CLC named a finalist for national community college award

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has announced that the College of Lake County is a finalist in its 2015 Awards of Excellence program recognizing exceptional work among the nation's two-year colleges in seven categories.

CLC is one of four finalists in the advancing diversity category. The winners will be announced at the annual AACC convention April 18-21 in San Antonio, Texas.

"It is a great honor that our national association has recognized our efforts to advance diversity throughout the institution," CLC President Jerry Weber said. "CLC exists to connect students to a better future, and our success depends on having a campus culture that values diverse opinions and creates opportunity for everyone."

CLC has taken a number of approaches to supporting diversity and multicultural understanding. Diversity is featured prominently in the college's strategic plan as both a core institutional value and as one of its six strategic goals. An active Diversity Commission initiates, supports and monitors the progress of diversity initiatives across the college. Additionally, the college's International Education program has earned several recognitions, including receiving funding from the U.S. Department of State to establish an American Culture Center at Xi'an International University in China.

A faculty-driven initiative called the Diversity and Multicultural Education Infusion Project is helping instructors connect with students and effectively teach in CLC's increasingly diverse classrooms. The program offers experiential workshops, training, book club discussions, film screenings and guest speakers.

To learn more about the college's diversity initiatives, visit www.clcillinois.edu/diversity.