Seamless Success: Transforming College Transfer in Illinois

Dr. Brian Durham, Panel Moderator

Dr. Brian Durham has served as Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) since 2018, providing leadership in policy development and strategic coordination for Illinois’ 39 community college districts and 45 colleges. In this role, he works closely with the Governor’s Office, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Illinois State Board of Education, the General Assembly, and key stakeholders such as the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents and the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. He also serves on numerous boards and taskforces, including the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board, the Illinois P-20 Council, the Illinois Green Economy Network, and as co-chair of the National Council of State Directors of Community Colleges.

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Durham holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Evansville, an M.A. in Political Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and an Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

State Senator Cristina Castro

State Senator Cristina Castro was born and raised in Elgin and is a lifelong resident of the 22nd Senate District. A second-generation Mexican American, Castro was the first Latina elected to the Illinois State Senate to serve a suburban district. Castro’s parents – who both quit school when they were young to work and contribute to their families, and continued working factory jobs after they moved to Elgin – instilled in her a work ethic that has earned her a reputation as a tenacious advocate for working people.

After attending Larkin High School, Castro received an associate’s degree from Elgin Community College and became the first in her family to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University. She served eight years on the Kane County Board as well as on the board of directors for the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Black History Family Festival and Centro de Información.

Dr. Nikos Varelas

Nikos Varelas is Senior Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Student Success, and Effectiveness and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois Chicago. He works directly with the Provost and Chancellor to provide leadership across a wide spectrum of academic domains, including student success initiatives and research, academic advising, academic program development, assessment, undergraduate research, accreditation, summer programming, and transfer pathways. He currently serves as President of the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities and is a member of the Board of Directors for Noble Schools in Chicago.

Veronica Herrero

Veronica Herrero currently serves as the Executive Vice Chancellor – Chief of Staff and Institutional Advancement at the City Colleges of Chicago. She also serves as President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation. In her capacity, she provides leadership and oversight for the district in the areas of strategy, institutional effectiveness, external affairs, fundraising, grants administration, and marketing and communications.

Veronica is the proud daughter of two Mexican immigrants and mother to two young boys. She has dedicated her career to ensuring equitable paths to economic mobility, in service of first-generation students and communities of color.  

Veronica serves on the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) as Vice Chair, and the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees as Chair of the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee. Veronica holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a 2024 Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burnham Fellow  and 2018 University of Chicago Civic Leadership Academy Fellow. 

Salvador Delgado

Salvador Delgado is a public policy professional and EOCO Investigator at Chicago Public Schools, where he focuses on civil rights compliance and equity in education. With a background spanning the public and nonprofit sectors, his work has included modernizing federal HR policies and leading grassroots housing justice campaigns across Chicago.

Salvador’s experience includes roles at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, and ONE Northside. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Illinois, Chicago and an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies. A proud alum of leadership programs such as HACU’s Leader-in-Residence and the Pipeline to Justice Scholar Program, Salvador is committed to advancing equity through legal insight, policy innovation, and community engagement.

Emily Ibarra

Emelia Ibarra-Franco, a first-generation Latina scholar passionate about education & community advocacy. I’m currently an Undergraduate Student studying at National-Louis University, working toward my degree in Early Childhood & Elementary Education. I thrive in collaborative environments and love creating inclusive spaces where all students feel supported & empowered to reach their potential. My experience working with non-profit organizations across Chicago-land has shaped my commitment to serving marginalized communities. These opportunities have given me a deeper understanding of underrepresented groups’ challenges and fueled my passion for giving back. I’m excited to connect with like-minded educators & advocates committed to equity, holistic student development, & making a positive impact in our communities.