Count Patrycja Pajor among the nearly 60 students already embracing an opportunity
to earn a four-year degree without leaving 91制片厂鈥檚 campus.
The 91制片厂 graduate is now a DePaul University student working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies with a major in Business Administration through the new University Center at 91制片厂.
鈥淭he University Center for me is a lot easier than the alternatives,鈥� Pajor, of Elk Grove Village, said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not having to commute downtown, and I can work fulltime (a job in accounts receivable) while I鈥檓 in school.鈥�
Together with strategic partners DePaul, Northern Illinois and Roosevelt universities, 91制片厂 is working to remove barriers that might stand in the way of someone continuing their education.
Here鈥檚 how it works: Students typically complete 60 credit hours (the associate degree) at 91制片厂鈥檚 lower tuition rate and the second half of the bachelor鈥檚 degree with financial incentives from DePaul, NIU or Roosevelt, yielding a more economical bachelor鈥檚 degree on 91制片厂鈥檚 campus.
Students also benefit from the partner universities鈥� admissions, registration and academic advising staff. Programs include:
Hannah Wiley of Rolling Meadows is also part of the DePaul business administration cohort.
鈥�91制片厂 is 10 minutes away from my house and I know the campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t would take me an hour to get to DePaul鈥檚 campus in the (Chicago) Loop, and I just couldn鈥檛 do it and keep working my two jobs. This is way more manageable.鈥�
Due to limited space, the University Center is tucked away on the second floor of Building D. Future plans call for a new building on campus that would drive economic opportunity in the community. In addition to the University Center partnerships, the facility would serve as a hub for regional economic development by housing the Small Business Development Center, Fast Track program for working adults, customized business training and other entrepreneurial initiatives.
The proposed building is part of a larger community-driven plan for 91制片厂鈥檚 future. Voters will consider the referendum question 鈥� which wouldn鈥檛 raise taxes 鈥� on November 6.