Highland Community College is committed to shaping the future of our communities by providing quality education and learning opportunities through programs and services that encourage the personal and professional growth of the people of northwestern Illinois. - Providing instruction to enable students to complete specific vocational degrees and certificates. - Providing occupational training, retraining, and/or upgrading of skills to meet individual, local, and state needs. - Providing developmental and general education designed to meet individual educational goals. - Providing community education designed to meet local cultural needs and encourage lifelong learning. - Providing opportunities that enhance cultural understanding through international education. - Providing a range of student support services that recognize and support the educational goals and needs of a diverse student population. - Supporting economic development through partnerships with business, industry, chambers of commerce, units of local government, and other educational institutions. - Providing community access as an open-door institution to all college services and facilities.