2023 - Elgin Community College joins Saluki Step Ahead, setting students up for success

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Elgin Community College is partnering with Southern Illinois University (SIU) through their Saluki Step Ahead program, which allows ECC students to apply to SIU early, secure a predetermined degree track, and complete a bachelor's degree all at a lower cost. 

To qualify, students must apply during their first year at ECC. After completing their associate degree, students will enter one of the pathway programs as a full-time SIU student. The program offers qualified academic programs including accounting, business & administration, criminology & criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, industrial management and applied engineering, information technology, nursing, psychology, and radiologic sciences.

“Students will benefit from not only early admittance into a university but also from scholarship opportunities and the ability to earn their SIU degree on campus at ECC,” said Tracy Vittone, director of transfer services. “I am thrilled ECC students will have the opportunity to receive an SIU education right here on campus,” said Peggy Gundrum, associate dean of student success/career development services and an SIU alum. 

On September 6, ECC welcomed two representatives from SIU, Chancellor Austin A. Lane, EdD, and Associate Vice Chancellor Wendell Williams, to ECC’s campus for the signing. Joining them were President David Sam, PhD, JD, LLM; Peggy Heinrich, EdD, vice president of teaching, learning, and student development; and additional ECC administration and staff members, including Gundrum. 

The agreement will become active for future ECC students on October 1, 2023. For more information on the Saluki Step Ahead program, visit their website.