Board Approves New Chief of Staff and Dean Roles; Trustees Clash Over Hiring Transparency

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | February 18, 2026

Article Summary: The JJC Board approved the appointments of a new Chief of Staff and a Dean of Workforce Education on Wednesday. While the candidates were approved, Trustees Alicia Morales and Maureen Broderick cast dissenting votes or voiced concerns regarding the administration’s decision not to post the positions for external applicants.

JJC Appointments Key Points:

• Chief of Staff: Dr. Erica Reyes was approved as the new Chief of Staff for Strategic Initiatives and Operational Excellence.

• Dean of Workforce: The board approved the appointment of a new Dean of Workforce Education and Training.

• Transparency Debate: Trustees Morales and Broderick argued that all positions should be posted publicly to ensure equal opportunity, even if internal candidates are preferred.

• Administration Stance: Dr. Farmer stated the Chief of Staff role was a “repurposed position” designed to assist with major operational initiatives like the ERP system.

JOLIET, IL – The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, approved two significant administrative appointments, sparking a debate over hiring transparency and the promotion of internal candidates versus external recruiting.

The board voted to approve Dr. Erica Reyes as the Chief of Staff for Strategic Initiatives and Operational Excellence (Item 2.1.1) and to appoint a new Dean of Workforce Education and Training (Item 2.1.3).

Trustee Alicia Morales expressed support for the individuals selected but took issue with the process, stating she wanted to go on record that positions should be posted to give external and internal candidates an equal opportunity.

“I really frown on appointing people because it’s really hard for anybody to get a job, especially local people to get a job here at Joliet Junior College because I feel like we have gatekeepers,” Morales said. “I would just like to see the positions open so that anybody can apply for it.”

Trustee Maureen Broderick agreed, questioning the necessity of the Chief of Staff position and whether it was truly cost-neutral. “I would like to see the discrepancy on what did we move around and what positions did we get rid of in order to make room… for this position,” Broderick asked.

Dr. Yolanda Farmer, Vice President of Finance, clarified that the Chief of Staff role was not a new addition to the budget but a “repurposed position” from her area. She explained that the role is operational and will work alongside her to drive major initiatives, such as the college’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation.

“This position will be critical as we move forward major initiatives at the college,” Farmer said.

Trustee Morales later clarified her stance, noting that while she supports internal promotion, the process matters. “Even if you let other people apply, you get to see their genuine interest in the job and they can showcase their skills,” she said.

Despite the debate, Dr. Reyes’ appointment was approved. Trustees Garcia Guillen, Bottomley, Harris, Morales, Bishop, and Budzinski voted yes. Trustees Broderick and Lee voted no. The appointment of the Dean of Workforce Education and Training followed, passing with a unanimous vote from the elected trustees, though Morales reiterated her concern about the posting process during the discussion.