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About RLC

Welcome to Rend Lake College — the perfect place to start your journey.

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A Message from the President

terry_wilkerson_portrait_2023-web Welcome to Rend Lake College — the perfect place to start your journey. As the President of this award-winning school, and a lifelong resident of the district, I'm proud to tell you about many opportunities we have for you right here in your own backyard.

At RLC, we have numerous programs in areas like health, sciences, technology and the arts. These programs are always growing and changing to make sure we're teaching you the things that will help you get great jobs in the future.

We also know that sometimes students need a little extra help. That's why we have worked hard to increase services like tutoring in our Learning Enhancement Center, a special Wellness Room to help keep your mind healthy and focused, timely notifications to help you stay on course academically and many more.

RLC has some really great facilities, like the Event Center, Student Center, Warrior Way, RL Café, Blended coffee shop and the Learning Resource Center. We even have a special Manufacturing Academy under construction right now at our MarketPlace campus in Mt. Vernon, and we'll be building a new Allied Health Center and the Banterra Sports Complex on the Ina campus.

One of the best things about starting your college journey at Rend Lake is that it can save you a lot of money. If you compare us to the average cost at an Illinois public university, you can save up to 80 percent on your first two years of college. Plus, we have small classes, different types of classes to choose from and a long list of services to help our students succeed.

If you're thinking about learning a trade and getting to work right away, we have numerous short-term certificate programs to choose from. We'll teach you the skills you need to get a good job and if you decide later to continue your education, the certificates you earned can be stacked into a degree that transfers.

We know your time is important, so why not spend some of it checking out our campus? Come take a tour of some programs you are interested in, or get the general campus tour, and see all the impressive things we have to offer and meet the folks who get it done.

If you are thinking about Rend Lake College, a great place to get started is on our website at rlc.edu/journey. Fill out a quick form and we'll be in touch.

"Your Journey Starts Here" is more than just a motto for us. It's our promise to you that we'll help you grow and succeed.

I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Sincerely,

Terry Wilkerson, President

 

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.

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.

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Who We Are
The College history defines the College from the perspective of organization and assets; however, the personnel who operate within the college systems and manage those assets are the primary element for successful education. Rend Lake College believes all employees, regardless of their job description, are part of each student’s education. Administrative, community outreach, student service, and physical plant personnel all support the student learning process. Our instructors are primary points of contact with the Rend Lake College educational experience. These educators are generally organized into four divisions: Allied Health; Applied Science & Technology; Community & Corporate Education; Liberal Arts; and Math & Sciences. Whether in a supporting role or as a direct point of contact, each college employee draws upon professional expertise and academic accomplishment to promote the success of every student.
Who We Serve
Student-centered colleges are best defined by who they serve. An understanding of the distinctiveness of our College’s student population allows us to effectively meet the goals of our programs and succeed in our mission.
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
Equity is the guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all students, faculty, and staff, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.
Common Outcomes
Regardless of the diverse cultural backgrounds, purposes or origins of our constituents, Rend Lake College serves each individual equally with an open admission policy and an opportunity for success. Furthermore, Rend Lake College is united by the shared commitment of students, faculty, staff, and community to meet its institutional, educational, and program objectives.
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.