CLC Community Impact Report 2022

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY IS A PLACE WHERE...

Every student succeeds.

Every employee thrives.

Every business achieves.

Every community grows.

SPOTLIGHT

Before he joined the Coast Guard, Joshua Cardin dreamed of becoming a firefighter. While he was stationed in Ohio, he learned about the fire science technology program at CLC. Once he arrived in the area, he enrolled and has since started working with the Grayslake Fire Department.

“While I was in the Coast Guard, I’d take a class here or there online with other colleges. None of them hold a candle to CLC,” he said. “It’s unbelievable how far the college is looking forward and how many opportunities are available for the people of Lake County.”

CLC’s 2024 Strategic Plan aims to improve student success outcomes and advance community partnerships.

“As an 18-year-old, CLC was a good transition from high school to college. Some of my friends who went to four-year schools said it was a big jump, and they felt they were thrown into the fire. CLC is a more gradual transition. It’s closer to home and family.”

Pablo Valencia Garcia

CLC received the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Perkins grant from the Illinois Community College Board worth $508,740. The grant supports CTE programs that put students directly into high-skill, high-demand and high-wage occupations in the workplace upon completion. CTE courses at CLC are industry-driven, with local employers helping to shape the curriculum.

SPOTLIGHT

When Randi Dey got out of the Army, he was lost with what he wanted to do with his life. Fitness had always been a big part of his life, so he enrolled in CLC’s health and wellness program to become a trainer. After graduation, he had no trouble finding work thanks to the credentials he earned.

“The program transferred over to the real world really, really well,” Dey said. “It would’ve been easy to just get certified online, but because of my time at CLC, there was a difference in my training. I see it, and my clients see it.”

ONE COLLEGE

THREE CAMPUSES. TWO SPECIALTY CENTERS.

College of Lake County commits to meeting the changing needs of our diverse students and communities by delivering equitable education and services across three campuses.

• CLC’s new six-story Student Center on the Lakeshore Campus will open in early 2023. This remarkable, unique structure will house a range of resources for students and the community. CLC is seeking LEED Platinum status, the highest sustainability rating in Illinois, for the new building, part of a $48 million expansion in Waukegan.

• CLC’s Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee is now open, offering classes in welding, fabrication and industrial technology, and responding to the needs of employers in Lake County and the surrounding region

Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills offers Flex Path courses and Super-charged Saturday classes

• Brae Loch Culinary is being developed as a new home for CLC’s student-run restaurant and culinary programming

• CLC installed nearly 5,000 rooftop and ground mount solar photovoltaic panels in 2021 that will power an estimated 17% of the Grayslake Campus electricity needs

On Nov. 30, 2021, CLC honored John and Kathleen Schreiber for their $2 million donation toward the Advanced Technology Center. The ATC is the new home for many of CLC’s manufacturing programs, including the new Industrial Technology program with a dedicated space named the John and Kathleen Schreiber Industrial Technology Area.

Student Center, Lakeshore Campus

Advanced Technology Center

Southlake Campus Grayslake Campus

GLOBAL SOCIETY

No matter what country you call home, you are welcome at CLC.

• 94 international students, representing 35+ countries

• International students studying at College of Lake County contributed $1.2 million to the local economy

CLC offers extraordinary, affordable short-term and semester-long study abroad programs to more than 10 countries

• CLC received the 2022 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization from the National Association of International Educators. This achievement affirms CLC’s commitment to ensure all students graduate with an understanding of the world and an appreciation for their place in it.

“CLC is a very friendly place, a very positive environment. There are people from all over the world. The staff is very friendly, helpful and supportive for everything that we want to do. We’re all friends, like a little family here.”

Nik, CLC international student

RESOURCING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS

CLC is strategically redesigning students’ onboarding and first-year experience programs to launch them toward successful completion of their first semester in college. Students now benefit from:

• College and Career Navigators offering guidance in local high schools

• New Student Convocation welcoming the incoming class and kicking off each semester

• Orientation programs evolving to meet students’ interests and needs

• Academic Success Advisors helping students set their path from the start and stay on track throughout their academic journey

College Success Seminar (CLC 120) meeting students where they are and guiding them to achieve their educational goals

CLC provided free on-campus daycare for more than 50 student-parents as part of a $353,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The Childcare Access Mean Parents in School grant helps ensure CLC students pursue their educational goals with peace of mind that their children are being cared for while they study.

CLC students have easy access to free and affordable resources to meet their basic needs, access learning resources and achieve academic success. In the 2021-22 academic year, CLC students accessed:

TEXTBOOKS – College initiatives enabled students to save $2.1 million in textbook costs

TECHNOLOGY – CLC loaned 1,737 laptops and internet hotspots at no cost to students

TUTORING – More than 100 tutors worked with 1,500+ students in nearly 12,000 sessions

FOOD – 1,291 students accessed free food from the SHARE Market at the Grayslake Campus

“The faculty at CLC are really supportive. Instructors want to help students reach their goals.”

– Karina Badillo

CLC provides financial, academic and supportive resources at no cost to students. A compassionate team of academic, career and personal advising professionals offers students personalized and culturally relevant support from the day they apply to CLC through graduation and beyond.

Student Health & Wellness Services supported 1,979 in-person office visits from both students and employees – free of cost

More than 2,500 no-cost individual and group therapy appointments were scheduled at Counseling and Psychological Services

• The Access & Disability Resource Center supported 320 students with a spectrum of disabilities and other abilities by connecting them with additional accommodations and multidimensional supports

• To create a sense of belonging across all identities, the Student Activities and Inclusion team supported multicultural initiatives for various student affinity groups including African American, Latinx, LGBTQ+ students, students identifying as women, military-affiliated students and student veterans as well as members of diverse, multicultural communities at-large

Approximate credit hour costs for high quality education at Illinois institutions:

$125 College of Lake County

$404 Public 4-year institution

$1,287 Private 4-year institution

Students save up to $28,000 when they start at CLC

$13 million in emergency aid and debt forgiveness from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund from the federal government for students

24% of students were awarded more than $17 million in all other forms of financial aid and scholarships

SPOTLIGHT

A donation of more than $100,000 from an anonymous community member helped create 25 scholarships for students to enroll in truck driving courses to earn their commercial driver’s license. Truck driving became one of the most in-demand jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These scholarships can help people earn a family sustaining wage without a formal education in a short period of time,” said Manager of Professional Development Laura Asbury.

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE

Student life activities are a vital component of a successful college experience. Getting involved has a direct and positive impact on students’ learning, development and success. CLC offers an array of student life activities, competitive athletic teams and opportunities to practice fine and applied arts.

Student clubs and organizations span student government, horticulture, gaming, literary interests and more

Students perform in dance, theatrical and music ensembles and create award-winning literary publications, artwork and ceramics sold to the community

12 intercollegiate athletic programs with 175 athletes

Athletes excel in conference and regional competitions and at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) level:

• Men’s Golf won their fifth consecutive Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship and advanced to NJCAA Nationals

Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams won conference championships and NJCAA Region IV Championships and qualified for NJCAA Nationals - the fifth consecutive year for the men’s team. The women’s team qualified for their third trip to nationals in five seasons.

• Lancer student-athletes shined in the classroom and in the community:

23 athletes won NJCAA All-Academic All American awards

50 students were named to the All-Academic Illinois Skyway All-Conference teams

All members of Lancer teams collectively served the community for more than 600 hours

Lancer coaches received accolades among their peers:

Jim Love, Men’s and Women’s Tennis – Conference Coach of the Year and Region IV Men’s and Women’s Regional Coach of the Year

Chris Wyniawskyj, Men’s Golf – Conference Coach of the Year

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

CLC’s efforts are supported by community partners, including non-profit organizations, educational institutions, businesses in every industry sector, government agencies and community networks. Collaboration with these partners results in meaningful connections that achieve mutually beneficial outcomes across Lake County.

78% of graduates are employed within one year of graduating

• 46 apprenticeships offered with 19 employers

• 364 student workers employed by CLC

• 1,144 interactions with employers

• 114 new employers engaged in CLC partnerships 283 businesses and institutions were represented across 37 academic advisory committees

• 562 community members served as CLC advisory committee members

• College operations contributed $150+ million in economic output to Lake County

CLC is advancing strategic efforts to increase manufacturing career pathways that address the high-demand skilled talent pipeline needs of Lake County manufacturers. Thanks to Congressman Brad Schneider, CLC received $900,000 in the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Funding Bill.

CLC is situated in the second-largest manufacturing county in the state, so this award supports CLC’s investment in a critical industry sector—both to attract and grow local businesses.

LEARNING FOR ALL AGES

CLC provides community programming for students of all ages, non-credit and professional development classes and incumbent workforce training.

• 400+ students in grades 1-12 attended summer camps that directly connect to future careers and college programs

• $14,355 in donations provided 90 summer camp scholarships

• 500+ community members learned something new at 39 hands-on booths at Maker Faire Lake County

“CLC provides the same education, if not better, because of the small class sizes. It’s cozy to learn here. I’d highly recommend it to someone coming out of high school, but CLC is welcoming of people of all ages.”

– Kym Santos

SPOTLIGHT

Moises Mercado is a CLC graduate who earned a degree in welding. During his studies, Mercado, an aspiring artist, discovered a love for welding sculpture. While at CLC, he won the state championship and finished tenth nationally in the SkillsUSA Welding Sculptures competition.

“The fabrication class was the precursor to it all,” Mercado said. “If in 30 years I’m famous for my art, it’s going to be that class that started it all and my teachers that supported me. The instructors here are awesome and helped to build my confidence. They really pushed me to be creative and do my own thing.”

CULTURALLY FOCUSED

CLC’s fine and performing arts outreach and engagement plan delivers high quality, culturally relevant experiences for students and surrounding areas.

• 674 pieces of artwork from 241 artists, mostly local, displayed in the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art

The James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts attracted 5,000+ in-person attendees at 45 performances, a combination of CLC music, theatre and dance students plus local and national professional touring artists

Student interns on the Campus Farm grew 3,300 edible plants for the spring community plant sale

“For 25 years, the James Lumber Center for Performing Arts has partnered with College of Lake County performing arts to present high-quality, diverse programming.”

- Alisa Baum, James Lumber Center Executive Director

SPOTLIGHT

CLC hosts Community Art and Engagement workshops led by local artist and CLC instructor Katrina Davis-Salazar at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan. Attendees work with professional artists and take home free art kits to continue their creativity. In its first year, the program drew more than 200 diverse participants ranging in age from 10 to 78.

“Wonderful space and a great experience to enjoy the company of diverse artists!”

CLC FOUNDATION GRANTED SUCCESS

The CLC Foundation is dedicated to opening doors to educational opportunities for all in Lake County. Thanks to the generosity of donors, students in need receive scholarships and emergency funds, and visionary development ventures receive funding support.

“CLC has fulfilled a critical strategic role to strengthen Lake County’s educational pipeline. Today’s students are tomorrow’s dedicated professionals – and they all started their journey at CLC. Providing scholarships and grants to CLC students is an investment in the vitality of our communities.” – Pete Govorchin, Enterprise Chief Operating Officer and President and Chief Executive Officer of CTCA Chicago

$4+ million in funds raised by the CLC Foundation, including investment income

• $6+ million in competitive grants received

• $1+ million provided for student scholarships

• 500+ students received Foundation scholarships

• Students who received Foundation scholarships had a higher average term grade point average when compared with other scholarship recipients, other financial aid recipients and those who did not receive any financial aid

• Foundation scholarship recipients earn more college credits on average, have higher than average course success rates and have a higher rate of transfer to another educational institution

SPOTLIGHT

CLC received a $700,000 Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) Grant from the Illinois Community College Board, allowing CLC to extend the Transform Lake County program. With support from State Representative Rita Mayfield and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the WEI Grant focuses on expanding and providing equitable training opportunities in high-demand fields for minority students in at-risk communities. CLC recruits and provides workforce training to minority, low-income and under-employed Lake County residents and students, focusing on North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion and Round Lake.

FINANCES

CLC aims to be a leader in providing innovative education and workforce solutions to support the economic viability of Lake County. Through a balanced budget aligned to the 2024 Strategic Plan, CLC demonstrates stewardship of public resources to uphold affordability for students and access to programs and services as a valuable return on investment to taxpayers. CLC’s Aaa bond rating demonstrates strong financial policy and strategic use of resources to achieve outcomes that benefit the diverse communities and businesses of Lake County.

2023 Annual Budget Operating Funds Revenue: $117.6 million

2.13%

$2,500,000

All Other Local Revenue Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax

7.94%

$9,337,356

State Funding

25.18%

$29,619,372

Student Tuition and Fees

1.04%

$1,234,534

All Other Revenue including interest income and building rentals

63.71%

$74,978,824

Local Funding

Lake County residents owning homes valued at $300K paid approximately $284 in property taxes to CLC in 2022

SPOTLIGHT

Tomas Sagartz took advantage of CLC’s internship opportunities through the Career and Job Placement Center to gain real-world experience while still in school.

During his internship with the Archdiocese of Chicago School District providing helpdesk support for the PowerSchool software, he won the Cooperative Education and Internship Association 2022 Two-Year College Student Achievement Award.

“I had never worked in a company setting before,” Sagartz said. “This experience taught me how to interact with coworkers, ask for help, work as a team and interact with a lot of different people.”

MISSION

College of

VISION

College of

VALUES

STRATEGIC PILLARS

it serves.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Amanda D. Howland, J.D. Chair

Julie B. Shroka, M.A. Vice Chair

Torrie Mark Newsome, J.D. Secretary

Gerri Songer, M.A.

Matthew J. Stanton, J.D.

Robert J. Tomei, Jr., J.D.

Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., S.E., P.E.

Daniel Blaine

Student Trustee

Lori Suddick, Ed.D. President

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Richard A. Anderson, J.D.

William M. Griffin, Ed.D.

Patricia Jones, M.Ed.

Barbara D. Oilschlager, M.Ed.