CLC honored for its LGBTQ+ inclusivity and safety
The College of Lake County has been recognized as one of the nation's top five two-year colleges for LGBTQ+ inclusivity by the national nonprofit Campus Pride organization.
CLC's ranking, in a category known as Best of the Best, is based on scoring the highest percentages in the Campus Pride Index that includes LGBTQ+-friendly policies, programs and practices.
The Campus Pride Index, which began in 2007, has traditionally focused on the top 25 four-year colleges, but added the top five two-year colleges this year. For details on the rating, visit www.campuspride.org/2018BestoftheBest.
"It's truly an honor to be named as one of the top LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the nation," said Teresa Aguinaldo, dean of Student Life. "The ranking is a credit to our faculty and staff who have worked hard to make sure that our LGBTQ+ programming reflects the college's commitment to diversity, which is one of CLC's core values."
The college offers students resources that include the student-run PRIDE Alliance club and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center on the Grayslake Campus. The center is directed by Shanti Chu, faculty coordinator and philosophy professor, with student workers under the guidance of Aguinaldo.
Among the center's initiatives are training sessions with CLC police officers and volunteering in the community. Events and workshops include LGBTQ+ yoga nights, film nights with discussions, free gender-neutral haircuts and nationally renowned LGBTQ+ speakers.
Other activities include educational displays pertaining to LGBTQ+ holidays such as Transgender Remembrance Day, National Coming Out Day and World AIDS Day.
Additionally, faculty and staff are offered each year the chance to participate in Safe Zone Training to learn more about LGBTQ+ identity, issues and policies.
"We also have open and visible LGBTQ+ faculty and staff working with students to make sure that they feel safe and included on campus," Aguinaldo said.
Shane Windmeyer, executive director of the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Campus Pride and creator of the Campus Pride Index, said, "LGBTQ+ youth and families want to know what campuses are doing when it comes to inclusive policies, programs and practices - not only for four-year colleges, but also two-year colleges.
"Campus Pride is proud at the growing number of campuses that are improving their LGBTQ campus climate and wanting to be the 'Best of the Best' each year."
For more information on Campus Pride, call (704) 277-6710, visit www.campuspride.org or email info@campuspride.org. For details on CLC's LGBTQ+ Resource Center, located in Room B113d on the Grayslake Campus, call (847) 543-2529, email lgbtqcenter@clcillinois.edu, or visit www.clcillinois.edu/lgbtq.