Faculty Salaries and Professional Development
A talented faculty creates the most fertile environment for student learning. To attract and retain quality professors, Illinois College must significantly invest in its faculty through faculty endowments. The caliber of our faculty – many of whom are leaders in their respective disciplines – is critical to the quality of the education that we provide students and that, in turn, provides them entry to successful careers.
:: A fully endowed Faculty Chair ($1,500,000) will generate $75,000 in annual earnings,
enabling Illinois College to successfully recruit faculty members who have established a
national reputation in their area of expertise. Endowment income will supplement the salary
budget, as well as provide an annual professional spending account to support research,
teaching and professional development.
:: An endowed Professorship ($750,000) will provide $37,500 annually to allow the College to
honor its existing and most gifted teacher-scholars. In addition to augmenting the salary
budget, earnings from the endowment will provide annual stipends in support of research,
teaching and professional development.
:: A fully endowed Faculty Professional Development Fund ($500,000) will provide $25,000
each year in support to enhance the College’s efforts to further develop its teacher-scholars
at all stages in their careers.
:: A fully endowed Faculty Research Fund ($250,000) will support one or more faculty
research initiatives deemed most worthy by the College with annual endowment income
of $12,500.
BreakAway and Study Abroad Programs
To better prepare students for life in a global society through an expanded program of international study, Illinois College has a Study Abroad Program that allows students to spend either one semester or a full academic year studying outside the United States. Such programs challenge students to adapt to new cultures through exposure to diverse perspectives, often enhancing their ability to communicate in a second language. Additional endowed funds will help underwrite the travel expenses of students who are engaged in academic learning opportunities outside the United States, enabling more Illinois College students to take part in this life-changing experience.
Illinois College offers a distinctive BreakAway program which is designed to broaden students’ educational experiences with short-term, College-supported trips to locations in the United States and abroad. BreakAway trips have included Australia, Austria, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Turkey. Trips to New York City, the Florida Keys and Washington, D.C., have also been part of BreakAway.
Student Scholarships
Gifts to create endowed student scholarships affect the lives of many students and make it possible for Illinois College to attract and enroll talented students, regardless of their financial circumstances. Types of scholarships:
:: A $250,000 endowed scholarship fund, providing $12,500 in annual financial aid, could help
several students attend Illinois College.
:: An endowed scholarship of $100,000 would provide $5,000 annually in financial aid to a
deserving student.
:: A named scholarship endowment may be established with a minimum gift, payable over five years,
of $25,000.
Additional gifts to an endowed scholarship may be made in future years or by bequest. Endowed scholarships can be created to reflect personal interests of each donor. There are four aspects to consider when defining scholarship criteria: (1) merit-based scholarships attract exceptionally able and promising students to Illinois College; (2) need-based scholarships help students who otherwise would not be able to afford an Illinois College education; (3) geographic-based scholarships attract students from specified geographic areas; and (4) departmental scholarships provide aid to students in specified academic disciplines.
Student Internships
Internships enable Illinois College students to apply what is learned in the classroom to the world of practice. Working experience and contacts made through internships often lead to fruitful careers. A Student Internship Fund ($25,000 minimum) will enable the College to provide better financial support, especially for students interested in acquiring experience in public or nonprofit organizations that can only offer unpaid internships. Income from a Student Internship Fund will help defray cost-of-living expenses incurred.
The First-Year Student Experience
For students, the first year of college is full of exciting new experiences. Illinois College’s First-Year Student Experience is identified as “IC Connections.” This program is designed to immediately engage students in the scholarly enterprise of liberal arts education by pairing students with faculty members for special convocations, shared readings and community service activities throughout the academic year.
This endowment fund will allow the College to enhance its “IC Connections” program for its students. Together with the core academic program, this experience will empower them to live lives characterized by a passion for lifelong learning, a commitment to service and a readiness to lead. Specific initiatives within the First-Year Student Experience can be named with a gift of at least $25,000.
Student-Faculty Academic Research
Illinois College prides itself with a significant program of student and faculty collaborative research. Students publish papers and participate in distinctive research with faculty members that undergraduate peers at large, research universities only dream about.
Undergraduate students who work on research projects with faculty are better prepared for graduate and professional schools and for the challenges they will face during their professional careers. Students who collaborate with faculty mentors on research are more engaged in their educational pursuits and graduate with more in-depth knowledge in their chosen academic disciplines.
In addition to funding research initiatives, a Student-Faculty Academic Research Fund ($50,000 minimum) will also provide summer stipends to students who conduct research with faculty mentors.