Illinois Tech Launches New Guaranteed Admission Partnership with City Colleges of Chicago

Illinois Institute of Technology and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) have announced a new partnership to create a pathway for students attending Wilbur Wright College to pursue their bachelor’s or master’s degrees at Illinois Tech’s Armour College of Engineering. This new partnership officially launched with a ceremonial signing held on Wednesday, August 21, at Illinois Tech’s John T. Rettaliata Engineering Center.

The Illinois Tech (IIT)-Wright Engineering program will provide students with a seamless transition into the university’s nationally ranked engineering program through rigorous preparation and mentorship. This highly selective program offers qualified students guaranteed admission, in addition to an annual $25,000 scholarship from Illinois Tech upon completing the program at Wright College. Students subsequently accepted into the accelerated master’s degree program will continue to receive this yearly merit scholarship. Prior to transferring, Wright students can also take gateway courses at Illinois Tech for a discounted rate of $100 per credit hour.

“At Illinois Tech’s Armour College of Engineering we strive to be the main partner for the CCC in engineering and aspire to be the number one choice for the young minds of Chicago interested in engineering,” says Natacha DePaola, dean of Illinois Tech’s Armour College of Engineering.

This joint partnership offers students the opportunity to receive dual advising from admission counselors and career services, along with academic and faculty mentoring from both institutions. 

DePaola shares, “Admitted students will be part of our Illinois Tech student body from day one, participating in curricular and extracurricular activities on our campus while pursuing their studies at Wright.” She adds, “Working closely with the City Colleges of Chicago system, we will ensure that students are prepared to be successful at Illinois Tech.”

Doris Espiritu, director of Wright College’s engineering program, remarks that the collaboration and commitment from both institutions will help to ensure student success. “CCC and Wright College promise to transfer those students who can handle the rigorous academics to be successful at Illinois Tech,” says Espiritu.

As part of the competitive process, only Wright College students accepted into the program through City Colleges of Chicago-Wright Engineering will be eligible for guaranteed admission.

“The program will be a game changer because this is intentionally designed for students to save a lot of money while seamlessly preparing them to transfer to Illinois Tech,” adds Espiritu.

The Illinois Tech-Wright Engineering program launch included a tour of engineering labs and a signing ceremony to commemorate the partnership. In addition to DePaola and Espiritu, Illinois Tech President Alan W. Cramb, City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado, and Wilbur Wright College President David Potash were among the speakers presiding over the event. 

Students enrolled for the inaugural year of the program also participated in the celebration.