As one of the City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College shares in the vision and mission of the District. In addressing the diverse community of the southwest side of Chicago, Daley College provides opportunities for higher education, professional growth and cultural enrichment. Daley College is committed to high quality, affordable programs which are responsive to the educational and career needs of the community.

Vision
The goal of Richard J. Daley College is to become a model for the provision of programs and services which will prepare students and businesses to actively participate in the rapidly evolving environment which is the twenty-first century. The college will reach out to all parts of its communities and will embrace each activity and each cultural identity comprising the Southwest side of Chicago.

Purposes
In order to fulfill its mission Daley College will:

• Provide the first two years of traditional college education by offering high quality education in liberal arts and sciences;
• Award Associate Degrees and Certificates to students fulfilling the requirements for academic and career programs;
• Prepare students for career entry, advancement, or further occupational education through career and certificate programs;
• Expand educational opportunities; through preparatory, developmental and basic skills programs;
• Provide lifelong learning through continuing education courses and programs;
• Develop training opportunities and partnerships responsive to the economic needs of the private and public sectors of Chicago;
• Provide intellectual, cultural and social enrichment to the college community;
• Provide advising, tutoring, guidance and related student services.

These purposes are comprehensive, address the mission, and reflect the values of Daley College. They provide the opportunities promised to the community and reassert our commitment to the needs of a diverse community.

Typical of institutions of higher learning, Daley College has a broad offering of courses in liberal arts and science. In addition to transfer and pre-professional programs the college offers vocational, technical, and occupational programs for entry level or career advancement. Pre-credit programs to bring skill levels up to college standards are afforded along with Continuing Education, Adult Basic Education, the GED program, and English as a Second Language courses to serve the needs of people who have deficiencies in background which hamper the pursuit of their academic and career goals.

A wide array of special events at the college and the offerings of the Cultural Arts Committee provide enrichment activities and to a large degree provide affordable cultural experiences for the community.

Business partnerships and special contracts between Daley College and outside agencies give strong evidence of satisfying the mission and purposes.

Values
Daley College values:

• The life-long learning process by helping students obtain, appreciate and use knowledge.
• Self-respect and responsible, accountable, ethical behavior in an atmosphere of open and honest communication.
• Creative challenges and the enthusiastic pursuit of new ideas and methods.
• The continuous improvement of programs and professional development in a collegial environment that encourages excellence through mutual goals and objectives.
• Diversity
• Partnerships with educational institutions, business, industry, government and the community.