Bradley University and Illinois Central College have entered a transfer partnership to create a seamless pathway between the higher education schools, while boosting the Greater Peoria workforce.
“Illinois Community College has great students and when they transfer somewhere, it makes sense for them to transfer to Bradley University,” said Bradley President James Shadid. “We’re in their backyard; they’re in our backyard. We both serve this community. So it just made it made sense to do this.”
Leaders from both institutions gathered Tuesday morning at ICC’s Peoria campus for a signing ceremony that formalized the “Path2BU” agreement, establishing a clear process for ICC associate degree graduates to continue their education at Bradley.
“We’re all in the same mindset in this regard — ICC, Bradley, the Greater Peoria community. We’re all trying to attract and retain people, students in our case,” said Shadid.
“If we are attracting and retaining them, and they’re getting acclimated in our community, they’re doing internships in our community. They’re doing community service hours in our community, they’re going to grow to like this community, and they may stay here. So it all works together.”
ICC interim president Bruce Budde shared Shadid’s belief that the collaboration will enhance both institutions’ commitment to bolster the Greater Peoria community.
“These students that come to ICC and then go to Bradley will stay in our community, so we’re keeping that talent within our community,” said Budde. “It really helps feed the economic vibrancy of the community overall, and the whole region.”
Under the agreement, eligible ICC students will transfer to Bradley with junior standing through a streamlined credit evaluation. The program also outlines scholarship eligibility for students with a 2.7 cumulative GPA.
“So those students don’t have to take extra courses when they get to Bradley or do extra work. They’re actually going to move through that process as efficient as other students,” said Budde.
“The advantage we have in the two-year program, we’re building maturity. We’re building very good students, and folks that know what to do when they get to that next level. That’s why this partnership is so important.”
Additionally, a $1 million grant from the Gilmore Foundation — named for ICC president emeritus Sheila Quirk-Bailey — will cover “last-dollar” scholarships for qualifying Path2BU students.
“ICC and Bradley each do an exceptional job preparing students for the workforce, combining strong academic foundations with real world, career-ready experiences,” said Gilmore Foundation president Laura Cullinan.
“Together, ICC and Bradley are strengthening the local talent pipeline and ensuring employers in our region have access to well-prepared graduates," she said. "Path2BU is exactly the kind of collaboration that Greater Peoria needs to support its economic vitality.”
With an anticipated higher ed enrollment “cliff” looming, Shadid said partnerships such as the one with ICC show the university is being as proactive as possible.
“It helps us to provide opportunities for more young people to attend Bradley University after Illinois Central College. So simply put, it helps us address some of the enrollment challenges that we all face — and that we’re doing something about it,” he said.
