ILEA Equity Plan | Elgin Community College (ECC)
There are wide and persistent gaps in college completion rates in Illinois, especially among students of color and low-income students. After an in-depth analysis of our institutional data, Elgin Community College (“ECC” or “the College” or “we” or “our”) has developed an Equity Plan containing annual growth targets for which progress updates will be shared publicly over the next five years. Our Equity Plan reflects the unique characteristics of our institution. For example, ECC is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the US Department of Education, with just over 42% of the students identifying as Latinx or Hispanic. Also, the district served by ECC is widely diverse in terms of income and educational attainment. We will identify the obstacles students face and develop programs and policies that break down unnecessary college graduation barriers. Along with our fellow colleges, in the Partnership for College Completion organization, with this Illinois Equity in Attainment (“ILEA”) plan, we pledge to close the completion gaps by 2025.
There are wide and persistent gaps in college completion rates in Illinois, especially among students of color and low-income students. After an in-depth analysis of our institutional data, Elgin Community College (“ECC” or “the College” or “we” or “our”) has developed an Equity Plan containing annual growth targets for which progress updates will be shared publicly over the next five years. Our Equity Plan reflects the unique characteristics of our institution. For example, ECC is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the US Department of Education, with just over 42% of the students identifying as Latinx or Hispanic. Also, the district served by ECC is widely diverse in terms of income and educational attainment. We will identify the obstacles students face and develop programs and policies that break down unnecessary college graduation barriers. Along with our fellow colleges, in the Partnership for College Completion organization, with this Illinois Equity in Attainment (“ILEA”) plan, we pledge to close the completion gaps by 2025.
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History of <strong>Equity</strong> Work<br />
We joined Achieving the Dream (“ATD”) in 2009, the Higher Learning<br />
Commission (“HLC”) Student Success Academy in 2018, and <strong>ILEA</strong> in<br />
2019. These three efforts work through the lens of equity to bring<br />
about student success at <strong>ECC</strong>. ATD is a national network; the HLC<br />
Student Success Academy operates regionally; and <strong>ILEA</strong> is a statewide<br />
organization. Student success is front and center in our Mission and<br />
all of our operational plan goals are in service of student success, and<br />
together these three affiliations provide context that guides our<br />
efforts. Prior to any decision we make, we always ask ourselves, “how<br />
will this impact students?”<br />
<strong>ECC</strong><br />
ATD<br />
Student<br />
Success<br />
<strong>ILEA</strong><br />
HLC<br />
Student<br />
Success<br />
Academy<br />
Figure 3.<br />
<strong>ECC</strong> <strong>Equity</strong> Framework<br />
Given its history and institutional context, <strong>ECC</strong> is well-positioned to dramatically impact student<br />
success and achieve equity in attainment. The <strong>College</strong>’s Mission, the demographic shifts within<br />
the student and community populations, the current reality of student outcomes, and an<br />
opportunity to design a systemic student success framework call us to urgently address issues<br />
of equity in our institution. While the <strong>College</strong> has significant achievement gaps to close, a solid<br />
foundation has been laid to execute this plan.<br />
1C: <strong>Equity</strong>, Diversity, and Inclusion Statements<br />
During the Fall 2019 semester, faculty, administrators, and staff developed the following<br />
statements with direct and indirect input from students and community members. These<br />
statements are used to frame the work of this plan, providing common definitions and tone<br />
needed to advance our work from 2019 until the end of 2025.<br />
<strong>Equity</strong> Statement<br />
As a Leader <strong>College</strong>, <strong>Elgin</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>College</strong> believes intentional and meaningful inclusion of<br />
diverse experiences, backgrounds, and social identities in all aspects of the institution is a moral<br />
imperative which deepens and enriches the educational and workplace experience for<br />
everyone. At the core of <strong>ECC</strong>’s mission to improve people’s lives through learning is the<br />
recognition that as a community college we are successful only when we are providing access<br />
to quality education—as well as appropriate and equitable support in an inclusive<br />
environment—to all members of our community. We are aware of the persistent pernicious<br />
effects of structural racism, systemic poverty, and other societal barriers on members of our<br />
community. As such, the <strong>College</strong> is committed to the on-going intentional review and design of<br />
resources, policies, and procedures to ensure that effective supports exist throughout the<br />
student and employee experience. Moreover, the <strong>College</strong> is dedicated to dismantling the<br />
structures and systems, and challenging the attitudes that create or sustain inequities in the<br />
first place.<br />
Diversity Statement<br />
<strong>Elgin</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>College</strong> recognizes that diversity is an invaluable resource to teaching,<br />
learning, and personal growth. Understanding that the pursuit of excellence requires a diverse<br />
12<br />
<strong>ILEA</strong> <strong>Equity</strong> <strong>Plan</strong><br />
Introduction