College of DuPage

College of DuPage is a public community college with its main campus located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and was founded in 1967 by Harold Washington, Richard J. Daley, and other local leaders, including Adlai Stevenson III and James R. Thompson. The college is one of the largest single-campus community colleges in the United States, serving students from Chicago, Naperville, Wheaton, Illinois, and other surrounding areas, including DuPage County and Kane County. College of DuPage has partnerships with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northern Illinois University, and DePaul University, providing students with transfer opportunities to these institutions.

● History

The history of College of DuPage dates back to 1966, when a referendum was passed to establish the college, with support from local leaders such as Everett Dirksen and Charles Percy. The college's first classes were held in 1968 at the Glen Ellyn campus, with an initial enrollment of over 1,600 students, including those from Addison, Illinois, Villa Park, Illinois, and Lombard, Illinois. Over the years, the college has expanded its facilities and programs, including the establishment of the Homeland Security Training Institute in 2004, which has partnerships with FBI Academy, United States Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The college has also received support from local organizations, such as the DuPage County Board, Glen Ellyn Park District, and Wheaton Park District.

● Campus

The main campus of College of DuPage is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, on a 273-acre site, and features a variety of facilities, including the McAninch Arts Center, which hosts performances by artists such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Joffrey Ballet. The campus is also home to the Berg Instructional Center, which features state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, and has partnerships with Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and Northwestern University. Additionally, the college has several satellite campuses and centers, including the Addison Center, Carol Stream Center, and Naperville Center, which serve students from Bloomingdale, Illinois, Glendale Heights, Illinois, and Woodridge, Illinois.

● Academics

College of DuPage offers a wide range of academic programs, including associate's degrees and certificates in fields such as Business Administration, Computer Science, and Nursing, with transfer agreements with University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Illinois Institute of Technology. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has programs approved by the American Bar Association, American Dental Association, and National League for Nursing. The college also has a strong focus on STEM education, with partnerships with Microsoft, IBM, and Caterpillar Inc., and offers programs in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Sustainable Energy.

● Student_Life

College of DuPage has a diverse student body, with over 25,000 students enrolled, including international students from countries such as China, India, and South Korea. The college offers a range of student activities and organizations, including the Student Leadership Council, Phi Theta Kappa, and National Society of Black Engineers, which provide opportunities for students to engage with peers from Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The college also has a variety of support services, including Counseling Services, Tutoring Services, and Disability Services, which are accredited by the American Psychological Association and National Association of Social Workers.

● Athletics

College of DuPage has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, against teams from Moraine Valley Community College, Oakton Community College, and McHenry County College. The college offers a range of sports, including Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball, and has produced athletes who have gone on to compete at the NCAA Division I level, including athletes from University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Ohio State University. The college's athletic facilities include the Chaparral Stadium and Physical Education Center, which have hosted events such as the NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship and Illinois High School Association state tournaments.