College of DuPage to Host Community Open Forum to Discuss the Future of CTE

College of DuPage invites the community to an open forum from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 and 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, to discuss the future of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming at COD.

The Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) Community Open Forum, to be held in the Health and Science Center, Room 1234, will engage internal and external stakeholders in a common understanding and vision for CTE programs. Associate Vice President of Academics Affairs, Lisa Stock, said COD is facilitating a data-informed, continued improvement process that assesses the extent to which the CTE programs are meeting and in alignment with local workforce needs.

“The CLNA is an opportunity to create programs and opportunities to ensure access and success for each student that lead to high-wage, high-skill and in‐demand occupations,” Stock said. “In addition, it’s an opportunity to engage in conversation with community stakeholders around the quality and impact of the College’s CTE programs and systems.”

COD offers more than 250 CTE degrees and certificates in a full range of existing and emerging industries and professions. The Associate in Applied Science degree represents the completion of study in a career and technical program. Students earning this degree may seek employment following graduation or transfer to a baccalaureate-granting college or university that has an articulation agreement with COD for these programs of study.

COD also offers certificate courses of study and are designed for students not pursuing an associate degree but who are interested in taking technical or professional courses needed to enter a field of employment or update current skills.

For more information, please contact CTE Program Specialist Christine Santos at santosc489@cod.edu or (630) 942-3226.