GODFREY, IL - For Lewis and Clark Community College Alumna Destini Lednicky, making the decision to attend L&C was a turning point.

What began as a local and affordable option quickly became the place where she built the confidence and support system that has been an integral part of getting her to where she is today in her career.  

"I just really appreciated Lewis and Clark for giving me the confidence to be able to go on to a four-year university," Lednicky said. "I think had I skipped this part, I would have probably been drowning."

Lednicky is currently the executive director at SWIDA, Southwestern Illinois Development Authority. Prior to that, she served as the agency's first housing director for 10 years. She leads the effort to promote and create affordable housing opportunities for the people of Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties. 

What drove Lednicky to this career was witnessing the shortage of quality housing that people can afford, along with the opportunity to make a real difference in the communities that need it most. Under her leadership, SWIDA has been able to develop 205 affordable housing units across four housing developments and has an additional 60 currently under construction.

Lednicky is grateful for her time at L&C and said her experience was incredibly important for a person like herself, someone who was not the best student in high school.

"I think I was barely a 2.0 GPA student in high school, and Lewis and Clark really just turned that around," Lednicky said. "I ended up graduating Cum Laude at SIUE and I don't think I would have been in that position had I not started here."

For students considering where to begin their college careers, Lednicky emphasized the value in community college and the lifesaver it can be for some. For her, it provided a chance to have smaller class sizes and personal attention from instructors, something that helped develop her into a stronger student. 

"Lewis and Clark provides so many opportunities to kick start what you're trying to do and your goals in life at that local, affordable level," Lednicky said.

She was recently appointed by Governor Pritzker to be a member of the Illinois Affordable Housing Advisory Commission. In this new role, Lednicky looks forward to advocating for the communities of Southern Illinois and making sure their needs are heard and considered. 

"I'm excited to bring a perspective for our area and what we experience here with some of the obstacles and barriers that are presented to us," Lednicky said. "I believe my experiences across my evolving career roles will positively contribute to the purpose of the commission and that I can be a voice for our area."

Lednicky's connection to L&C continues today as both her children are now students at the college, a reflection of the lasting impact L&C has had on her life.