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Lawyers who defended the Chicago Housing Authority in a case that resulted in more than $32 million in judgments to two families...
Biggs retirement

Casey Officials Honor Utilities Superintendent Shelby Biggs at Retirement Celebration

Article Summary: City of Casey officials and employees gathered for a surprise retirement party to honor Superintendent of Utilities Shelby Biggs, recognizing his 30 years of service to the municipality....
Op-Ed: Your kids now belong to the Chicago Teachers Union

Op-Ed: Your kids now belong to the Chicago Teachers Union

By Mailee Smith | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square Students who can’t read and secrecy from parents – that’s just part of the legacy of Stacy Davis Gates during her...
Illinois quick hits: Former police chief convicted of bribery; man sentenced for fraud

Illinois quick hits: Former police chief convicted of bribery; man sentenced for fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former police chief convicted of bribery A federal jury has convicted a former Summit, Illinois police chief of bribery offenses for...

WATCH: Chicago mayor: ‘Wicked’ people want chaos; critics rip mayor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago has expressed his opposition to an alternative budget proposal from the city council....
WATCH: Chicago mayor warns of budget ‘chaos,’ end-of-life options bill on gov’s desk

WATCH: Chicago mayor warns of budget ‘chaos,’ end-of-life options bill on gov’s desk

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides highlights from...