ACES ACCESS connects community college students to the U of I
Published: Nov. 10, 2009
URBANA - The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois is partnering with Illinois community colleges on a new collaborative initiative called ACES ACCESS.
The initiative was launched this semester with Introduction to Animal Sciences, the first in a sequence of four introductory agricultural science foundation courses taught by U of I professors. The four courses are offered to students attending a participating community college using distance education technologies and several hands-on labs. Thirty-six students from eight different community colleges enrolled this fall.
"ACES ACCESS was developed to expand the range of agriculture courses that community colleges can offer their students, with the understanding that many Illinois colleges are challenged by declining financial and faculty resources," said ACES associate dean Laurie Kramer.
Students enrolled in the inaugural animal science course come from Kankakee, Carl Sandburg, Illinois Valley, Richland, Sauk Valley, Southeastern, Waubonsee, and Wilbur Wright colleges.
All Illinois community colleges are welcome to participate, and registration will soon open for the spring 2010 offering, Introduction to Crop Sciences. Introductory courses in horticulture and soil science will follow in 2010-11.
While providing a unique educational opportunity that includes access to University of Illinois faculty and facilities, this initiative pools precious resources from across the state.
The brainchild of Dennis Sorensen of Kankakee Community College, Michael Sloan of Illinois Central Community College, and Laurie Kramer of the U of I College of ACES, the collaborative effort enables students to access knowledge and skills needed to enter agriculture-related fields. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 48,000 jobs are available each year in agriculture, many with international opportunities.
"This is a great opportunity for students at two-year colleges to have access to the outstanding faculty and resources of the U of I College of ACES," said Donald M. Pearl, academic vice president for Sauk Valley Community College.
"The courses being taught in this partnership are beyond the ability of some of the individual two-year colleges to offer, but through this unique partnership we are able to come together and meet the needs of students and the agriculture community across the state in an efficient and visionary way. The U of I College of ACES should be commended for partnering with Illinois's two-year colleges to aid in meeting the agriculture education needs of community college students across the state," he added.
Participating community colleges offer ACES ACCESS courses through their regular registration process each semester. Students pay the standard tuition rate of their home institution and earn course credit from their home community college. For those going on to pursue a baccalaureate degree, these credits may be later transferred seamlessly to Illinois or other four-year institutions.
Students take courses using distance education technologies such as the synchronous Web-based software "Elluminate" (www.elluminate.com) and course management systems such as WebCT. Courses that include laboratory experiences offer one or two Saturday sessions on the U of I's Urbana-Champaign campus.
This initiative is an excellent opportunity for community college students who are interested in ultimately completing a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution such as the University of Illinois. For more information about the program, contact Heather Miller, Academic Outreach program director at hmiller1@uiuc.edu or (217) 265-6568.
About the College of ACES Established in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the original 37 public land-grant institutions established by the Morrill Act in 1862. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has the distinction of being the oldest college at the University and plays a key role in national and international research and educational initiatives in biological, physical, social, and economic sciences. The college is focused on advancing scientific knowledge that makes life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for people in Illinois and around the globe.
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