College of DuPage Transitions Commons enhances resources for DuPage County students with disabilities
Designed to give students with disabilities increased access to valuable college courses, the Community College Transitions Commons, a partnership between College of DuPage and District 502 high schools, provides tutoring, social work, career mentoring and case management services in an exclusive location on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.
The space, which opened earlier this year, includes a learning lab and lounge area for students and their respective high school transition coordinators.
Michael Duggan, COD Counselor for Students with Disabilities, said high school transition programs are designed for students with disabilities who, most likely, would not be able to complete either an associates or bachelor's degree but have the skills to complete college-level courses or vocational skills courses to assist them in skills development.
"There are more than 15 transition programs connected to COD, and this new unity space on campus shows these students that they are an important part of our College community," Duggan said.
Born of a conversation between College of DuPage Assistant Provost of Instruction Kirk Overstreet and Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools for DuPage County, Overstreet said the collaboration between COD and District 502 high schools strengthens the college's overall commitment to education and student success.
"These students are attending college courses and learning to navigate with the assistance of their transition coordinators," he said. "By providing them these important resources, students will receive the skills needed to be successful academically and socially."
College of DuPage Provost Dr. Mark Curtis-Chávez applauded the college's partnership and the administration's continued commitment to creating opportunities for students.
"I am very pleased with the collaborative work of our respective faculties in this important effort toward student success," he said. "It is our hope that we can reach more area high schools in the next academic year in order to reach more students who would benefit from these crucial services."
College of DuPage is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Serving approximately 25,000 students each term, College of DuPage is the largest public community college in the state of Illinois. The college grants seven associate degrees and offers more than 170 career and technical certificates in over 50 areas of study.