ICLCA’s mission is to support learning assistance professionals in developing and sustaining high-quality learning centers that enhance student success and innovation in the field, grounded in three pillars: Connection, Leadership, and Advancement.
Pillar 1: Connect
Goal
Strengthen ICLCA as the primary global hub for learning center professionals through accessible, continuous, and inclusive engagement.
Develop online community platform (forums, affinity groups, resource exchange, led by community coordinators)
Launch “Affiliate Expansion Initiative” targeting states adjacent to existing affiliates, increased international engagement, and an affiliate request form on the website
Establish a transparent and searchable membership database
Regularly scheduled Newsletter distribution
Global outreach campaign aligned with ICLCA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity
Develop international member onboarding resources
Offer time-zone accessible programming
Pillar 2: Lead
Goal
Position ICLCA as the premier leadership incubator for learning center professionals.
Strategic Priorities
Define a Leadership Development Framework based on LCE/LCLC criteria (e.g., Emerging → Mid-level → Senior → Executive)
Map leadership development pathways to:
Committee roles
Affiliate leadership
Board service
Community coordinators
Cultivate graduate student membership and involvement
Establish an ICLCA Mentorship Network:
1:1 pairings (early-career ↔ experienced leaders)
Cohort-based mentorship (topic-driven)
Integrate the mentorship experience with:
Institute programming
Leadership certification tracks
Continue to leverage Leadership Roundtables and scale up peer forums
Offer case-based leadership labs based on real institutional challenges
Annual pre-ICLCA board election interest and information meeting
Establish nomination pipelines through the affiliates, emphasizing diversity and inclusion
Pillar 3: Advance
Goal
Elevate the field of learning assistance through research, standards, and innovation.
Strategic Priorities
Increase webinar frequency and accessibility (free/low-cost tiers)
Expand on-demand learning library
Develop specialized professional development tracks:
AI in learning centers
Equity and access
Assessment & data analytics
Expand TLAR visibility and engagement
Create Research-to-Practice briefs
Expand the promotion of existing practitioner research grants
Facilitate research partner network connections between and across institutions
Simplify and clarify LCE/LCC certification process
Increase marketing of certification benefits:
Institutional credibility
Program validation
Certification testimonies: how has it benefited learning center leaders
Publish State of Learning Centers report at regular intervals
Expand partnerships with learning assistance and industry-adjacent organizations
Lead conversations on:
AI in academic support
Student success equity
Evolving role of learning centers
Strategic Framework
Pillar
Intent
Connect
Build an accessible, global, year-round professional community
Lead
Develop visible, inclusive leadership pathways and mentorship ecosystems
Advance
Expand professional standards, research, and learning center impact
Key Performance Indicators
Area
KPI Metric
Engagement
Webinar participation ratio
Membership Value
Member retention rate & new memberships
Affiliates
Domestic & international affiliate growth
Leadership
LCLC certification applications
Certification
LCE certifications certified centers
Global Reach
Measurable increase in international membership
Association Vision
This strategic plan positions ICLCA to evolve from a conference-centered professional association into a continuous, globally connected, leadership-driven, and research-informed ecosystem for learning center professionals.
