Year in Review: 2025 Highlights from the Illinois Education and Career Success Network
In 2025, the Illinois Education and Career Success Network (Success Network) continued to expand its reach and impact by welcoming new communities, hosting thoughtful convenings, engaging students, and supporting its Leadership Communities to make strides toward regional and state postsecondary attainment goals. Under the leadership of the Network Organizers, Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at […]
District 211 Students Attend Future Educator Workshop at NIU
When High School District 211 education pathway students stepped into the classrooms of Northern Illinois University this fall, the focus was bigger than a basic college visit. The career exploration trip was intended to help solidify future career choices and gain a broader understanding of the pursuit of education as a major. The visit to […]
District 214 Hosts College and Career Ready! Night
District 214’s Center for Career Discovery hosted its annual virtual College and Career Ready! Night for parents and students on October 29, 2025. This event showcased the many career pathway opportunities available, including specialized coursework, early college credit options, and hands-on work-based learning experiences, which are designed to help students explore and shape their future. […]
NECSS Launches College Now
College Now is a unique partnership between Districts 211, 214, 220, and Harper College that offers students the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts (AA) degree by the end of their senior year. Through a carefully structured academic plan, students complete college-level coursework on the campus of Harper […]
Sauk Valley Community College Expands Agriculture Programming
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Sauk Valley Community College is hosting Whiteside Area Career Center Culinary students for class in its greenhouse to learn how to grow the fresh produce they will transform into culinary dishes through the new Greenhouse to Table program. Chef Joe Hunt brings out one section per day to learn about […]
Whiteside Area Career Center Learns from CTE Interest Survey
For the second year, the Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) offered a CTE interest survey to all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students, which received more than 1,600 responses. The survey asked about the training programs students are most interested in, how likely they are to take a WACC course, and what factors influence their […]
2025 State of Public Schools: McLean County’s Education Leaders Emphasize Collaboration and Growth
On October 30, 2025, local business, civic, and education leaders gathered for the 2025 State of Public Schools, an annual event highlighting the successes, challenges, and future goals of K–12 public education across McLean County. Mark DeKeersgieter, Executive Director of CIRBN, LLC opened the program by welcoming attendees and introducing Shelly Purchis, Manager of Workforce Development & Foundation […]
McLean County Expands Opportunities for Students Through the Bloomington Career Academy
McLean County continues to create additional opportunities for students to explore various career pathways with the opening this past August of the new 200,000 sq ft. Bloomington Career Academy (BCA). Formerly housed in one wing of Bloomington High School as the Bloomington Area Career Center, BCA now has a state-of-the-art learning center for approximately 20 […]
Lake County Hosts Navig8 – The Region’s Signature Hands-On Career Exploration Event
On October 22, 2025, the Lake County Regional Office of Education hosted the annual Navig8Lake Career Exploration Event—a large-scale, hands-on opportunity for students across Lake County to discover real-world careers through direct interaction with local professionals. This flagship event continues to align with the Illinois PaCE Framework, ensuring students receive meaningful exposure to careers and […]
Highland Career Fair Reaches New Heights
Highland Community College hosted its annual Career Fair in Freeport, Illinois, in mid-November. The event hosted over 530 high school students from 10 partner high schools, setting a new post-COVID attendance record, and featured brand-new student materials to support research, learning from, and reflection on the event’s 44 diverse employers. Highland Career Services gathers feedback […]