Mission Statement Drafts

Overview

These three drafts represent the collaborative efforts of numerous ICC stakeholders, employees, and students.

To aid discussions, we have assigned a “short title” to each draft. Each draft has been aligned with the HLC Mission Criteria and includes sample metrics and evidence documents. Additionally, a quick reference summary table is provided.

As a reminder, a good mission statement:

  • Clarifies the college’s distinct purpose
  • Is demonstrable and measurable
  • Is unique to ICC
  • Is short and concise
  • Is easy to understand and to remember

Share Your Feedback

After reviewing the draft statements, please share your feedback.

Go to the Feedback Form

 

Mission Drafts - Reference Table

Draft One: The Compass Statement Draft Two: The Power Duo Draft Three: The Ripple Effect
Illinois Central College provides a quality education, honoring the learning journey of each student, preparing them for academic and career success. We empower our community by providing an accessible, affordable, and inclusive environment for education, workforce training, and lifelong learning. Illinois Central College empowers students and enriches the community by providing accessible, affordable education, workforce training, and lifelong learning in a supportive, inclusive environment. Illinois Central College empowers students to succeed academically and professionally in an accessible, affordable, and inclusive environment, enriching our local community through the contributions of employees, students, graduates, and programs.

Draft One: The Compass Statement

Illinois Central College provides a quality education, honoring the learning journey of each student, preparing them for academic and career success. We empower our community by providing an accessible, affordable, and inclusive environment for education, workforce training, and lifelong learning.

Crosswalk to HLC Criteria

1.A – The institution’s mission is articulated publicly and operationalized throughout the institution.

  • The mission is clearly written in plain language, making it easy to communicate publicly.
  • Phrases like “honoring the learning journey of each student” and “academic and career success” suggest a student-centered approach that could guide faculty/staff actions.

1.B – The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

  • The phrase “empower our community” demonstrates a direct commitment to the public good.
  • “Workforce training and lifelong learning” reinforces ICC’s role in addressing regional economic and educational needs.
  • “Accessible, affordable, and inclusive” further shows responsiveness to public needs.

1.C – The institution understands the relationship between its mission and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • Direct mention of “inclusive environment” connects to DEI priorities.
  • Reference to meeting students “at their unique starting points” reflects a commitment to equity and individualized support.
Draft One: Summary Table for Quick Reference
HLC Criterion Supporting Language Example Evidence
1.A – Articulated & operationalized  “quality education,” “academic and career success,” “lifelong learning” Strategic plan, outcomes, program reviews
1.B – Commitment to public good “empower our community,” “workforce training,” “affordable” “honoring the learning journey of each student,” “inclusive”
1.C – DEI Alignment Community partnerships, adult ed data, tuition comparison data Climate surveys, equity initiatives, DEI training

Sample Evidence Sources

Quality Education & Student Learning Journeys

Evidence Sources:
  • Program review reports with student learning outcomes (SLOs)
  • Curriculum maps aligned with outcomes and assessment rubrics
  • Course evaluations and faculty peer reviews
  • Faculty qualifications and ongoing professional development records
Metrics:
  • Course success rates (A–C grades, course completion)
  • Retention and persistence rates (term-to-term, year-to-year)
  • SLO assessment results by program
  • Student satisfaction scores regarding instruction quality

Academic and Career Success

Evidence Sources:
  • Transfer agreements and articulation pathways
  • Career services usage data and student success stories
  • Graduate follow-up surveys (employment, further education)
  • Advisory board meeting minutes for career programs
Metrics:
  • Job placement rates and average time to employment post-graduation
  • Transfer rates to 4-year institutions
  • Credential attainment and licensure pass rates
  • Employer satisfaction surveys

Empowering the Community

Evidence Sources:
  • Community needs assessments and gap analyses
  • Partnership MOUs with local employers and organizations
  • Adult education and GED program stats
  • Community education and non-credit course rosters
Metrics:
  • Workforce training enrollment and completions
  • Number of partnerships and customized training contracts
  • Enrollment and outcomes for underrepresented populations
  • Participation in service-learning and civic engagement programs

Accessible and Affordable

Evidence Sources:
  • Financial aid award summaries and tuition comparison data
  • Open educational resource (OER) adoption reports
  • Schedules showing flexible course offerings (evenings, online, hybrid)
  • Technology access programs (loaner laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots)
Metrics:
  • Average student debt at graduation
  • Percentage of students receiving Pell or institutional aid
  • Enrollment by modality and time slot
  • Cost savings from OER and textbook-free courses

Inclusive Environment

Evidence Sources:
  • DEI strategic plans and training participation records
  • Demographic reports of student, faculty, and staff populations
  • Accessibility services logs and universal design practices
  • Student climate and belonging surveys
Metrics:
  • Equity gaps in retention, completion, and success metrics
  • Use of accommodations and support services
  • Participation in cultural competency training
  • Student feedback on inclusiveness and campus climate

Draft Two: The Power Duo

Illinois Central College empowers students and enriches the community by providing accessible, affordable education, workforce training, and lifelong learning in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Crosswalk to HLC Criteria:

1.A – The institution’s mission is articulated publicly and operationalized throughout the institution.

  • The language is clear, actionable, and memorable — great for communicating to internal and external audiences.
  • “Empowers students” and “enriches the community” establish outcomes, while the rest of the statement defines the how.
  • It’s operationalizable via student success metrics, enrollment and access data, program alignment, and institutional priorities.

1.B – The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

  • This statement strongly signals that the college is a public-serving institution, prioritizing both economic and social impact.
  • “Enriches the community” is a values-forward phrase that supports civic engagement, cultural contributions, and local workforce development.
  • Accessibility and affordability reflect stewardship of public resources and attention to removing systemic barriers.

1.C – The institution understands the relationship between its mission and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • The statement embeds DEI in the institution’s core environment — not as an add-on, but as the foundation for learning.
  • By highlighting support and inclusion, it affirms the college’s role in meeting diverse student needs and responding to inequities.
  • “Empowers” is active language — it suggests agency, equity, and transformation.
Draft Two: Summary Table for Quick Reference
HLC Criterion Supporting Language Example Evidence
1.A – Articulated & operationalized  “empowers students,” “accessible, affordable,” “workforce training”  Strategic plan, outcomes, academic programs, advising data 
1.B – Commitment to public good  “enriches the community,” “lifelong learning,” “affordable”  Outreach data, CE/workforce data, economic impact studies 
1.C – DEI Alignment  “inclusive environment,” “supportive,” “empowers students”  Equity dashboards, DEI initiatives, student service data 

Sample Evidence Sources:

Empowers Students

Evidence Sources:
  • Student support service usage (advising, tutoring, mental health, TRIO, etc.)
  • Student success stories/testimonials
  • First-year experience or orientation program materials
  • Academic coaching or mentorship program data
  • Student government or leadership development participation
Metrics:
  • Retention and persistence rates (disaggregated)
  • Course success rates (especially in gateway courses)
  • Student satisfaction and sense of belonging (survey data)
  • Graduation and transfer rates
  • Participation in co-curricular and leadership activities

Enriches the Community

Evidence Sources:
  • Community education and non-credit course rosters
  • Partnership agreements with local employers, chambers, nonprofits
  • Events hosted for the community (e.g., forums, festivals, cultural events)
  • Economic impact studies or labor market alignment reports
  • Advisory board minutes (academic programs, workforce, DEI)
Metrics:
  • Number of community partnerships or contracts
  • Enrollment in continuing education and non-credit offerings
  • Participation in service-learning or civic engagement
  • Employer satisfaction with grads/training programs
  • Public attendance at campus events

Accessible, Affordable Education

Evidence Sources:
  • Financial aid reports and scholarship distribution data
  • Tuition comparison reports (regionally or statewide)
  • OER (Open Educational Resource) adoption reports
  • Flexible course schedule offerings (evenings, weekends, online)
  • Transportation and technology access programs
Metrics:
  • % of students receiving Pell grants or institutional aid
  • Average net cost or student debt at graduation
  • Savings from OER usage
  • Enrollment trends in alternative modalities
  • Utilization of wraparound supports (food pantry, tech lending)

Workforce Training

Evidence Sources:
  • Industry-recognized credential programs and completer data
  • Customized training agreements and participant feedback
  • Program curriculum maps aligned with industry standards
  • Career Services reports (resume help, internships, job fairs)
  • Apprenticeship or internship partner documentation
Metrics:
  • Program completion and credential attainment rates
  • Licensure/certification exam pass rates
  • Job placement rates within 6 months
  • Employer engagement metrics (repeat partnerships, satisfaction)
  • Number of workforce training participants served annually

Lifelong Learning

Evidence Sources:
  • Non-credit course catalogs and enrollment data
  • Alumni engagement records and continuing ed participation
  • Adult education/GED program summaries
  • Intergenerational or community learning initiatives
  • Learning in Retirement or Encore programs (if applicable)
Metrics:
  • Enrollment by age group or educational goal
  • Repeat course registrations (non-credit) of lifelong learning offerings annually
  • Post-completion engagement in ongoing learning
  • Completion rates for adult basic education programs

Supportive, Inclusive Environment

Evidence Sources:
  • DEI strategic plan and implementation reports
  • Accessibility services and universal design documentation
  • Employee and student diversity dashboards
  • Climate survey reports (students and employees)
  • Faculty/staff DEI training participation data
Metrics:
  • Equity gaps in success, retention, and completion
  • Participation in DEI and accessibility services
  • Sense of belonging and campus climate scores
  • Hiring and retention of diverse faculty/staff
  • Engagement in cultural competency programs

Draft Three: The Ripple Effect

Illinois Central College empowers students to succeed academically and professionally in an accessible, affordable, and inclusive environment, enriching our local community through the contributions of employees, students, graduates, and programs.

Crosswalk to HLC Criteria:

1.A – The institution’s mission is articulated publicly and operationalized throughout the institution.

  • This mission is publicly clear, actionable, and easy to internalize — essential for institutional alignment.
  • Operationalization is built in: student success, affordability, and program contributions are measurable and trackable.
  • It’s flexible enough to support planning, assessment, program review, marketing, and hiring.

1.B – The institution’s mission demonstrates commitment to the public good.

  • The phrase “enriching our local community” centers the public good explicitly.
  • Recognizing contributions from all stakeholders reinforces a shared responsibility to serve — not just students, but faculty, staff, and alumni.
  • Emphasizing local relevance shows the institution’s grounding in place-based service and responsiveness.

1.C – The institution understands the relationship between its mission and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • DEI is embedded in the learning environment, not siloed — this shows mission-level commitment.
  • “Empowers students” suggests equity-mindedness — particularly when coupled with inclusive, affordable access.
  • Supports equity audits, student support services, and inclusive curriculum efforts.
Draft Three: Summary Table for Quick Reference
HLC Criterion Supporting Language Example Evidence
1.A – Articulated & operationalized  “empowers students,” “accessible, affordable,” “programs”  Strategic plan, program reviews, student success metrics 
1.B – Commitment to public good  “enriches the community,” “contributions of graduates”  Community partnerships, alumni data, workforce impact 
1.C – DEI Alignment  “inclusive environment,” “empowers students”  DEI plan, climate survey, equity-focused initiatives 

Sample Evidence Sources:

Empowering Academic and Professional Success

Evidence Sources:
  • Program-level Student Learning Outcome (SLO) assessments
  • Academic and career advising plans Degree maps and guided pathways
  • Internship/apprenticeship program data
  • Career services engagement records Job and transfer fairs, employer feedback
Metrics:
  • Retention and graduation rates (disaggregated)
  • Licensure/certification exam pass rates
  • Transfer rates and credit transferability reports Job placement and salary data post-completion
  • Course success and progression rates in key programs
  • Student participation in work-based learning (WBL)

Accessible, Affordable, and Inclusive Environment

Evidence Sources:
  • Financial aid distribution and Pell grant recipient data
  • Tuition and fee comparison dashboards (regional/statewide)
  • Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption reports
  • Disability support services and universal design practices
  • Course schedule analysis (evenings, weekends, online)
  • DEI strategic plans, trainings, and policy reviews
  • Student support usage (tutoring, mental health, TRIO, etc.)
Metrics:
  • % of students receiving financial aid or scholarships
  • Average student cost of attendance vs. peers
  • Number and % of courses using OER or low-cost materials
  • Enrollment by modality and flexibility indicators
  • Climate survey results on belonging and inclusion
  • Equity gaps in access, retention, and success metrics
  • Utilization rates of support and accommodation services

Enriching the Local Community Through Contributions

Evidence Sources:
  • Community education and workforce training enrollment
  • Partnership MOUs with local businesses, nonprofits, and schools
  • Faculty and staff service hours or community involvement records
  • Graduate alumni employment surveys
  • Advisory board meeting notes (academic + workforce)
  • Employer satisfaction surveys
  • Institutional economic impact reports
Metrics:
  • Number of active community and employer partnerships
  • Customized training sessions delivered annually
  • Alumni retention in the local workforce (% staying in region)
  • Events and programs hosted for the community
  • Graduate contributions to civic, cultural, and economic life (qualitative + quantitative)
  • Repeat business and industry engagement metrics
Print Article