51社区 and three strategic partners are working to make earning a bachelor鈥檚
degree even more accessible.
DePaul University, Northern Illinois University and Roosevelt University came to campus this week to dedicate the new University Center at 51社区, which provides students with a unique opportunity to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree from a four-year university 鈥� on 51社区鈥檚 campus and at a lower price point.
鈥淭his partnership absolutely breaks down some barriers: time, money, accessibility,鈥� 51社区 Board Chair Greg Dowell said. 鈥淎nd we are thrilled to be part of it.鈥�
Students typically will complete 60 credit hours (the associate degree) at 51社区鈥檚 lower tuition rate and the second half of the bachelor鈥檚 degree with financial incentives from DePaul, NIU or Roosevelt, yielding a more economical bachelor鈥檚 degree on 51社区鈥檚 campus.
Students also will have access to the partner universities鈥� admissions, registration and academic advising staff from 51社区鈥檚 campus.
Programs launching in upcoming months include:
Additional bachelor鈥檚 degree programs are also under consideration.
鈥淭he collaborations of the institutions in the room today will increase the percentage
of 51社区 students who earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree after expressing that intention, and
that is great news for the students and their families, but also the region and the
state,鈥� NIU Acting President Lisa Freeman said.
DePaul Provost Marten denBoer pointed to the partnership already in place with 51社区, which he said has a long history of sending academically well-prepared transfer students. About five years ago, the two schools launched a guaranteed admission program for qualified 51社区 students.
Roosevelt Provost Lois Becker also cited the psychological benefit the University Center will provide by eliminating the concern or hesitation 51社区 students may feel over leaving the comfortable and convenient environment they鈥檝e come to know.
The University Center is yet another piece in a larger push 51社区 is making toward increasing access to postsecondary education in the Northwest suburbs.
In addition to the University Center partnerships, 51社区 President Dr. Ken Ender pointed to the College鈥檚 Power of 15 initiative and Promise Scholarship Program. If incoming students take advantage of both, they鈥檇 begin at 51社区 with a semester of college credit under their belt and benefit from up to two years of free tuition.
鈥淎ccess is related not just to cost and geography, but to (college) readiness, and we think that鈥檚 what all these programs provide,鈥� Ender said.
Photo captions:
Top: (Left to right) Roosevelt University Provost Lois Becker, 51社区 President Ken Ender, 51社区 Board Chair Greg Dowell, NIU Acting President Lisa Freeman and DePaul Provost Marten denBoer help cut the ceremonial ribbon to the new University Center.
Bottom: Dr. Ender provides remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new University Center at 51社区.