Leadership

A champion of workforce and community development with a passion for equity, Cristobal “Cris” Valdez has served as the President of Richland Community College since 2016. Valdez has focused on leadership development, reinforcing academic and student affairs programs, and strengthening diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.

Valdez serves on several local, regional and national boards including the Decatur and Macon County EDC, the Higher Education Research & Development Institute, the Illinois Manufacturing Association and the DMH Board.

Valdez earned a BA in Social Work from the University of Montana. He earned his MSW at Eastern Washington University and an EdD in Community College Leadership from Oregon State University. Valdez and his wife Robin have five adult children and three grandchildren.

Madonna Brown is a seasoned Executive Administrative Assistant at Richland Community College with extensive experience in the education sector. She excels in providing high-level support to executives and leadership, ensuring seamless administrative operations. With exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, Madonna is adept at managing schedules, coordinating complex meetings, handling confidential information, and streamlining processes to improve efficiency. Her professionalism, strong communication abilities, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the academic environment.

Madonna has been at Richland Community College for eleven years.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University, River Forest, IL and has called central Illinois home all of her life.  Madonna is married and has one son.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening and visiting local wineries.

Dr. Isaac Zúñiga, also affectionately known as Dr. Z, is an esteemed community college leader holding the position of Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Success at Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. With a remarkable career spanning more than 25 years across several community colleges, he is dedicated to improving student success and closing the achievement gap for marginalized and low-income students.

Joe Feinstein has been with Richland Community College since 2004, currently serving as Executive Vice President, Technology & Operations.

Joe focuses on providing the technology and facilities needed for students, employees, and the community to accomplish their personal goals at Richland Community College.  He is committed to finding safe, sustainable solutions that empower individuals and grow our community.

Sheree Zalanka is the Vice President of Financial Services at Richland Community College, where she serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. She provides strategic leadership for financial planning and business operations. She oversees the Business Office including payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, grant accounting, student accounts, and auxiliary services.

Sheree holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Millikin University.  Sheree has over 15 years of experience in governmental accounting and fiscal management and is dedicated to maintaining financial integrity and supporting the college’s long-term financial sustainability.  Sheree and her husband, David, live in Mt. Zion and have two children.

Coming Soon!

Erin Spanberger has worked at Richland since November 2020, and currently serves as Institutional Researcher, supporting strategic planning, accreditation, and continuous improvement to strengthen institutional effectiveness. With a background in social services and mental health, she takes a holistic approach to student success, ensuring data-informed decision-making guides initiatives that best serve students and the community. Erin earned a B.A. in Sociology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Education at Western Illinois University.