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.
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.
Engage Magazine Volume 4, Number 2
On the Cover Video featuring Josie Suter
Other Videos
Success Stories
“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 StorySuccess Stories
“Once I immersed myself, it became very clear to me that I made a great choice in attending COD.” - Jaylyn Grant
Jaylyn's COD StorySuccess Stories
“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 StorySuccess Stories
“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 StorySuccess Stories
“The two-year COD Architecture program offers the best value in the Chicago 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 StoryRelated to this issue of Engage
Learn more about the following academic programs at College of DuPage that are highlighted in this issue of Engage.
College of DuPage offers opportunities beyond the classroom that enhance academics and foster both professional and personal growth.