ICCTA Pacesetter Award

As a graduate of a small rural high school, Anna Kesler says that she was "unsure, nervous and overwhelmed" when she started at Parkland College in 2002. But within a week she knew she was at one of the "best community colleges in the country."

She easily adapted to college life, making the Dean's List and taking advantage of Parkland's study-abroad program in Dijon, France.

Anna Kesler (left) accepts ICCTA's 2008 Pacesetter Award from ICCTA president Kathy Wessel and Illinois Community College Board chair Guy Alongi.

Anna transferred to the University of Illinois, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in business and human resources.

She also helped her graduate class create a fundraising video for the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations. The resulting DVD has become a popular YouTube video and led to the start of an annual Class Gift project.

In January 2008, Anna accepted a human resources position with General Electric and received a $10,000 signing bonus.