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About RLC
Welcome to Rend Lake College — the perfect place to start your journey.
A Message from the President
As I look toward retiring to the family farm this July after 13 years as Rend Lake College President, I reflect on some of the amazing things we’ve accomplished for our students and community. I first was a student here, then started as a part-time agriculture instructor better than 30 years ago. While I’m fairly future-focused, it would’ve been strange … and interesting … to think of being at this point back then.
Thinking back over the years and looking around campus, there are so many things we've achieved; new facilities and technology, and an operating fund that's grown by $30 million in a little more than a decade. We've taken on the challenges of an education sector that's changing quickly and massively, and we've invested in developing our people. I've often said the people are the best part of the job ...
The place has been good to me and I hope my leaving finds it in better shape than when I got here. It's in the capable hands of strong leaders. This of course includes Lori, the VPs, deans, directors and so many throughout the organization who work with the one purpose of providing opportunities for you and our region. As it always goes, you can't have hills without some valleys. Over the past decade the college made it through circumstances that could have closed the doors on more than one occasion. Shortly after I became president, the Illinois budget impasse hit and the college went a couple of years without millions in state funding. A few years later, COVID-19 sent everyone – students and employees – to learn and work remotely. Coming back from the pandemic presented significant challenges as well. None of this was in the brochure when I signed on ... but then, that's life. Never forget — resilience and purpose can carry you through the challenges you encounter along the way.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude to the various Board of Trustees members I’ve had over the years. They’ve all made up good boards, who have always had a profound respect for what it truly means to serve on a board. They’ve shown trust in me and our leadership to keep the ship going in the right direction, and I hope I’ve been able to make their jobs easier through honesty, transparency, and authenticity.
Now back to a final bit of business in this space. If you’re reading this then you are thinking seriously about the future and how Rend Lake can help. Too often we make getting started harder than it is. Just take the first step. It’s simple. Get in touch with us. You can text or call us, email, just drop by campus or fill out a form on our website. Chances are you know a student here or someone who works here. Ask them for help. I'm still around and looking forward to working for the board and the college over the next months. After that, I hope you will excuse me. I have a family and a farm to tend to.
Sincerely,
President, 2012-2025, Rend Lake College
As we prepare to embark on the next chapter together, I am filled with optimism for the opportunities ahead. Rend Lake College has long been a beacon of access, excellence and community impact. Whether through enhanced use of technology, modernized facilities or programs designed to address emerging community needs, Rend Lake College will remain a leader in embracing forward-thinking solutions that benefit our students and region. Our students are at the heart of all we do. By fostering partnerships with local industries and creating pathways for career advancement, we will ensure every student has the tools to thrive.
As we look to the future, our vision is clear: to continue building a college that transforms lives while fostering innovation, inclusivity and resilience. The upcoming transition is not just about leadership-it is about ensuring Rend Lake College continues to grow in strength, service and success. Together, we will build an enduring legacy for Rend Lake College to be experienced by generations to come.
Sincerely,
Executive Vice President & President Designee, Rend Lake College
Mission Statement
The mission statement is the essential purpose of the college from which all college activities originate:
Rend Lake College provides educational opportunities across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve. We are committed to our students’ success in achieving their educational goals and to meeting our community-focused program objectives. With Rend Lake College, student journeys start here.
Value Statement
In serving our students and community, we are student-focused, authentic and resourceful.Institutional Outcomes
Rend Lake College has adopted four essential learner outcomes, fundamental learning objectives embedded in every program of study, that all degree-completing students should be able to demonstrate. They are as follows:
Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to think in a self-directed, reflective manner when understanding, evaluating and solving problems.
Problem-Solving: Demonstrate the ability to resolve computational problems.
Oral Communication: Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively through verbal and non-verbal language.
Written Communication: Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively through written language.
Mission Statement
The mission statement is the essential purpose of the college from which all college activities originate:
Rend Lake College provides educational opportunities across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve. We are committed to our students’ success in achieving their educational goals and to meeting our community-focused program objectives. With Rend Lake College, student journeys start here.
Value Statement
In serving our students and community, we are student-focused, authentic and resourceful.Institutional Outcomes
Rend Lake College has adopted four essential learner outcomes, fundamental learning objectives embedded in every program of study, that all degree-completing students should be able to demonstrate. They are as follows:
Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to think in a self-directed, reflective manner when understanding, evaluating and solving problems.
Problem-Solving: Demonstrate the ability to resolve computational problems.
Oral Communication: Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively through verbal and non-verbal language.
Written Communication: Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively through written language.
Accreditation
Quality Education. Guaranteed.
Since 1969, Rend Lake College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Who We Are
Who We Serve
Diversity of Culture
Traditionally, Rend Lake College can be characterized as serving a relatively homogenous, rural, small-town culture. This population’s cultural distinctiveness is centered on age and socioeconomic status more than diverse ethnic origin. As global connectivity broadens, so too do Rend Lake College’s program offerings. We continue to serve groups with diverse characteristics, such as:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- National origin
- Race/ethnicity
- Religion
- Socioeconomic status
- Special populations
Diversity of Purpose
Rend Lake College provides general, transfer, and career technical education to both traditional and non-traditional students through the use of reciprocal agreements; regional, state, and national education programs; dual-credit high school classes; and the endorsement of international students to help broaden our base. Rend Lake College offers skill and trade opportunities for students seeking employment and economic mobility. Additionally, Rend Lake College provides professional and personal fulfillment as well as growth through community and corporate education classes.
Often, an individual’s purpose for engaging with the college is a combination of factors such as:
- Discovery/Curiosity
- Educational Requirements
- Enrichment / Hobby
- Healthy lifestyle
- Life-long learning
- New/Enhanced skills
- Retraining
Definition of Equity
Common Outcomes
Smoke-Free Policy
Rend Lake College campuses are smoke-free as of July 1, 2015.
The Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act, signed in 2014 by former Gov. Pat Quinn, does not allow smoking on any public college or university campus, whether that is indoors, outdoors, or in parking lots. Staff, students, and visitors are prohibited from carrying, smoking, burning, inhaling, or exhaling any kind of cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette, or other smoking equipment. The one exception is for those who wish to smoke inside a privately owned vehicle.
It is the policy of Rend Lake College to adhere to, and enforce, the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the Smoke-Free Campus Act. Specifically, no person shall carry, smoke, burn, inhale, or exhale any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, e-cigarette or any other lighted smoking equipment. This policy extends to all buildings, grounds, parking lots, and vehicles which are owned and operated by the College. No person may smoke in any vehicle owned by the College.
The College may further designate enclosed areas of a public place or place of employment, including outdoor areas, where smoking is also prohibited.
The College will communicate its policy to all students, staff and visitors by posting at every entrance to buildings, to College grounds, on parking lots, and within vehicles a conspicuous sign clearly stating that smoking is prohibited. In addition, the college will create and post upon its website a smoke-free campus map indicating the locations where smoking is prohibited.
President's Executive Leadership Team
Lori Ragland
Executive Vice President
Chad Copple
Vice President - Institutional Effectiveness
Cathy DeJarnette
Executive Director - Administrative Services
Henry "Buster" Leeck
Vice President - Academic & Student Services
Kim Wilkerson
Vice President - CTE & Student Support
John Gulley
Vice President - Finance & Auxiliary Services
President's Cabinet
Amy Epplin
Director of Institutional Compliance and Research
Amy Newell
RLC Foundation Assistant Director of Development
Andrea Banach
Dean of Arts & Sciences Division
Bria Robinson
Dean of Allied Health
Donnie Millenbine
Dean of Facilities Management & Campus Operations
Jena Jensik
Dean of Enrollment Services
Kent McKown
Chief Information Officer
Nathan Wheeler
Director of Marketing and Communications
Shari Carpenter
Dean of Applied Science & Technology
Vickie Schulte
Dean of Student Success and Development
