Southern Illinois University Carbondale strengthened its commitment to students in the city and Metro East this week with agreements to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified community college students by providing the option to earn their bachelor’s degrees remotely and at a lower cost in six academic programs.

SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane today (March 4) signed an agreement with St. Louis Community  College and on Wednesday (March 2) with Southwestern Illinois College to participate in the Saluki Step Ahead program, which covers the accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, health care management, psychology and radiologic sciences programs.

“Our agreements with SWIC and STLCC fit well with our Imagine 2030 strategic plan, which includes pillars for student success and partnerships,” Lane said. “We are proud of our beautiful campus and the first-rate education and unique opportunities we provide. But we understand not all students can move to Carbondale to complete their education, so we will bring SIU Carbondale to them. We are excited to welcome these students to the Saluki family.”

The signings now make 11 community colleges participating with SIU in the Saluki Step Ahead program, with more anticipated this spring. The pact with St. Louis Community College is the first Saluki Step Ahead agreement outside of Illinois.

St. Louis Community College Chancellor Jeff L. Pittman said the Saluki Step Ahead program is a “great opportunity” for its students.

“We are pleased that SIU is partnering with us to help more students advance their education, and especially being able to earn a degree online to meet the realities of the times. The SIU Saluki Step Ahead program is a great opportunity for STLCC graduates to earn a bachelor’s degree at an affordable cost, making it a win for all students,” Pittman said.

Nick Mance, Southwestern Illinois College president said SWIC is excited about the agreement.

“This program, allowing our students to transfer seamlessly to SIU’s online accounting, business and administration, criminology and criminal justice, psychology, health care management and radiologic sciences programs, is a fantastic opportunity for our students and the community.” Mance said. “It has long been our goal to prepare students to enter the workforce as highly qualified members of their chosen professions, and this program helps further our objectives.”

Following graduation with an associate degree from St. Louis Community College or Southwestern Illinois College, students can go on to complete their SIU bachelor’s degrees online without leaving their hometowns. Students in the program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In the third and fourth years, they receive an annual $4,000 scholarship. The goal is to allow students to earn their degrees for $25,000 or less.

For more information, contact SWIC Dean of Business, Health Sciences, and Homeland Security Ashley Becker, Ph.D., at ashley.becker@swic.edu or SWIC Associate Director of Student Services Annjanee Jones at annjanee.Jones@swic.edu.