Netherlands delegation looks to Oakton Community College as a model of higher education

Oakton Community College is serving as a role model for potential enhancements to the Netherlands’ higher education system.

A team of 14 delegates from Koning Willem I College, located in the southern province of the Netherlands, visited Oakton on March 23 to learn more about community colleges. Oakton was one of only two community colleges the delegation chose to visit while attending the League for Innovation in the Community College Innovations Conference in Chicago March 20 - 23. Koning Willem I College has strong ties with Oakton. The Netherlands institute of higher education is a partner with the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs, an organization that Oakton is a member of. In addition, the two colleges have participated in a two-week exchange program between faculty, administrators, and staff since the 1990s.

During the day visit, the Netherlands delegation learned about the history of Oakton and challenges and accomplishments the community college faces especially in light of the current lack of state funding. Oakton graciously hosted individual meetings with administrators and faculty, as well as a luncheon, and a tour of the Des Plaines campus.

“Oakton is such a beautiful college,” said Koning Willem I College President Jeanette Noordijk. “Circumstances are making it hard for the administrators to educate people but they are doing more with less and being extremely flexible. I’ve never seen such an optimistic group of people.”

Oakton President Joianne L. Smith said it was a pleasure to roll out the red carpet for the delegates on their fact-finding mission.

“To be selected as one of the institutes the delegation visited was an absolute honor,” Smith said. “This is just part of our commitment to prepare students to be ready for a global society. One of the best ways we can do that is to have dialogues with international contingencies.”