Ron Serpico

Triton College has played a key role in Mayor Ronald Serpico of Melrose Park’s leadership and success, noting his deeps roots in both the college and town.

“My father was one of the original Triton College Board members,” explained Mayor Serpico. “I was introduced to Triton at an early age.”

Influenced by his father Ralph “Babe” Serpico’s enthusiasm for the college, Mayor Serpico was inspired to take courses their himself.

“After I graduated from Proviso East High School in 1970, I enrolled in summer classes at Triton,” he said. “I was fortunate to have extra credits when I began at Illinois State University. I was ahead of my peers.”

With those credits earned, Mayor Serpico graduated from Illinois State University a year early. Always interested in politics, he went on to earn a law degree from DePaul University in 1977.

After law school, he returning home to Melrose Park, eager to remain in the town where his family’s history runs deep. With pride, Mayor Serpico shared that his family immigrated from Naples, Italy to Melrose Park in search of the American Dream.

“My father was born and raised in Melrose Park,” said Mayor Serpico. “His childhood home is still here. If he were still alive, he would’ve been 100 years old.”

Inspired by his family’s resilience and his father’s political endeavors, Mayor Serpico sought to strengthen the Melrose Park community. He successfully ran for mayor on April 1, 1997.

Having led Melrose Park for nearly 30 years, he encourages young residents to take classes at Triton College to get ahead in academics and in life.

As a leading community college, Mayor Serpico stressed that Triton College offers a wide range of degree and certificate programs such as HVAC, pre-optometry, nursing and automotives, while also supporting ESL students. He noted that Woodlake Occupational Health (formerly Westlake Hospital), located in Melrose Park, is eager to hire Triton-trained Certified Medical Assistants.

“Triton is a gateway to a four-year institution and offers so much value,” said Mayor Serpico. “It’s both convenient and affordable, which are essential items for today’s youth.”

Looking to the future, Mayor Serpico takes pride in both his town and Triton College. As a charter member of the Triton College Foundation Board, Mayor Serpico is committed to helping the college thrive and continue providing opportunities for the community’s youth.

“Triton is the most accessible and cost-effective option for so many students,” he said