Des Plaines, Ill. (Jan. 17, 2023) – Oakton Community College has officially become Oakton College. In addition to the name change — which took effect Jan. 17 — the College unveiled an updated logo and visual identity centered in diversity, inclusion and equity.
Oakton’s Board of Trustees first discussed the prospect of transitioning to Oakton College in 2019 as the College celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Board approved the transition in August 2021. A combination of institutional and societal factors, including the launch of a new strategic plan, created an ideal opportunity for Oakton to reintroduce itself to the communities it serves.
“We have been working toward this transition since early 2022; it feels great to start the spring semester welcoming students to Oakton College. We believe many current, past and future students, business leaders and the broader community will better identify with ‘Oakton College’ and its life-changing educational opportunities,” said Oakton President Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D.
Oakton will remain an open-access community college, offering associate degrees, certificates, and adult and continuing education programs, including the State of Illinois High School Diploma (formerly known as High School Equivalency Certificate) and English as a Second Language programs, along with providing a host of community resources.
Oakton students will experience the new College identity in action as Oakton continues to lean into its mission and a new vision for the future.
Oakton’s updated logo underscores the College’s continued commitment to inspiration, growth, equity and community. The stylized person at the crown of the leaf reflects the focus on students and the broader community. A slight color variation in the oak leaves adds depth and better represents the College’s clear commitment to diversity.
Founded in 1969, the College serves 17 in-district communities from Des Plaines (west) to Evanston (east) on two campuses, Des Plaines and Skokie, as well as online. Students can choose from 130+ associate degree and certificate programs and 100+ short-term (completion in one semester or less) career-focused programs, including health careers, manufacturing and information technology. Oakton places great value on embracing diversity and advancing equity and there are 50+ languages spoken on Oakton’s campuses.