The following stories highlight some of the biggest headlines of the year and tell a story about how Illinois College continues to grow and new heights of innovation and academic excellence. 

By giving to Illinois College, you have supported each student and the extraordinary work happening on the Hilltop. Thank you for your generosity. 
 

Illinois College recognized by JREDC community as anchor institution

Illinois College’s vital role in the Jacksonville community was recognized by the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation in October of 2022. 

An anchor institution and a major, private-sector employer, the College was honored with the prestigious Harold Cox Industry of the Year Award. President Barbara A. Farley, who accepted the award on behalf of the College, said IC strives to be a college of choice, an employer of choice and a partner of choice in the community. 

“The histories of Illinois College and the City of Jacksonville have been intertwined since our foundings in 1829 and 1825, respectively,” Farley said. “The success and strength of our institution and the community surrounding it go hand-in-hand.” 

When students come to Illinois College, they become a unique and essential part of the Jacksonville community and economy. The College emphasizes the importance of experiential learning in preparing all students to attain their future goals. Many IC students pursue these transformative, hands-on experiences in the Jacksonville community — through internships, student teaching, research and service. The professional network they build in the area is critical to their success when joining the workforce following graduation.

JREDC President Kristin Van Aken Jamison ’99 listed IC’s talented students among the College’s important contributions to the community.

“Illinois College’s selection as the 2021 Harold Cox Industry of the Year is well deserved. The economic impact of the faculty, staff and students is critical to the success of many of our regional small businesses,” Jamison said. “We also recognize Illinois College graduates as a valuable talent pipeline to area employers. During an unprecedented time in history, IC increased its enrollment and concluded a $50 million comprehensive campaign. The addition of new academic programs and renovated academic buildings signal the upward trajectory of this historic institution.”

The College’s connections to the economy and community of Jacksonville continue to grow year after year. 
 

Illinois College announces Advantage Plus scholarship, expands financial aid

In 2022, Illinois College announced an initiative to reinforce the College’s commitment to being the best value in higher education, public or private.The Illinois College Advantage Plus scholarship offers a guarantee of value and affordability by pledging that all first-year students will receive a minimum of $20,000 in scholarships, which they will keep for all four years. 

Additionally, first-year students who are Illinois residents and who have a 3.0 GPA will have 100% of their financial need met. This is in addition to IC’s long-standing guarantee that all students will graduate in four years or the College will cover the cost of their remaining courses. Textbooks continue to be included in upfront tuition to avoid the hidden costs families face at other universities.

Students who attend Illinois College not only receive an excellent value, they experience the  academic excellence IC’s nationally ranked education is known. Students have guaranteed access to the internships, research experiences, and international travel that ensures graduates are prepared for success. IC’s approach has real world benefits, with nearly 100% IC students employed or pursuing advanced degree programs immediately following graduation.  

“We are making this investment in our future students because we believe in the power of an Illinois College education,” noted Evan Wilson ’01, associate vice president of enrollment management. “For nearly 200 years, IC has offered innovative curriculum, personal attention and mentoring, and dedication to student success. This private education, combined with the affordability of a public institution, offers students and their families unparalleled value.”

Additional scholarships are available to students who qualify. Financial need and eligibility for need-based financial aid — which includes grants, loans, and work study — is determined by filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). IC works with prospective students and their families to develop a financial aid package after they apply for aid through the FAFSA.

For Illinois residents, this will now mean that if scholarships and financial aid don’t meet their financial need determined by the FAFSA, Illinois College will provide additional scholarships and resources to bridge the gap. Learn more at https://www.ic.edu/AdvantagePlus

IC expands engineering program

In 2022, Illinois College announced a new engineering major designed to prepare students with a robust foundation for their first engineering job or to pursue an advanced degree. 

The growing major has benefited from a community of accomplished alumni and friends of the College, along with the many resources available at Illinois College. 

Josiah Kunz ’12, assistant professor of physics, said IC’s program has the advantage of giving students the opportunity for multiple types of hands-on learning such as internships and student-faculty research. IC’s growing focus on experiential learning adds another beneficial element to the new engineering program.

The College’s Engineering Advisory Board, made up of talented alumni and successful engineering professionals, was integral to establishing the new program. Along with Kunz, the 2022 board included Joe Calmese ’07, Luiz Guimarães ’91, Jamie Headen, Stephen Holt, Phillip Irace ’17, Rick Meidel ’85, Tom Purves ’76, David P. Ringhausen ’83, Mouna Soumahoro ’12 and Jared Thoele ’10. 

“The College has seen several consecutive years of record enrollment, thanks in part to the development of innovative programs,” said Stephanie Elpers Chipman, vice president of external relations. “Engineering is the second most popular area of interest for prospective students..”

Engineering careers have seen growth in the past decade, and with competitive pay and the need to attract individuals with a broad range of expertise, the demand for well-rounded engineers is increasing. 

The addition of the new major was only possible with the fundraising-powered renovation of Crispin Hall, which opened in fall 2023. The revitalization of a key campus building has provided a state-of-the-art home for engineering and STEM majors. 
 

Memorial Health and IC announce nursing education partnership

Memorial Health and Illinois College have announced a partnership aimed at relieving the long-term regional nursing shortage by expanding capacity in the College’s nursing program.

Memorial Health has pledged $4 million to help Illinois College educate more students in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, as well as support student success for those enrolled in pre-nursing studies. Half of the funds Memorial has pledged to IC will go toward student scholarships aimed at making nursing education more affordable for Central Illinois students.

“Nationwide research shows that more than 80,000 students interested in nursing were turned away from nursing programs in 2019 alone due to lack of capacity,” said Marsha Prater, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Memorial Health. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased those pressures. Our goal in partnering with Illinois College and other local schools of nursing is to provide the resources they need to educate more nurses and ensure we have a thriving health care workforce in central Illinois.”

The nursing program at IC is expected to grow due to a variety of factors including expanded state-of-the-art simulation facilities for hands-on learning and new nursing faculty. 

“Illinois College inspires students’ achievement, and through this exciting partnership with Memorial Health we will empower even more future nurses to make a difference in the world,” said Illinois College President Barbara A. Farley. 

“Many of our graduates have gone on to careers at Memorial Health and Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, and we are grateful Memorial has committed to help more future nurses get the education they need to be successful.”

IC adds online education licensure program, partners with Golden Apple

The Illinois College education program continues to combat the teacher shortage in Illinois with the creation of an online education licensure program that allows college graduates to earn a teaching license. The program can be completed in approximately 12 months for secondary education and a little over a year for elementary education.

"Amid all of the current challenges facing the education field, the teacher shortage is perhaps the most critical,” said Jaime Klein, chair of the education department at Illinois College. “The Illinois College Teacher Preparation Program is determined to tackle this crisis head-on with our new post-baccalaureate licensure program.”

Golden Apple aims to remove financial barriers and help participants complete the licensure program quickly. IC is one of just a few Golden Apple Accelerators Program partners in the state. 

Illinois College donors match $250,000 in endowed scholarships

Over the past five years, Illinois College friends and alumni have raised more than $250,000 for endowed scholarships that was matched by federal funds through an initiative established nearly five years ago. 

The scholarship was created as part of a 2019 grant, a $2.1 million Title III Strengthening Institutions award through the U.S. Department of Education to improve student success, retention, and graduation. Donors who contributed to this endowed fund had their gifts matched one-to-one with federal funds to meet the goal of $490,000. 

More than 100 donors including individuals and organizations made gifts to create the Student Success Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will support generations of students for years to come. Endowed scholarships begin at $25,000 and funds are invested and managed over time to provide ongoing financial aid for students. 

The Title III grant focused on five key areas: expanded support for students through academic coaching, consolidation of academic support services in one location, enhanced technology, professional development for faculty and staff, and an increase in endowed scholarships. 
 

Alumni survey shapes key initiatives at Illinois College

A survey of Illinois College alumni collected valuable feedback that has shaped and continues to guide the College’s strategic vision.

“We asked alumni to share their thoughts about Illinois College last year and how they want to engage with the College,” Katie Carls, executive director of advancement and alumni engagement at IC, said. “We are listening to our alumni community and excited about the future.”

The survey showed positive trends in alumni opinion of the College. Notably, 93% rated their decision to attend IC as good to great, 95% describe their experience as a student as good to excellent, and 91% of respondents highly regard their overall current opinion of IC as good to excellent. Based on survey results, there were five main takeaways about what alumni hope for in the future: 

• Alumni want to know that their degree is valuable and that IC is focused on increasing the value of that degree.
• They want to hear stories about how an IC education enhances a person’s career.
• Many expressed a desire for more opportunities to mentor and help current students.
• It is important that the Alumni Association play a meaningful role in what is currently happening on campus.
• The IC alumni community wishes to hear about events and what is happening on campus even if they aren’t able to attend.

The survey continues to guide strategic growth in 2024 with the upcoming launch of an IC mentorship/networking program, expanded in-person event offerings, increased opportunities to be connected to what is happening on the Hilltop. A greater focus will also be placed on the Alumni Association, a 27-member board that meets regularly throughout the year to focus on enrollment, engagement and employment. 

“I hope today’s students see that their connection to Illinois College lasts well beyond commencement day,” Carls said. “Being engaged with alumni who were once in their shoes can be inspiring, give them insight into their future careers and lay the foundation for lifelong ties to the College.”