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Public Relations and Marketing | Published Aug 19, 2020
The College of Lake County (CLC) has been awarded $78,608 in grant funding to support its continued improvement and innovation of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).
“This grant allows CLC to provide purposeful and strategic college and career navigation for CTE students,” said Erin Fowles, Dean of Enrollment Services at CLC. “This strengthens the pipeline of students from high schools and the community
into these programs, ultimately resulting in successful student academic outcomes and gainful employment.”
This newly created position will recruit and engage prospective CTE students as they explore college and career options. Serving as a point person for prospective students from expression of interest in CLC through their first day of classes, a key component
of the position will be instituting a holistic approach to help students explore their purpose and identify career goals.
The community college system offers over 4,300 high-quality, affordable CTE programs across the state. As many Illinoisans struggle with COVID-19 related job loss, community college programs provide an avenue to high-skill, in-demand jobs across a number
of career fields.
“This funding will support student success in high need industries, including information technology and education,” said Dr. Brian Durham, executive director of the ICCB. “The grants allow colleges to make a significant investment in
advising, coaching and mentoring CTE faculty and students, at a time when the need for a connection between teachers and students is paramount.”
Statewide, 21 community colleges received nearly $1.7 million in CTE Improvement Grant funds in 2020. Grant recipients can use the funds in one of three ways: to enhance student transitions, to provide student-centered support services, or to strengthen
the CTE educator pipeline. CTE grants are funded through the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.
About College of Lake County:
The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake,
Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969.
The College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation.
About Illinois Community College Board:
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System - the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state. The ICCB has statutory responsibility
for administering state and federal grants to community college districts and adult education providers and managing high school equivalency testing for Illinois. Illinois community colleges serve over 600,000 residents each year in credit, noncredit,
and continuing education courses. Illinois is home to 48 colleges in 39 community college districts which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities to the entire state.