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On Wednesday, we officially broke ground on our brand new, multipurpose, turf athletic field!

“This new field is more than just a place to play,” said Rockford University president Dr. Patricia Lynott at the official groundbreaking. “It’s a place where leadership is going to be developed, perseverance is going to be tested, and pride is going to be shared.” 

Funding for the turf field will come from the State of Illinois’s Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant, the same grant that funded construction of our new baseball and softball fields. Byrne and Jones Sports Construction will lead the project.

Thank you to all of the donors, trustees, alums, staff, faculty, students, friends, family, and Rockford community members who braved the heat to celebrate this new beginning with us!

Watch the full press conference–featuring words of support from Mayor Tom NcNamara alongside President Patricia Lynott, Associate Director of Athletics Jess Stanek, and VP of Advancement Katherine Trotter–on the official RU YouTube channel. 

VP of Advancement Katherine Trotter and President Lynott catch up with Sunil Puri, wearing a classic RU jersey!

Rockford University, the alma mater of Jane Addams, seeks to hire a full-time, teaching track faculty member at the assistant professor level, as part of the creation of its new bachelor’s degree social work program. The position will begin in Fall 2025 and carry a teaching load of five courses per semester (15 credit hours per semester). Rockford University represents an attractive institution at which to begin a teaching career, offering many opportunities for professional growth while teaching at the undergraduate level.

Successful candidates must have an MSW from a CSWE accredited program and be licensed or license-eligible in the State of Illinois (DSW or Ph.D. in social work preferred but not required). Preference for candidates who have at least two years of post-master’s degree experience in social work practice. Experience in CSWE accreditation processes particularly desirable.

Rockford University is located in Rockford, IL, within convenient commuting distance to Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, WI. Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. We offer approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, and are home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States, as well as to NCAA Division III athletics teams.

Please submit, via e-mail, a single .pdf resume, cover letter, transcripts (official upon hire), and list of three professional references to HumanResources@rockford.edu . Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position if filled. This opportunity offers an annual salary of 55,000-60,000.

Our Benefits: Supporting You Every Step of the Way

We believe in taking care of our employees, which is why we offer a competitive benefits package that goes above and beyond. Here’s how we support your health, happiness, and future:

· Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you and your family stay healthy.

· Savings for Health & Dependent Care: Flexible savings options to manage healthcare and dependent care costs.

· Financial Protection: Life, AD&D, and disability insurance for peace of mind when life throws you a curveball.

· Retirement Security: 403(b) plan with employer contributions to help you build a secure future.

· Personal Support: Access to our Employee Assistance Program, offering resources for both personal and professional needs.

· Education Benefits: Tuition remission for full-time and part-time employees, their spouses, and dependents. We offer tuition remission both at Rockford University and other partnering colleges through a tuition exchange.

· Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off to help you recharge and spend quality time with loved ones.

At Rockford University, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that values a well-rounded workforce and community. We welcome candidates who, through their professional experience, contribute to excellence in their work and enhance our institutional mission.

On June 12, 2025, Rockford University hosted our annual Golf Play Day at the beautiful Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford, IL. This signature event raises critical funds to support our Athletics programs, which serve more than 30% of our student body.

This year’s event was a tremendous success, with over 100 golfers and more than 30 generous sponsors coming together to raise just over $24,000 in support of our Regents.

We are deeply grateful for the continued support of the Rockford community. Your generosity helps fuel our student-athletes’ success—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

Click here to view photos from the event and visit RockfordRegents.com to stay up-to-date on all things Rockford University Athletics!

Puri School of Business
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4000

Luis Romero
Chair of Puri School of Business
LRomero@rockford.edu
815-226-4046

Office of Admission
Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050
Fax: 815-226-2822
Email: Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Please call to reserve an appointment on Saturdays.

Meet Our Admissions Team!

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Minors

Master of Business Administration

Rockford University’s MBA consists of core coursework that helps you develop critical management skills and a deeper understanding of the business field. To complete your degree, select courses from a list of popular business electives or customize your MBA by choosing electives from four in-demand concentrations: Finance, Healthcare Administration, Project Management, and Organizational Leadership.

Learn more at rockford.edu/admission/graduate/mba/. 

Our Graduates

The Office of Advancement and Alumni is thrilled to announce that the Slavens Ware Scholarship Endowment has reached its funding goal and is now officially an endowed scholarship here at RU! The first awards will be given out in the 2026-2027 academic year. Below, learn more about the Slavens Ware Scholarship Endowment, and the impact both Professor Slavens and Professor Ware had and continue to have on their students. 

…

I didn’t think they did anything like that until after you died,” said Dr. Marjorie Slavens, former professor at Rockford University, when asked how she feels about having an endowed scholarship made in her name. Her former students, now friends, who sat next to her, laughed at this response.

Dr. Slavens, and former Professor Sally Lo Ware, are both being honored with an endowed scholarship put together by many of their former students. Alumni Dave & Paula Hougan ‘72, along with alumna Mary Parisoe ‘75, came together at the Rockford University Reunion in September 2024 with Dr. Slavens to talk about why and how they decided to put together this scholarship to honor their two professors.

“This is an absolute way for us to pay tribute to these two professors that were so meaningful in terms of our careers, and to all our experiences at Rockford College,” Dave Hougan said. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t do this earlier when Ms. Ware was around. (Ware passed in 1990). But we now can do this, and we probably weren’t in the place to do it at that time.”

Dave and Paula Hougan, who first met at Rockford College and later married, both studied language in school. Paula was a French and Spanish major, while Dave studied Spanish. Parisoe was a French major.

Ware taught at Rockford College from 1960 until her passing in 1990. She was the first faculty member hired by then-President Dr. John Howard. During Ware’s tenure, she was the chair of the French department and the director of the Language Lab.

When Ware passed suddenly in 1990, it was Parisoe who took her place after Dr. Slavens called her and asked.

Dr. Slavens worked at Rockford College from 1965 to 1998. During her 33 years, she was chair of the Spanish department, chair of the Languages department, and chair of the Language and Literature division.

Parisoe said it was Slavens’ and Ware’s teaching that gave her the career she did not have.

“People say, ‘Oh, the computers do that,’” Parisoe said. “But they don’t know. You would need a meeting of the minds, not a meeting of machines. I think it’s important (the study of language) and it also teaches you about your language in learning a second language.”

Alumna Paula Hougan agrees.

“I’m from a small town in Illinois, and when I checked recently on the demographics of my school district, it continues to be a hundred percent white,” Paula Hougan said.

Through her experience at Rockford College, and her time with Professor Slavens and Ware, Hougan had the opportunity to travel to different countries, and not just as a tourist. Through this endowment fund, she hopes to highlight the importance of people connecting through language.

…

This story was originally published in the 2023-2024 Annual Report under Sara Myers-Hogshead’s byline. 

Rockford University is pleased to announce that Katherine Trotter has joined the University’s leadership team as the new Vice President for Advancement. A proud alumna of Rockford University (then Rockford College), Class of 2011, Katherine brings with her more than 15 years of experience in education, partnership-building, and leadership development.

Throughout her career, Katherine has been committed to shaping and enhancing learning experiences, with a strong background in curriculum development and student-centered growth. Her passion for education and community is matched by her dedication to fostering meaningful relationships—values that align deeply with Rockford University’s mission.

As Vice President for Advancement, Katherine will lead efforts to engage alumni, secure philanthropic support, and strengthen the University’s role within the broader Rockford region. Her collaborative leadership style, combined with a deep understanding of what makes communities thrive, will be instrumental in furthering Rockford University’s impact and reach.

Katherine is a passionate advocate for both her alma mater and the Rockford community. She believes in the transformative power of education and is committed to using her role to build lasting partnerships, support student success, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the institution.

Outside of her professional work, Katherine enjoys life with her husband, Jake, and their young daughter, Judy. Their strong family dynamic reflects the same values of connection and care that Katherine brings to her work every day.

Please join us in welcoming Katherine back to Rockford University. We are excited to have her leadership, energy, and vision guiding our advancement efforts into the future.

Data Science Program
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050

Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics; Chair, Department of Mathematics, Computer Science & Physics
MDik@rockford.edu
Phone: 815-226-4135

Office of Admission
Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050
Fax: 815-226-2822
Email: Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Please call to reserve an appointment on Saturdays.

Meet Our Admissions Team!

Social Work

5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050

Kristen Clarke, MSW, LCSW
Director of Lang Health Center 
KClarke@rockford.edu
Phone: 815-226-2840

Office of Admission
Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050
Fax: 815-226-2822
Email: Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Please call to reserve an appointment on Saturdays.

Meet Our Admissions Team!

JACCE Staff

Kaeleigh Taylor is one of our student workers focused on sustainability, web design, and civic engagement. She is studying Computer Science focusing on Information System Management and Mathematics focusing on Data Science.  After completing 2 years as fellow she is wrapping up her final semester at the center.  

Jane Addams Fellows

Jocelyn Solis is a Jane Addams Fellow who focuses on spreading literacy, uplifting student voices, and implementing service projects. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. She is excited to serve as a fellow for the 2024-2025 school year and welcomes new experiences as a learning opportunity.

JACCE Board of Advocates