Oakton College wins state Equity and Diversity Award

The Illinois Community College Trustees Association has selected Oakton Community College for its Equity and Diversity Award, which recognizes exemplary commitment by a public community college board and its chief executive officer to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion in the college's education programs.

Association officials announced the award at the organization's annual banquet June 7 in Itasca.

Oakton was recognized for its many diversity related program for students including Latin student persistence and overall graduation rates increasing since 2014 and the college's new Center for Campus Inclusion and Diversity that provides special support for those in need, including a Care Closet for students lacking food, clothing or personal care items.

In addition, Oakton's Persistence Project has garnered national attention for its equity-based, student-faculty engagement. Since 2007, the participation rate of underrepresented students has increased from 31 to 45 percent.

"The collective efforts to infuse diversity and equity into the fabric of all that we do within the Oakton community has yielded impactful student success results," college President Joianne Smith said.