Rend Lake College believes in the democratic ideal of providing educational opportunities to all who desire and can benefit from them, in keeping with the specific needs of the community and general expectations of society.

The college is primarily a teaching institution, and its success is inseparable from the success of its students.

The college will continue to be an active contributor to the economic, cultural and social development of the region.

An individual who pursues educational opportunities offered by the college accepts a counterbalancing responsibility to contribute to society.

General Education is one way in which students prepare to function in a diverse and changing world. Upon graduation, students will be expected to demonstrate the competencies required in their vocational or academic area as well as the following:

• Knowledge - It is important for students to have a knowledge base from a variety of disciplines. Graduating students will exhibit knowledge of the social, scientific, mathematical, aesthetic and professional worlds.

• Skills - With a broad-based knowledge, students should have specific skills. Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication; problem-solving; modes of inquiry; the discovery, analysis, integration and application of information; critical thinking; decision-making; teamwork and the appropriate use of technology.

• Values - In an evolving global society, students will benefit from the ability to formulate their own values while remaining open-minded to the views of others. Students will demonstrate an awareness of a wide range of perspectives: opportunities to appreciate and understand the fine arts and opportunities to explore individual values in a multi-cultural world.