CLC recognized as a Leader College

College of Lake County (CLC) today announced that it has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and mobility in their communities.

“I am honored that College of Lake County has achieved Leader College designation,” said CLC President Dr. Lori Suddick. “This designation recognizes the improved outcomes for students that are being achieved as a result of the transformative change efforts implemented over the past several years by dedicated faculty and staff throughout the college. CLC is committed to building an equity-minded and student-focused culture.”

Leader Colleges play an important role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. Leader Colleges are recognized for the quality of their work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.

is part of the ATD Network, made up of 300+ colleges committed to advancing equity and supporting student success at their institutions and throughout their communities. CLC has been a member of the ATD Network since 2019.

CLC is recognized as a Leader College in the ATD network because of its good work over the last few years to improve the student experience. CLC will continue improving outcomes for students through two selective experiences.

CLC was one of nine schools selected for the second cohort for the Racial Equity Leadership Academy (RELA). RELA is a one-year engagement that began Feb. 13. It is an intensive institute designed to support teams of leaders as they develop bold, strategic racial equity plans and implement actionable change efforts at their institutions.

Additionally, CLC was one of four schools selected for Building Capacity for Change: Strengthening Professional Learning on Your Campus (BCC), a program designed to help colleges engage educators and build student success. Working with campus-based teaching and learning teams, BCC empowers colleges to apply a comprehensive framework for high-impact professional learning to campus needs and goals.

About Achieving the Dream

Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on our expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, we provide institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. We call this Whole College Transformation. Our vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable, antiracist, and economically vibrant communities. We know that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers.