EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Association (COEAA) has bestowed onto Dr. Christine Sobek its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. Sobek is president of Waubonsee Community College. She will receive her award at the College of Education's Award Ceremony, which will be held April 15 at the Kellogg Center on the MSU campus.

Sobek is a 1978 graduate of Michigan State University's College of Education. She received her master's degree in college student personnel. She received her Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University and her bachelor's degree from Purdue University.

In 2001, Sobek became the fourth president of Waubonsee Community College, after holding several positions at the college. She has served as provost; executive vice president of educational affairs; assistant vice president for instruction; assistant vice president for student development; and dean of student development. Before joining Waubonsee Community College, Sobek held various positions at the College of Lake County. She has also served as a faculty member at Trinity College. She began her career in higher education at MSU's Lyman Briggs Residential College, where she served as assistant director of student affairs.

Under her leadership, Waubonsee Community College pioneered the Learning First! Initiative, which has brought about a new framework that changed the structure, processes and culture associated with the operations of the college. Sobek has led the college in the creation of its 2020 College Master Plan - a blueprint for the development of new classroom, laboratory and learning spaces. Sobek has successfully worked with the college's board of trustees, and together, they were able to pass property tax referenda to increase operational funding.

Sobek's contributions reach beyond the classroom into the community. She sits on the boards of directors for The Conservation Foundation, Rush-Copley Medical Center, The Aurora Economic Development Corp., the Geneva History Center and the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce. She has contributed dozens of articles about education to local newspapers.

  "In addition to her educational leadership, we were impressed with how much Dr. Sobek truly cares for all those to whom she's committed," said Dr. David Dieterle, president of the MSU COEAA board of directors. "Dr. Sobek's resume is more than impressive, perhaps because she has never given up on her quest to be the best. Dr. Sobek's successful career in higher education administration - evidenced by the amazing accomplishments of Waubonsee Community College - coupled with the praises of those who know and work with her, painted the picture of someone who is representative of the College of Education's dedication to educational excellence."

The College of Education Alumni Association board of directors annually presents three awards to deserving alumni: Outstanding K-12 Administrator, Outstanding K-12 Teacher and Distinguished Alumni.