CLC CONNECTS
COVER: Inspiring leader Sulma Teruel serves as student trustee and is an active member of CLC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the college’s Latino Alliance. She graduates this spring with an associate degree in digital media and design and plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity and website design.
MESSAGE FROM CLC PRESIDENT DR. LORI SUDDICK
2025 is a futures-focused year at CLC, with a new strategic plan being formed based on input from the Lake County community as well as CLC students, faculty and staff. This issue of CLC Connects offers an inside look at how the plan is being developed, as well as stories of students illustrating how CLC is a key force on the pathway to their future success.
Twice a year, I have the privilege of congratulating graduates who have achieved their academic goals and are embarking on the next chapters of their lives. Graduates and their families radiate with joy at commencement ceremonies. We enjoy featuring the positive energy of our Lancer community in celebration together in the photos shared in each issue.
In December 2024, CLC had the honor of welcoming back Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II to deliver the keynote commencement address. Dr. Tillman began her journey in higher education at CLC when she was 10 years old. She went on to achieve a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and, at age 17, a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State University.
Dorothy Jean is a wonderful example of how success reveals itself in the champions launched at CLC, and the future is bright for every CLC champion who continues pursuing their dreams. At CLC, our unity is formed through our collective service to our community. I look forward to leveraging the voices of students, community members and workforce partners throughout Lake County through the strategic planning process to shape a brighter future ahead.
THINKING FUTURE
about the REFRESHING CLC’S STRATEGIC VISION
CLC’s journey to refresh its strategic plan is guided by a commitment to continuous improvement, ongoing momentum of successful efforts and thinking toward the future.
From August 2024 through January 2025, CLC gathered students, community and workforce partners for more than 20 listening sessions. Participants received an overview of CLC’s current outcomes, a primer on futures thinking and time to share ideas about higher education and CLC. Engaging these audiences and identifying themes helped inform the focus of input sessions with faculty and staff.
The new strategic plan will be grounded in foundational frameworks established to reach CLC’s aspiration to be the college where every student succeeds, every employee thrives, every business achieves and every community grows. The frameworks organize how individuals experience CLC from start to finish, whether their goal is transitioning to the workforce, transferring to a university or reaching work-related milestones such as a promotion or retirement.
The overall goal is to extend CLC’s impact by advancing educational attainment, economic development and community vibrancy. Data-informed and future-focused, the planning process embraces “outside-in” thinking, capturing insights alongside trends to prepare for emerging challenges and opportunities. The community’s input revealed valuable perspectives that will help shape strategic direction and priorities, and the planning team will ensure the themes are relevant.
This collaborative co-creation process signals CLC’s commitment to being a convener of community partners and an economic engine through its open access educational mission. By leveraging the strengths of the current plan and weaving in fresh insights from the community, CLC will continue to positively impact outcomes for every student, every employee, every community and every workforce partner.
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT our approach our aspiration
DATA-INFORMED With evidence of national, state and local trends
GUIDED BY INPUT
Starting with community, industry and student insights, enhanced through employee expertise
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FUTURE FOCUSED Leveraging a systematic futures thinking method to imagine a shared vision Every student succeeds, every employee thrives so that every business achieves and every community grows
For most of his life, John Randolph was not aiming toward a career in education. From military service to mechanic, Randolph’s journey took unexpected turns before he found his true calling: teaching and guiding young minds. Now, after years teaching in the classroom, he’s taken on a new role as principal of Round Lake Middle School.
Randolph was born and raised in southern California, and served in the military before attending community college at Mt. San Jacinto College. When he moved to Lake County with his wife in 1996, he worked as a mechanic.
Pinpointing the exact reason why an educator wants to get into the field can be challenging. For Randolph, the moment came when he was coaching volleyball. Seeing young players build their skills helped him discover that he enjoyed helping people grow.
“I wanted to give something back to future generations,” Randolph said. “I really wanted to be that teacher I didn’t have.”
TRAINING FUTURE EDUCATORS
CLC marked Randolph’s second experience at a community college. Along with being affordable and local, small class sizes allowed him to succeed and foster close connections with instructors.
“Looking back as an educator, I enjoyed having smaller class sizes than at a larger university,” Randolph said. “It’s more student-centered, and it offers more targeted instruction. There’s more collaborative work and help from instructors on a one-on-one basis.”
The instructors bring with them not only years of experience, Education Instructor Dr. Michelle Proctor says, but also experience working in different districts with distinct demographics.
“Our instructors match theory and research with experience,” Proctor said. “Students are prepared to work with others when they transfer to a four-year school, and they are already comfortable working with students from different backgrounds in the classroom.”
CLC education students also have opportunities to develop skills outside of the classroom like those offered at four-year schools. Opportunities include a mentoring-through-magic program with the Special Education District of Lake County, study abroad trips and the educators club.
MAKING AN IMPACT IN MANY ROLES
Randolph continued his education through the University Center of Lake County, located steps away from the Grayslake Campus. While student teaching, he realized he wanted to teach at the middle school level.
“I was in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, and I found that I fell in love with the middle school range,” Randolph said. “That is a time in a student’s life when direction is being set for them.”
Most educators find their path in the classroom, a career in education offers many roles. Randolph began as a “traveling teacher” at Round Lake Middle School, where he taught multiple subjects across various grade levels. After two years, he became a full-time eighth-grade science teacher but soon noticed opportunities where he could make a broader impact or have more influence in teaching as a whole.
“Education offers so many paths, and it all depends on where your passion is,” Randolph said. “The doors are wide open.”
Over the next few years, Randolph worked as an instructional coach and curriculum specialist for science. Though he enjoyed the impact he made, his desire to do even more led him to pursue a principalship. After working as an assistant principal, Randolph recently
started his first year as the principal of Round Lake Middle School. The transition has been a significant leap from his previous positions.
Randolph continues to pursue his passion for teaching in the classroom by serving as an adjunct faculty at CLC, where he inspires future educators by teaching courses that prepare them for the profession.
FOR THE LOVE OF TEACHING
While some days can be challenging, teaching is a rewarding career path that never ends.
“You will never be bored, even on the most frustrating days,” Proctor said. “The good days far outweigh the tough ones. Teaching will always challenge you.”
Randolph sees this positivity daily in his own career, and it’s one of the most important points he teaches to future educators.
“I tell my students that when they see a student learn, it’s going to fill them with so much joy and happiness. It’s going to be incredible,” Randolph said. “The fun thing is when something clicks in the mind of a student, you will see it and you recognize it, and the student feels it. And I think that alone is what people love. We love and care about our students so much.”
It takes a community TO FOSTER MENTAL WELLNESS
CLC embraces new initiatives and resources to support students’ health
Students entering college are experiencing higher rates of mental health challenges than ever before, according to a number of national studies. Some students say mental health concerns stress them out more than working to pay for college. CLC is working proactively in response to this concerning trend to ensure the right mental health supports are accessible to students so that they remain actively engaged in their learning and on a path to complete their credential.
As a first step, CLC has expanded the free and confidential in-person appointments available through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offered on all campuses. Student demand for counseling has jumped; the number of students scheduling therapy sessions has risen about 20% from fall 2022 to spring 2024.
“A lot of that increase is because our outreach efforts are working,” said Dr. Nika Winiarski, director of the CAPS program. CLC’s first Fresh Check Day last year and presentations in classes about stress management are two examples. “We’re promoting the need for mental health support through events in high-traffic areas, and people are listening.”
“We get feedback from students that therapy has helped them stay in school and persist through challenges,” she added. “They are relieved this resource is available.
We hear a lot of students say, ‘This is the first time in my life I’ve had access to this. I’ve been waiting years to talk with someone, and I finally have the chance.’”
Initiatives to broaden student support
In addition to employing several clinical counselors and administrative support staff, the CAPS team now includes a community resource coordinator and a doctoral extern student to expand access to support and services in 2024. CLC recently launched its Mindful Lancers initiative by partnering with JED Campus (jedfoundation.org), a nationally recognized agency. Using the guidance of a JED Campus representative, the Mindful Lancers taskforce will lead CLC through its first comprehensive assessment of student mental health, while also evaluating programs, policy and infrastructure. This four-year initiative will lead to the development of long-term strategies to improve student mental health and is being funded by grant resources from the state of Illinois. In fall 2024, the Healthy Minds survey was conducted, a first step to understand the mental health needs of students at CLC.
The survey results will be compiled with the overall comprehensive assessment and used to design strategies that
will continue over the next two years to build a sustainable design. After completing this intensive four-year process, CLC will seek designation as a JED Campus.
“It takes a community to foster mental wellness,” Winiarski said. “Meeting with the taskforce helps me understand where the gaps are. The experience of an instructor with a student is different than mine in therapy. Now, if a faculty member hears a student is having struggles or if a writing assignment causes concerns because of information the student shared, faculty can consult with us.”
Encouraging peer connections
Another proactive strategy CLC introduced in 2024 to encourage students to access therapy is the Mental Health Peer Educator Program.
“If a student doesn’t know what to expect from therapy and they want to learn more, they can talk with peers,” said Winiarski. Four students have been hired for peer-educator positions.
A first-year student at CLC, Adrian Rodriguez jumped into the Mental Health Peer Educator role to help others.
“I like that I am able to understand what other people go through and make them feel heard and safe,” he said. “I like letting people know they are never alone.”
Third-year student Jia Raven Buque has enjoyed promoting the JED-sponsored survey and the services CAPS offers in the Student Commons.
“I’ve had students tell me they are surprised to find out that short-term therapy, support groups and community resources are provided for students,” she said. “I believe that spreading the news about the resources that CAPS offers is like planting a seed that I may or may not get to see grow into a tree, but it is gratifying and rewarding nonetheless.”
Wellness programs and events are another important part of expanding mental health resources. CLC’s most popular wellness event is Paws for Wellness, where therapy dogs attract hundreds of students on all three campuses during midterms and finals. Students also can take advantage of Tao, a free service that offers videos on meditation, breathing and more.
CLC alum Peggy Alleman recently earned an associate degree in health and wellness promotion. As she took classes to prepare for her career, she noticed that her studies offered her a transformative experience, especially when she participated in wellness coaching as a client.
“Practicing mindfulness in these sessions enabled me to be fully engaged, boosting my confidence and reducing my preoccupation with planning every conversation and action,” she said. “That allowed me to be present in the moment for my classes, as well as for my future clients.”
Supporting a holistic approach to health
Tony Janca, an instructor of Health and Wellness Promotion and Kinesiology at CLC, praised the offerings of the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion at the Southlake Campus, which include personal training, massage therapy and health and wellness coaching.
“What we’re trying to build is a mind-body approach,” said Janca. Students can receive college credit while improving their own health and well-being.
“Physical health and wellness are a critical part in making sure students are successful.”
Janca pointed out that with the immediacy and ubiquity of social media, stress and anxiety are hitting new heights for students.
“They’re under more pressure now than ever before,” he explained. “Plus, a large majority of our students are working while they’re going to school. All of this has an impact on academic performance.”
Winiarski said, “The young generation now is much more open to discussing mental health. For decades, it was shrouded in secrecy.” She continued to express that it is good to see students welcoming the benefits that CLC’s many health initiatives can bring.
At CLC, students can expect to encounter an inclusive community that is keeping their mental health in mind.
Inspiring STEM futures: Sparking curiosity and confidence
What do butterflies, robots and berries have in common?
For curious Lake County youth like Diego Mata and Adhya Garlapati, the answer is simple: STEM.
Taught together, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) can inspire students to solve problems, collaborate and innovate.
CLC offers several STEM activities designed for young people each year. Hundreds of students in grades 1-12 participate in these programs that can create a ripple effect in their lives and support exploration of STEM career pathways.
“It’s an opportunity to be exposed to different ideas and see yourself as someone with a STEM identity, where you are part of something and everyone is excited by the same things,” said Jan Edwards, engineering instructor who organizes STEM programs at CLC.
Many ways to learn, share, compete STEM Day for Girls attracted Adhya to CLC. Last year at the event, she shared her knowledge of Monarch butterflies as pollinators. She also participated in Make-A-Thon event, where teams used sensors, motors, programming and prototyping to tackle a specific challenge.
Open to the public, Maker Faire is a free, family-friendly showcase for creators, builders and tinkerers, drawing more than 1,200 attendees annually to the Grayslake Campus.
This year she’s involved in the Lake County Robotics Competition, which culminates at CLC on April 12 with a robot contest at Maker Faire Lake County. Adhya will compete with members of the 4C STEM Club, which she founded to inspire her peers. Having your own team isn’t necessary; informal teams can be formed on site with individuals who want to participate.
Have fun in summer STEM camps
Summer STEM camps excite Diego. He’s one of 500 youth who participate each year in Explore and Engage Camps. The two- to four-day summer camps explore everything from outer space to forensic science to medical professions.
In robotics camp, Diego used Lego bricks to build a bot that danced. “As soon as the music played, it danced and did different moves. It was just so fun to build,” he recalled. The best part, he said, was experimenting and using his imagination. “You let your creativity loose.”
Another memorable camp taught backyard farming and the science of growing. “I was able to learn a lot, and I grew raspberries and strawberries in my own garden because of that camp,” he said.
A friendly, affordable experience
STEM programs are led by CLC faculty and certified Lake County teachers. CLC students serve as mentors. Programs are held on campus in facilities like the Baxter Innovation Lab, a maker space at Grayslake Campus.
“It’s a great environment. It’s nice and friendly and it just feels refreshing to be in a school like this. It’s a fun place to be,” said Diego.
Programs are priced to be affordable, and many are free. Scholarships support first-generation students and those with financial need. CLC partners with local schools so that all students have access to these STEM programs.
“CLC is an excellent choice for students interested in STEM. We are so impressed,” said Deepthi Chiruvuri, Adhya’s mom. CLC offers “a nurturing environment where students can thrive.”
Many students find CLC is a place where they can continue to follow their interests. “You can come back here if you decide to go to college or pursue a career program,” explained Tammie Johnson, who coordinates camps at CLC. Over her career, she has seen campers return year after year and eventually enroll in STEM classes at the college.
Adhya is excited for the future. “I don’t know what I want to be yet when I grow up, but I know for sure I want to do something in the STEM field.”
Diego and Adhya are inspiring young CLC champions. CLC hopes you will be inspired by their stories to attend future STEM events.
EVERY STUDENT
can be successful with the right support as they navigate their academic journey at CLC. Tutoring is an important resource in building confidence and academic success for students, which is why CLC has invested in expanding access to tutoring for students.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, nearly 100 tutors supported over 2,500 students in more than 16,000 sessions coordinated through the Tutoring Center. Outcomes tracked across five high-impact courses for students who received one, two and three or more tutoring sessions revealed a clear trend: On average, students who use tutoring as a standard in their learning do better in their classes than those who don’t. Tutoring improves their academic performance and potential for completing their credential.
These results show the importance of having high-quality, trained tutors to help students achieve their educational goals. Recently, the Tutoring Center was awarded
RAISING THE BAR: Certified tutoring program empowers student success
certification as a Level 1 certified tutor training program by the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). Achieving certification means that the CLC Tutoring Center has met CRLA’s high standards for tutor selection, training and evaluation.
For example, CRLA requires each tutor to complete a rigorous training curriculum. Tutors earn certification after they receive carefully constructed training. Currently at CLC, tutors can earn the Level 1 certification, and there are plans to create curricula for Levels 2 and 3 in the future. In addition, tutoring sessions are observed, and tutors receive evaluations regularly.
“During training, tutors learn strategies that are best practices like modeling problem solving rather than solving it for the student or leading them to resources,” Tutoring Center Manager Brigette Dumblauskas said. “Training throughout the year really reinforces these things.”
CLC employs two kinds of tutors: professional tutors, who are part-time employees hired from the community, and peer tutors, who are current students. Each fall, all tutors receive general training and then take part in monthly workshops held September through May.
Participating in these workshops allows professional and peer tutors to learn from each other. Peer tutors benefit from the experiences and content knowledge that professional tutors bring to the table, and professional tutors learn useful, timely strategies for interacting with students.
An essential component of the training is learning to effectively work with CLC’s diverse student body and meeting students where they are through a personalized approach. Peer tutor Samantha Bonilla, who has tutored math for over a year, finds the workshops beneficial. They help her have confidence in what she does.
“When I started, I didn’t know there was more to it than explaining,” she said. “I realized that not everyone needs the same kind of help. It’s also about being inviting and creating a good environment so they’re comfortable.”
By taking a workshop focused on neurodivergence, Bonilla learned about body language and other signs that students may display. This new knowledge helped her be better prepared for tutoring experiences.
Brody McGuire, a student from Libertyville, has been using the Tutoring Center for most of his time at CLC. He first received tutoring help with writing essays, and now gets tutoring support for accounting assignments.
“The tutors are very prepared and really knowledgeable about things I consider really hard,” McGuire said. “Instead of just giving me the information, they explain it step-by-step from the beginning.”
Atifa Syeda, a pre-dentistry student from Gurnee, has frequented the tutoring center since her chemistry instructor recommended it.
“Every time I have a question, my tutor pulls out a textbook and goes through it with me,” Syeda said. “Everything is in simple terms that are easy to understand, whether it’s explaining or giving examples.”
As the landscape of education continually evolves, so do the innovations that improve student success. At CLC, the Tutoring Center is continually evolving to integrate services that uphold the college’s definition of student success: achieving educational attainment for every student by providing personalized, culturally relevant student learning experiences, grounded in equitable practice in an inclusive student-ready environment.
Somos CLC We Are CLC
Belonging is more than a word—it’s a feeling that conveys you feel welcome, encouraged and supported to thrive. It’s how you might feel when you are greeted at the front door in your language, you catch a warm smile from a passing classmate, or you recognize you and your instructor have a favorite food in common. CLC is committed to fostering a sense of belonging for every student, as each positive interaction strengthens our diverse and inclusive community.
With a Latinx representation of 42% across the current student body and as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), CLC is committed to using data and the Latinx student voice to inform actions that lead the transformation toward “serving-ness.” In fact, CLC’s student success definition is an anchor in the important work of shifting from being Hispanic enrolling to Hispanic serving. CLC’s Equity in Access and Success Plan is guided by the college’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism statements and its student success definition, which states: Achieving educational attainment for every student by providing personalized, culturally relevant student learning experiences, grounded in equitable practice in an inclusive, student-ready environment.
Leading HSI scholar Dr. Gina Ann Garcia describes the importance of institutions moving from being Hispanic enrolling to Hispanic serving, through intentional full-scale data-informed efforts. CLC’s Lancer Success Framework is an example of an effort formed to improve outcomes for Latinx students, which ultimately leads to success for every student. Serving-ness (Garcia et al., 2019) is a multidimensional and conceptual way to understand what it means to move from simply enrolling Latinx students to actually serving them.
CLC is a member of Excelencia in Education (edexcelencia. org), a national organization that supports higher education efforts to improve Latino student achievement through
collaborative engagement of colleges within its network. Through its commitment to build serving-ness and improve outcomes for Latinx students, CLC recently engaged in a comprehensive self-assessment and participated in a Data Institute through Excelencia. CLC is using these opportunities to build upon the success of increasing enrollment, retention and completion outcomes for Latinx students, to design and embed strategies within the new strategic plan.
Excelencia’s guiding approach is confianza and familismo, a focus on building deep trust and secure rapport that leads to loyalty and interconnectedness. Deepening its understanding and application of familismo offers the opportunity to deepen the inclusive and culturally relevant intention within CLC’s current definition of student success, to ensure an environment exists for Latinx individuals to feel respected and supported, while acknowledging how family influences decisions, values and personal identity.
“The community aspect is especially crucial for firstgeneration Latino students like myself,” said Kelin Garcia, a student from Round Lake. “At home, we don’t always have family members who understand the challenges of navigating college. Finding a community here fills that gap and provides social support and practical help, like learning
how to register for classes or finding the right resources. It’s a valuable network.”
Building a community atmosphere is an important part of helping students have a sense of belonging. When Latinx students asked for a home away from home, CLC opened El Centro in the heart of the Grayslake Campus. El Centro is a welcoming space where students gather, find friends and build community. It’s a place where students will routinely find people fostering friendships.
“We find students initially come by with a specific question, but then they keep coming back because they find a community where they feel comfortable,” said Latinx Student Outreach Programs Coordinator
Rodolfo Ruiz-Velasco. “El Centro is a hub where students from various backgrounds share experiences and often find they have more in common than they thought.”
A Fox Lake resident originally from Honduras, Sulma Teruel has big dreams and saw an opportunity to achieve her goals by enrolling in classes at CLC. She decided to begin her journey during COVID, first earning her GED before pursuing an associate degree in digital media and design. She’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, currently serving as vice president of leadership, Teruel has established a wide range of connections at CLC and sees a bright future for herself in website development and cybersecurity.
Part of her success is the result of joining student clubs at CLC and finding her connection with the Latino Alliance. Teruel embraced the leadership opportunities in the group, starting as social media manager, then becoming president of the group. In April 2024, she was elected to serve as
student trustee on the college’s Board of Trustees. “CLC has great opportunities, and if we have good leaders coming into the community, that will be of great impact,” Teruel said. She agrees that it’s important for CLC to foster an inclusive, culturally relevant environment for Latinx students so “we feel like we belong.”
Teruel adds, “Belonging is being in an environment where you feel welcome. You can engage with other students from your own culture and different cultures and not feel out of place.”
CLC also has several dedicated and collaborative committees focused on Latinx student success. The Latinx Outreach and Success Committee (LOSC) was established to serve as advocates ensuring Latinx students feel valued, seen, heard and celebrated along their academic journey.
Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies Instructor and LOSC co-chair Dr. Sonia Oliva explained, “Minoritized students have historically been short-changed by the education system and racial inequities continue to persist despite our best intentions. It is imperative that we at CLC focus on student success strategies because we owe it to them. Our students deserve to receive a high-quality educational experience.”
As Ruiz-Velasco emphasizes, “Anything we do to support Latinx students benefits all students. By identifying resolutions to challenges specific to Latinx students, we improve the experience for everyone.”
At CLC, it’s the people who create a welcoming environment and foster a community where you feel you truly belong. Oliva shared how, together with her students, a reciprocal sense of belonging is co-created.
“It has been such a joy to cultivate a classroom community where I can make references to cultural games (Lotería), bring in snacks (pan dulce), use the same slang (“ate and left no crumbs”) and share the same musical interests (Bad Bunny) as many of my students. My students make me feel like I also belong at CLC.”
“At CLC, we celebrate the diversity of our Lake County community and aim to provide an environment that allows each person to be their true self. We know that when people feel welcome and that they belong, they can achieve their full potential and goals,” said CLC President Dr. Lori Suddick. “This means that we must provide a culturally relevant experience for our Latinx students, built on the principles of confianza and familismo, which will lead to prosperity and better outcomes for everyone.”
CLC envisions a future where all students feel a deep sense of belonging, have the resources to succeed and are empowered to bring their whole selves to their education. Through ongoing efforts to evolve as a truly student-ready institution, CLC is building a stronger, more inclusive college community for generations to come.
Garcia, G. A., Núñez, A.-M., & Sansone, V. A. (2019). Toward a multidimensional conceptual framework for understanding “servingness” in Hispanic-serving institutions: A synthesis of the research. Review of Educational Research, 89(5), 745–784.
Culture and connection through music
Diverse and vibrant voices fill the stage at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (JLC) at CLC. Each season brings a new lineup of professional touring artists to Lake County, including world music with a Latinx focus that reflects the student body and community.
Intentional programming offers affordable access to world music and opportunities to connect with Latinx culture through a wide variety of instruments, voices and dances expressing unique cultural identities. By showcasing a range of artists, from Mexican mariachi to Brazilian and Colombian rhythms, the JLC is more than a venue, it is a place for cultural connection and celebration, honoring a rich tapestry of Latin American heritage close to home.
“Experiencing world music, food, clothing and dance allows us to learn without leaving our local community,” said JLC Executive Director Alisa Baum. “It’s an incredible way to experience the world without the expense or distance of travel.”
Recent performances highlight a spectrum of Latinx experiences, featuring globally renowned artists such as the premiere percussionist Cyro Baptista, the high-energy band Las Cafeteras and the all-female ensemble LADAMA. Other notable acts include Grupo Bella’s Día de los Muertos concert, a Lyric Opera presentation of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World and the passionate rhythms of Malevo, the “South American gauchos.”
Stay tuned for performances held throughout the year. Tickets are sold online at jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.
“If you want a good-paying job, you need to go through some type of training or school. Workforce development makes a huge difference in the community, getting young people in the mindset of education to help them obtain better jobs.” - Hector Guifarro
Building Careers Together:
CLC and the Job Center of Lake County
For decades, CLC and the Job Center of Lake County, located on the Lakeshore Campus, have partnered to connect the community with career opportunities that benefit both individuals and local businesses. Partner efforts include bridging workforce skill gaps and opening pathways to local high-demand, high-wage careers. Leveraging the strengths of both organizations makes access to essential career tools, from resume assistance to job placement and specialized job skills training for Lake County residents, which are needed to thrive in the local job market.
Through this well-established partnership, CLC and the Job Center deliver training programs tailored to the needs of local employers, offering participants industry-recognized certifications and credentials. Beyond technical skills,
individuals also develop soft skills like interview preparation and workplace communication through Job Center resources. Strong employer connections further enhance these efforts, facilitating internships and job placements that link participants directly to meaningful career opportunities. Together, these longstanding efforts strengthen the local economy and empower community members to succeed.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Founder of the Chess for Fighters Program, Hector Guifarro first connected with the Job Center of Lake County in 2021. Seeking a stable career that would utilize his strategic skills, he worked with the Job Center to enroll in the Cybersecurity program at CLC. While studying he worked as an Outreach Specialist with Lake County Peacemakers, an organization
dedicated to preventing gun violence. He graduated in 2023 with a degree in computer science.
Today Guifarro works full time as an intern, continues his work as a peacemaker and is a full-time student at DePaul University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. His drive for success, combined with support he received from CLC and the Job Center, highlights the power of personal determination, targeted support and workforce training to change lives.
Powering a sustainable future
The partnership between CLC and the Job Center is designed to meet the needs of high-demand industries, particularly clean energy. Through initiatives like the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), Lake County received a $3.5 million equity grant to prepare workers for sustainable careers in this developing field. These efforts address workforce development priorities while promoting equity and accessibility across the community.
Dr. Richard Ammon, Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives at CLC, highlights the importance of this collaboration: “Our goal is to meet the community where
they are. By providing access to cutting-edge training and meaningful career services, we are building a workforce prepared for the industries of the future.”
The CEJA grant has been instrumental in addressing the region’s clean energy workforce needs, funding programs that offer training in areas like energy efficiency and green technology. Lake County Workforce Development Executive Director Jennifer Serino explains, “Clean energy is not just an industry—it’s a movement toward sustainability and equity. CEJA funding allows us to include individuals from underrepresented groups, ensuring they have access to the careers of tomorrow.”
A vision for the future
CLC and the Job Center look forward to expanding their reach together, integrating resources to address highdemand workforce sectors and scaling up successful models. By maintaining a pulse on industry trends and continuing to connect with employers, the partnership of CLC and the Job Center of Lake County ensures that programs remain relevant and impactful, shaping the future of the workforce in Lake County. With a focus on equity, innovation and community impact, this collaboration creates lasting change.
Hector Guifarro
congratulations TO THE CLASS OF 2024
CLC alumna Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II, internationally recognized tech and arts enthusiast, public speaker and community leader, delivered the keynote commencement address to more than 350 graduates in December 2024.
Dr. Tillman, or “Dorothy Jeanius,” started her academic journey at the College of Lake County when she was 10. She recently earned a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State University at the age of 17. CLC proudly welcomed this CLC Champion to campus to share her inspiring message with the Lancer community.
“We are absolutely certain of your continued success, because, in our Lancer community, we know that CLC stands for the College that Launches Champions.”
– Dr. Lori Suddick
“I offer you all one final homework assignment. Apply what you have learned here. Take the energy, dedication, passion and hard work you have poured into earning your credential at CLC and direct that focus toward making your communities and this world a better place.”
– Dr. Mark Coykendall
QUOTE ME!
“The quality of the program helped prepare me for the real world. I got my job right after graduation. I thanked my teachers because they prepared me so well.” – Thais O’Malley
“It all comes down to the professors. They care a lot about your success. They really want to help you out.” – Carlos Curiel
“CLC
showed me that there is no age on education.”
–
Kendra Anderson
FUN FACT ANSWERS FROM BACK COVER: - 2,360 students - 115 employees - Tuition: $7 per credit hour
19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030-1198
CLC Connects is published biannually by the Public Relations and Marketing department. To subscribe, unsubscribe or update an address, email PR@clcillinois.edu or call (847) 543-2094.
POSTMASTER:
Send change of address to CLC Connects, College of Lake County 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030-1198
Board of Trustees
Torrie Mark Newsome, J.D. Chair
Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., S.E., P.E. Vice Chair
Allena Barbato, J.D., L.M.F.T. Secretary
Pastor Jesus Gerena
William M. Griffin, Ed.D.
Amanda D. Howland, J.D.
Julie B. Shroka, M.A.
Sulma Teruel Student Trustee
Lori Suddick, Ed.D. President
Trustees Emeriti
Richard A. Anderson, J.D.
William M. Griffin, Ed.D. (2021-2023)
Patricia Jones, M.Ed.
Barbara D. Oilschlager, M.Ed.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CELEBRATE 55 YEARS OF SERVING
LAKE COUNTY!
On Sept. 25, 1969, CLC opened its doors to the Lake County community. How much do you know about our early years?
• How many students were enrolled?
• How many employees (staff and faculty) worked at CLC?
• What was tuition back then (per credit hour)? Find the answers inside the back cover. Hint: Tuition was less than your favorite latte.
