COD Celebrates Students in the Engineering Pathways Program

The Engineering department at College of DuPage recently hosted a reception to celebrate and recognize students in the College's Engineering Pathways program. Now in its third year, this innovative option for students provides seamless transfer and guaranteed admission to the prestigious baccalaureate Engineering program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is among the highest-ranking engineering programs worldwide.

During the reception, approximately 150 prospective, current and former Pathways students and family members were on hand to welcome incoming engineering students, recognize current Pathways students and congratulate students who have completed the program and are headed to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) this fall.

Click here to view photos from this event.

Acting Interim President Dr. Joe Collins noted the growing number of students in the program.

"When the program began, we expected to have an average of about 25 students per year," Collins said. "In three short years, however, enrollment in the program has doubled to nearly 60 students. This overwhelming success is a testament to how well COD is meeting the needs of our students. That UIUC, one of the top engineering schools in the world, recognizes the quality of our programming is a testament to the rigor and excellence of our engineering curriculum."

Engineering Professor Dr. David Smith said that one of the advantages of the program is that it takes the guesswork out of the competitive admission process at UIUC. He added that the program benefits both the students and the College alike, creating a cycle of success.

"The Pathways program has attracted top-notch students to COD which has consequently helped raise the level and increase the quality of the engineering program in general," Smith said.

During the reception, Engineering Professor Scott Banjavcic called on the students to mingle and meet at least three new people during the evening.

"You are all on your way to being engineers," Banjavcic said. "Step out of your comfort zone and take this opportunity to meet new people. This is your network."

Fresh out of high school, West Chicago resident Nicholas Lundquist was accepted into the Engineering Pathways program and will begin classes at COD in fall 2015.

"The Engineering Pathways program at College of DuPage is an excellent opportunity to get to get the same high quality education I would get during the first two years at UIUC while staying close to home," Lundquist said.

Current student Laura Kristie said she is also extremely pleased with her experience in the program.

"The Engineering Pathways program provides a great opportunity for students," Kristie said. "It's great to be able to stay at home, save money and receive a great education."

Susan Pelc, whose son Brandon is in his second semester in the Pathways program said she was thrilled with the program and has been spreading the word to friends and family. In addition to cost savings and a top-notch education, the program helps ease young students into the transition to college, Pelc said.

"This is a phenomenal program," Pelc said. "It really eases the huge jump from being at home to college life and independence."

This fall, former COD student and Engineering Pathways program participant John Batke will be going into his second semester in the Aerospace Engineering program at UIUC. He said that while the Engineering Pathways program sets high standards for the students, an additional highlight is the program's social aspect.

"Maintaining a high GPA is important but making friends and forming bonds was arguably just as important and beneficial," he said. "It was easy to form study groups with other students in the program and these groups have made a huge difference in my understanding of the material and subsequently, my final grade."

Batke said he would definitely recommend the COD Pathways program to students who plan to go into engineering.

"The Pathways program gives students a chance to grow as both students and human beings and I consider myself lucky to have been a part of it. The program does a wonderful job preparing students to move on to UIUC," Batke said. "It has high standards for engineering students to maintain and these standards are directly related to preparing the students well for the academic rigors of UIUC."

Click here for more information about the Engineering Pathways program at COD.