Adult Education
The Adult Education department offers a variety of educational programs to meet the needs of the community, including High School Equivalency (HSE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. The program serves adults who are age 16 or older, who are not currently enrolled in high school, who have not yet completed their high school education, and/or who need to learn English or improve their basic literacy skills.
Registration, including a placement test and orientation must be completed in order to enroll in any class. Adult Education classes are offered at no cost to students, which is made possible through federal and state grants in coordination with the Illinois Community College Board.
Programs are offered at the MCC campus and at several satellite locations within the county.
Adult Volunteer Literacy
Volunteers wanted! Adult Volunteer Literacy tutors help students develop reading, math or English language skills. Volunteers may tutor students in a classroom setting or meet with individual students in libraries or other public spaces throughout the county. Throughout the year, Adult Volunteer Literacy tutors develop the skills necessary to help other adults learn basic skills.
NOTE: Volunteers do not need to speak another language to tutor ESL.
Career Spark Center
The Career Spark Center provides training and professional education programs that are designed to quickly launch or advance your career. Programs in high-demand fields such as professional healthcare, real estate, home inspection, veterinary assistant, or transportation and logistics will have you work-ready in no time. Learn more about CSC at https://www.mchenry.edu/careerspark.
Community Enrichment Center
The Community Enrichment Center (CEC) is dedicated to being an integral part of the community by offering a variety of year-round, in-person and online personal enrichment classes and lifelong learning opportunities for individuals of all ages, from kids to adults, through the Personal Development Program and the Kids and College Program. The CEC Court Programs partners with the McHenry County 22nd Judicial Court to offer Traffic Safety School and Focus on the Kids. Learn more about CEC programs at https://www.mchenry.edu/community.
Kids and College Program
The Kids and College Program offers a variety of year-round, hands-on programming for elementary, middle, and high school students. Students are immersed in career exploration across various fields, including culinary arts, science, technology, engineering, art, and manufacturing. The program strives to inspire new ideas and enhance students’ skills, fostering a deeper knowledge and enthusiasm for learning. Learn more at https://www.mchenry.edu/kidsandcollege.
Personal Development Program
The Personal Development Program offers a variety of year-round, personal enrichment classes and lifelong learning opportunities for the community. Whether it learning a new skill, hobby, or expanding your knowledge, classes are offered in the areas of animals and pets, career exploration, craft and hobbies, culinary, dance, fine arts, health and wellness, history, home and garden, languages, music, personal financial management, photography, recreation and sports, science, special interest, writing, and more. Classes are available in-person, remote, and online. Online classes are offered through ed2go, a third-party vendor that provides asynchronous online classes. Learn more at https://www.mchenry.edu/personaldevelopment.
Court Programs
Court Programs partner with the McHenry County 22nd Judicial Court to offer Traffic Safety School and the Focus on the Kids Program. Traffic Safety School offers a variety of in-person and online driving safety classes that are mandated by the court when individuals receive traffic violations that occur within McHenry County. The Focus on the Kids Program supports parents in the process of divorce or separation by offering mandated classes to help minimize conflict and promote positive communication between parents, when minor children are involved. Learn more at https://www.mchenry.edu/traffic and https://www.mchenry.edu/focusonkids.
Conferences and Event Services
MCC’s Conference and Event Services Team specializes in hosting special events, meetings, conferences, and other business functions. Whether you are expecting a group of 10 or 350, our expert staff seamlessly handles every detail, including room setup, A/V needs, and catering. With locations in Crystal Lake (main campus) and Woodstock (Catalyst Campus), you can choose from a variety of flexible spaces, including the spacious Luecht Auditorium, customizable conference rooms, and newly renovated meeting areas. Each facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including Zoom capabilities and complimentary Wi-Fi, ensuring you have a smooth and successful event.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English as a Second Language (ESL) [also known as English Language Acquisition (ELA)] classes help adults whose native language is not English develop English skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Class instruction is in English. Classes are offered at no cost at several levels including beginning, intermediate, and advanced, and textbooks are provided for classroom use
High School Equivalency (HSE) Program
In-person and online HSE instruction prepares students to take the tests required to earn the High School Equivalency certificate. Instruction covers all the areas of the test: social studies, math and writing skills/language arts. HSE classes are offered in both English and Spanish.
The HSE may also be completed online using the online i-Pathways. This on-line class prepares students for the HSE. To qualify for i-Pathways, students must score at an Adult Basic Education level 4 or higher on the placement assessment for placement and attend an orientation to enroll in the class. Visit the website listed above for more information.
Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC)
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at McHenry County College is your partner for confidential, trusted business advising. The grant-funded program provides, at no cost, business resources to McHenry County businesses employing up to 500 people. The center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and McHenry County College. Learn more about the SBDC at https://www.mchenry.edu/isbdc.
The Sustainability Center
The McHenry County College Sustainability Center is a regional leader in advancing environmental stewardship, innovative education, and meaningful community engagement. Established to integrate sustainability into every area of campus life, the Center drives strategic initiatives that reduce environmental impact while empowering students, employees, and community partners. Its work spans energy efficiency, renewable energy education, waste reduction, water conservation, transportation alternatives, and sustainable campus operations. A central focus of the Center is education-supporting faculty in embedding sustainability into coursework across disciplines, expanding hands-on student learning, and offering workshops, events, and resources that strengthen environmental literacy. Signature programs such as the Green Living Expo, the MCC Repair Fair, the Green Guide Recycling Directory, energy management efforts, and campus composting highlight its commitment to practical, community-oriented solutions.
By combining research insights with strong community connections, the Sustainability Center equips MCC leadership with the information needed to make sustainability focused decisions and achieve measurable progress. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, effective waste reduction, and improving the efficiency and sustainability of campus operations. The Sustainability Center demonstrates how higher education institutions can lead by example and its work reflects a deep commitment to resilience, innovation, and building a more sustainable future for McHenry County and beyond.
Workforce Services
Workforce Services provides direct and coordinated services to adult residents of McHenry County. MCC is one of three partners that operate the McHenry County Workforce Center. Headquartered in Woodstock with a satellite office in Harvard, the center provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) one-stop services for job seekers and businesses. The MCC Workforce Services staff at the Woodstock center provides college orientation, job-search assistance, and information on job opportunities and training.
Talent Impact Center
The Talent Impact Center (TIC) partners with local businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits, and municipalities to deliver practical, high-impact training that strengthens teams and organizations. Whether hosted in person at MCC or delivered directly on-site at their location, our programs are designed to meet their workforce where they are and equip them with the skills needed to grow and succeed. The Center also offers a variety of open-enrollment trainings in-person, remote, and online that can be immediately transferred from the classroom to the workplace and covers a broad range of technical, employability, and managerial skills needed for success in today’s fast-paced business world. Online classes are offered through ed2go and LERN, third-party vendors that provide asynchronous online classes. Learn more about TIC at https://www.mchenry.edu/talentimpact.
WorkKeys® Assessments
MCC offers WorkKeys® assessments to students, residents and businesses in northern Illinois. WorkKeys assessments measure an individual’s skills and competency levels required to successfully perform on the job. Business and industry in the community are using WorkKeys to determine skill levels of current employees and often provide training to increase those skills of their workers. Some organizations are using WorkKeys to help identify which applicants have appropriate skill levels or which employees have the skills to be promoted. The department also offers WorkKeys assessments to teacher aides/paraprofessionals who are seeking the Paraprofessional License from the State of Illinois and the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Testing is provided that can lead to the National Career Readiness Certificate which is a portable credential that demonstrates core employability skills in Applied Math, Workplace Documents and Graphic Literacy. In addition, MCC students who complete certain career and technical education degrees and certificates are also assessed using WorkKeys®.
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