German Educators Look to Oakton as a Model of Diversity

(October 5, 2015) Oakton Community College is serving as a role model for potential enhancements to Germany’s higher education system.

Members of the German-American Fulbright Commission, charged with examining diversity management and inclusion at U.S. institutes of higher education, visited the Chicago area Sept. 21-25. Germany’s educational climate is changing rapidly as more and more students – including numerous immigrants – come to campuses with varied backgrounds that differ from the traditional type of students German universities have long educated.

Oakton was the only community college the delegation toured. In addition, the group visited the University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul University, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago. After its fact-finding mission, the group planned to return home to analyze all of the gathered information in order to make recommendations to the German Higher Education System on what practical changes could be implemented.

The delegation chose Oakton because it belongs to the Institute of International Education, an organization that advances education and access to education worldwide. Also, the commission wanted to visit at least one community college on its trip to the Chicago area. “We don’t have community colleges in Germany,” said Charlotte Securius-Carr, chief of German and special programs for the German Fulbright Commission. “We wanted to see a community college to see how it embraces diversity because it serves a variety of students.”

“We were very honored to be the only community college to showcase its practical applications of diversity to the German delegation,” said Oakton Chief Diversity Officer Michael Anthony. “Oakton has been involved in international education since the 1980s sending students abroad and receiving federal grants to support professional development for faculty. We were happy to address all questions from the delegation – many of which required extremely thorough answers.”

Oakton graciously rolled out the red carpet for the German educational leaders. The delegation began the day meeting and greeting college vice presidents, followed by an hour-long forum that concentrated on diversity in the community college including climate, policies, procedures, context, assessment management, and benefits. German educators also had the opportunity to pick the brains of administrators at a luncheon. The visit concluded with an open forum that invited staff, faculty, and students to participate. The German delegation also toured The Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center (the Lee Center), as well as the new Enrollment Center at the Des Plaines campus.

“We are all very impressed with Oakton and what it offers,” said Rostock University President Wolfgang Schareck, while touring the Lee Center. “It’s very clear the college prides itself on its dedication to individuals and their education.”

“It takes a great deal of effort to see that students are successful in a diverse institute of higher learning,” said Securius-Carr. “Oakton is doing a great job in trying to achieve that goal and has served as an inspiration for us.”