WSC Board of Trustees Elect New Executive Members; Stephanie Foote appointed chair, Sandra Mark appointed vice chair
June 22, 2010 -- At its annual meeting on June 11, the Western State College of Colorado (WSC) board of trustees unanimously approved the election of Stephanie Foote of Denver as chairwoman and Sandra Mark of Gunnison as vice chairwoman.
Foote and Mark will hold their executive positions on the board for one year.
“We are pleased to have Ms. Foote and Ms. Mark lead the board of trustees,” remarked WSC President Jay Helman. “They each have an outstanding record of service and dedication to the board and Western State College, and we look forward to their leadership and guidance.”
Trustee Foote joined the board in 2003 and was reappointed to a four-year term in 2009. She is the founder and CEO of Laval Strategic Resources LLC, a program development and project management firm in Denver. She also is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver, University College. Previously, she served 20 years for the city and county of Denver. Starting in 1983, Foote served three terms on the Denver City Council, and was president in 1987 and 1988. In 1993, she was appointed chief of staff to Mayor Wellington Webb, a position she held until her appointment as the first woman deputy mayor and manager of public works in 2000.
Trustee Mark, a WSC alumna, has served on the WSC board of trustees since Aug. 2007. This year she was reappointed to a four-year term. Mark is an active volunteer with many local organizations. Some of her past affiliations include the Gunnison Council for the Arts, the Gunnison Home Association and the Gunnison Valley Hospital board of trustees. Mark also served as president of the Gunnison Area Community Foundation board of directors, as well as the WSC Foundation board of directors. In addition to her service on the board of trustees, Mark sits on the WSC President’s Advisory Council.
Foote takes the reins from Peter Kirchhof, who served as chairman since June 13, 2008. Kirchhof has served on the board since 2003.
“The college community extends its gratitude to Mr. Kirchhof for his service as chairman, especially during this challenging time for state education funding. We appreciate his vision and support for the college’s growth and viability,” Helman said.
The board of trustees is an 11-member, independent governing board of Western State College of Colorado. It has nine trustees who are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Colorado Senate, as well as a faculty trustee and a student trustee designated by the college. The board has full authority and responsibility for the control and governance of Western, including such areas as finance, resources, academic programs, role and mission, admissions and personnel policies.
