PARTNERING WITH THRIVING COMMUNITIES
Whether we're enhancing workforce opportunities or fostering innovations that drive economic growth, our shared success all starts with engaging the communities that call Illinois home.
COMMUNITIES VISITED
Paving nontraditional educational pathways
The Arturo Velazquez Institute (AVI) is part of the seven-campus City Colleges of Chicago network. Three of the institute’s popular staple programs — manufacturing, electrical construction technology, and sustainable urban horticulture — provide educational and economic opportunities for the Pilsen and Little Village communities.
To attract and support all kinds of learners, the U of I System partners closely with community colleges in Illinois to make transferring to system universities a smooth process. The system also is expanding its Transfer Guarantee, which secures admission for Illinois high school graduates transferring from any college or university in the nation who meet criteria.
During this state tour stop, AVI took the opportunity to spotlight numerous initiatives, including the new statewide “Make it in Illinois” campaign. The Illinois Innovation Network-community college-State of Illinois partnership aims to show how critical today’s manufacturing work is to our ever-changing environment and climate.
Preserving cultural heritage
Our stop at Cahokia Mounds World Heritage and State Historic Site highlighted the system’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and conducting archaeological research.
With free programs including Kids Day, as well as lectures, hikes and solstice celebrations, Cahokia Mounds welcomes as many as 350,000 visitors each year.
Engaging with the site’s historical and contemporary significance allows the U of I System to support regional economic potential, while enhancing educational and research opportunities. The site is part of the statewide Mythic Mississippi research project, with co-principal investigators from the University of Illinois Springfield and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
