ACI News

Dr. Aaron KueckerPresident of Trinity Christian College Giving and receiving gifts through healthy connections is the key to life in any ecosystem. While institutions of higher education are certainly micro-ecosystems unto themselves, what could be possible if colleges served as hubs connecting the resources that can be shared for the good of students and communities? ... Read Article

Senior Studying PsychologyIllinois CollegePeer Mentoring Program This narrative recounts a meeting with the Siragusa Family Foundation, featuring Ray Martinez, a senior studying psychology at Illinois College. Ray has been involved with the ACI Peer Mentoring Program and TRIO as both a mentee and a mentor, and he is also part of the Co-Pilot program. Coming ... Read Article

Senior, NursingIWU Scholarship Recipient “I chose to major in nursing because I wanted to join a field where I could give back to the community. Nurses are key advocates for patients, and I’m passionate about creating a healing environment. Coming from a family of driven women who always put others first, I’m inspired to do ... Read Article

Several foundations, organizations and individuals provide funds to ACI over the course of our fiscal year to help the organization fund its mission to support member colleges and universities “by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, career and life.” Since May 1, these generous foundations, companies, and ... Read Article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a fleeting trend – it is inevitable and will be ubiquitous. Educational institutions are on the front lines as their students are the earliest adopters, embracing and incorporating AI into their daily lives. Colleges and universities must adapt, balancing the promise of innovation with the practicalities of implementation.  AI is ... Read Article

Recently, ACI appointed three new members to its Board of Trustees. We would like to highlight those Trustees and what they believe makes ACI and its work special. Dave BarnettChief Administrative OfficerDeVry University Why is ACI’s mission important to you:“I believe deeply that education is the means by which we unlock human potential, and that ... Read Article

ACI Executive Director April Arnold attended the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s (ISAC) 2024 College Changes Everything® (CCE) conference on July 18th at the Tinley Park Convention Center. This annual conference is Illinois’ premier event for college access, success, and career readiness. It gathers stakeholders committed to increasing the number of adults in Illinois with high-quality ... Read Article

Speakers Bureau Launches in September To create greater engagement between member school campuses and ACI corporate trustees, ACI will offer the ACI Speakers Bureau to member schools this Fall. The Speakers Bureau will connect ACI corporate trustees with your campus community through virtual talks, sharing expertise, experiences, and insights. Member institutions can access this service ... Read Article

ACI President Gregg Chenoweth of Olivet Nazarene University and ACI Corporate Trustee Toya Garcia-Bradow of William Blair recently joined ACI Executive Director April Arnold at the Mackinac Roundtable on Talent. The event was a dynamic gathering of over 75 academic leaders, 31 sponsors, and 13 regional partners representing higher education, philanthropy, and the corporate world. A shared ... Read Article

ACI’s Peer Mentoring Program started in 2013 to support first-year students who arrive at ACI member institutions with risk factors that could prevent them from staying in school and reaching graduation. Increasing college graduation rates among low-income (Pell Grant eligible), first-generation college, and diverse students is a top priority for Illinois and ACI. The Peer Mentoring Program continues its success, ... Read Article