South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) and Illinois Institute of Technology
Opportunity afforded by new Metra Stop at 35th and Dan Ryan — July, 2009
Illinois Institute of Technology has a long-standing history of enrolling students from dozens of community colleges throughout Illinois — many of whom have gone on to become some of our finest alumni and active citizens of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and communities throughout the US and around the globe.
With the development of the new Metra station at 35th Street, due to open in Fall, 2010, new opportunities open up for convenient access to IIT from the south and southwest suburbs. IIT's long membership in South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium (SMHEC) and familiarity with the other community colleges within the consortium has led the university to propose a special program to further encourage students at these institutions to complete their four year degrees at IIT — starting in the Fall of 2009.
Our community college partners include:
- Kankakee Community College
- Moraine Valley Community College
- South Suburban College
- Prairie State College
- Joliet Junior College
Contact representative Gregory Lawrence, Dean of Student Development.
Our goal is to develop a unique partnership among our partner SMHEC institutions which will serve as a model program for other urban community colleges and universities; a partnership which provides a strong and confident message to secondary school students, resuming students, international students, immigrant students and undocumented students that there are strong, vibrant and developed pathway programs to support an individual's goals and aspirations.
IIT's Contribution to the Partnership
- Accelerated Admission Process
The development of a comprehensive recruitment and transition program will allow the Presidents, faculty and senior leadership at Kankakee, Moraine Valley, South Suburban, Prairie State, and Joliet Junior College to identify highly qualified students for transfer to IIT. This partnership will allow IIT to enhance its orientation and academic advising programs for these students, ensuring the highest level of success.
At the request of a partner community college, IIT will provide one-stop admission and review sessions at each SMHEC school.
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Merit-Scholarships Opportunities
- Transfer Scholarships of up to $12,000 per year for students
- International Scholarships of up to $12,000 per year for students
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships of $5,000 per year
- University Scholarships of $2,500 per year for students who participated in Honors Colleges at SMHEC institutions
- Need-Based Financial Aid
Upon receipt of the FAFSA, all transfer students will be reviewed for federal and state financial aid.
- Undergraduate Research Stipends (Summer 2010)
A number of Undergraduate Research Summer Scholarships with a $5,000 stipend have been reserved for SMHEC community college partners.
The faculty and staff at IIT — along with the Offices of Undergraduate Admission, Financial Aid and Undergraduate Affairs are committed to the continued partnership with Presidents and faculty at Kankakee, Moraine Valley, South Suburban, Prairie State, and Joliet Junior College on a number of initiatives, including an annual symposium of Illinois community colleges, including the City Colleges of Chicago to celebrate the achievements of our students in the areas of research, scholarship, leadership and service.
Immediate Next Steps:
Please contact David Baker at 312.567.3561 or Jerry Doyle at 312.567.5203 to discuss the implementation of the proposal.
