College of ACES pioneers dual-credit opportunity for high school students
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is redefining educational access with the launch of ACES 102: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems. Approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and debuting this fall, the course marks the first dual-credit class offered by the Urbana campus.
“Dual-credit opportunities are an important part of our university’s commitment to expanding access to higher education,” said Lisa Anderson, director of the Office of Online Learning at U. of I. “While many regional universities and community colleges offer dual-credit courses, ACES 102 represents the first step for our campus in this space. It demonstrates how our colleges can innovate to make a world-class education more accessible to students across Illinois.”
Through this pioneering effort, high school students across the state can earn college credit while gaining an inside look at the university experience. By blending classroom learning with career exploration, ACES 102 introduces students to the many ways agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences touch everyday life — from food systems and human health to sustainability and community development.
“Large, research-intensive universities rarely open their doors to high school students through dual-credit programming,” said Anna Ball, associate dean for academic programs in the College of ACES. “We wanted to change that. This is about breaking down barriers, sparking curiosity, and showing students that the University of Illinois is a place where they belong — no matter where they come from.”
Initially launching in two Illinois high schools this fall, the course is designed to grow as more teachers and districts complete the necessary approval and training process. By offering a transferable university course within students’ home schools, ACES aims to strengthen pathways from high school to college while preparing the next generation of problem solvers and community leaders in the fields of food and agriculture.
“This initiative brings our land-grant promise to life in a new way,” said Germán Bollero, dean of the College of ACES. “We’re taking the resources of a world-class university and putting them in the hands of young people across the state. It’s a tremendous example of access, innovation, and public impact working together.”
The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the College of ACES, the Office of the Provost, and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, with support from the university’s Office of Online Learning. Over time, the college plans to expand the program to additional schools and explore new course offerings in related fields.
“Education should be a bridge, not a barrier,” Ball added. “We hope ACES 102 inspires students to see themselves as future scientists, educators, and innovators — and helps them take their first step toward that future right here at Illinois.”
ACES 102 provided the framework for a more expansive dual-credit pilot led by the Office of Online Learning, known as the Learning Accelerator initiative, which will launch in the 2026-2027 academic year with four dual-credit offerings for students at participating Illinois high schools.
Schools interested in offering ACES 102 as a dual-credit course are encouraged to contact Dr. Anna Ball at aball@illinois.edu for information about partnership opportunities and teacher qualification requirements