Top 10 of 2015: Partnerships in education and business (9)
Oakton Community College’s partnerships with area colleges and businesses landed at No. 9 among the top 10 Oakton stories for 2015.
Among those key partnerships is Oakton’s participation in a consortium—along with College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, Harper Community College and McHenry Community College—with the Northern Illinois University College of Business that allows students at Oakton who complete an associate’s degree in business to transfer seamlessly to NIU-Hoffman Estates and complete their bachelor’s degree.
The dual business degree program, designed primarily to meet the needs of non-traditional students who are unable to attend classes during the day because of work or family commitments, was unveiled at NIU-Hoffman Estates in June.
“The partnership provides a new pathway that is extremely important for Oakton students who are looking to continue their education in the area of business beyond Oakton, but need the convenience of a location closer to home,” said Dean of Social Sciences and Business Brad Wooten. “Several Oakton instructors in the business area have been advocating for such an opportunity, and having this partnership with NIU provides our academic advisers and faculty with an additional option to promote to our students to help them complete their academic goals.”
“Whenever we can forge a partnership that removes barriers for our students and facilitates their pathway to completion, we can and should celebrate,” said President Margaret B. Lee at the time. “I am grateful to my colleagues at Oakton and in our partner institutions who worked on all of the details that brought us to this day and this agreement.”
A partnership between Elmhurst College and the Oakton Community College Alumni Council resulted in the creation of the Elmhurst College/Oakton Community College Alumni Scholarship, which was awarded for the first time in March to Des Plaines resident Susana Gomez.
The scholarship was endowed in 2014 by Timothy J. Panfil, an Oakton Alumni Council member and director of enrollment management for the School for Professional Studies at Elmhurst College.
Elmhurst College and the Oakton Community College Alumni Council worked together to establish the scholarship as part of a statewide initiative to help community college students continue their education. The scholarship is offered to one outstanding adult learner who graduates from Oakton Community College and transfers into an accelerated degree completion program at Elmhurst College. The award is valued at $3,500 per term, which represents almost half the cost of tuition and is the largest award granted by Elmhurst’s School for Professional Students.
In July, Oakton announced a partnership with Glenview-based Abt Electronics. The largest independent single-store retailer in the country is partnering with Oakton on a customized apprentice training program geared towards teaching future service technicians the most advanced techniques in appliance and electronics repair, HVAC installation and service.
“Abt has been a tremendous partner every step of the way,” said Oakton Interim Associate Vice President for Continuing Education, Training and Workforce Development Colette Hands. “They were very clear about their goals in partnering with Oakton to expand their already well-developed workforce.”
“We’re aiming to target top-performing students and help them establish their careers beyond the classroom with this new partnership,” said Bart McGuinn, human resources director at Abt. “It’s about ensuring that all members of our team, current and future, are at the top of the industry.”
