LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

MORE:

Making Opportunities Real for Everyone in the Mississippi and Rock River Regions

The Sauk and Mississippi Valley region stretches from Dixon, IL to Clinton, IA. Through school, industry, and business partnerships, professionals collaborate to bring opportunities to students and employers. Regional partnerships formed to create a manufacturing multi-craft program that connected HS/college students to paid internships while attending school. Partnerships continue to support each other and expand opportunities for students in dual credit, internships, agriculture expansion, business/professional skills training for high school students, manufacturing day/week tours and hands-on activities, career planning with employer support, and creating an education pathway. The multitude of partners supporting the region has allowed the rural communities to work together and support each other. 

Lead Intermediary Organizations

Whiteside Area Career Center, Sauk Valley Community College, Morrison Tech, Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce, ROE 47, and area school districts

Community/Region of Focus

Northwest Illinois’ Mississippi and Rock River Regions

Areas of Expertise

  • Sharing Responsibilities and Commitment to the Region
  • Education Pathway Curriculum Development
  • Career Information and Advising
  • Employers in the Classroom
  • Work-study Internships
  • Postsecondary Connections in Manufacturing

Prioritized Focus Sectors

  • Specific Focus on Manufacturing, Agriculture, Health Science, and Construction
  • Education Pathway Partnerships With Sauk Valley Community College, NIU and WIU
  • Career Planning for All Industry Clusters

Key Successes

  • Career Cruising Inspire is being purchased through Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC). MORE will promote and help grow school-business partnership programs through Career Cruising Inspire and business portfolios that highlight networking opportunities.
  • Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) and WACC will begin hosting training for area high schools to maximize opportunities.
  • MORE is promoting the Multi-craft Extended Internship Program at SVCC through partnerships with area manufacturers and high schools.
  • MORE is promoting Morrison Tech’s pre-engineering dual credit program that allows high school students to earn credit toward an engineering degree.
  • MORE is working with SVCC, NIU, WACC and area hospitals to expand enrollment in health science courses, certifications and degree programs.
  • Work has begun to create a Transitional English curriculum and pilot units during School Year 2021.
  • 4th year offering of QL/Stats Transitional Math pathway with continued curricular work and teacher training.
  • SVCC’s Impact Program provides eligible students, who graduate within the Sauk district, the opportunity to earn tuition and fees for up to three years at SVCC, or until they earn their certificate or degree— whichever comes first.

2-Year Goals

  • Education Pathway expansion: Four area high schools, Sauk Valley CC, ROE 47, and the career center have received grant funds to implement an education pathway.
  • Utilize pathway navigators to expand middle school career exploration opportunities using Xello.
  • Expand on-site internships with area employers.

Community Updates: