The Honorary Associates Degree was established in 1998. Awarded during the spring commencement ceremonies, this award is given for academic, professional, personal and community contributions and achievements.听
2025听Honorary Associates Degree Recipient: Carly McCrory-McKay
听
Tuscola native Carly McCrory-McKay serves as Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) and Chief Partnerships Officer of the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub.
As part of CCEDC for 13 years, she is responsible for business retention and attraction, marketing Champaign County as a brilliant place for business, and supporting the county鈥檚 economic development in partnership with stakeholders, including 小猪视频官网College, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, private industry, and other community organizations. She works broadly across the region to support economic development initiatives, programs, and events, including Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, Chambana Proud, Make It Champaign-Urbana, and the iFAB Tech Hub.
McCrory-McKay oversees all talent attraction efforts in collaboration with Experience Champaign-Urbana, including the Champaign-Urbana Area Job Board, Chambana Welcome Crew, New to CU Mixers, and the Champaign-Urbana Community Job Application. She appears on the weekly Chambana Proud Podcast with co-host and friend Terri Reifsteck, sharing about the many people, places, and events that will make you proud to live and work in the Champaign-Urbana area.
She serves on the leadership team of the iFAB Tech Hub and is Chair of iFAB鈥檚 Government Relations Council. As iFAB鈥檚 Chief Partnerships Officer, she builds and manages strategic partnerships and alliances, driving growth and innovation for the iFAB region of Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties.
McCrory-McKay earned both her bachelor鈥檚 degree and Master of Business Administration at Eastern Illinois University. She stays active in numerous regional professional organizations, including as a board member of the East Central Illinois Workforce Board and Chair of the Willard Airport Advisory Board. She also serves as president of the Board for RISE Behavioral Health and Wellness, the mental health agency in her hometown of Tuscola.
Outside of her career, she enjoys traveling, live music, visiting art museums, spending time with her family, and trying to keep up with her nine nieces and nephews, all under six years old. During this time of year, she can be found eating ice cream at Sidney Dairy Barn, buying flowers and cheese at the local farmers market, dining outdoors听in downtown Champaign, or enjoying live music at Friday Night Live. She lives in Champaign-Urbana with her husband, Tate.
Past Recipients
- 2024 - Scott Bennett听
- 2023 - Sue Grey听
- 2021 - Paul Kunkel
- 2019 - Linden Warfel
- 2018 - Greg Cozad
- 2017 - Robert O. Carr听
- 2016 - JoAnn McGrain
- 2015 - Bergen and Marilyn Parkhill
- 2013 - Carl Meyer
- 2012 - Murray Wise
- 2011 - Robert Easter
- 2010 - Jeff and Charlotte Wandell
- 2009 - Michael Vitoux听
- 2008 - Lois Dickson
- 2007 - Doug Mills
- 2006 - George Shapland
- 2005 - Richard and Rosann Noel
- 2004 - Wayne Weber听
- 2003 - Donald Dodds
- 2002 - Stan Weaver
- 2001 - Rachel Schroeder
- 2000 - John Albin
- 1999 - Mary Lou Staerkel
- 1998 - Bill Froom and Dick O'Dell
Nominations are due by March 31 of each year. If you are interested in nominating an individual for this prestigious award, please contact our offices at听foundation@parkland.edu听or 217/351-2458.听
听