Heartland Community College appoints Becky Ropp as newest trustee

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[March 01, 2014]  NORMAL — Trustees at Heartland Community College appointed Becky Ropp to the District 540 board Monday night. Ropp will fill the vacancy left by Terry Baggett, who resigned from the position in January after four years of service.

Ropp’s letter of interest recognized Heartland Community College as an important educational entity in the community, and goes on to say she’d be honored to have the opportunity to help shape the future of the College. 

“I truly have a passion for giving back to the community,” Ropp stated in her letter. “[This community] has access to more programs and activities than I ever dreamed…I want to make sure these opportunities are available for the future and do my part to ensure they continue.” 

“The College was pleased to have so many qualified candidates show interest in the trustee position,” said board chair Gregg Chadwick. “We feel that Becky’s commitment to lifelong education, coupled with her knowledge of business and collaborative approach to community leadership, make her an ideal trustee. We look forward to her insight and feedback as the College continues to grow alongside the communities it serves.” 

Ropp was born and raised in west-central Illinois. She is an alumnus of the University of Illinois, where she earned an undergraduate degree (1995), and of Illinois State University, where she earned an MBA (2000).  

During college, Ropp secured an internship at GROWMARK, Inc. in Bloomington, which ultimately has led to a 19-year career with the company. She has held various positions within the organization, but was most recently promoted to the Human Resources leadership team as director of the Talent Management Division for the entire GROWMARK System. 

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In addition to her escalating roles within GROWMARK, Inc., Ropp also cited her leadership skills and other meaningful credentials as a qualification for the board appointment. Those include: 

  • Achieving SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) Certification in 2012

  • Graduating from the Illinois Agricultural Leadership program (2008), which included a learning tour through Eastern Europe
     

  • Graduating from the Leadership McLean County program through the McLean County Chamber of Commerce (2002), where she’s spent the last three years serving as Day Chair and Leadership Curriculum Coordinator

Ropp and husband Ken have an 11-year-old daughter, and jointly operate a hog farm called “Whey Awesome Pork.” Additionally, her in-laws are Ray and Carol Ropp, most notably affiliated with Ropp Jersey Cheese.

For more information about Heartland Community College, visit www.heartland.edu.

[Text from file received Heartland Community College]

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