College of Illinois System Units Sights on Group Faculty Transfers with One Million Levels Partnership

In a multiyear pilot program, the University of Illinois System is working with nonprofit One Million Degrees to bridge the group faculty switch hole and enhance pupil outcomes. The challenge will present assist for 240 low-income group faculty college students within the Chicago space, together with profession advising to assist extra college students attain levels and entry jobs in high-demand fields.

“We’re extremely motivated to construct on the momentum that we have created with Illinois’ group schools, increasing alternatives for college kids to not solely entry larger schooling however to thrive in rewarding careers,” defined Tim Killeen, president of the College of Illinois System, in an announcement. “Fulfilling the promise of faculty entry and diploma completion requires robust, accessible switch pathways that join Illinois’ 48 public group schools to our universities. This initiative will unlock alternatives that may gas our state’s workforce and financial future.”

Starting in spring 2026, One Million Levels will present a complete system of wraparound assist, together with educational teaching, monetary help, and profession companies, to assist group faculty college students transition easily into four-year establishments. The work will construct on a variety of different switch initiatives in Illinois, together with the Illinois Articulation Initiative and assured switch admission pathways geared toward streamlining credit score switch between group schools and universities. The state additionally makes use of instruments like iTransfer and Transferology to assist establishments determine course equivalencies throughout a number of campuses.

The college system plans to guage the pilot over the following 4 years and can think about scaling this system to extra group faculty companions, with the aim of “serving to considerably enhance switch and bachelor’s diploma completion charges, paving the way in which for individuals to safe high-paying jobs in rising fields.”

“Transferring from group faculty to a four-year college is among the strongest methods we all know for advancing multigenerational upward mobility. However we can’t enable these pathways to turn into bridges to nowhere for the scholars who make the leap to switch — and even enroll and full — with out progressing right into a profession that totally capitalizes on their distinctive abilities and skills,” mentioned Josh Hoen, interim CEO of One Million Levels. “Finally, that is about guaranteeing that when college students wager massive on themselves by pursuing a university diploma, they see a robust labor market return that may dramatically enhance their profession and incomes potential.”