Diversity at CLC

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Diversity at CLC

Diversity is critical

CLC embraces diversity because diversity is an integral part of who we are. It is part of the CLC experience, and we are committed to helping each member of the college community feel welcomed and valued.

We create an encouraging environment where mutual respect and understanding work to create opportunity and eliminate bias. But as fundamental as these ideas may sound, they are not easy to achieve. Success requires a range of approaches—everything from being inclusive in our hiring practices to infusing multicultural content into our curriculum.

Diversity is a value

CLC believes so much in the importance of diversity that it is featured prominently in the college's strategic plan (PDF) as both a core institutional value and as one of our six strategic goals. We believe that diversity is a value we hold and must actively work to achieve.

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The College of Lake County is committed to strengthening the diverse communities we serve. We work to create an environment that names, embraces and learns from differences through all policies, practices and values. We encourage expression of one’s own identity and foster an atmosphere where we learn from others.

CLC is dedicated to meeting the needs of everyone in our community, especially those who have been historically underserved. We are committed to being intentional about having crucial conversations to continually develop cultural competence and humility. At CLC, we celebrate and promote diversity because we believe that everyone benefits from being a part of a global society.
The College of Lake County is committed to being equity-minded in how it supports its students and employees. At CLC, equity means providing a high-quality education and employment in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment while meeting the particular needs of each community and individual.
This value is imparted by providing professional and educational opportunities to instill the value of equity within each CLC community member. To achieve this goal, CLC is committed to ensuring that all policies, procedures and processes are free of barriers and provide a frictionless experience to all who come to CLC.
This includes ensuring each student is provided the tools and support to empower them to achieve their academic, career and personal goals and that each employee has the tools and opportunities to provide excellent service, excel in their job, contribute to the CLC community and progress in their professional development.
CLC recognizes that equity is not resolved by using a one-size-fits-all approach. CLC is devoted to intentionally designing opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community members to succeed while supporting each person’s unique needs.
The College of Lake County is inclusive of all members of our diverse college community. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment where students, faculty and staff can do their best in all of their endeavors.

This is reflected through our policies, practices, beliefs and actions. Inclusiveness at CLC means that each person’s input is heard and valued. The College is intentional when creating its entire organizational structure to ensure that there is representation of the diverse community it serves.

By seeking input from the community as a whole, especially from people who have been traditionally silenced or ignored, CLC creates meaningful inclusion, leading to college-wide decisions, outcomes and actions.
In unity, as the College of Lake County community:

We recognize racism as the systematic oppression of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and historically marginalized racial groups that intersects with other prejudices creating and sustaining overlapping systems of oppression.

We acknowledge that the institution of higher education has a history of excluding marginalized racial groups.

We know that being in a position of power and remaining silent on the issue of racist practices is a disservice to our college community and our mission.

We stand in unity with all oppressed, marginalized, minoritized and targeted racial/ethnic groups against racism, bias and hate.

We support racial equality, racial equity and social justice. 

We strive to disrupt and dismantle racism and to understand the impact of explicit and implicit biases.

We commit to enact an anti-racist climate in which students, faculty and staff can flourish, that is free of barriers and is uniquely designed to support each member’s self-actualization.

We vow to create a transformative anti-racist environment through racially conscious practices that foster understanding of how and when the use of power, white privilege and anti-Blackness influence institutional services, policies and practices.

We call upon every member of our community to refuse to accept the unjust treatment of people

Land acknowledgement

To show respect for and honor Native Americans and their Heritage during Native American Heritage Month, College of Lake County adopted a Land Acknowledgement statement to honor the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which the college resides.

Created by CLC’s Diversity Council, the statement can be read by individuals or organizations to open meetings, classes, presentations and public events held on CLC’s campuses.

Land Acknowledgements are a custom that dates back centuries for many Native communities and nations. It helps with understanding the history of the land and those who lived on it throughout history. In doing so, it raises awareness about ongoing issues within different communities.

You can find what land you are standing on by visiting the Native Land website.

"We respectfully acknowledge that the College of Lake County is on the ancestral homelands of the Kickapoo, Peoria, Potawatomi and other Native Peoples. We recognize the longstanding significance of these lands for Indigenous Peoples past, present and future. Historical awareness of Indigenous exclusion and erasure is critically important to preventing further atrocities. The College of Lake County pledges to acknowledge the grave injustices of the past and pledges to create awareness and advance education that invites truth. ''

Supporting student diversity

Fill your experience at CLC with people who give you a sense of belonging. CLC faculty, staff and students show up for you because we care. Check out our:

Access & disability resources
Diversity & success programs
Student resource centers
Support for international students

Demographics

Enroll at the College of Lake County and you’re likely to find people who are similar to you and others who are not. CLC welcomes all, believing that our differences make us a richer, more vibrant learning community.

Check out pages 6-9 of CLC's Community Impact Report 2023 (PDF) to get a snapshot of diversity in CLC.

Access & Disability Resource Center

At CLC your sense of accessibility and inclusion matters to us. We acknowledge this sense must be fostered through intentional, collaborative work. The Access and Disability Resource Center, the ADA Coordinator and the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee are finding solutions.

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