A new Learning Accelerator program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been selected for funding through the American Talent Initiative IDEAS Fund, in support of the university’s first campuswide, dual-credit program for prospective students leading to first-time entry into four-year degree programs. The program will serve students at lower-income Illinois public high schools.

Illinois joins 15 other institutions in receiving IDEAS Fund support totaling $5 million, which was recently announced by ATI. The two-year grant is also funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and administered jointly by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R. 

“Increasing opportunities for students is exactly in line with our university missions. I am confident the Learning Accelerator will not only make a significant contribution to the field of concurrent enrollment, but also will serve as a 21st century model for other public land-grant institutions,” said Chancellor Robert Jones.

Through the program, college partners will design high-quality online courses for high school students in general education areas unavailable at lower-income Illinois public high schools. The program also focuses on improving degree attainment for underserved populations and connecting students to the U. of I. while preparing them for college and providing them access to both college and high school credit.

“The university is at a pivotal moment as we pioneer a new approach to online learning by offering high-touch, dual-credit courses specifically designed to recruit and retain lower-income and Pell-eligible students,” said Provost John Coleman. “Through innovative programs such as the Learning Accelerator project, we are providing more opportunity and expanding access to Illinois students and families.”

The program is being launched by the Office of Online Learning (OOL) in the Office of the Provost in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and with support from the Registrar’s Office and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. The accelerator is co-led by Lisa Anderson, director of the Office of Online Learning, Sara MacKenzie, executive director of Undergraduate Admissions, and Doug Burgett, director of marketing and communications in Undergraduate Admissions.

“Our cohort-based dual-credit program will engage students where they are — in the high school classroom – with online course content provided by Illinois faculty, taught by certified high school teachers and at no cost to students. We are thrilled to receive this support from the American Talent Initiative to expand the Learning Accelerator program and serve high school learners in Illinois,” Anderson said.

This year, the Office of Online Learning is supporting the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences as the college seeks to debut Illinois’ first dual-credit course through its “ACES 102: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems,” course in seven participating Illinois high schools. Anderson said her team has “watched and learned” from ACES’ leadership in developing the course, while providing their support in the administrative processes needed to get the course up and running.

Anna Ball, ACES associate dean for academic programs, provided the vision for and has led the development of ACES’ dual-credit course. 

"The College of ACES is deeply committed to expanding access to transformative learning experiences across Illinois. Our dual-credit offering is a powerful tool for making our content accessible to high school students, particularly those from underserved communities. By bringing ACES courses directly into their classrooms, we’re not just broadening access to education, but empowering the next generation of leaders to explore critical fields, like sustainable food systems, all before they even step onto a college campus."

Anderson added that plans for the Learning Accelerator program’s launch include piloting courses during AY 2024-25, then scaling up these same courses in AY 2025-26. In year two, the program aims to double student enrollment for up to 40 participating high schools.

Contact the Office of Online Learning for opportunities to partner with the program.

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The American Talent Initiative is a Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported collaboration between the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, Ithaka S+R, and more than 135 top colleges and universities nationwide committed to enrolling, supporting, and graduating more talented students from lower-income backgrounds. ATI seeks to substantially expand access and opportunity for talented, low- and moderate-income students at the nation’s colleges and universities with the highest graduation rates. Member institutions are enhancing their own efforts to recruit and support lower-income students, learn from each other, and contribute to research that will help colleges and universities expand opportunities. To learn more about ATI, visit www.americantalentinitiative.org.