Higher Education, Board of

Board and Commission Details

Website

Higher Education, Board of

Function

The Board is the policy making, coordinating, and budgetary authority for Illinois public higher education prepares master plan for development, expansion, and utilization of public higher education facilities, and the curricula and standards in areas of teaching, research, and public services; establishes minimum admission standards.

Term

(a) The members of the Board whose appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate shall be selected for 6-year terms expiring on January 31 of odd numbered years. (b) The members of the Board shall continue to serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors have been appointed. (c) Vacancies on the Board in offices appointed by the Governor shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term. If the appointment is subject to Senate confirmation and the Senate is not in session or is in recess when the appointment is made, the appointee shall serve subject to subsequent Senate approval of the appointment. (d) Each student member shall serve a term of one year beginning on July 1 of each year and until a successor is appointed and qualified. (e) The member of the Board representing public university governing boards and the member of the Board representing private college and university boards of trustees, who are appointed by the Governor but not subject to confirmation by the Senate, shall serve terms of 3 years beginning on July 1.

Senate Confirmation

Yes

Party Affiliation

No more than 7 from the same political party, excluding the Chair

Qualifications

Illinois citizens knowledgeable or experienced in higher education problems.

Compensation

Expenses

Composition

16 voting members: 12 appointed by the Governor, including: 9 public members* - 1 public university faculty member*; 1 representing a public university governing board; 1 representing a private university governing board; 4 other members including: Chairman of the Illinois Community College Board; Chairman of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; 1 student member selected by recognized advisory committee of students of the Board of Higher Education; 1 non-traditional student member selected by recognized advisory committee of students of the Board of Higher Education. *Senate confirmation required

Chair

Designated by the Governor

Authority

110 ILCS 205/2


Member Names

Name Member Expiration Member Since Affiliation Appointed By Position Title County
Wright, Jamel 07/01/2026 05/31/2024 Democrat Governor Member, Private University Representative Tazewell
Walker, Garth 01/31/2027 09/08/2023 Democrat Governor Member, Public Member Cook
Kothari, Pranav 01/31/2025 08/02/2019 Democrat Governor Member, Public Member Chair Cook
Bush, Sharon 01/31/2027 09/25/2023 Independent Governor Member, Public Member Cook
Evans, Andrea 01/31/2025 08/02/2019 Democrat Governor Member, Public Member Cook
Herrero, Verónica 01/31/2027 05/31/2024 Democrat Governor Member, Public Member Cook
Finke, Daci Board of Higher Ed Student Advisory Committee Member, Traditional Student Member
VACANT 01/31/2025 Governor Public Member
Garrison, Jennifer 01/31/2025 08/02/2019 Independent Governor Member, Public Member Fayette
Zarnikow, Eric Statute Ex Officio Member, Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Jenkins, Sylvia Statute Ex Officio Member, Illinois Community College Board
Noble, Magnus Board of Higher Ed Student Advisory Committee Member, Non-traditional Student Member
VACANT 01/31/2027 Governor Member, Public Member
VACANT 01/31/2027 Governor Member, Public University Faculty Member
Shaw, Kenneth 01/31/2027 08/05/2019 Democrat Governor Member, Public Member Cook
Sharma, Subhash 07/01/2026 05/31/2024 Democrat Governor Member, Public University Representative Jackson