As industries prepare for the next wave of technological innovation, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) is positioning students to help lead it.
IWU recently announced the creation of the Fisher Center for Interdisciplinary Quantum Science & Engineering, a first-of-its-kind undergraduate initiative at a liberal arts institution. Supported by a transformational gift from alumni Ann and Alan Fisher, the Center combines the strengths of a liberal arts education with emerging technologies that will shape the future.
Students will gain hands-on experience through interdisciplinary coursework, faculty-mentored research, collaborative projects, internships, and experiential learning beginning early in their academic careers.
“Illinois Wesleyan’s unique interdisciplinary approach…is naturally suited to the field of quantum studies,” said President Sheahon J. Zenger. “The future requires people who can think across disciplines.”
The Fisher Center also strengthens IWU’s role in Illinois’ growing quantum innovation ecosystem. Through partnerships with industry, research organizations, and visiting scholars, students will engage in cutting-edge research while helping build the workforce of tomorrow. The first quantum courses are scheduled to begin in Spring 2027.
IWU’s investment in quantum education highlights how ACI member institutions are innovating to prepare graduates with the adaptability, creativity, and technical skills needed for emerging industries.