ECC partners with NIU for dual business degree program

Elgin Community College is one of five northwest suburban community colleges that recently partnered with Northern Illinois University for a dual business degree program.

The new agreement, announced June 12, will allow students who complete an associate degree in business to transfer seamlessly and complete their bachelor's degree at NIU-Hoffman Estates.

The Business Dual Degree Program is designed to provide a pathway for students to earn quality accessible and affordable associate and bachelor's degrees in business administration close to home, helping address the region's need for an educated workforce.

"An educated workforce is critical to growing our region's competitiveness," said NIU President Douglas Baker. "Expanding baccalaureate completion opportunities, improving transitions and providing students with incentives for degree-completion through compacts such as this help move our state toward these goals."

As part of the program, high-achieving students will be eligible for NIU scholarships that will enable them to complete their bachelor's degrees at NIU with a smaller investment.

The other presidents in the consortium agree, noting the convenience and affordability of the program and its benefits for students.

"This partnership provides another pathway for students to improve their lives and reach their educational goals," said David Sam, president of Elgin Community College. "It will allow ECC students to earn a four-year degree in business from NIU without leaving the district. It is an excellent benefit to our students and community."

The effectiveness of the program will be measured by the participating institutions with regard to increasing the number of associate and bachelor's degree holders, especially among low-income and first generation students. The Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success calls for the state to increase the number of high-quality postsecondary credentials to meet the demands of the economy and an increasingly global society, and the state has set a goal to increase the proportion of Illinois adults with a postsecondary credential to 60 percent by 2025.

William Rainey Harper College, College of Lake County, McHenry County College and Oakton Community College are also included in the partnership.