Prairie State College Names Two Women as Finalists for President

Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois, enrolls about 5,700 undergraduate students in its two-year degree programs. Women make up about 60 percent of the student body at Prairie State. The college has announced three finalists for the position of president. All candidates will visit campus early next month for interviews and public forums. Two of the three finalists are women.

Valerie R. Roberson currently is vice president for academic affairs at Joliet Junior College in Illinois. She is the former president of Olive-Harvey College and was vice president for adult education at the City Colleges of Chicago.

Dr. Roberson is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where she majored in psychology. She earned a master’s degree at Roosevelt University and a doctorate in higher education administration from Illinois State University.

Terri Winfree is the vice president of community and economic development at Prairie State College. Previously, she has served the college as associate dean and dean of continuing professional education.

Dr. Winfree earned an associate’s degree at Prairie State and a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in communication at Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. She holds a doctoral degree from Colorado State University.