Today’s guest speaker was Brad McCormick.

Brad retired in December 2020 as Vice-President for Business Services and College Facilities at John A. Logan College after 31 years of service in the Illinois Community College System. Since retirement, he has continued serving as a consultant and interim CFO to community colleges in Illinois and Arizona, and now works as a Program Coordinator for the Illinois Green Economy Network.

Brad also served for 10 years on the board of directors for the American Association of Community Colleges affiliate council for community college business officers, holding leadership roles including President and Dean of the Leadership Academy.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brad and his wife, Sherie, fulfilled a 25-year goal in Summer 2021 by bicycling 4,500 miles from Astoria, Oregon to Bar Harbor, Maine — an incredible testament to perseverance and vision!

Today, Brad spoke to our class about Making a Wise Appeal, sharing five key principles:
1️⃣ Check your attitude first
2️⃣ Understand the authority’s goals
3️⃣ State your concern clearly
4️⃣ Offer a creative alternative
5️⃣ Be willing to accept their decision

A powerful reminder that how we communicate matters just as much as what we communicate. Thank you, Brad, for investing in our students!