Engage

Engage Volume 4, Number 2

A Message from the President

Helping students be successful requires a creative and comprehensive approach that includes experiences inside and outside the classroom.

What may surprise people is the scope of opportunities at College of DuPage. In some cases, these opportunities are not available to students at four-year institutions until they are juniors and seniors.

In this issue of Engage, explore just a few of the many ways that students can immerse themselves in both academics and campus life. These include hands-on labs, field experiences, leadership programs and even academic research, all of which provide valuable skills that students will use in their careers and lives.

The College also helps students before they enroll and after they leave the institution. Programs like dual credit give high school students a jump-start on their college education, while transfer agreements create a smooth path toward a bachelor’s degree and other educational credentials.

This is all in addition to our passionate faculty and the quality of their instruction, which have long been a trademark of the College. As you read this issue, discover the many ways that COD prepares students for success.

Budget-in-Brief

The annual budget process at College of DuPage is a comprehensive undertaking that includes meetings with every department on campus to identify and prioritize needs. This allows us to determine how to allocate the funding we receive from local taxes, tuition and the state in order to benefit our students and the community.

While the College’s budget is hundreds of pages in length, the Budget-in-Brief presents an easy-to-understand snapshot of our financial plan. I invite you to review this document and other financial reports at cod.edu/financials.

Dr. Brian W. Caputo, President of College of DuPage.

A Note From the Board of Trustees

As we move through the pandemic and look toward the future, community colleges continue to play a significant role as engines of recovery through workforce training and education.

The Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) is confronting the critical challenges facing us in order to meet the needs of our communities. In my current role as Vice President and President-Elect of ICCTA, my goal is to help the leadership of our institutions find creative ways to ensure student success and economic stability.

At College of DuPage, this includes creating new programming that addresses current workforce demands. In recent months, the Board of Trustees has approved four new certificates, with two of them—Python Language Proficiency and Digital and Social Media Marketing—already receiving approval from the Illinois Community College Board.

This issue of Engage focuses on student success. Through our actions, we can provide students with the framework for successful careers and personal satisfaction while contributing to a thriving economic landscape.
Maureen Dunne, Board Chair

 

Engage Magazine Volume 4, Number 2

Read Engage Magazine

 

On the Cover Video featuring Josie Suter

Other Videos

Success Stories

Juan Gallegos

“My advice to anyone who joins the Culinary Arts program at COD is to not be afraid to ask questions, as the instructors and your peers have great knowledge to share. COD helped me gain firsthand experience on how restaurants work and what to expect in real-world situations." - Juan Gallegos

Juan's COD Story

Success Stories

Jaylyn Grant

“Once I immersed myself, it became very clear to me that I made a great choice in attending COD.” - Jaylyn Grant

Jaylyn's COD Story

Success Stories

Sharon Grimm

“My entire experience at COD helped to shape who I am as a person. I found a confidence in myself that would carry into earning a bachelor’s degree and continuing to a rewarding career in research. The opportunities afforded at COD are unlike any school that I have attended, before or since.” - Sharon Grimm

Sharon's COD Story

Success Stories

Lashawna Harris

“Hard work and dedication pay off. Create an educational plan. Calculate the cost. Apply for internal and external scholarships and grants. Most importantly, don’t give up. COD more than met my expectations of what a community college offers.” - Lashawna Harris

Lashawna's COD Story

Success Stories

Jairo Ortega

“The two-year COD Architecture program offers the best value in the Chicagoland area. No other community college in the region offers as many articulation agreements and transfer patterns to four-year colleges of architecture.” - Jairo Ortega

Jairo's COD Story

Related to this issue of Engage

Learn more about the following academic programs at College of DuPage that are highlighted in this issue of Engage.