Widening the Doors of Opportunity

students sitting in the grass on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Quad

Illinois Commitment expands eligibility for free college to Illinois families

Nov 11, 2024 3:15 pm

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign increased the family income threshold to be eligible for Illinois Commitment — a financial aid program that provides free tuition and fees for in-state students — from $67,100 to $75,000, effective fall 2025.

Wall Street Journal ranks UIC as state’s leader in value, social mobility

Oct 21, 2024 12:30 pm

UIC ranked No. 1 among all universities in the state for social mobility, which considers universities that take in the highest proportion of students from lower-income families while maintaining high graduation rates, positively impacting graduate salaries and minimizing college costs.

UIC Aspire grant offers free tuition, fees for incoming students

Sep 23, 2024 2:00 pm

The UIC Aspire grant will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for new UIC students who meet residency and income requirements starting fall 2025. The program reflects UIC’s mission to provide the broadest possible access to the highest levels of educational, research and clinical excellence.

UIS Performing Arts Center offering free playwriting workshop series

Sep 10, 2024 2:30 pm

Beginning in October, the workshop series is open to adults aged 18 and older and is ideal for anyone interested in honing their craft or discovering their voice as a playwright. Participants will explore the essentials of playwriting, including how to develop an idea into a script, avoid common pitfalls, and navigate the challenges of getting their work performed.

A group of young adults from Brazil gathered for a group photo

Illinois International program lifts ag tech education to next level

Aug 19, 2024 12:45 pm

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign welcomed a group of students from Brazil as part of the Illinois International program. A three-week on-campus course was designed to give them a well-rounded background in educational topics, including a focus on agriculture.

A student wearing a blue lab coat suctions a liquid from a vial

UIS offering four new medical laboratory science certificates

Aug 5, 2024 3:45 pm

The University of Illinois Springfield will offer four new medical laboratory science (MLS) certificates starting in August to address the critical shortage of certified laboratory specialists in central Illinois. Certificates will be offered in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology and medical microbiology.

Real Impact: Rigorous program sparks career progress without debt or doubt

Jul 19, 2024 2:15 pm

Discovery Partners Institute’s software development apprentice program offers training, support, and connections by serving eager learners—especially women and people of color—who are looking to shift to the careers of the future.

Decoteau Irby talks about the new Brothers Teaching initiative with educators, business and nonprofit leaders and financial supporters May 22. Irby, associate professor of educational policy studies in the College of Education, is the initiative’s director. (Photo: Tim Lemberger/University of Illinois Chicago)

UIC Brothers Teaching initiative aims to diversify pool of teachers

Jun 17, 2024 1:45 pm

A new initiative at the University of Illinois Chicago — Brothers Teaching — is expanding the UIC College of Education’s approach to supporting men of color as they pursue undergraduate and advanced degrees in education and become teachers.

Discovery Partners Institute launches tech talent advisory council

Jun 3, 2024 1:00 pm

The council includes leaders from industry, education, government, and economic development who will provide insights to support the continued growth and impact of DPI’s talent development programs, which focus on driving more equity into the region’s tech workforce.

a young woman holding a lamb inside a barn

I-BELIEF livestock program takes students from campus to the farm

May 13, 2024 9:45 am

On the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, fewer animal sciences students than ever before have actual farm experience. A new program aims to get those students on the farm with livestock.

DRES Director of Operations Heather Stout standing in the design lab. (Robin Scholz / The News-Gazette)

UIUC's Disability Resources and Educational Services marks 75 years

Apr 29, 2024 10:00 am

As part of the first higher education institution to offer a program specifically supporting students with disabilities, Disability Resources & Educational Services (DRES) at University of Illinois has helped thousands earn their college degrees over the past 75 years.

UIUC faculty bringing data science to Chicago public schools

Apr 15, 2024 9:45 am

Every summer since 2021, two University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professors have partnered with Discovery Partners Institute to run a 6-week summer experience as part of DPI’s Digital Scholars program. In each offering, 30 to 40 high-school students, guided by experienced UIUC teaching assistants, are taught a condensed version of the Data Science Discovery course content.

Maddie Saenz talking with another student with her research poster on the wall

Real Impact: Experiences take focus off community college transfer myths

Apr 1, 2024 1:00 pm

Since 2022, students transferring from community colleges in Illinois have had guaranteed admission to University of Illinois System universities in Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield if they meet requirements.

Teacher Nikki Patterson at her wedding posing for a portrait with her new husband

Real Impact: Southern Illinois educators unite for more milestones

Mar 11, 2024 2:30 pm

The U of I System is partnering with community colleges statewide to connect educators and administrators with public university transfer pathways for their students, especially to system universities in Springfield, Chicago and Urbana.

A student in class smiling with a notebook on the desk and pen in hand.

UIS waives application fees for some community college transfer students

Feb 26, 2024 10:15 am

Starting with the Fall 2024 application period, UIS will waive the $50 application fee for transfer students applying from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Richland Community College in Decatur and Illinois Central College in East Peoria.

A 3-D printer inside the new UIS high-tech lab

New UIS high-tech lab allows HS students to develop innovative products

Feb 12, 2024 1:45 pm

The University of Illinois Springfield, in collaboration with Innovate Springfield, its dynamic business incubator in downtown Springfield, is creating a new high-tech lab and class to teach high school students how to turn their innovative product ideas into reality.

University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) associate professor Devin Hunter

IIN awards new seed grant to social innovation project

Jan 31, 2024 10:30 am

The funded project, “Journeys to Justice: Commemorating and Memorializing the History and Legacy of Anti-Black Terror in Illinois,” will launch a statewide coalition to promote and support the research and remembrance of anti-Black riots, massacres and lynchings in Illinois.

Program Manager Donna Hampton has worked at the Center for Literacy for 17 years. (Photo: Tim Lemberger/UIC)

UIC’s Center for Literacy supports social mobility for Chicagoans

Jan 16, 2024 12:30 pm

UIC’s Center for Literacy, part of the College of Education, goes well beyond literacy programs and impacts the social mobility of Chicago families, especially those located on the South and West sides of the city. For more than 30 years, the center has supported families whose children are enrolled in Chicago’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield in the studio for new radio station Illinois Soul

New radio station focusing on Black voices launching February in C-U

Jan 2, 2024 12:00 pm

A new radio station - "Illinois Soul" - aiming to highlight Black experiences and perspectives will begin broadcasting from Illinois Public Media at WILL-FM 101.1 next month.

A group of students standing around a table

Real Impact: Mexican educator, researcher an inspiration near and far

Dec 4, 2023 3:45 pm

Illinois Mexican & Mexican-American Students (I-MMÁS) founder, director, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor Elvira de Mejía recruited civil engineering associate professor Rafael Tinoco. ... “When I-MMÁS started, we invited faculty, staff, and students to join the group. Rafael became an active friend of I-MMÁS,” de Mejía said. “He is an excellent role model for many students and professionals.”

A woman holding books, with the phrase "Prairie Promise" overlaid

UIS Prairie Promise covers cost of tuition and fees for first-time, first-year undergrads

Dec 4, 2023 3:45 pm

The Prairie Promise will use a combination of MAP grant awards, UIS scholarships and awards and AIM HIGH grant funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees. To qualify, students must be eligible to receive MAP grant funding, which requires a demonstration of financial need.

DPI program supports City College student pathways into computer science, tech fields

Dec 4, 2023 2:30 pm

The CS Starter Academy will serve more than 200 City College students through programs that address barriers and support student journeys into computer science and technology.

UIC student Harumi Barron holding her hands up in front of her

Real Impact: Hope Chicago delivers wide welcome to students, families

Dec 4, 2023 2:15 pm

For now, the program is available to about 4,000 students at five Chicago high schools – many from historically underrepresented groups – plus one parent or guardian each. Student support covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and a laptop, plus a yearly stipend.

Educational psychology professor Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, co-author of the paper.

Cultural capital key to sense of belonging for college students of color

Dec 4, 2023 2:00 pm

Psychologists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explored the factors associated with students' sense of belonging at college and found that of the four factors they identified that contribute to it, cultural capital is a key element for those from marginalized groups.

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