Election 2013: Ricardo A. Fernandez, Phd.

Position Sought

Moraine Valley Community College District 524 Board of Trustees

Campaign Contact Information

Citizens for Ricardo A. Fernandez
P.O. Box 150
Palos Park, IL 60464-0150
(708) 341-2357
fernandez23@usa.net

Hometown

Orland Park

Family Members

Gina M. Fernandez, wife.

Education

Moraine Valley Community College, 1987, Associate in Science
University of Illinois at Chicago, 1989, Bachelor of Science
University of Indianapolis, 1992, Master of Health Science
Nova Southeastern University, 2007, PhD

Current Occupation and Employer

Working as a physical therapist for 24 years
Former full-time professor at Northwestern University 2002-2006
Adjunct faculty at Governors State University, Morton College, and Oakton Community College
Appointed, by Governor Quinn, to serve on the Illinois Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board 

Political Party Affiliation

Non-Partisan

Why are you seeking the position?

As a candidate to become your Moraine Valley Community College Trustee, I am committed to:
1. Increase student enrollment by working to make Moraine Valley Community College the college of choice. 
2. Implement board policies that maintain high-quality affordable education.
3. Better serve the 700 students of Moraine Valley Community College who have served our country.
4. Utilize my healthcare experience to assist with the opening of the Health Education and Wellness Center.
5. Effectively serve on the Board of Trustees at the college where my college education began. 

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Implement board policies that maintain high-quality affordable education.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Not much is known about the other candidates or their credentials. As a former professor, I have a strong educational background and completed my PhD while teaching at Northwestern University. I have been actively involved serving the community with a special interest in veterans' issues.

What facilities would you like to see added to campus?

I am looking forward to the opening of the Health Education and Wellness Center.

What could be done to improve campus safety? Does anything need to be done?

Safety can be improved by increasing student awareness along with providing the Moraine Valley Police Department with all the resources they need to assist, protect and serve.

Raising tuition costs is a big concern for students. What could be done to keep tuition from rising?

Moraine Valley Community College needs to focus on maintaining a balanced budget, especially now that the state is suffering from poor fiscal management. We owe it to the people of this district to keep tuition down and enrollment high.

Have you ever been arrested or sued? If yes, please say what the charge was, and the case's and/or lawsuit's outcome.

No.

Any other information pertinent to your campaign.

Ricardo and Gina are supportive of all who have worn or currently wear the uniform of the United States military. He is a member of Sons of the American Legion in Tinley Park, Squad 615. He has served as a Guardian on 11 occasions for Honor Flight Chicago where he has escorted 28 World War II veterans to see their National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Ricardo is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders who welcome home outstanding members of our military. He has volunteered to help serve veterans at Manteno Veteran’s Home on several occasions.They have welcomed sailors from Great Lakes Naval Academy into their home to celebrate Thanksgiving the past three years. 

He has volunteered extensively to help others. Gina and Ricardo helped build with Habitat for Humanity on several occasions including a build in Haiti in 2012. He has volunteered at the free clinic in Chicago to provide free physical therapy for the uninsured, with Health Volunteers Overseas in Peru and Ethiopia, Global Medical Brigade in Honduras, the Chicago Marathon for 10 years on the medical staff, National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, anatomy expert for the Museum of Science and Industry, and volunteer physical therapist at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996.

Dr. Fernandez has a history of supporting education and is committed to community service. These attributes will make him an effective member of the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

Read about other Moraine Valley board candidates.