College of Lake County (CLC) welcomes Jesse Morales in his new role as director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Morales began the position Feb. 7.
Morales is the first person to hold this position at the college. A strategic leader responsible for supporting improved student outcomes through the Equity in Access and Success Plan within the College’s Strategic Plan, he will advise and partner with leadership to establish organizational strategies to broadly align people, policies and systems with the college’s DEI statements.
“I am humbled and honored to serve in this new role,” Morales said. “The creation of this position is a bold move for CLC toward propelling its DEI work to be increasingly transformative. My aim is to align DEI with our strategic plan and other student success initiatives which will ensure we aren’t stuck in mitigative strategies but rather larger, more impactful and transformative initiatives.”
Morales earned his bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and recently completed his master’s degree in higher education administration at North Park University. He also received a certificate from CLC in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Morales has worked at the college since 2011 in numerous positions, including Adult Education Student Services Specialist, Adult Education Enrollment Center Supervisor, Adult Education Operations and Compliance Manager, ESL Adjunct Faculty and Interim Director of Curriculum and Planning.
Along with being co-chair of the Diversity Council, he was also the CLC UndocuAllies Committee chair.
“After conducting a national search, the search committee forwarded several very qualified director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion finalists for consideration,” said Vice President of Strategy, Planning and Support Derrick Harden. “Then, after receiving input from representative groups from across the college on the finalists, Jesse’s qualifications and professional acumen was determined to be the best fit at the right time. I am happy to welcome Jesse Morales to the strategy unit to help the college maintain its momentum in driving our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives forward.”
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